Corrosion in Chrome Ball Valve

[ullas2711]

Hi Every one,
We have recently installed 1" Chrome Ball Valve in SS pipe and the valve is connected to the pipe by means of threading. Both the pipe and valve are in water. But after a month of installation, we find rusting on the valve. Can any one please provide the reason for this. Thanks in advance....

 

[EdStainless]

What material is the valve? Chrome platted or a low Cr steel?

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Plymouth Tube

 

[btrueblood]

...and what part is rusting, the ball, the case, the handle...?

 

[ullas2711]

The handle is rusting.

 

[btrueblood]

"Both the pipe and valve are in water." Re-reading your post, it sound like this valve is installed in a submerged location - was the valve rated for that installation? What kind of water is this valve immersed in?

If the handle is rusting (most general-purpose valves have a zinc-plated steel or galvanized sheet metal handle), you should source a handle in a stainless steel, or duplex if salt water.

 

[ullas2711]

Yes the valve is submerged in water. I am not sure whether the valve was rated for the same. How do you make out that a valve is rated for submerged application?. The water in which it is immersed is normally sweet water but may contain traces of chlorine.

 

[EdStainless]

Does the corrosion of the handle cause any issues other than cosmetics?
Let it rust, it should still last a long time.
If it is interfering with valve operation then get a SS handle.

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Plymouth Tube

 

[btrueblood]

Well, hopefully there's not much chlorine, and if it's a brass/bronze valve with stainless stem, those parts should last awhile. The cut edges of a galvanized handle (e.g. the double-D cut out where the handle engages the ball stem) will rust first and most rapidly. Buy a replacement handle to have on hand to replace once the first one corrodes enough to be useless. If that interval is too short for your liking, then source a stainless replacement for it.