Your pool's plumbing system consists of many different components, including pipes, pumps, filters, valves, and more. While each component plays an integral role, none of it would be possible without pool valves. Valves control the flow of water to and from your pool and filter and play an integral part in flow control, filtration, and much more.
In the world of pool valves, you have two basic options - actuated or manual. Actuated valves operate automatically via sensors and electronics, whereas manual pool valves operate without electricity. Instead, they open, close, and direct water according to outside forces that affect them.
While actuated and manual pool valves are the broad categories into which all pool valves fall, there are many different types of valves. This article will explore what those valves are, the differences between manual and actuated valves, and more. We'll also look at where to get the best pool valves in the industry.
What is a Pool Valve?
As we said before, pool valves are an essential part of your pool's plumbing system. They are small pipe fittings, usually with a handle or knob on them that you can twist or turn to open and close. Pool valves have two options - open or closed - and the option you choose determines if water can flow through the valve or not.
Most pool plumbing systems have multiple valves that perform different tasks, including:
• Diverting water to or away from your pool heater.
• Diverting water to or away from your pool filter.
• Diverting water to or away from your pool pump.
• Controlling the direction of water flows in your pool's plumbing system.
• Controlling how fast water flows in and out of your pool filter.
Without pool valves, water will either sit inside your pool and stagnate or flow randomly in every direction. This could result in water flooding your pump, heater, or filter but never returning to the pool, resulting in flooding and damaged components. Additionally, without pool valves, none of these components would operate how they're supposed to, negating all the positives of your pump, filter, and heater.
Pool valves are especially important if there's an issue with an individual part of your pool's plumbing system. The valve allows you to turn off water to that specific component rather than having to shut down the system altogether. You can also determine whether or not water flows to your heater by diverting it away from the heater if you want to save on your power bill.
What is a Manual Pool Valve?
Manual pool valves are the most common type of pool valves on the market. Manual valves require hands-on operation if you want to open or close the valve. In other words, if you want to divert the flow of water one way or the other, you will have to manually turn or twist the valve to open or close it.
Different Types of Manual Pool Valves
There are several different types of manual pool valves, and each one will have a different apparatus for controlling the flow of water.
Gate Valves
A gate valve is often the largest type of valve on your swimming pool's plumbing system. A gate valve typically has a round wheel-like handle that you turn clockwise or counterclockwise to open and close. Because of how heavy-duty gate valves are, smaller swimming pools don't need them, and they are typically reserved for larger ones.
Ball Valves
A ball valve is the most common type of pool valve. It has a handle on top of it that you rotate a quarter-turn clockwise or counterclockwise to open or close. You can use ball valves at every point of your pool's plumbing system to control the flow of water. There are two basic types of swimming pool ball valves:
• Diverter Ball Valves
As the name indicates, a diverter valve diverts the flow of water from one direction to another. For instance, it might divert water away from the pool heater and towards the filter or vice versa.
• Multiport Ball Valves
A multiport valve is often used inside of a swimming pool filter and serves three main purposes. First, there's a port that directs water into the filter. Next, a second port takes water that has just exited the filter and directs it back into the filter for debris removal. Finally, a third port removes water from the pool altogether when it's too dirty to clean.
You can also adjust multiport ball valves to simply recirculate water without filtering it, if you want to give your pump and filter a break.
Check Valves
Finally, there are also check valves on your pool system. Check valves are like one-way streets for pool water. The valve is designed so that water can pass freely through it, but, once it's past the valve, it cannot flow back through it. In other words, check valves are backflow prevention valves that help maintain the cleanliness and integrity of your pool.
What is an Actuated Pool Valve?
While manual valves used to be the only type of valve available, actuated pool valves have started to take over. Actuated valves, also known as pool valve actuators, are valves that feature controls that open and close the valve automatically. In most cases, the mechanism that opens and closes the valve is controlled electronically, although some are controlled by compressed air or water.
Every type of manual pool valve is also available as an actuated valve, depending on your preferences. Because actuated valves are more expensive than manual ones, most people opt for manual valves anywhere that the valve is easily accessible. As such, the most common place for an actuated pool valve is for the multiport valve inside the pool filter.
What are the Differences Between Actuated and Manual Pool Valves?
Actuated and manual pool valves fulfill the same purpose of controlling and diverting the flow of water. They even do so using the same interior mechanisms that open and close accordingly. The difference between the two, however, is in how these mechanisms are controlled. Manual pool valves require manual operation, while actuated valves open and close automatically as needed.
Regardless of what type of pool valves you need, PVC Fittings Online is the place to get them. From basic PVC ball valves to brass gate valves, they have everything you need to ensure you have a fully functioning swimming pool plumbing system.