Abstract: A valve assembly for a hydraulic device. The valve assembly has a valve seat within a valve passageway used in combination with a spool. The spool has a first section wherein a flexible element is disposed within a cavity of the first section such that in a first position the spool and specifically the flexible element engages the valve seat to provide zero leakage from the valve passageway into a tank passageway. Additionally, the spool is designed to have an additional section at a second end to provide equal sealing areas at both the first and second ends of the spool to balance the forces within the valve passageway.