Plumbing valves with yellow handles????

Question

I recently had carpet cleaned in a house. The carpet cleaner noticed that all of my plumbing ball valves had yellow handles. He told me that he used to be a plumber and I should stay away from any plumbing valve with a yellow handle. He said they are all "Chinese garbage". He said that the ones with a green or blue handle ar ok, but to stay away from yellow.

I asked a guy at the plumbing supply place if this was true and he said he didn't know. I did have a gas valves with a yellow handle split when it was over tightened. I know that brass is a fairly soft metal, but it did seem to be a little on the thin side.

Does anyone know the answer to this? Do any of you avoid certain colors in plumbing? I did a Google search and didn't see anything about it.

Cagney Moreau · Answer

He "used" to be a plumber but now cleans carpets....

Emily Dixon · Answer

You guys are funny. Carpet Cleaning can be lucrative especially with all the rentals out there. Here in Southern California we have a lot of "used to be " tradesman because of the new housing development bubblicious activity the last few years. We closed a Plumbing Company in 2011 (Orange Pacific Plumbing after 25 years of business and 24,768 homes/units built) and many of our former plumbers have started their own small businesses doing other things, one ironically enough, is now a carpet cleaner, one started a restaurant, not many of them are actually doing plumbing now. 15% of that particular group of plumbers.  If anyone who used to be a plumber gives you a tip (at no benefit to himself gaining work) I would be thankful for that tip.

Uwe K. · Answer

That's a good point...

Prashant P. · Answer

In residential settings handle color usually goes by manufacturer.  So whoever built the house probaly got all the valves from the same supplier.  You will find HD has one set of handles and Lowes has another.  Gas valves have to be certifed that they do not leak by the manfucaturer and are double sealed.

In industry gas/water/oxygen and so on are color coated.  Blue is water, green is oxygen and yellow is gas in most cases.

The guy might be right or might be wrong.  Sounds like he is just not found of products made in China.

If the valves are not leaking I would not worry about them.

Account Closed · Answer

These are valves for water. The house is as of now empty and I generally turn the water into an empty house off at the meter. I do see that they don't appear to close off with the expert. With the blue valves, I feel sure that it's off when I turn it 90 degrees. They appear to be somewhat stiffer. The ball valves at harbor cargo have yellow handles - and they're about a large portion of the cost of valves at the warehouse or lowes. Actually, I normally change all the water isolator valve in a house when I get it to avert future issues, so I would rather spend a couple of more bucks for a superior valve.

Scott Sewell · Answer

I believe Prashant P. is correct. I went through this on a reno and was able to get the proper information from a local plumbing supplier. I forget the (general) color codes now, but more importantly is the written code ON the handle. Gas valves are for gas which normally operates at 6psi (pounds per square inch), NOT for water which normally operates at 40-60psi. I'd check it out 'cause a failed valve makes a heck of a mess (and can cost serious money) quick.

Uwe K. · Answer

Honestly, I wouldn't give much on that. 
If I am Mr. Watts or some other manufacturer, I can just order whatever I want from my suppliers (which can and also will be in China etc.) or make whatever I want. I tell them green handle, then they make it green, still from China.

If some cheapo importer thinks they should make a green handle because it portrays better quality for carpet cleaners, then Mr. Cheapo goes to Mr. China and says: Make it cheap, but green handle, then I sell it for half price at Harbor Freight.

I once ordered a load of PEX fittings on ebay, were cheaper than the local store (Nibco or so). I did clearly see the difference as they were much thinner. Less material, less cost, can be sold cheaper. Also warranties play a role. Warranties always add cost for manufacturers.
Same with valves. Name brands explain part of the price difference, but not all of it, so something has to give: Material, tolerances, etc. But there can be excellent products being made in China, and there can holy crap being made in the union shop next door.

Mark H. · Answer

The ball valves at harbor freight have yellow handles - and they're about half the price of valves at the depot or lowes. Personally, i usually change all the water valves in a house when i buy it to prevent future problems, so I would rather spend a few more bucks for a better valve.

I suspect if you're having valves changed by a handyman, he might be saving a couple bucks on materials by getting valves there, rather than a supply house.

Rob K. · Answer

These are valves for water. The house is currently vacant and I always turn the water in a vacant house off at the meter. I do notice that they don't seem to shut off with authority. With the blue valves, I feel certain that it's off when I turn it 90 degrees. They seem to be a little more stiff.

You're probably right about them being from the same manufacturer. The guy that told me about them said he has had problems with the valve not turning all the way off inside.

Ryan R. · Answer

I think it is just different manufacturers use different colors. So he is probably right. I don't think there is an industry standard for what the colors mean.

Are these ball valves for gas or water?

Plumbing valves with yellow handles????

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