ProPEX Ball Valves
ProPEX ball valves expand directly onto Uponor's PEX-A tubing using the ProPEX expansion connection method, giving plumbers a full quarter-turn shutoff without a separate adapter fitting. The category includes drain-equipped models and versions designed to transition to copper press connections.
A drain port on a ProPEX ball valve lets a plumber isolate and drain a section of line without adding a separate fitting at that point. Combination ProPEX-to-copper-press valves are useful where a PEX run needs to tie into an existing copper system.
Subcategories
- ProPEX Ball Valves w/ Drain: ProPEX ball valves with a drain add a small drain port to the standard valve body, letting a plumber empty the downstream line without opening a separate fitting elsewhere in the run. The added port is a common choice just ahead of an outdoor spigot, seasonal equipment, or any line that needs to be drained down before cold weather.
- ProPEX x Copper Press Ball Valves: ProPEX x copper press ball valves combine a PEX expansion connection on one side with a copper press connection on the other, letting a plumber transition between the two piping materials at a single fitting. The built-in transition removes the need for a separate coupling when a job crosses from a PEX manifold into copper branch lines or vice versa.
Buying Guide
Start with what the valve needs to connect to on both sides. A straightforward PEX-to-PEX shutoff calls for the standard valve, a line that needs periodic draining calls for the drain-equipped version, and a transition point between PEX and copper calls for the press-fitting version.
The expansion side of every variation uses the same ring and cone process as other Uponor ProPEX fittings, so the expansion tool already used for tubing installation works across the whole valve line without a separate tool purchase.
On the copper press variation, confirming the press tool and jaw size match the valve's press connection before the job starts avoids a mismatched crimp, since press tools vary by manufacturer and jaw profile.
Drain-equipped valves are worth specifying anywhere seasonal shutdown or line draining is a recurring task, such as an irrigation supply or an outdoor fixture, rather than adding a separate drain fitting downstream of a standard valve.
Because all three variations share the same quarter-turn handle and shutoff mechanism, a plumber can standardize on one valve family across a job and only vary the connection style at each specific point in the run.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the drain port on a ProPEX ball valve do?
The drain port lets a plumber empty the line downstream of the valve without disconnecting a separate fitting, which is useful ahead of winterizing an outdoor line or seasonal equipment.
Can a ProPEX ball valve connect to copper pipe directly?
The copper press variation of the valve has one copper press connection built into the body, letting it connect directly to copper pipe on that side while the other side expands onto PEX tubing.
Does the copper press connection need a special tool?
Yes, it needs a copper press tool with a jaw sized to match the valve's press connection, which is a separate tool from the PEX expansion tool used on the other side of the valve.
Is the drain-equipped valve interchangeable with the standard valve?
Both versions share the same body size and PEX expansion connections, so the drain-equipped valve fits anywhere the standard valve would, with the added drain port as the only functional difference.
How is the ball valve operated once installed?
A quarter-turn handle on top of the valve body opens or closes the ball inside, the same operation across the standard, drain-equipped, and copper press variations.
Resources
Subcategories
- ProPEX Ball Valves w/ Drain: ProPEX ball valves with a drain add a small drain port to the standard valve body, letting a plumber empty the downstream line without opening a separate fitting elsewhere in the run. The added port is a common choice just ahead of an outdoor spigot, seasonal equipment, or any line that needs to be drained down before cold weather.
- ProPEX x Copper Press Ball Valves: ProPEX x copper press ball valves combine a PEX expansion connection on one side with a copper press connection on the other, letting a plumber transition between the two piping materials at a single fitting. The built-in transition removes the need for a separate coupling when a job crosses from a PEX manifold into copper branch lines or vice versa.
Buying Guide
Start with what the valve needs to connect to on both sides. A straightforward PEX-to-PEX shutoff calls for the standard valve, a line that needs periodic draining calls for the drain-equipped version, and a transition point between PEX and copper calls for the press-fitting version.
The expansion side of every variation uses the same ring and cone process as other Uponor ProPEX fittings, so the expansion tool already used for tubing installation works across the whole valve line without a separate tool purchase.
On the copper press variation, confirming the press tool and jaw size match the valve's press connection before the job starts avoids a mismatched crimp, since press tools vary by manufacturer and jaw profile.
Drain-equipped valves are worth specifying anywhere seasonal shutdown or line draining is a recurring task, such as an irrigation supply or an outdoor fixture, rather than adding a separate drain fitting downstream of a standard valve.
Because all three variations share the same quarter-turn handle and shutoff mechanism, a plumber can standardize on one valve family across a job and only vary the connection style at each specific point in the run.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the drain port on a ProPEX ball valve do?
The drain port lets a plumber empty the line downstream of the valve without disconnecting a separate fitting, which is useful ahead of winterizing an outdoor line or seasonal equipment.
Can a ProPEX ball valve connect to copper pipe directly?
The copper press variation of the valve has one copper press connection built into the body, letting it connect directly to copper pipe on that side while the other side expands onto PEX tubing.
Does the copper press connection need a special tool?
Yes, it needs a copper press tool with a jaw sized to match the valve's press connection, which is a separate tool from the PEX expansion tool used on the other side of the valve.
Is the drain-equipped valve interchangeable with the standard valve?
Both versions share the same body size and PEX expansion connections, so the drain-equipped valve fits anywhere the standard valve would, with the added drain port as the only functional difference.
How is the ball valve operated once installed?
A quarter-turn handle on top of the valve body opens or closes the ball inside, the same operation across the standard, drain-equipped, and copper press variations.