Lead Free Water Supply Valves For Faucets

Q. "What does compression style and 1/4 turn style mean?"
A. The compression style in this case is referring to the way the water is shut off when the valve is closed. Please do not confuse this with the inlet or outlet size which can also be referred to as "compression". The handle is attached to a stem with a rubber washer on the other end. As the handle is turned to close the valve (clockwise), the rubber washer is forced (compressed) against the "seat" which is the metal opening of the waterway. 1/4 turn style valves have inside the stem a port that when the handle is turned one quarter of a turn counterclockwise, the valve is open fully and the same quarter turn in the opposite direction closes the valve completely.

Q. "What is the difference between 'nominal' dimensions and 'outside diameter (OD)' dimensions?"
A. Nominal is the term used to describe most pipe and fitting measurements in the plumbing industry. Nominal refers to the inside diameter measurement of the pipe. The actual inside pipe measurements will vary slightly due to the wall thickness of the pipe, so it is referred to as "nominal" meaning a small variance of size. The outside diameter (OD) dimensions refer to the actual outside diameter of the pipe. The outside diameter dimensions of pipe are a constant size which allow pipe fittings to be used with the same type of piping with multiple grades of wall thickness.

Q. "How do I know if I need 1/2" FIP inlet or 5/8" O.D. inlet angle stops?"
A. Angle or straight stops have an inlet that is either 1/2" FIP (female iron pipe) or 5/8" O.D. copper compression. The 1/2" FIP stops are for attaching to threaded pipe nipples. The copper compression fittings are designed to attach to the smooth outside surface of copper pipe. 5/8" O.D. compression would fit a 1/2" nominal piece of copper.

Q. "Some of the outlet sizes are shown as 1/4" O.D. or 3/8" O.D. or 1/2" O.D. compression nut with sleeve. Is this measurement referring to the outside diameter of the compression nut?"
A. No, it is not. Copper compression fitting sizes are measured and sized according to the outside diameter (O.D.) of the copper tubing or copper pipe for which they will be used.

Q. "What are the new lead-free plumbing laws?"
A. The new lead-free laws require plumbing products that come into contact with drinking water to be essentially lead-free (0.25% weighted average). These laws have been passed in California and Vermont. In order for companies to ship these products to locations in California and Vermont, they must be ANSI certified lead-free.