The operation of a gate valve involves a gate, which is a flat piece of metal, being raised or lowered into the flow of water via a threaded stem or a handwheel. When the valve is fully opened, the gate is raised entirely out of the path of the flowing water, resulting in a negligible pressure drop and minimal turbulence. When the valve is closed, the gate descends into the flow, creating a tight seal that prevents any water from passing through. This functionality makes gate valves ideal for isolating sections of piping systems, allowing maintenance or repairs to be carried out without affecting the entire system.