A stormwater check valve is a type of valve used to prevent water backflow from drainpipes into sewers. This is important for homeowners and businesses as it helps to protect their homes from costly sewage backup and damages caused by the water.
Often overlooked, the importance of a check valve should not be underestimated. It can save a homeowner or business thousands of dollars in sewage cleanup and restoration costs.
What is a Plumbing System?
A plumbing system is a series of pipes, valves, tubes, and other devices that distribute water from the supply to various fixtures and remove wastewater and excess rainwater. In addition, it can also contain a meter that shows how much water is being used in the building.
There are many different types of plumbing systems, but they all have one thing in common – a check valve.
Most residential and commercial plumbing systems consist of several pipes that distribute water from the supply to various fixtures in the home or office. Some of these pipes may be connected to a potable water system that provides drinking water to occupants.
Other plumbing systems are designed to treat and release wastewater that is discharged from sinks, showers, toilets, laundry equipment, dishwashers, and other water-using devices in buildings. The wastewater is then transferred to the city sewer line, which delivers it to a sewer treatment plant.
The backflow of wastewater from a sewer can cause contaminants to enter the local water supply, contaminating the cleanest water and contributing to the development of odors and health problems in the community. This is why business professionals, school administrators, and homeowners all seek to prevent this from happening.
It is also why municipalities and utilities are looking to control this issue by installing stormwater check valve in their plumbing systems. These valves help to prevent water backflow and ensure that the proper flow direction is being maintained.
A typical check valve for a plumbing system is made from PVC or cast iron and has a brass or Teflon seal. Other types of valves are manufactured from stainless steel or a polymer and have a more aggressive sealing capability.
Tidewater Check Valves
In the wake of Hurricane Matthew, the City of New York began installing a new type of check valve to help control stormwater flooding. These valves allow water to drain out under low tide conditions, but they also keep ocean waters from entering the drainage network during high tide, which has reduced the number of tidal floods in the area and even eliminated them entirely in some cases.
PROCO’s Series 711/731 ProFlex(tm) Slope Bottomed Rubber Duckbill Check Valves are engineered for installation on pre-existing pipe lines like manholes and outfalls where the outfall invert is close to the floor. These valves crack open at only a few inches of head and can be installed on a variety of elastomer materials for use in a wide range of applications.