How to find the right Check Valves AI guide
Written by an AI model from its trained knowledge.
What the AI looks for in Check Valves
- Check type
- Use swing checks for low pressure drop in horizontal or vertical-upflow lines, spring (silent/inline) checks for pump discharge, and ball checks for slurries or wastewater. The wrong type slams, chatters or fails to seal.
- Installation orientation
- Follow the flow arrow. Swing checks must not be installed in vertical downflow. Gravity holds a swing disc open in downflow.
- Cracking pressure
- The spring cracking pressure must be well below available system pressure, and low for gravity or low-head systems. Too high a cracking pressure starves flow.
- Water hammer control
- Use a spring-assisted, non-slam check on pump discharge and well systems. The spring closes the valve before reverse flow builds momentum.
- Potable compliance
- Lead-free with NSF/ANSI 61 and 372 for drinking water. Plumbing code requirement.
Brands that matter
- Watts: Residential and commercial check valves.
- NIBCO: Bronze swing and spring check valves.
- Apollo (Conbraco): Spring and swing checks in brass and stainless.
- Flomatic: Well-pump and waterworks check valves.
- Campbell: Well-system check valves.
- Spears: PVC ball and swing checks.
- Hayward Flow Control: Thermoplastic true-union ball and swing checks.
What to avoid
- Swing checks in vertical downflow
- Using a plain check valve where code requires a backflow preventer
- Installing a check valve backwards against the arrow
Questions
Is a check valve the same as a backflow preventer?
No. Code-required backflow protection uses tested assemblies such as double check or reduced-pressure zone devices, not a single check valve.