What type of valve has a vertical disc or wedge that controls the flow of water?

A gate valve is specifically designed with a vertical disc or wedge that moves up and down to control the flow of water through the pipe. When the valve is fully open, the disc is raised, allowing water to flow freely; when closed, the disc sits tightly against the seat, effectively blocking the flow. This design provides minimal resistance to flow when the valve is open, making it an efficient choice for on/off control in systems where a full flow is needed. Gate valves are commonly used in various applications, including water distribution systems and swimming pools, due to their straightforward mechanism and reliability.

In contrast, the other types of valves serve different purposes and feature distinct mechanisms. A check valve prevents backflow and operates through a disc or ball that is not controlled by a manual mechanism. A ball valve uses a spherical ball to start and stop flow and is typically operated with a quarter turn. A butterfly valve consists of a rotating disk that controls flow and is more suited for regulating flow rather than completely shutting it off.