Modern water infrastructures are as intricate as they are widespread. In such complex systems, even subtle variations in technology, design, or manufacturing methods can mean the difference between critical failure and optimal performance. Case in point: curb stop valves.

These components come in several variations that fulfill the same purpose, only in vastly different settings. Today, we’ll help you familiarize yourself with these alternative solutions, their characteristics, and the best ways to utilize them.

What are the different types of curb valves?

Today, we have several different categorizations of curb valves, including:

• By setting: Standard (equivalent to “residential”) & corporation (equivalent to “commercial” or “industrial”)
• By design (“style”): Minneapolis and arch style are most commonly used, but there are other regional or manufacturer-specific styles.

However, the categorization that is arguably the most precise is by application and purpose of the curb stop valve.

Based on these characteristics, we can split these materials into well-defined, standardized categories.

Gate valve curb stop

The most “vanilla” of curb stops, this variation features a gate (sluice) valve that can be raised or lowered to control the flow of water. This is the most commonly used shut-off valve today due to its simplicity and affordability, but also because it can be used in a variety of low-to-medium pressure applications (i.e., up to 150 psi), such as residential and low-rise commercial buildings.

Ball valve curb stop

This design features a quarter-turn ball, typically with a rising stem and a non-rising handwheel, minimizing the torque required to operate it. As such, the ball valve is ideal for applications where rapid water shut-off is critical (e.g., fire protection systems) but, also, in highrise buildings (commercial or residential) and areas with water pressure above 150 psi.

Butterfly valve curb stop

Similar to a ball valve in design, only with a flat disc instead of a ball, a butterfly-type curb stop features a more compact design, making it suitable for installations where space is limited. However, since it is lightweight and requires minimal effort to operate while being quite sturdy, it is well suited for a variety of high-flow/low-pressure applications, such as commercial or industrial water service lines.

Compression curb stop

These models feature compression mechanisms for controlling the flow of water and compression fittings for a service line connection. This makes them extremely easy to install, which is why they’re found in many new constructions, retrofits, and other (mostly residential) applications where securing functionality in record time is critical.

Locking curb stop

Not exactly a category by itself, but it can be characterized as such due to widespread usage in critical applications. These curb stop valves feature a locking mechanism that prevents unauthorized access and operation, making them ideal for settings that require stringent access control, such as areas with high risk of vandalism or high-security facilities (e.g., government, financial, military, etc.).

Tapping curb stop

A specialized type of curb stop, tapping valves feature connectors that allow new water lines to be easily integrated into existing infrastructure. This is why they are most commonly used in new installations with projected expansions or for bypassing segments of the water lines, typically for repairs or upgrades.

Who has reliable curb stop valves for sale near me?

Whether your curb valve is broken and in need of replacement or you’re working on a large-scale project involving multiple valve installations, you can count on Blair Supply Corp. to equip you with high-quality materials from the US leading manufacturers.

With nearly 70 years in the industry and a vast distribution network, our Rochester-based operation ensures swift delivery anywhere in the US, securing the uninterrupted continuation of your project. Contact us today!