Good Make of Plumbing Fittings- such as isolating valves

[topgazza]

So I'm throwing out my old fittings that I've saved for a "rainy day" but like to keep at least one of each of things like compression 15mm isolating valves for DIY purposes.

I could go to the usual sheds to but it or Amazon. But having had a couple of the cheapo ones fail, usually the ball part of the valve is there a recommended make or is it just pot luck ?

 

[just pumps]

Prefer lever valves myself.

 

[topgazza]

Funny enough I was just looking at those. There are the "big" lever ones and the ones with the small handles. Depends on available space where they are being fitted I guess. They all seem much of a muchness regardless of brand.

 

[dilalio]

Funny enough I was just looking at those. There are the "big" lever ones and the ones with the small handles. Depends on available space where they are being fitted I guess. They all seem much of a muchness regardless of brand.

Where space is tight, I use the ones that you get with a filling loop.

 

[topgazza]

Nearly went for the iso valves on flexible pipes which are similar to filling loop ones. One less "joint" to worry about.

 

[dilalio]

Nearly went for the iso valves on flexible pipes which are similar to filling loop ones. One less "joint" to worry about.

I don't like those as you can't change the flexi if it gets twisted/split/perished! I always put in an iso an then a flexi with a 1/2" female compression, with rubber washer inside, directly onto the iso!

 

[picasso]

Pegler for me .

 

[topgazza]

I went for the separate ISO as well as I didn't want to have to access right up behind the sink to undo the flexi should the ISO fail. Not likely to be for years, I hope, but you never know. Maybe I'm just paranoid....

From my non professional point of view Picasso I have tried Pegler and the guy at Plumbase said the same as you. Just fitted a Mcalpine trap, as recommended, to my vanity unit and it went on first time and just felt more solid/quality than the usual shed one I have bought. Always thought all this stuff was the same....but its not. Which is why you guys here are so valuable in recommending stuff. It may be more expensive but its always worth the extra IMO

 

[dilalio]

I went for the separate ISO as well as I didn't want to have to access right up behind the sink to undo the flexi should the ISO fail. Not likely to be for years, I hope, but you never know. Maybe I'm just paranoid....

From my non professional point of view Picasso I have tried Pegler and the guy at Plumbase said the same as you. Just fitted a Mcalpine trap, as recommended, to my vanity unit and it went on first time and just felt more solid/quality than the usual shed one I have bought. Always thought all this stuff was the same....but its not. Which is why you guys here are so valuable in recommending stuff. It may be more expensive but its always worth the extra IMO

When you're the one who has to go back to a job, free of charge, to rectify a leak due to poor quality components, you soon learn to spend the extra on fittings you trust!

 

[topgazza]

Exactly.

Although I'm no longer a "practicing" electrician... when I was I took the same approach which was drummed into me by the guy training me, as an old fashioned apprentice. Inferior materials always comes back to bite you.

 

[dilalio]

Exactly.

Although I'm no longer a "practicing" electrician... when I was I took the same approach which was drummed into me by the guy training me, as an old fashioned apprentice. Inferior materials always comes back to bite you.

"Buy cheap = buy twice!!"