Tom Boissy
Chicago DIY
Hello all,
have a question but wont mention project or manufacturer. Have an apartment project where we've seen 3 bronze ball valve bodies crack. So far 3 failures out of 115 installed. The ball valve is threaded on both sides to receive a soldered copper fitting. On one of the cracked valves, the teflon tape has a bluish hue. Of the other two valves, one was thrown out and I have not see the other so I can't comment on those. On the valve in question, the crack starts at the outside edge of the threaded valve body and is widest at that point then travels towards the ball and handle. The crack appears to be 1/2 to 3/5 inches long and stops where it meets the enlarged housing where the ball is seated.
These ball valves were used on hot and cold supply in various places of the units. The water was on for some time at normal pressures prior to the first cracked valve. Cant confirm always normal pressures but its normal when we measure it. We've had failures on both hot and cold side. Since the first cracked valve, we have seen about a month in between cracks/ failures. If a fourth defect were to occur, we'd be seeing it right about now if past time-frame was any indicator of future failures. When they fail they drip rapidly and can easily do lots of damage to interior finishes if not found quickly. Need to find them within hours of occurent to prevent damage. This doesn't always happen.
At this point its a waiting game and working to resolve with manufacturer. In the meantime, I thought about asking if anyone else has seen cracking bronze ball valves on a project?
Any comments on what can/ may cause it. To keep the thread small, please only reply if you have experienced this. Thanks.
have a question but wont mention project or manufacturer. Have an apartment project where we've seen 3 bronze ball valve bodies crack. So far 3 failures out of 115 installed. The ball valve is threaded on both sides to receive a soldered copper fitting. On one of the cracked valves, the teflon tape has a bluish hue. Of the other two valves, one was thrown out and I have not see the other so I can't comment on those. On the valve in question, the crack starts at the outside edge of the threaded valve body and is widest at that point then travels towards the ball and handle. The crack appears to be 1/2 to 3/5 inches long and stops where it meets the enlarged housing where the ball is seated.
These ball valves were used on hot and cold supply in various places of the units. The water was on for some time at normal pressures prior to the first cracked valve. Cant confirm always normal pressures but its normal when we measure it. We've had failures on both hot and cold side. Since the first cracked valve, we have seen about a month in between cracks/ failures. If a fourth defect were to occur, we'd be seeing it right about now if past time-frame was any indicator of future failures. When they fail they drip rapidly and can easily do lots of damage to interior finishes if not found quickly. Need to find them within hours of occurent to prevent damage. This doesn't always happen.
At this point its a waiting game and working to resolve with manufacturer. In the meantime, I thought about asking if anyone else has seen cracking bronze ball valves on a project?
Any comments on what can/ may cause it. To keep the thread small, please only reply if you have experienced this. Thanks.
