For softwash mixing, use a ball valve or a metering valve?

This question gets asked alot especially when you find out the price of metering valves.

Price alone is just a surface level question, what is it about a metering valve that makes it so much more expensive than a ball valve?

Well, in this article I'll go into the differences and what each valve is best used for.

What is a softwash metering valve?

A metering valve is used on softwash blending proportioner systems to allow precise control of fluid material at HIGH FLOW and LOW PRESSURE.

This gives you the opportunity to use the raw ingredients that make up a softwash solution and dial in a measured and precise ratio of fluid material on the go. This speed up your operational speed.

The metering valve will only allow a limited flow through the valve compared to a standard ball valve which operates only as OFF or ON. You may think that with a ball valve "I can save some money and just turn the valve half way.... This is basically like a metering valve but cheaper"

WRONG!

Ball valves are designed to operate either as open or closed. A metering valve is designed to handle a flow at a measured (metered) amount.

If you decide to use a ball valve for softwash blending or in a proportioning function, you will get an inconsistent flow of material and the valve will revert to either open or closed. This is dangerous when it comes to soft washing. Handling and pumping high flows of hazardous chemicals in diluted or raw forms carry a risk. Using the correct high-quality equipment is critical to safe soft washing.

A metering valve as shown below has a unique machined ball. If you can see to the right there is a machined 'V' notch. This allows for excellent flow control cababilities.

What material ball valves should I use for softwashing?

Sodium hypochlorite is very corrosive, so certain materials are compatible.

PVC and polypropylene are the best materials to resist softwash solutions and provide excellent resistance to harsh chemicals.

Our softwash valves come with Viton seals that also offer excellent resistance to softwash solutions.

Our advice at hero softwash is to buy once, cry once.

Buying low-quality equipment is great at the start to get you up and running and earning money from soft washing. All our parts and equipment are battle tested and nothing we sell at hero softwash is poor quality.

Selecting the right valve for soft washing should be easier for you. What you are looking for is a metering valve, not a valve. Made from PVC and fitted with seals that can stand up to harsh chemicals.

Softwash valves and fittings

For your DIY softwash metering valves and fittings for your UK pressure washing business. Hero softwash has everything you need. Most of our softwash fittings come with a 2-day delivery on orders over £100 excluding palletized items like our Hero softwash + pressure wash skid. But always free to collect from Solihull, West Midlands.

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