Do you prefer to install a lever type ball valve or a screw type? It seems a lot easier to use a lever to turn on/off the water supply rather than turning clockwise/anticlockwise all the time. Is there a strong benefit to either? Also, is it a good idea to install a secondary flow valve before the kitchen tap and dishwasher so that fixing them in the future is much easier? I haven't seen many households with them under the sink.
Eg
https://www.bunnings.com.au/kinetic-25mm-brass-ball-valve_p4…
All the taps at my house are either 1/4 or 1/2 turn taps for the inside taps and 1/4 turn ball valve type taps for outside. I for sick of replacing tap washers and would never have taps with tap washers in this house or my next.
Likewise.
Though, I'm sure our 1/4 turn (etc) taps will start to leak after some years of use also.
Still prefer them though and I don't have any leaking yet.
Much less maintenance with ball type lever valves these are usually ceramic i think. You might never get a leak as its always closed the same way and the design means you can't over tighten when turning the water of. Plus you never have to worry about reseating the tap. They can still leak from wear and tear it will just take longer.
In my house King Kong seems to regularly use the taps and people close the taps to hard which wears down the rubber on the washer. Meaning maintenance is a pain.
You can also get screw type taps with ceramic washers which should last heaps longer than the normal style taps. I put one in the kitchen its been good so far. Its like an all in one tap the washer doesn't make contact with pipe like a traditional tap and washer setup. All the components are built in the tap like a lever tap system.
Is there a strong benefit to either?
No.
Also, is it a good idea to install a secondary flow valve before the kitchen tap and dishwasher so that fixing them in the future is much easier?
Always. Where possible, you should be able to isolate every water outlet individually.
I haven't seen many households with them under the sink.
It is in everyhouse I have ever lived in and every office I have ever worked in.
Levers are easy to use but twist taps are easier to adjust to a required flow. The choice is yours…
The mini taps are cheap and easy to fit under the sink and make it much easier when repairs are needed. Worth doing.
Not sure your terminology is correct. I think Ball lever taps are usually for ‘industrial type fittings. Found on the meter or outdoors etc. ceramic disc taps are usually what you find in the house.
The biggest disadvantage with ceramic disc (1/4 or 1/2 turn) is that when they leak they are non standard fittings. You might need to replace the whole tap rather than just the ceramic disc bit. Mixer taps (both hot and cold with a lever) are the worst so many different cartridges that even if they look the same there is a good chance it won’t fit. They are also a lot more expensive than traditional washer taps.
If a washer tap leaks, which face it is more common, it’s a 30c part and 5 min job to replace. 10min if you reseat the tap.
Ceramic disc are easier to turn on and off and require less maintenance but are a lot more expensive.
lever