Why hands-free water control earns its place
In food prep areas, workshops, veterinary rooms and medical wash-ups, staff need to turn water on and off without touching a tap handle with soiled or gloved hands. A foot valve solves that cheaply: step on the pedal, water flows; step off, it stops. Bluegum stocks two 15mm chrome foot valves built around this exact job — the 45 Degree Foot Valve (BLUEGUM-45, $179) and the 90 Degree Foot Valve (BLUEGUM-90, $199), both brass-bodied for durability under constant foot pressure.
45° vs 90°: what the angle changes
The number refers to the valve's mounting geometry, not the water pressure or flow. A 45-degree foot valve sweeps the pedal arm out at an angle, suiting installs where the valve sits low and slightly forward of the wash trough — useful in tighter toe-kick spaces where a straight vertical pedal would be awkward to reach. The 90-degree unit mounts with the pedal running perpendicular to the supply line, giving a more direct, upright push that some trades prefer for free-standing wash stations or where the valve is fixed to an exposed wall rather than tucked under a bench. Neither is inherently better — it's a floor-space and reach decision specific to the install.
Mounting and plumbing notes
Both valves are 15mm and brass-bodied, so they thread into a standard supply line the same way a stop tap would. Fit an isolation valve ahead of either unit so it can be serviced without draining the whole line. Because these are foot-operated, mount them where there's clear floor space for a confident step — a cramped toe-kick defeats the purpose of hands-free operation if the user has to lean or reach awkwardly.
Pairing with hot water
A foot valve only controls flow, not temperature. If the wash station delivers hot water, pair it with a tempering valve upstream so the delivery temperature stays within a safe range regardless of how hard or how long the pedal is pressed. For a knee-operated alternative where floor space is limited, see our knee valve vs foot valve comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between the 45° and 90° foot valve?
It's the pedal mounting angle, which affects how much floor clearance and reach the install needs — not the water pressure or flow rate, which are comparable between the two.
Can a foot valve be left on continuously?
No — foot valves are designed for momentary operation (flow while pressed, shut-off when released), not as a permanently open tap.
Do I need a mixing valve to run hot water through a foot valve?
Yes, if the line carries hot water, fit a tempering valve upstream so delivery temperature is controlled regardless of pedal use.
Are these foot valves suitable for food preparation areas?
Yes — foot-operated taps are commonly specified for food prep, veterinary and medical hand-wash stations precisely because they let staff control water without touching anything with their hands.