We are a professional manufacturer of pipe fittings. Here is how to clean pvc ball valves.
First, we will introduce several different types of ball valves. Some have types that are easier to clean than others.
One piece PVC ball valve
This is the most common type of PVC ball valve, with an integral body and quarter turn handle. These valves can be threaded or sleeved. The threaded ball valve can be fixed with unscrewed pipe paint or Teflon tape. This makes maintenance simple and straightforward, but before removing the valve, make sure to turn off the water flow. Ball valves with socket ends are more difficult because they cannot be removed from the system.
How to clean the plastic ball valve of True Union PVC ball valve True Union
The True Union PVC ball valve is a more modern and effective ball valve with a removable body. Regardless of the tip type, maintenance is easy. Normally, they can also be easily disassembled with a movable stem and seat.
Metal three-piece ball valve
Although we focus on PVC ball valves in this article, metal ball valves are also very common, especially for home brewing systems. These provide additional purity, which is difficult to achieve with plastic ball valves. They are usually found in smaller sizes from 1/2" to 2". For more information on how to clean these valves, please read this useful article.
Unblock the ball valve
The most obvious problem in ball valves is blockage. This is obvious because it causes the pressure in the system to drop further. The blockage may be a buildup of organic matter, calcium buildup or other matter stuck in the valve. As long as the PVC ball valves can be blocked close enough, it is easy to clean them.
If you can disconnect the PVC ball valve from the pipe, take it to the sink and let the water flow through at the highest possible pressure. If you still cannot remove the blockage, use a small brush (such as a toothbrush) and detergent to loosen and push out the blockage. Scrub the remaining debris with a brush and soap.
If you cannot remove the valve from the pipe, there are other ways to eliminate the blockage. The easiest way is to use a drain snake to remove debris that blocks the pipe. Another method is to use a drain cleaner, but you must be careful not to use something too rough because it may corrode the pipe. We recommend using enzyme-based cleaners that can remove blockages without causing corrosion on the pipes. Read this topic to discuss which types of cleaners are used in PVC systems.
Cleaning the ball valve
Cleaning the ball valve is a very important step in the maintenance of the piping system, especially for systems that require high purity. Two examples of high purity applications are chemical processing and brewing. Regardless of the application, PVC ball valves should be cleaned before installation, as they will accumulate dust during manufacturing and transportation.
We will focus on how to clean the plastic ball valve when it is already in operation, because this will also involve pre-cleaning. As mentioned earlier, some valves are permanently installed in the system, while others are movable. Only when the ball valve can be taken out of the system can it be really cleaned. Otherwise, it will not be possible to scrub the inside of the valve and ensure that it is completely disinfected.
The first step in cleaning a PVC ball valve is to remove it from the pipeline. Usually, this involves unscrewing the entire valve (when using a traditional PVC ball valve) or unscrewing each end (when using a true flexible PVC ball valve). Next, disassemble the ball valve as much as possible. For real union valves, this is usually easier, as they usually allow the user to remove the end, ball and stem. The figure below illustrates how to disassemble a real ball valve.
How to disassemble a real union ball valve
Next, scrub the entire surface of each PVC/CPVC sheet with a sponge soaked in a mixture of detergent (1/2 cup) and bleach (1 quart). Be sure to use gloves to prevent bleach from contacting your skin! Let the part sit for 30 minutes. After the time is up, please rinse the parts with water and reassemble if necessary. Reapply thread sealant when tightening the screws
The PP clamp is matched with the PVC ball valve. We are one of the professional manufacturers of pipe fittings. Our products are diverse, and we insist on consistent quality and service. If you are interested in our products or want to know more, please feel free to contact us .