At Plumbco, we pride ourselves on offering high-quality plumbing supplies, including Full Bore Isolation Valves, essential components for efficient water flow control in any plumbing system. In this blog, we’ll delve into what Full Bore Isolation Valves are, the difference between red and blue Butterfly Full Bore Isolation Valves, and the distinction between 15mm and 22mm variants.

For those ready to order or explore, you can view our full range of Full Bore Isolation Valves here. Don’t forget, you can also visit us in-store for expert advice and to browse a wider selection of products.

What are Full Bore Isolation Valves?

A Full Bore Isolation Valve is a type of shut-off valve designed to allow full, unrestricted flow of water or gas through the pipe. Unlike some restrictive valves, a full bore valve ensures that the internal diameter remains consistent with the pipe size, reducing the risk of pressure loss or flow disruption. This makes them particularly useful in plumbing systems where efficient water flow is critical.

These valves are often used for controlling or stopping the flow in hot and cold water systems, heating systems, and even gas supply lines, providing an effective method for isolating sections of pipework for maintenance or repairs.

Red vs. Blue Butterfly Full Bore Isolation Valves: What’s the Difference?

At Plumbco, you’ll often come across Butterfly Full Bore Isolation Valves with either a red or blue lever. While they may look similar in terms of construction, the difference in colour serves an important purpose: it helps to quickly identify the type of system the valve is controlling.

  • Red Butterfly Full Bore Isolation Valves are typically used for hot water systems. The red colour is a universal indicator that the valve controls the flow of hot water within a system, ensuring that plumbers and homeowners can make quick and accurate adjustments without confusion.
  • Blue Butterfly Full Bore Isolation Valves are used for cold water systems. The blue handle is a clear marker that the valve is regulating the cold water supply. This simple visual distinction helps ensure proper management of water temperature in the system, particularly during repairs or maintenance.

15mm vs. 22mm Full Bore Isolation Valves: Which Size Do You Need?

When choosing a Full Bore Isolation Valve, it’s important to select the right size for your specific plumbing setup. The two most common sizes are 15mm and 22mm, each designed to match standard pipe dimensions.

  • 15mm Full Bore Isolation Valves are commonly used in smaller domestic systems, such as those feeding individual appliances like taps, toilets, and smaller radiators. These valves are designed to fit standard 15mm pipes, which are widely used in home plumbing.
  • 22mm Full Bore Isolation Valves are typically found in larger pipework, such as that used for the main water supply lines or central heating systems. These valves are suited for 22mm pipes, providing greater flow capacity for high-demand areas like heating circuits or large water supplies.

Choosing the correct valve size ensures that your system operates efficiently, minimising the risk of pressure loss or inadequate flow rates.

Shop Full Bore Isolation Valves at Plumbco

At Plumbco, we offer a wide selection of Butterfly Full Bore Isolation Valves in both 15mm and 22mm sizes, with options for both red and blue levers to suit your plumbing needs. Whether you’re working on a small domestic project or a larger commercial system, our valves are built to the highest standards to ensure reliability and performance.

You can explore our selection of Full Bore Isolation Valves here. For further advice or to browse an even wider range of products, we welcome you to visit us in store, where our knowledgeable team are ready to assist with any questions you may have.

By understanding the different types of Butterfly Full Bore Isolation Valves, you can make more informed choices for your plumbing projects, ensuring that your systems operate efficiently and effectively. Whether it’s hot or cold water, or finding the right valve size, Plumbco has you covered!