I have a washing machine box with 2 old boiler drains on the side and the drain in the middle. Since the boiler drains are so cumbersome to shut off, we never do so (unless we go on vacation). I'd like to switch out the boiler drains with modern ball valves to make it easier to shut off the water to the washing machine after we use it.
The boilder drains are 1/2" MIP screwed into female copper sweat adapters. I tried to loosen the valves in order to replace them with 1/4 turn ball valves but couldn't get them loose, mostly due to the small size of the box.
Now, I am intending to replace the whole box and valves. I was wondering what others' experience is about the advantages of separate ball valves vs. the "all in one" double valve, where you use a lever to shut off hot and cold water at the same time. Are there any differences in reliability between these alternatives?
The boilder drains are 1/2" MIP screwed into female copper sweat adapters. I tried to loosen the valves in order to replace them with 1/4 turn ball valves but couldn't get them loose, mostly due to the small size of the box.
Now, I am intending to replace the whole box and valves. I was wondering what others' experience is about the advantages of separate ball valves vs. the "all in one" double valve, where you use a lever to shut off hot and cold water at the same time. Are there any differences in reliability between these alternatives?
