I have made a small repair to our water and steam valves that we use for cleanup. The water and steam mix together when the valves are opened to make hot water, depending on how far you open each valve determines how hot the water will be. The valves are of the compression type, as you screw the valve open it increases the flow through the valve. These are older valves that we have had for a long time. Occasionally they will start to leak and I don't like it. In the past I have pulled the valves apart and made an effort to clean-up the brass parts of the valve that seals the water off.

I don't have the correct tools to do this right and my repairs didn't last more than a year or two. This year I visited a friend who is a plumber and he suggested replacing the valves with new ball valves. I didn't like this idea because the steam and water need to be adjusted carefully to achieve the right temperature. Another problem with a ball valve on the steam lines is that accidentally throwing the steam valve completely open is never a good idea. An open steam line is very loud and very scary.

I had the idea to combine the ball valves with the existing compression valves. The ball valves now act as an on/off so that there are no more leaks. The compression valves allow me to preset the flow for the cold water and the steam so that they rarely need adjustment. Now when I come into the cannery I don't see a wet floor and when I want hot water it is a simple case of just throwing both ball valves open and there is instant hot water.

I know this is a simple thing but I can't tell you the pleasure that I get from this small change. The paint job on the handles is my own and helps to avoid confusion on which valve is which.