Valves

Why Valves Matter

Welcome to our valves blog at BearingBoys

At BearingBoys, we believe that valves are the silent workhorses of any fluid- or gas-handling system. They don’t always get the spotlight that bearings or motors do — but get the valve wrong, and you’ll quickly feel the consequences. Today, we’re diving into our valve offering, explaining what we stock, how we choose them, and how you can pick the right one.

Why valves matter

Valves regulate flow. They stop it, start it, throttle it, redirect it. Whether you’re working with compressed air, hydraulic oil, steam or water, the valve you choose affects system safety, maintenance cost, downtime and efficiency. At BearingBoys we’ve seen first-hand how “cheap valve, frequent failure” ends up being more expensive than buying the right one in the first place.

What we supply

We have a wide range of valves types (you can browse them on our site). Here are some of the main categories:

• Ball valves – A go-to option for many applications. For example, we supply mini ball valves, full-flow ball valves, 3-way ball valves and other specialised variants.

• Needle and control valves – These give you finer control over flow, ideal when you’re throttling or metering rather than just on/off. (Mentioned in our “Industrial Valves” overview.)

• Weldable stainless steel ball valves – When robustness, corrosion resistance and cleanliness matter (e.g., in food, beverage or chemical systems) we stock 316 stainless steel, three-piece ball valves.

• Push-in (pneumatic) valves – For compressed air systems where ease of installation is key, our push-in type pneumatic valves are a practical solution.

• Plumbing / isolation valves – For water systems, washing machines, plumbing fixtures: we supply bib taps, straight/angle valves and other related plumbing valve types.

• Inline and tube-to-tube valves – For compact installations, instrumentation or smaller tube sizes we also offer inline shut-off valves and line-mounted regulators.

How we help you choose

We know there’s a lot to consider, so here are five key questions we ask our customers — and you should too:

1. What medium are you controlling? Is it water, air, oil, steam, chemicals? Material compatibility matters (e.g., stainless steel vs brass).

2. What pressure and temperature conditions? A valve rated for low-pressure air might fail if used in steam.

3. What kind of action is required? Do you just need ON/OFF (e.g., a ball valve) or do you need fine throttle (needle/ control valve)?

4. What end-connections and installation constraints? Threaded, welded, push-in, tube-to-tube or flanged? Space might be tight.

5. Maintenance and lifetime expectations? Consider access, wear parts, materials and how often you want to service or replace.

At BearingBoys we’re always ready to assist with these questions. Our goal is that you get the valve that fits your job exactly — not a “one size tries to fit all”.

Our promise

We source valves from trusted manufacturers, check materials (brass, stainless steel, aluminium, etc.), inspect ratings and make sure the product spec meets the job. We also stock a range of related accessories (seals, handles, mounting brackets) so you’re not left sourcing another part later.

Our sales and technical teams are on-hand if you want to talk through the options — whether you’re retrofitting an older installation or specifying a new build.

A few final tips

• Always check the full technical data for a valve (e.g., Cv value, leakage class, torque required to operate) — not just size and material.

• Don’t over-specify “just in case” too much — it can increase cost (and complexity) without adding real benefits.

• Keep spares in stock, especially for valves in critical systems — even the best valves may need servicing or replacement.

• If you’re unsure about compatibility (chemicals, pressure/temperature, regulatory), drop us a line — better to ask first.

Thanks for reading our latest blog post. If you’re browsing valves for your next project, we invite you to explore our full range on our website and contact us for advice at any time. We’re here to make sure you get the right valve, first time.

— The BearingBoys Team