what gives with check valves??

[Joe DeSantis]

Whats the deal with check valves
Whats up with PVC check valves?? I have yet to find one that works properly. I have tried the 3/4", 1/2" and 1 inch on various different tanks that I maintain and have yet to find one that halts all back siphon. Just recently I installed one (a 1") on a large tank. it was on the return line which is connected to an external pump. This valve in particular was a clear, union check valve. When I cut off the power I can see that the swing flap does not seat and stop all water flow. it slows it down but it does not stop it as it should. I have never used the spring type valves but feel that they would work better...corrosion is my problem because the springs are metal. i also feel that the spring would slow the flow of the pump too...

???????

any ideas??

 

[Len]

Joe, unfortunately, check valves really don't work very well as you've found out. I've given up on them a long time ago. Even those that worked for a while would eventually fail, so now I recommend everyone design their systems to avoid check valves. I know that isn't any consolation to you at this point, but that's my experience with all check valves (spring-type, wye, etc.)

 

[hillbilly]

The only really good backflow preventers are made of bronze, not good for saltwater.

 

[clyde]

well I m thinking of adding a check valve on my system

JUST to slow it down when I do have a power outage, its hard to run 2 flights of stairs to the basement and hope you've stopped the siphon before it overflows

yeah ywah I know I can lower sump level, then other things.. to make sure it doesnt overflow.

maybe its just time to do a simple overflow system THEN use closed loops.

 

[shr00m]

but at least yours in the basement, not as major a deal if it floods, im sure theres no carpet and blah blah diggity blah

 

[Anonymous]

Just put in siphon breaks where the lines enter the tank, problem solved