If you are about to replace your old kitchen valve then you may be looking for some information on brass valve sets. You need to find the right brass valve set so that you can get the best value for your money. There are many different kinds of valve sets available and if you want to make sure that you are getting the best brass valve for your plumbing needs, then you will need to do a little research. Find out what kind of brass valve set, you need to make your system run smoothly.

BRASS VORTEX. Brass is an inexpensive copper metal that means it's much stronger than plastic. This added strength makes brass valves more costly than PVC or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) valves, although not the most costly option overall. Brass also can absorb and resist more heat than polyvinyl chloride or PVC, making brass valve sets an ideal choice for your at-home plumbing systems. In addition, brass is corrosion resistant which will ensure that your valve remains reliable and free of problems. Another advantage of brass is that they don't break into large pieces, which can decrease the risk of water contamination.

BRASS VORTEX. Often times, brass valve sets are combined with stainless steel valves for greater corrosion resistance. Because they combine both these materials, the combination can add additional strength to the valves and make them more durable.

BUT IDEAL FOR PVC AND STP: Yes, brass does not corrode as quickly as copper. However, since they are made of brass, they can easily absorb and contain more moisture, which will lead to more problems down the road. Additionally, brass valves can only be used in hotter water temperatures, which can pose a problem if your fixtures are in the dark. Because of their conductivity and propensity to absorb excessive amounts of water, brass can also make hot water pipes very difficult to install in colder climates, which is why so many homeowners choose to use copper or PVC instead.

Which Is Best - PVC Or STP? Once you've decided on brass valves as your next project, you need to decide whether or not you want to purchase an already installed unit, or build one yourself. Installing a brass valve set is much easier than building one. The easiest brass valve set to install would be the type that come pre-made and require only a screwdriver, drill and some brass tubing. On the other hand, installing STP components such as pipe sleeves, valve seats and gaskets can be a bit more challenging, and requires a bit more work (especially with precision equipment).

BUT DUPLICATION IS NONE OF THAT IMPRACTIC: Yes, there are some similarities between brass and copper valves, but there are also clear differences. Brass may be slightly more durable than copper, but it's much more pliable and has a higher tolerance to stress. Copper will dent more easily, and can rust. Brass doesn't rust, but can be machined sharp, so it's not as flexible as copper.

WHAT TO REMOVE VS WHAT TO INSTALL: When deciding on what type of brass valve to purchase, or to install, you have many choices to make. There are both plain, unplated brass, as well as custom designed sets that incorporate other materials, like stainless steel valves, for example. You can choose to buy just the brass cover, or the entire unit set. For installation, you could either go with pre-mounted sets (preferring to leave the terminal ends "open"), or you can opt to have the terminal sleeves pre-drilled and the caps made to fit.

WHAT TO AVOID: Although brass valves are generally durable and corrosion resistant, there are some conditions that affect their ability to perform. Hot water, particularly, is one such condition. As water heats up and expands in brass, its physical properties change, and it becomes harder for the material to expand and contract while staying durable. In this case, if you're using a brass water heater with copper caps, the combination of expansion and contraction can cause damage to the valves. If you have a lot of hot water, you should probably consider replacing your copper water valves with brass ones.