are Screwfix 15mm isolation valves non leaking at the screw?

[AJ16]

I need to replace a 15mm iso valve as it leaks from the screw. Are the Screwfix ones reliable does anyone know?

 

[bigads28]

They are fine if you don't touch them lol!

Try this instead Pegler Ball Valve Blue 15mm | Ball Valves | NoLinkingToThis

 

[AJ16]

Thanks, it's for under the floor boards and space is tight due to the ceilings plasterboard being up between the joists. It does seem that IVs tend to leak when the screw is turned which kind of defeats the purpose.

 

[IDCHAPPY]

Aye, most ball valves are gash unfortunately 🙁

 

[bigads28]

If it's mains water use a 15mm stopcock that's a bit more compact. Could you move it's location?

 

[kris]

Its not a good sign the fact we should even have to ask if a fitting is reliable, i think its a disgrace on the manufacturers behalf,
Fittings like our work are tested to a standard , it should state from the seller what standard they conform too,

 

[Best]

The full flow isolating valves (look just like an ordinary type on steroids) seem to be a different quality with, if you look closely inside you will see the white seal at the ball which is a ptfe hard seal. They only cost about double the price of those cheap nasty ordinary type.

 

[turnpin]

Go to a good merchant and order a genuine ball-o-fix valve this will solve your problem...regards Turnpin:santa3:

 

[tamz]

Don't think i've seen a genuine ballofix valve in years. Thats progress for you lol

 

[stevetheplumber]

im with tamz do you remember the ballofix drain of cocks excellent never leaked but the spout was small and were a fiver each back in the eighties

 

[tamz]

A ballofix was about a fiver in the 80's too. I remember going into grahams one time and buying a box of them, 10 i think, so i could have some in the van. I got a bollocking about 2 days later when the bill came in lol

 

[plumben]

They'll be fine, I've never had a problem with them

 

[Subby]

15mm Ballofix Valve - Genuine Ball-O-Fix - Stevenson Plumbing & Electrical Supplies

£ 15 a pop

 

[AWheating]

bad idea putting one under a floor tbh.

 

[PETE 123]

Yeah will work when new but will leak when its an emergency / repair required.
We can go to the moon / with costs but cant make a proper valve to turn water off lol

 

[lame plumber]

russians used gate valves in their space capsules right upto a few years back, they obviously didnt trust the screwfix ball valves 🙂

 

[dancinplumba]

Did they do comparison tests ?

 

[lame plumber]

probably, their dogs never made it back alive!

 

[jaydebruyne]

I agree with AWHeating. Should try not to put valves underneath floorboards for this very reason. Can you not move the location of it to somewhere with access? I've used plenty of screwfix iso valves (full bore) and they seem fine. Mind you, I've not been back since the jobs have been done so who knows :tounge_smile: But I've used them at home and they're fine.

 

[AJ16]

Thanks for all your replies, I agree about it being a bad idea to put them under the floor, there are four altogether which blanked off pipes ends before rads were installed. I've decided to replace them all with straight connectors if the 20mm length difference can be made up by slack in the pipes. If not and they are not weeping, I'll leave them be! Shame they are so rubbish, I guess they are ok on cold water pipes maybe ?

 

[Best]

Those isolating valves should NOT be fitted on heating pipes at all!
They can't take the heat and will leak and are too restrictive on the flow which will affect the flow if on any circuit with a few rads on it.
They are pathetic valves for any job anyhow.
Only morons fit them to heating pipes IMO.
A full flow valve might be okay, but I would use connectors, normally soldered copper fitting if possible.

 

[jaydebruyne]

Thanks for all your replies, I agree about it being a bad idea to put them under the floor, there are four altogether which blanked off pipes ends before rads were installed. I've decided to replace them all with straight connectors if the 20mm length difference can be made up by slack in the pipes. If not and they are not weeping, I'll leave them be! Shame they are so rubbish, I guess they are ok on cold water pipes maybe ?

Oh I didn't realise these were on CH pipes. Oh dear.. If I were you, I'd replace that section of pipe with soldered connections

 

[AJ16]

Good advice, I'll get them replaced asap! :-/