schafphoto
Member
I spent a few hours online reading about Lead-Free, Dezincification resistant, Bronze, ATSM B61, 600#, California drinking water approved, white handle, ball valves. There were many to choose from but when I selected USA made, I ended up with just the Apollo 77CFM series at about $33.00 for 3/4 threaded full port-two piece.
20 years ago I put 14 Nibco USA 1/2” and 3/4” ball valves in my old house rehab. Only the one on the hot side of the water heater has needed replacement. A couple have white crystalline fuzz on the body but still operate and do not leak. (Located In crawl space in California, and it never freezes here). I remember they were around $16 at Home Depot. We have City water at 80 psi that is quite hard, which The city treats with chloramines — that I then soften with a residential softener I fill with potassium — my water here burns through WH anode rods every two years.
I’m doing another project now and the home centers still have $15 valves — but cheap imports. And there are lead safe, USA, stainless steel valves available now at around $50 each which I suspect is overkill. I’m leaning toward the bronze Apollo 77CLF ball valves. Any thoughts on those?
Question, if it were your own house, and you wanted to retire there and never revisit the plumbing, what ball valves would you use, and are there any options I missed.
thanks!
20 years ago I put 14 Nibco USA 1/2” and 3/4” ball valves in my old house rehab. Only the one on the hot side of the water heater has needed replacement. A couple have white crystalline fuzz on the body but still operate and do not leak. (Located In crawl space in California, and it never freezes here). I remember they were around $16 at Home Depot. We have City water at 80 psi that is quite hard, which The city treats with chloramines — that I then soften with a residential softener I fill with potassium — my water here burns through WH anode rods every two years.
I’m doing another project now and the home centers still have $15 valves — but cheap imports. And there are lead safe, USA, stainless steel valves available now at around $50 each which I suspect is overkill. I’m leaning toward the bronze Apollo 77CLF ball valves. Any thoughts on those?
Question, if it were your own house, and you wanted to retire there and never revisit the plumbing, what ball valves would you use, and are there any options I missed.
thanks!