Is it possible to install a water tap on gas?

Peculiarities

So, special ball valves have recently been used in gas pipelines. These devices are designed to completely shut off or open the gas flow. The peculiarity of these devices is contained in the locking mechanism, which is made in the shape of a ball with a through hole. Moreover, the diameter of the hole coincides with the diameter of the pipeline (see also the article “Where and how is a high-pressure valve used”).

To block the flow, the ball is rotated so that the hole is perpendicular to the pipeline, i.e. it must be rotated 90 degrees. The locking mechanism is controlled using a lever. Tightness is ensured by rings made of soft and durable materials.

Differences from plumbing fittings

It must be stated that the external difference between a gas tap and a water tap is that the lever is yellow and not red.

There are much more structural differences:

• They have a more durable body, which is made of special types of steel or brass with a high copper content.
• They have a longer connecting thread.
• The locking mechanism is made of very durable chrome-plated or nickel-plated material.
• The rod is made of particularly durable polymer material.
• These taps can withstand greater pressure than taps.
• O-rings are stronger and provide a better seal.

Note! Despite the fact that the price of gas taps is higher, they cannot be replaced with water fittings, since the savings can be very expensive. But it is not permitted to use gas shut-off valves instead of water valves.

In general, the only difference between a gas tap and a water shut-off valve is the increased level of tightness. The remaining issues are not so serious in domestic gas pipelines. Based on this, in principle, any valve that meets tightness class “A” can be used for a gas pipeline.

Features of application

In most cases, shut-off valves for gas pipelines are installed in the kitchen, i.e. where gas equipment is used. Moreover, a separate valve is installed for each source of consumption.

For example, in buildings and apartments where gas stoves and water heaters or boilers are installed, I install separate gas taps for stoves and for other devices. In addition, usually one non-specialized valve is installed at the inlet, which allows you to completely shut off the gas supply.

It must be stated that shut-off valves are used not only to shut off the flow, but also to control it; for example, a gas three-way valve allows the flow to be redirected from one pipeline to another. Indeed, such devices are not used in everyday life.

Advice! When supplying a home with bottled gas, it is possible not to install non-specialized shut-off valves, since a valve is constantly mounted on the cylinder, allowing the gas to be shut off.

Types of ball gas valves

In addition to the fact that the shut-off valves under consideration differ in diameter, the differences lie in the installation method. The following types of devices are used much more often in gas pipelines:

Advice! In addition to ball valves, there are also plug valves. However, they are less reliable and durable, which is why they have recently been used very rarely.

Types of ball valves.

Ball valve coupling.

They are mounted on pipelines supplying water or gas. The main part of the constituent elements is made of steel, so the product is reliable and durable. The tap is connected to the pipe via an internal thread. Its dimensions must correspond to the connecting thread. Large diameters are available in sizes from 2.5 to 4 inches. Small: 1/4 and 3/8 inches. Medium: 1/4, 3/4 and up to 2 inches.

Flanged ball valve.

It replaced valves. They are distinguished according to the type of environment where they will be installed: on water pipes, gas pipes, heat pipes. This shut-off device not only corrects the flow of water and gas, but also blocks them if necessary. It consists of a body and a rotating ball. The valve is attached to the flange, which ensures a particularly strong connection. They are presented in a wide range of diameters: from 15 to 1400 mm.

Full bore ball valve.

It is used in all pipeline systems, regardless of their purpose. The taps are durable to use and do not require lubrication. The overlap and passage of the medium is carried out due to the spherical element, which is the main part of the structure. They are able to withstand changes in pressure and temperature. The faucet performs two functions: opens and closes, and, therefore, the same number of positions. The diameter of the full bore device must match the diameter of the pipe on which it is mounted. Their cross-section varies from 15 to 1500 mm.

Brass ball valve.

Ball valves made of brass are used in pipelines that pass non-aggressive liquids. Hermetic properties are very high. They can be used in water pipes, since brass is safe and does not adversely affect water quality. The faucet is very easy to use and accessible for repair: the adjusting nut is located under its handle.

Nickel plated ball valves.

Nickel ball valves are distinguished depending on their throughput: full bore and reduced bore. The diameter of the first type must correspond to the cross-section of the pipeline, and the diameter of the latter type is one third smaller than the diameter of the pipe. According to the connection method, the most widely used products are those with internal and external threads, welded, flanged and threaded. The bodies of nickel-plated taps are either solid or collapsible.

Drain ball valve.

This type of tap controls the movement of water or gas. It is used, for example, for arranging individual heating. With its help, you can block some sections of the pipeline. To remove air from the system and remove plugs, a Mayevsky valve is used. It attaches to the 1/2 section hole in the top of the battery by screwing in.

Manufacturers

Gas pipelines are one of the most important systems for providing housing. Based on this, the selection of all its elements, as well as shut-off valves, requires special attention.

You need to buy products only from well-known, well-established manufacturers.

In particular, it is possible to give preference to cranes from such Italian companies as:

• Bugatti;
• FIV;
• Valtec;

In addition, the products of the following companies are of good quality:

• Dungs - Germany;
• Profactor - Germany;
• Broen Ballomax – Poland;
• Efar – Poland;
• LD – Russia.

Advice! You should not take the most inexpensive gas valve, since there are many low-quality fittings from China on the market, which do not always meet all the requirements for gas shut-off valves.

Features of replacing a gas tap

Of course, every shut-off valve can fail; for example, gas taps are not insured against failure. If a malfunction of this device is detected, it must be replaced immediately.

Let us immediately declare that doing this work with your own hands is not allowed! But, some actions will still need to be performed independently.

So, the instructions for replacing this shut-off valve are as follows:

• First of all, it is necessary to tell about the problem to experts from gas work or a personal organization that holds a license to perform similar work.
• After this, you need to purchase a new faucet from a specialized store. You must first measure the diameter of the pipeline so as not to make a mistake when choosing a product.
• When the experts arrive, prepare a technical passport and a gas supply contract. A technical passport is needed to make notes on the work performed.
• After this, you need to light the gas on the stove and turn off the central valve. Leave the burner until it completely extinguishes, so that all the gas leaves the pipeline.
• Upon arrival of experts, it is necessary to open a couple of windows in order to create a draft in the room. This is necessary in case of a gas leak.
• Upon completion of the work, work together with experts to diagnose the installed shut-off valves for leaks.
• At the end of the work, it is necessary to give the workers a technical passport and ask them to make a note in that direction.

Advice! It is possible to identify a gas leak using soap foam. It must be applied to the connection points between the device and the pipeline, and to the valve itself. If a soap ball forms in some place, it means that the shut-off valve is letting gas through.

Upon completion of work, leave the windows open for another 15-30 minutes, which will ensure complete ventilation of the room.

Classification of gas taps

Since childhood, we were taught that we should not joke with gas. Even now, every schoolchild knows the telephone number of the gas service: 104. At school, from early childhood, they explain where to call if the smell of gas is heard in the house.

Pipes, valves and other component materials for gas supply must be of special quality. These structural elements must serve a person for at least ten years, and they should be periodically checked and, if necessary, replaced.

However, the owner of the premises will have to purchase gas equipment himself. Choosing it will not be difficult if you study what requirements it must meet. Thus, the main characteristics of gas taps almost all boil down to the reliability of the valves. Dimensions depend on the diameter of the pipe. That is why the diameters of gas taps must match the size of the pipe.

Most often it is 24, 27 mm. Manufacturers produce gas valves and valves; the thread size of gas taps can be of three types. If you look at the product labeling, then according to GOST the following information must be indicated: type of product and type of tap

According to the operating principle

Next, we will consider what types of gas valves there are. Judging by the principle of operation, they can be divided into cork and ball.

Plug gas valves - their operating principle is based on the operation of a plug mechanism. The principle is quite simple: just turn the tap handle and the plug will also turn inside the body. And there is a hollow structure, thanks to which gas can easily pass inside the housing through the pipe to its destination.

When the valve handle is turned back, there will already be a closed space there and therefore the gas will no longer pass through the obstacle. The only thing is that the valve body and the plug must fit tightly against each other. The role of the sealant is performed by the valve seal.

Ball gas valves are somewhat different from plug valves in that there is a ball inside, which plays the role of a shut-off system. If the ball is turned in one direction, gas will pass through the hole in it, thus opening the valve. If in the other direction, then the closed surface will not allow gas flows to pass through. Usually such a ball is made of metal. Moreover, the material used is durable.

The product lasts for a long time and does not require special care for a ball valve, unlike a cork valve, which requires periodic maintenance. Ball structures appeared on the markets not so long ago, but they are especially popular, because they have their own advantages. In particular, the low cost of the product, ease of use, strength and reliability, and long service life.

These taps can also be operated at low and high temperatures, more precisely within the range from -55 to +75 degrees Celsius. That is why experts advise using just such gas taps for domestic purposes.

By pipe connection method

If you look at the method of connecting taps to pipes, they can be divided into the following types:

• taps with a threaded connection - they are connected to the pipe by twisting until full contact. To prevent gas from poisoning, special gaskets are used;
• faucets with flange mounting - they are connected with special flanges, which are metal disks, but they are already secured with bolts;
• taps with a welded connection method - such locking mechanisms are simply installed using a welding machine, without any threads or flanged auxiliary disks and bolts.

The valves of the first two fastening methods (threaded and flanged) can be used reusably; they can be removed from the pipes and then attached back. But welded mechanisms are used only once; repeated use is impossible.

According to product material

When purchasing a gas tap, it is imperative to pay attention to the material of the product. This is an important component, because the stronger the material from which the locking mechanisms are made, the longer its service life. And for gas pipes, taps must be of the highest quality.

It is from the raw materials from which the taps are made that they got their names. Brass taps are perhaps the most common products on the market.

True, these designs also have some disadvantages. If you need a tap for supplying gas to a stove or boiler, then yes, you will find such taps made of this material. For small diameter pipes there is a small selection of products, and not for everyone. Brass also reacts to high temperatures. If you heat the product above 200 °C, then it will no longer be possible to use it. Brass is also not used in the petrochemical industry.

In addition, many manufacturers have recently replaced brass with brittle silumin in order to save money and do not always warn about this, so the buyer should be careful about the products, choosing them in those places where there is no product certification. silumin taps can leak gas due to microcracks; this is unacceptable and unsafe.

In the USSR, cast iron gas taps . The quality of these products was excellent, but now manufacturers have stopped producing them, because this industry does not stand still, but is developing. New types of steel are appearing, which are not as expensive as cast iron, but have properties similar to it. That’s why they don’t make cast iron mechanisms to control gas supply anymore.

Nowadays, in addition to brass products, you can often find:

• Carbon valves - they have a huge variety of diameters, but they are most often used for water; they are not suitable for supplying even slightly aggressive media. Also, if the temperature is minus forty, then the material loses its properties and is not suitable for use.
• Alloy taps are quite similar to carbon taps in terms of type of application, their only difference is that they can withstand temperatures down to – 60 °C.
• Stainless steel taps are more often used in large industries. They are resistant to different temperature changes, are not afraid of aggressive environments, and do not rust.