A.Y. McDonald is a manufacturer of waterworks valves and fittings, plumbing valves, and natural gas products for municipal water utilities, plumbing contractors, and gas distribution systems. A.Y. McDonald has manufactured water control products since 1856, making it one of the oldest continuous valve manufacturers in the United States. A.Y. McDonald products are constructed from non-lead brass, bronze, cast iron, and stainless steel, and the waterworks product line is built to AWWA standards for municipal water service applications. The plumbing division produces a complete line of non-lead brass ball valves, angle stops, hose bibbs, and PEX fittings that meet Safe Drinking Water Act requirements for potable water contact. Plumbing contractors, utility workers, and gas distribution technicians specify A.Y. McDonald where long service life, AWWA compliance, and non-lead brass construction are the primary specifying criteria.
A.Y. McDonald Product Lines
Waterworks Valves and Fittings
A.Y. McDonald's waterworks product line covers the full range of water service valves required for municipal water distribution and residential service connections. Corporation stops in AWWA ball and plug styles control flow at the utility main tap; curb stops provide shut-off at the property line; meter valves control flow at the meter. Service saddles in brass, bronze, and stainless steel connect service lines to water mains. Single and dual check valves prevent backflow at service connections. The Commander Remote Shut-off System provides motorized curb stop operation for utilities needing remote service control. All waterworks products are built to AWWA standards, the national specification for water utility infrastructure.
Plumbing Valves and Fittings
A.Y. McDonald's plumbing division produces non-lead brass ball valves, gate valves, check valves, angle stop and supply stop valves, hose bibbs, boiler drains, plug valves, pressure reducing valves, and a complete line of compression, press-fit, push-fit, and PEX fittings. Non-lead brass construction across the plumbing line confirms compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act requirements for potable water contact, which is now mandatory in all U.S. jurisdictions. A.Y. McDonald specialty plumbing items include dielectric unions, vacuum breakers, and Y-strainers. The angle stop and supply stop valve range covers the most common rough-in configurations for lavatory and toilet supply connections in residential and commercial construction.
Natural Gas Valves and Meter Products
A.Y. McDonald's natural gas division manufactures meter set assemblies, angle and inline natural gas valves, meter bars in residential, industrial, and specialty configurations, and portable bypass kits for meter exchange without service interruption. Natural gas valves from A.Y. McDonald are available in L-wing and inline bypass configurations for gas distribution service applications. Meter bars from A.Y. McDonald provide the structural connection between the gas service line and the meter, available in configurations matching residential and light commercial meter set requirements. The gas division product line serves gas utilities and plumbing contractors working on natural gas service installation and replacement projects.
Why Contractors Specify A.Y. McDonald
Plumbing contractors and utility workers specify A.Y. McDonald products because the brand has manufactured water control valves continuously since 1856, providing more than 165 years of engineering refinement and parts availability for in-service products. The waterworks product line is built to AWWA standards, the specification required by municipal water utilities for infrastructure procurement. Non-lead brass construction across the plumbing valve and fitting line confirms compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act requirements, removing lead content as a specification concern. A.Y. McDonald PEX fittings and ball valves are available in compression, press-fit, push-fit, and PEX configurations, covering the range of rough-in pipe materials used in residential and commercial plumbing. A.Y. McDonald products are distributed through wholesale plumbing supply channels and are available through SupplyHouse.
How to Choose a A.Y. McDonald Product
The primary selection variable for an A.Y. McDonald product is the division: waterworks, plumbing, or natural gas. Waterworks products (corporation stops, curb stops, meter valves, service saddles) are specified for utility and municipal water service applications and must meet AWWA standards for the authority having jurisdiction. Plumbing valves and fittings are specified for residential and commercial potable water systems where non-lead brass construction and SDWA compliance are required.
For plumbing ball valve selection, identify the required connection type: compression, press-fit, push-fit, PEX crimp, or threaded. A.Y. McDonald ball valves are available in all of these connection formats in non-lead brass. Confirm the valve size matches the supply line or distribution pipe diameter at the installation point.
For natural gas valve selection, match the A.Y. McDonald gas valve to the gas meter set configuration and the inlet and outlet connection sizes at the installation point. Confirm the valve is rated for the operating pressure of the gas distribution system. Consult the A.Y. McDonald specification sheet for the applicable gas valve series before final specification.
FAQs
Where are A.Y. McDonald products manufactured?
A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Co. has manufactured water control products in the United States since its founding in 1856. For current manufacturing location details, consult A.Y. McDonald directly or visit aymcdonald.com for the most current company information.
What warranty does A.Y. McDonald offer on its valves and fittings?
A.Y. McDonald warranty terms are available through the product documentation and at aymcdonald.com. Confirm the warranty applicable to a specific valve or fitting product with your A.Y. McDonald distributor at the time of purchase.
What is the difference between A.Y. McDonald corporation stops and curb stops?
The difference between A.Y. McDonald corporation stops and curb stops is the installation location in the water service system. Corporation stops are installed at the utility water main tap and are owned and operated by the water utility. Curb stops are installed at the property line or curb box and provide the shut-off point for individual service connections. Both products are built to AWWA standards.
Are A.Y. McDonald plumbing valves compliant with lead-free requirements?
A.Y. McDonald plumbing valves and fittings are constructed from non-lead brass, confirming compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act requirements for potable water contact. Non-lead brass is now the mandatory material standard for all plumbing fittings and valves in contact with potable water in the United States.
What PEX fitting types does A.Y. McDonald offer?
A.Y. McDonald offers PEX fittings in crimp, press-fit, and push-fit configurations to match the PEX installation tooling and system type in use. Non-lead brass construction applies across all A.Y. McDonald PEX fitting types. Confirm the fitting connection style matches the PEX system tooling at the installation point before ordering.
What is the A.Y. McDonald Commander Remote Shut-off System?
The A.Y. McDonald Commander Remote Shut-off System is a motorized curb stop system designed for utility water service applications where remote or automated service shut-off is required. The Commander system allows utilities to shut off and restore water service without dispatching a crew to the curb box location. It is part of the A.Y. McDonald waterworks product line and is built to AWWA standards for municipal water service infrastructure.