A gate valve is a type of plumbing valve that uses a sliding plate to completely start or stop the flow of water through a pipe. In HVAC applications, these are often used as "isolation valves" for Water Heaters or hydronic heating loops, allowing for easy maintenance without draining the entire system. Because they are designed to be either fully open or fully closed, they should not be used to "throttle" or regulate the flow of water. You can find heavy-duty brass gate valves in our Water-Plumbing section for both residential and light commercial projects. If a gate valve becomes stuck due to mineral buildup, it may need to be replaced to ensure your ACIq hydronic system remains serviceable. They provide a very low resistance to flow when open, which helps maintain the efficiency of your system's pump. It is a traditional and highly reliable component for any water-based climate control setup. These valves are essential for any home with complex radiant or boiler-based heating.