Three Way Diverter Valves

The only systems I design without diverter valves are for the simplest homes which don't have a septic or sewer to divert to.

Three way valves work better than the alternatives (two ball valves, movable pipe sections...) in that their proper operation is more obvious, and that they don't clog as readily.

 

One-Inch Three Port Valve for Washing Machines

The brass Kitz Three Port Valve fits one inch male pipe thread. It is recommended for laundry-only systems, in particular, theImproved drumless laundry system.

$45 — Three-Way Diverter Valve 1" (brass)

 

 

 

 

Jandy Never Lube Three Port Valve

Jandy Never Lube Three Port Valves are the greywater industry standard. Besides being well-made and guaranteed never to leak or break, they have the huge advantage that you can unscrew the face plate and turn it to make any of the three ports the "inlet."

The face plate can also be removed for cleaning out the valve or to snake any clog nearby.

They last a long time. We suggest you use no hub connectors or glue them with silicone sealer so they can be reused if you want to change the geometry of your plumbing in the future.

The valves can be operated remotely and/or automatically with a $249 Jandy 24v actuator (we don't handle these).

Each valve fits two pipe sizes; one on the inside and one on the outside. The larger valve is recommended for two inch pipe. Rated to 200 psi. Jandy model numbers are 4715 for smaller valve, 4717 for larger one.

$59 — Three-Way Diverter Valve 1.5-2" (plastic)

$59 — Three-Way Diverter Valve 2-2.5" (plastic)

Why you should't buy these plastic valves

These jandy valves are the best solution currently available for greywater diversion in 1.5 or 2" pipe. However, they are made of PVC, a bad plastic.

Before clicking the "buy" button, make sure your system is designed to use as little resources as possible in its use and maintenance, including using as little plastic, as little bad plastic, and as few valves as possible.

The typical system uses at most two of these valves, one for the kitchen sink (yeah, I know this illegal most places, but the rules will catch up before the house falls down), and one for the rest of the plumbing. Additionally, it might use a one-inch brass valve from the laundry.

Note: the amount of extra plastic in the 2/ 2.5" valve is only about 10-15% more than in the 1.5/2" valve. The valve body is identical, it's just the hubs that are bigger. So, there isn't much ecological reason to avoid them.

Why are we offering these if they are made of bad plastic? Well, they are the least of evils in many contexts that have conventional plumbing (which, in the West, is actually ABS, slightly better than PVC).

It is possible to make greywater valves of a better material (and a better design). If you or someone you know has a plastics manufacturing plant, please contact us for a design for better valves. The minute there is a more ecological valve, we'll drop these.

For a way to see how to avoid 90% of the plastic and all the PVC use in a system, check out our information on Radical Plumbing in The New Create an Oasis with Grey Water (book).

Information on the evils of PVC

A list of reports and resources on the hazard of PVC on besafe.net

PVC: A Health Hazard From Production through Disposal by Paul Goettlich

Greenpeace's stance on PVC

See also:

Flow splitters Hardware for splitting greywater flows in a branched drain greywater system

The New Create an Oasis with Grey Water (book)chapter on how to do greywater collection plumbing

Stub outs how to plumb for a future greywater system

Improved drumless laundry system
Grey water central Information on all aspects of greywater systems

Keywords: three-way valve, 3-way valve, 3 port valve, 3 way valve, jandy valve, diverter valve, greywater diverter valve, graywater, grey water, gray water, two inch, 2", 1.5" 4717, 4715