Plumbers advice please RE: Drayton MA1 valve

matty_hunt

Hi. I need some advice please. I have a Drayton MA1 3-way valve unit. Ive had it in the garage for a couple of years but now thinking its time to fit it. Thing is, when I look inside at the rubber valve gate, I see that it touches the pipe ends on the hinge side but leaves a gap on the far side. Is this normal? Will the water pressure or temperature cause the rubber gate to close fully? Has age affected the rubber gate and is pointless fitting this? As I don't have another valve to compare it to I thought there might be a plumber on here who has one they could check. Many thanks.

grumbler

I am no expert, but are you sure it's the correct position of the gate?

matty_hunt

Thanks, but yes. The picture shows maximum travel of the gate to the B side. When gate is switched to maximum on the A side, same gap appears.

greatcrested

Try

https://www.diynot.com/diy/forums/plumbing/

lots of plumbers there...

Jeepers_Creepers

I've never been aware of such a gap, and I can't see any reason why it would be intentionally there - I'm pretty sure it shouldn't be.

I wonder, considering that the pump flow goes in the central port and would therefore be pushing that valve further closed, if this is enough to force that gap closed? When you gently push on the rubber valve with your finger, does it quite easily close that gap fully or is it pretty solid and the gap remains?

The rubber valve looks to be in good order - it's not as tho' it's deteriorated or perished or anything. Hmm, just looked at this on the Screwfix site - described as "22mm compression connection. 5-wire installation. 100% tight shut-off..."

I can't remember the last time I fitted a 3-porter, but it was the usual Honeywell jobbie and I'm pretty sure that one has a rubber ball which therefore seats perfectly in the round port due to its shape. What's more, the ball is free to rotate so lands on a slightly different face each time, so doesn't become grooved in one spot. Small clever detail. 

matty_hunt

Thank you for the replies. I went with a Honeywell in the end. Lots of good reviews. Though even with the ball, it doesn't seal the pipes as tight as I expected. Maybe with the water pressure its different. Cheers

Jeepers_Creepers

That's strange, but I guess it must be within the limits of acceptance. I also imagine that the water flow itself will assist in closing off the unwanted port, but still strange - you certainly don't want any noticeable leakage.

Almost certainly it'll be absolutely fine in use, and the Honey is the 'standard'. 

southcoastrgi

I've never looked tbh but I have two new ones in the van so I'll look on monday & report back just for interest sake