"Do you carry valves with drains to prevent freezing?"
Sorry, but we don't stock self-draining valves.
"Why do you prefer to sell Kitz brand valves?"
Because of our customer satisfaction level with these great quality valves. We receive many repeat customers with Kitz and it is extremely rare that we ever get one back.
"Are all of your valves 'full port' valves?"
Most of our valves that we offer are considered "standard" valves. All globe valves aren't "full flow" as the design of a globe valve won't allow that. If you have a specific need for a 'full port' valve simply ask us before placing an order for that valve and we can let you know if it is. In most cases a slightly throttled flow will not impede much flow as the velocity will simply increase - causing some friction loss but very little as it's for a very short distance.
"I wish to purchase the solder type valves. Can they be soldered in place, or should they be disassembled before heating them?"
As long as you have some experience with soldering; you shouldn't have any problems. Most beginners tend to overheat their fittings and joints, and so, if you are brand new to soldering, you might want to consider purchasing threaded valves instead of solder types. The valve should be left in place when soldering and not taken apart. According to Kitz, you should leave the valve fully open before heating. First you preheat the valve evenly to about 212 degrees. Also preheat the tubing close to the valve before soldering the valve. Then heat the valve (where you want the solder to flow to). Don't heat the valve body more than one minute and remember, most people tend to over heat. As soon as the solder has become solid, wet the body with a wet cloth to cool it down. Don't open the valve or move anything until the valve body has totally cooled down. Flush the valve and the tube interior with water as soon as the piping work has been completed.
"Spring vs Swing?"
Spring loaded means it has a spring. It tends to seal better (best for potable water pumps), but the spring will wear out easier and does take more pressure to open it. A swing check works on the gravity principle (more reliable in the long run), and it take less pressure to open it (best for sump, pond, fountain, sewage pumps). A swing check should only be mounted horizontally (a spring check may be installed horizontally or vertically with the water flow going up).
"Will these valves hold up to freezing (not break)?"
Any water in ANY brand of valve (even if the walls are many times as thick as what we offer) will break if subjected to freezing conditions. The strength of water expanding during freezing is much greater than any valve costing less than many thousands of dollars.
