Plumbing: Faucets & Valves
Once water has traveled through the supply system, the flow must be regulated. Valves and faucets are used to control the water supply. Valves are used on pipe lines and control water by driving a stem down into a base to reduce or shut off water flow. The three most commonly used types of valves are gate, globe, and angle valves. Gate valves are designed to completely shut off or open a supply pipe - it's not designed to adjust the flow. Globe and angle valves are used when a valve must be opened and closed frequently under high water pressure. The globe valve has a stem that forces a disc into the valve seat. By turning the handle of the globe valve, the size of the opening for the water to pass through is increased or decreased. Angle valves are similar to globe valves except that the water inlet and outlet are at a 90 degree angle to each other.
Faucets are installed on fixtures and there are a wide variety available. Well-designed faucets offer ergonomically designed features that allow people to turn them on and off more easily and to be held with less effort. They also add to the style of the fixture and complement the design of the room. 
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