I’m working on a two year old jacuzzi bathtub and noticed the shut off valves are what you would use for a sink or toilet
I also noticed The water supply lines are the braided type used on sink or toilet
(supply lines from shut off valve to faucet)
I think these should not have been installed as they are limiting the flow of water to the bathtub
I will make changes and install different shut off valves and some type of larger diameter water supply lines and this should result in significant increase of flow of water to the bathtub
Agree?
Replies
I don't know whether that's standard for a jacusi, but it sure sounds like you're right. I'd suggest ball valves in liew of the sink/toilet type. Not sure what you could run as a line from there.
But yeah... totally aggee.
~ Ted W ~
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"I'd suggest ball valves in liew of the sink/toilet type."All of the sink/toilet shutoffs that I install are ball valve..
William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
both are available, ball valves are relatively new (unlike me)
Me too, they're way better than the multiturn type. But I was refering to the heavy brass ones with the big, rubber coated steel handle. I'm not sure what they're called. Inline shutoffs?~ Ted W ~
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Full flow ball valves
Tu stultus esRebuilding my home in Cypress, CAAlso a CRX fanatic!
Look, just send me to my drawer. This whole talking-to-you thing is like double punishment.
Thanks. I be a bit smarter now. =)~ Ted W ~
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I like to pronounce that "SHMARTER" :)
Tu stultus esRebuilding my home in Cypress, CAAlso a CRX fanatic!
Look, just send me to my drawer. This whole talking-to-you thing is like double punishment.
My brain done grew a new tenon.~ Ted W ~
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"My brain done grew a new tenon."If only you had a mortise to go with it. :)BruceT
Not necessarily.
Water volume is restricted by friction in a long run of small pipe, but a few inches of smaller size at the end makes little difference because water velocity in the restricted portion increases (think garden hose nozzle).
If the angle stops are 1/2" and the supply hose has 1/2" connectors at both ends, the fitting on the tub that they connect to is probably also 1/2". What size is the pipe coming out of the wall, also 1/2"?
If the pipes in the walls are 3/4" and the jacuzzi fittings 3/4", then 3/4" ball valves and 3/4" flexible water heater supply lines might make a noticeable difference.
BruceT
Edited 4/20/2009 1:27 am by brucet9
Yes the pipe in the wall is 1/2 copperThe 1/2 copper looks like it's 2 or 3 times larger than the passageway through the shut off and the supply lineSeems logical that changing the shut offs and supply line would increase the flow significantly
1/2" ball valves with 1/2" supply lines (inside diameter on both) will unquestionably increase flow.
It is not true that a smaller pipe will deliver the same flow if the the length is short. It is true that the longer the small (or large) pipe is, the greater will be the friction loss. But a smaller diameter opening will always reduce flow (not pressure--just flow or volume). In fact, this is how flow restricters in today's faucets work. They are simply a small diameter orifice, looking somewhat like a an old style faucet washer.
Thank you to you and everyone for your input and suggestionsMuch appreciated
It's easy to test that hypothesis. Disconnect a supply line from the jacuzzi, point it into a bucket, turn on the angle stop and time how long it takes to fill. Now remove the supply line and fill the bucket directly from the angel stop and see how much faster it fills.BruceT
If the valve is threaded for 1/2" on the compression nut end, the flow will be significantly more without the supply line. But if it's for a 3/8" comp the there won't be significat difference. The later has the water coming out a 3/8" opening with or without the supply line connected to it. ~ Ted W ~
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Ball valve, or compression does not matter .. which ever you use just make sure it is full bore 1/2", both are avail in iether configuration. Water tower? .. let's see your going to build a water tower to ... fill a jacuzzi? .. nuts
Or do like on the opening of "Pettycoat Junction", the water tower IS the jacuzzi~ Ted W ~
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If your supply lines are 1/2", your shutoffs and braided line are most likely 3/8".
Maybe you can test by timing how long it takes to fill a large bucket from this faucet with both valves (hot and cold) fully opened.
Then time how long it takes to fill the same bucket at another faucet that is known to be supplied by completely by ½” pipe. Perhaps a laundry faucet?
Normally when using your tub, you probably have the hot side mostly (if not completely) opened, and the cold less opened to get a comfortable temp.?
By the way, the braided lines will prevent against a complete pipe rupture. The most that will ever happen is a slow drip. So, IMO, the use of these is good.
Not sure if this helps.
"Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary, use words." - St. Francis of Assisi
No, I didn't vote for him; but he IS my president. I pray for the his safety, and the safety of his family every day. And I pray that he makes wise decisions.
Just a thought. Given the water volume and pressure that some people want for their pleasure bathrooms, could an outdoor water tower be considered as a solution? Build it in the back yard, maybe a hundred feet above the roof, pump water into it, and then let it turn the shower into Niagara Falls as it drains into the bathroom.
I like your thinkingIMy concern is the cost of building a private water tower though
If you swapped out the old angle stops for full-flow ball valves as PaulCP suggests, you need a full half inch ID flexible connector to the jacuzzi.
I saw 3/8" corrugated copper supply lines in Lowes today, but not 1/2". I googled 1/2" corrugated copper lines this evening but came up with nothing.
3/4" corrugated copper are readily available for water heater lines, however, so you could step up to 3/4" after the valve and down to 1/2" at the jaccuzzi.
You could also use a length of 1/2" soft copper tubing if you install adapters on the valve and jacuzzi for 1/2" compression fittings.
Hey I really appreciate your infoI like your idea RE copper tubingI think the rule of thumb in plumbing is that the flexible lines can be used in areas "readily accessible"This is an application where the plumbing is kind of hard to get to and the copper tubing would be a good way to do itThanks again