"Stephen Fasham" wrote in message
om...
Can I use 1/4 turn ball valves in place of gate valves for my CH/HW
system. My previous experiences with gate valves suggest that seepage
past (when in the closed position) is a problem. I would like to be
able to turn-off the feeds to each bathroom for hot and cold water.
Ball valves look quicker to use, but I don't know if there is any
reason I should avoid them for this purpose.

The main reason for not using a ball valve in a circuit is that shutting a
flow off quickly can produce water hammer. Isolator valves are normally only
used when there is little or no flow, so it is not a problem for that
application. Depending on the circuit layout, it may or may not be a problem
when used to cut off circuits that could be carrying a flow. The answer is
probably to try a ball valve and, if it produces water hammer, replace it
with something that closes slowly, like a gate valve.

Colin Bignell