Frequently Asked Questions
Q."Can these ball valves be installed vertically and horizontally?
A. All PVC ball valves can be installed vertically or horizontally.
Q. "Do you offer volume discounts on PVC valves?"
A. Yes. If you order 50ea or more of the same item, you'll receive a discount. If your order 100ea or more of the same valve, you'll receive a greater discount. We have an even greater discount when you order 500ea or more of the same valve. Volume pricing will appear in your shopping cart, and not on the page.
Q. "Can you sell valves in other colors?"
A. Most of the ball valves that we stock/ship are gray colored but many times we will ship them in white (especially the smaller sizes). In terms of quality they are all identical and color is no reflection of quality or ease of use or installation. If you specifically need either gray or white please do specify that in the comments area when ordering. Unless you specify we will ship whatever color is mostly in stock at the time of your order and if you order a week later for more PVC valves they might be shipped in another color. If you need a particular color, include your request in the "comments" section of your order and we will let you know if that is possible before we ship your order.
Q. "What is the name of the manufacturer of these PVC valves?"
A. Because of our large selection (we believe we have the largest selection of PVC fittings on the Internet), our large volume, and because sometimes manufacturers are out of sizes and/or products (we have over 98% of the above products in stock at all times), we get our fittings/valves from many PVC fittings/valves suppliers. We guarantee top quality fittings/valves by U.S. PVC fitting suppliers, but please be aware that the fittings/valves that we send will not necessarily all be from one brand or one manufacturer. If you must have ("insist on") one specific brand of PVC manufacturer's fittings/valves, please specify that clearly on your order form (where we allow space for you to write notes to us when you are placing your order); and then we will let you know if that is possible before we ship your order.
Q. "Can I use PVC pipe and fittings/valves for compressed air or gases?"
A. Although some people use PVC piping for compressed air or gases, we are not aware of any fittings manufacturer that recommends it. We believe it is dangerous and absolutely do not recommend it. Air is much more compressible than are liquids and could therefore cause a violent explosion.
Q. "Do you recommend using PTFE thread sealing tape on PVC threads?"
A. Lasco Manufacturing says: "It is wrong to add excess bulk to a threaded joint by wrapping male threads in Teflon® tape. It is wrong to make over-tightening easier by using Teflon® tape..." We have seen much similar PTFE thread sealing tape used satisfactorily but cannot (due to liability potential) recommend that you use PTFE thread sealing tape (pipe dope designed for PVC, such as we offer above, is acceptable).
Q. "Can I glue PVC if it is wet?"
A. All solvent cements have the ability to absorb some water and still perform well enough to accomplish an adequate joint. However, research shows that the presence of just 10% water in solvent cement can slow penetration and swelling by up to 65%. This joint, with water inside, will always be an inferior joint and subject to problems.
Q. "Can I use PVC glue on other plastics?"
A. We only recommend using glues manufactured for a specific plastic i.e. PVC glue only on PVC pipe.
Note: There are many plastics that cannot be glued at all; polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polybutylene, and other polyolefins.
Q. "What is LO-V.O.C.?"
A. LO-V.O.C. cements produce significantly less amounts of "V.O.C.'s". V.O.C. stands for "volatile organic compounds", which are unhealthy when breathed or induced. V.O.C.'s also diminish air quality. Please read and follow all directions carefully when applying these cements.
Q. "Do I really need to use primer?"
A. Primer is a mixture of solvents used to penetrate the pipe and fittings and start the swelling process ahead of the application of the solvent cement. It is highly recommended that you use primer.
Q. "Do you offer PVC primer?"
A. We have not found a brand of primer that we are confident will not leak in transit. It is highly flammable and, in our opinion, too dangerous to ship. We recommend that you purchase your primer locally.
Q. "How do I glue PVC fittings and valves to the pipe?"
A. Most PVC manufacturers recommend that the installer follow the instructions for the cement and primer that is being used. Their instructions are usually found on the label of the container.
Q. "I own a 3" PVC ball valve that has always been very difficult to turn. Is your brand easier to turn?"
A. Of course, we don't know since we don't know what brand we are comparing, but we will say that our larger (2 1/2" and larger) ball valves are very hard to turn. We have found this to be true with all plastic ball valves of all manufacturers that we have seen. Regardless of how difficult to turn your valve is, absolutely do not spray silicone or any other lubricant onto the ball. Most lubricants will harm the ball and will not help the plastic ball valve to turn easier. We have found that most silicones will actually damage the plastic. If all else fails and you can't "live with" how hard it is to turn your large ball valve, try Super Lube. Never use grease, faucet grease or any lubricant not specifically designed for plastics. Our larger brass ball valves are also very hard to turn. When you first get your large valve, you will note how hard it is to turn. Once it is installed on pipe and has water (clean water only) in it, you will find that it will be somewhat easier to turn. But large plastic ball valves are simply not easy to turn.
Q. "Can I use these valves for drainage or waste piping?"
A. These ball valves are designed to be used with clean water and are not designed nor recommended for water with particles or chemicals.
Q. "You say you will you not sell PVC gate valves, but you sell PVC slice gate valves? What is the difference?"
A. PVC slice gate valves are very easy to open and close by simply lifting the handle to open or pushing down on the handle to close. PVC gate valves, however, operate by turning a round handle that in turn rotates a plastic stem or shaft to open or close the gate. The channel the gate closes into can become clogged with dirt or debris and keep the gate from closing all the way, causing water to leak through the gate. When this happens the operator will try to close the gate by further applying pressure to the handle, to turn the shaft, usually resulting in a broken valve or stem. We believe the normal operation of a PVC gate valve puts too much stress on the plastic stem/shaft causing premature failure. We would much rather sell a ball valve (much more superior product) which is incapable of collecting dirt in a channel of the valve and the handle stem is directly connected to the ball that opens and closes in half a turn of the handle.