Having an effective heating system is crucial for keeping your house warm and comfortable during the cold months. However, installing heaters and radiators is not the only step in making sure your heating system operates at its best. The check valve is one important part that is frequently overlooked but has a big impact on how efficient your heating system is.
So, what is the purpose of a check valve and what does it actually do? A check valve, sometimes referred to as a one-way or non-return valve, is a mechanism intended to permit only one direction of fluid flow—in this example, hot water from the heating system. Its main objective is to stop backflow, which guarantees uninterrupted, proper circulation of heated water throughout the system.
Selecting the appropriate check valve for your heating system is essential to guaranteeing its optimal operation and durability. Choosing the right check valve can be challenging because there are so many different styles and sizes available. Simplifying the selection process can be achieved by being aware of the unique requirements of your heating system and taking into account elements like material, size, and pressure rating.
The key to optimizing the performance of your heating system after you’ve selected the ideal check valve is correct installation. Inadequate installation can result in system failures, decreased efficiency, and leaks. For your heating system to operate well and last a long time, it is crucial that you take the time to install the check valve correctly.
Considerations for Choosing a Check Valve | Installation Steps |
1. Flow Direction: Ensure the valve is suitable for the direction of water flow in your system. | 1. Identify the appropriate location in your heating system for installing the check valve. |
2. Valve Type: Select the right type of valve (e.g., swing, lift) based on your system"s requirements. | 2. Shut off the water supply to the heating system. |
3. Size Compatibility: Choose a valve size that matches the diameter of your pipes. | 3. Clean the pipe ends where the valve will be installed to ensure a secure connection. |
4. Material Quality: Opt for a durable material like brass or stainless steel to withstand system pressure and temperature. | 4. Apply plumber"s tape or thread sealant to the valve threads. |
5. Maintenance Needs: Consider ease of maintenance and accessibility for future checks or replacements. | 5. Install the check valve securely onto the pipe, ensuring it"s aligned correctly. |
6. Turn the water supply back on and check for any leaks. |
- Types of locking elements
- Petal valves
- Calm -type valves
- Ball gates
- Connection schemes
- We install the valve correctly
- Video on the topic
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Types of locking elements
Any check valve, also known by its obsolete name, irrevocable, serves the straightforward function of preventing coolant flow from changing direction and only allowing the liquid to pass through in one direction. This function is recognized as necessary even though it is not always required in water heating schemes.
The following kinds of return valves are utilized in residential and apartment heating systems:
- petal;
- Tarelcut;
- Ball.
As a point of reference. Other product varieties, such as double-leaf, lifting, and disk, are also found in the industrial production and water supply sectors. These products are utilized as network elements on large pipelines. Reinforcement of this kind is not utilized in the building of private homes.
We will examine the mechanism and working principle of every kind of valve in isolation. This will assist you in the future in determining which product is best to install in a particular heating system.
Petal valves
The brass or stainless steel component includes the following details:
- a body in the form of a tee with an unscrewed upper plug (for maintenance);
- disk shutter, fixed on the axis by means of a rotary lever;
- saddle with a seal where the disk is adjacent in a closed state.
There are two product versions: one with a free petal and the other with a spring-loaded petal. In the second instance, a spring is used to forcefully close the sash, causing the constipation to function in an upright position.
The drawing illustrates the petal check valve’s general mechanism. The element works on the following principle: coolant traveling in the indicated direction rejects the shut-off disc and is allowed to continue freely down the pipe. The shutter is automatically slammed and overlaps the passage when the water flow direction changes to the opposite direction due to gravity or a spring.
As a point of reference. The products were given multiple names due to their principle of operation, including gravitational, rotary, and "crackers."
The following is a summary of the key features of petal check valves that are fitted in residential heating systems:
- The diameter of the internal passage is from 15 to 50 mm (½ – 2 inch);
- maximum operating pressure – 16 bar;
- low hydraulic resistance;
- The side in the case provides a screw for disassembling and setting up the shutter axis;
- A gravitational version without a spring can work normally only in a horizontal position.
The following video illustrates the rotary valve’s design and working principle in detail:
Calm -type valves
The plane valve’s design, as shown in the drawing, makes its operation principle clear:
- Inside the cylindrical brass building, a platform with a round hole is made – saddle.
- On the other side of the part, a partition has a hole in the center.
- A rod with a plate shutter is inserted into the partition hole at the end, equipped with a seal.
- A spring is installed between the partition and the “plate”, pressing the disk to the saddle.
When the water flows in the proper direction, it overcomes the spring’s elasticity and opens the shutter, continuing forward. In the other direction, the duct immediately closes, making flow impossible. The following valves are crucial for heating systems:
- the ability to function with any orientation of the body in space;
- working pressure – at least 10 bar, diameters DN15 – DN100 (internal);
- type of connection – coupling (internal pipe thread);
- The spring constipation creates an increased hydraulic resistance to fluid flow;
- The seal loses tightness in the event of solid particles, for example, sand.
Citation. The return spring valves that are installed between flanges come in smaller versions. When installing boilers in situations where there is a restricted combustion space, reducing dimensions is helpful.
Tarelled constipation is also utilized in submersible pumps and water supply networks, for example. The valve prevents water from draining back into the well or wells from the pipelines.
Ball gates
This check valve, which operates on the following principle, has the simplest design possible.
- A ball made of rubber is placed inside the cylindrical brass case, less often aluminum.
- 2 partitions with holes made at the edges do not allow the ball to jump out.
- The heat carrier stream crushes a rubber ball to the partition with the ribs. These protrusions form a gap where the flow of water passes freely.
- If the coolant moves in the opposite direction, the ball will cling to the second jumper – the saddle. Since there are no ribs, the body of the ball will completely close the passage hole.
The ball check valve has the following benefits: it is inexpensive, has little hydraulic resistance, and can operate without springs in any position—even vertical ones. The drawback is that, unlike in individual heating networks, tightness is lost with pressure increases to 6-7 bar.
Citation. In sewage systems, ball fecal valves that function on a similar principle are frequently utilized. The goal is to stop sewage from returning to plumbing equipment.
Watch the following video to learn more about the ball shutter closer:
Connection schemes
Learn the function of the check valve in your heating system before selecting one. We will assist with the task and provide you with return shutter options.
- The valves are placed on separate contours of a closed circuit equipped with circulation pumps. The goal is to prevent the occurrence of parasitic flows that worsen the work of heating branches or boilers turned on parallel to.
- When installing on a bypass, the bolt helps in parallel to the pump to automatically go into natural circulation mode, when the supply of electricity suddenly turned off.
- Slopping into the feed pipeline avoids emptying the heating network in various situations.
A crucial suggestion. In a typical single-circuit system, do not place the spring valve in front of a single circulation pump and do not heed the advice of "specialists." Claims that shield the pumping unit from hydraulic boards and other absurdities by doing this are unrealistic.
We provide a joint connection between an electric and solid fuel boiler as an illustration of how the check valves should be installed. If one of the pumps is stopped, the coolant will unavoidably be driven in a small circle by the second pump in a parasitic flow. This location lacks shut-off valves.
Note: When connecting an indirect heating boiler with a separate pump without a camshaft, hydraulic shotus, or buffer capacity to a radiator network, a similar scenario could occur.
The second illustration is typical of gravitational systems that use a pump to operate on naturally occurring water circulation. The bypass unit ceases to squeeze the executive part of the check valve in a straight line when the light is turned off, but the main regime remains forced. After that, until power is supplied, the water will continue to convect along the main line.
Although it’s not necessary, installing a check valve before recharging can help you avoid unforeseen issues. An actual case study: the homeowner chose to increase the heating system’s pressure and opened the boiler room’s fuel tap. The coolant transferred cold water and partially entered the pipe since the water utility company was performing network maintenance at the time and had shut off the water supply. Emptying occurred instead of refilling, which caused the pressure to drop and the gas boiler to shut off.
It is essential to install the proper check valve in your heating system to ensure safe and effective operation. A check valve keeps water from flowing backward, maintaining pressure and guarding against system damage. Think about things like the check valve’s composition, the kind of connection it needs, and whether it works with your heating system when choosing one. Its efficacy depends on proper installation, which involves positioning it in the ideal orientation and location. By taking the time to select the ideal check valve and install it properly, you can safeguard your heating system against future problems and have reliable warmth throughout your house.
We install the valve correctly
Pay attention to these straightforward suggestions to ensure that you install the check valve in the proper location within the heating system and avoid mistakes:
- In order to avoid parasitic flows in neighboring branches, put the products of the petal or plate. The former is preferable because they do not create increased hydraulic resistance.
- In the bypass node of the gravity system, use a ball valve with almost zero resistance.
- For recharge, choose an element with a plane shutter designed for high pressure.
- Gravitational type petal valve is always mounted horizontally. Moreover, the head of the service nut should stand vertically, otherwise the shutter will not close and will pass the coolant in the opposite direction.
- Do not purchase reinforcement in the cast -iron case. She is heavier and less reliable in work.
- Check the correct installation on the arrow on the valve case indicating the direction of the water duct.
- It is impossible to put the reinforcement reinforcing in the diagram with natural circulation-it will stop by itself due to high resistance.
Periodic cleaning and maintenance are necessary for taralla and petal shutters. Should any solid particles or deposits fall beneath the saddle’s seal, the irreversible valve will become less tightly sealed. Removing the element and blowing the nearby surfaces by the compressor is the best cleaning method.
A critical first step in guaranteeing the longevity and efficiency of your heating system is selecting and installing a check valve. With so many options on the market, it’s critical to comprehend the factors influencing your choice. Take into account elements like the kind of heating system you have, the system’s flow rate, and the valve’s material.
Make sure the check valve you choose is compatible with the requirements of your heating system. There are check valve options made to fit your needs, regardless of whether you have a boiler-based system, radiant floor heating, or a combination of both. Maintaining compatibility will stop problems like backflow, which can cause inefficiencies and system malfunctions.
Furthermore, be mindful of your heating system’s flow rate. For optimum performance, selecting a check valve with the right flow capacity is crucial. While an oversized valve might not offer enough protection against backflow, an undersized valve can limit flow and result in pressure drops. To ascertain the appropriate size for your system, seek advice from an expert or consult the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Another important consideration when selecting a check valve is material. Different materials have differing degrees of temperature tolerance, corrosion resistance, and durability. PVC, stainless steel, and brass are examples of common materials. When choosing the material, take into account elements like the temperature and chemical makeup of the fluid in your heating system to guarantee durability and dependability.
Just as important as choosing the correct check valve is its proper installation. To maximize the valve’s functionality and stop backflow, make sure it is installed in the proper direction. If you’re not sure how to install something, carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions and think about getting help from a professional.
Your heating system’s lifespan can be increased, potential problems can be avoided, and efficiency can be increased by carefully choosing and installing a check valve. Consider the needs of your system carefully and select a valve that satisfies them. For many years to come, you can have a dependable and efficiently operating heating system if you install the proper check valve.