Which type of valve is used for isolation in plumbing?

The gate valve is designed to be fully opened or fully closed, which makes it ideal for isolation purposes in plumbing systems. When a gate valve is open, there is minimal resistance to the flow, allowing for maximum flow efficiency. Conversely, when the valve is closed, it effectively stops the flow of water completely, providing an efficient means of isolating sections of a plumbing system for maintenance or repair.

In the context of plumbing, isolation valves are critical for controlling water flow and ensuring that repairs or alterations can be performed without affecting the entire system. Gate valves are particularly suited for this task because their disk mechanism can create a tight seal, preventing leaks when closed.

Other types of valves mentioned have specific functions that do not serve isolation purposes as effectively as the gate valve. For example, check valves allow flow in one direction and prevent backflow, while pressure relief valves are designed to release excess pressure to prevent system failure. Ball valves, although they can also be used for isolation and are fast-acting, have a slightly different application profile compared to gate valves in terms of flow characteristics and sealing capabilities.