Maintaining a comfortable living environment requires keeping your home’s plumbing system operating efficiently. The sewer check valve is a basic yet essential part of the system that keeps sewage backups and backflows from occurring. This post will examine sewer check valve types, purposes, and self-installation procedures. It will provide useful information for homeowners trying to protect their homes from possible plumbing disasters.
Let’s first and foremost clarify what a sewer check valve’s main function is. It functions essentially as a barrier inside your plumbing system, permitting wastewater to flow in one direction but obstructing its backflow into your house. This device helps keep sewage from flooding into your basement or living areas, which is especially important in places that get a lot of rain or when municipal sewers overflow.
Let’s now examine the various kinds of sewer check valves that are obtainable in the market. Spring-loaded and gravity-operated valves are the two basic categories. Gravity-operated valves only open when water flows in the desired direction; otherwise, they remain closed due to the weight of the water. Conversely, spring-loaded valves provide increased dependability in preventing backflow by using a spring mechanism to automatically close the valve when the water flow reverses.
An expert’s help may be chosen by many homeowners to install a sewer check valve. However, you can handle the installation process yourself if you have the necessary equipment and have a rudimentary understanding of plumbing principles. It’s important to choose the right kind and size of valve for your particular plumbing setup before getting started. To further guarantee compliance and safety, familiarize yourself with local building codes and regulations.
It’s critical to determine the best location for the check valve in your sewer line before beginning installation. Usually, this entails locating a pipe segment where access is easily obtained and where the valve can successfully stop backflow. After deciding on a location, the valve must be installed by cutting the pipe, inserting it in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, and securing it firmly. Finally, before finishing the installation, the valve must be tested to guarantee correct functionality.
What the fixture is for
A sewer check valve is a device that is specifically made to stop leaks and reverse water flow that occurs when the sewer system becomes clogged. Blockages and flooding of the apartment can occasionally even result from a bag that has inadvertently fallen into the pipeline.
An automatic special valve is installed to prevent sewage system effluents from moving backward into the room.
Such a mechanism is utilized in water supply systems (for the pump) and heating systems in addition to offices, cottages, homes, and commercial buildings.
Their basic operating principle is as follows: should the sewage liquids begin to flow in the opposite direction, the shut-off mechanism will halt this flow, preventing flooding.
The majority of the time, these circumstances call for the device to be installed:
- regular ingress of debris and large objects into the sewer system, as well as other violations of operating rules;
- long period of use of the pipeline, during which a layer of grease with dirt particles has formed on the inner surface of the pipeline. This significantly increases the likelihood of clogging;
- If the slope of the sewer pipe is too high or too low, i.e. the slope of the sewer pipe is too high or too low.к. in order to ensure free gravity of the liquid, it is important that a certain velocity of the effluent is maintained;
- outlets that are at a perpendicular angle to the sewer pipe. As a result, the speed of water movement changes dramatically and a water clog can occur.
Sewage flooding can even occur on the second floor of a multi-story building with a single riser if the first-floor apartment residents installed a sewer check valve that was set to 50 or 110 millimeters. Since it cannot enter the system, the liquid will not be able to rise any higher. Clearing clogs is probably caused by к. pressure.
Country homes also often have these kinds of locks installed. After assembling all of the sewer pipe branches into a single one, mounting them on the street is advised.
Types of valves and principle of operation
Sewer check valves for 110 and 50 millimeters come in multiple varieties, each with a different range of applications. As a result, every kind of mechanism has a unique design and single element operation principle.
All varieties, in general, share the same mechanism of operation: when the system is quiet, the barrier flap is at the bottom, closing the pipeline lumen and preventing liquid backflow.
The flap automatically lifts when liquid wastewater approaches and then lowers to its initial position. Sewer check valve models are classified according to the flap’s mechanism of operation.
Rotary
The spring-loaded diaphragm in this kind of sewer valve is referred to as a plate due to its rounded form. The plate rotates and rises without obstructing the flow of liquids when the wastewater flows in the proper direction.
But when the effluent flows in the opposite direction, the spring-loaded diaphragm presses firmly against the outer rim, blocking the pipeline’s working area.
Additionally, some models include an additional manual flapper built into the design. A unique button on the device’s body can be used to modify this kind of shut-off mechanism.
This particular style of 50/110 mm sewer check valve is also known as a petal check valve because of the way it is designed. The device’s body is typically bigger than the pipe on which it is installed.
As a result, the pipeline has a section that widens first and then narrows, which could be where the sewage system clogs. Attaching a cover to the mechanism housing is the way to solve this issue. It can be easily and quickly removed in order to get rid of the newly appeared clog.
Lifting valve for sewerage
The flap’s operational mechanism serves as the basis for the device’s moniker. The flap is positioned at the top when the wastewater flows in the proper direction.
The working principle is as follows: the liquid presseurizes the diaphragm, obstructing the wastewater flow; this compresses the internal spring, raising the flap. The spring is in its typical state and the wastewater is blocked if it is not moving.
The non-linear body shape prevents the valve from opening when the liquid flows in the opposite direction, offering total flooding protection.
There is a drawback to this kind of check valve for sewer 110 or 50 mm, but it also functions more dependably than the rotary (petal) model.
Because of its unique shape, the system needs to be cleaned on a regular basis, t.к. Periodically, it gets clogged. To complete this process, you will need to remove the four bolts, clean the operating mechanism completely, and replace it if needed.
It is preferable to buy precisely this kind of check valve if the owner is able to do routine cleaning.
Ball valve
A tiny ball serves as the locking element in this kind of device. The upper portion of the body is made such that the ball enters a different hole and permits the wastewater to flow while it flows.
The absence of liquid causes the pipe’s working area to become blocked, which prevents the flow from going in the incorrect direction.
Nevertheless, there is a drawback to these models: the flap-ball does not completely adhere to the device’s rim, in contrast to the rotary and lifting mechanism in this design.
A leakage failure could result in a small amount of sewage leaking. Naturally, there is very little chance of significant flooding—that is, if the sewer check valve is completely absent.
Interflange
The primary benefit of this kind of locking mechanism is its compact design, which enables installation even in situations where there isn’t any room behind the toilets. From the outside, the device resembles a tiny cylinder with a unique rotating flap.
This component could be made up of two parts that are attached to the central rod or it could look like a small plate that is attached to the body using a spring mechanism.
Installing such a variant makes sense only in cases where other varieties cannot be installed. It is still preferable to give other kinds of devices precedence, even with their small size.
Installing a 50 mm interflange check valve on the sewer is not very common. This item falls under the category of water supply equipment. The operational efficiency of sewerage systems is relatively low.
The inability to rapidly clean the device is another drawback of this design. The connection will need to be fully disassembled in order to clean the valve because of the shape’s peculiarities.
How to install the valve
An arrow on the valve body indicates the direction of water movement, which must be determined in order to install the check valve. The device is installed in the water supply system between the pump and the pumping station. The pipeline must be broken, the valve must be installed on one edge, and the other edge must be bent to connect it.
Guidelines for fitting a 110 mm sewer check valve:
- Find a suitable place for installation of the device, it is important to take into account the diameter of the pipeline. Can be used product 110, 100, 50 and 40 mm, depending on the cross-section of the pipe.
- Before installation, it is important to manually check the tightness of the construction. If there are suspected problems, it is recommended to contact the store or service and replace the device under warranty.
- Carefully cut the pipeline and install the valve. When performing the procedure, it is important to take into account the direction of movement of sewage, it must coincide with the arrow shown on the plastic body of the product.
- On the ends of the cut pipe, sealants made of silicone or rubber are necessarily installed. In most cases, the second option is used.
- Checks the functionality of the sewer valve. If the installation was not carried out correctly, the sewage will rise upwards.
It is imperative to adhere to specific guidelines during the installation process of a 50/110 mm sewer check valve.
Among them are:
- make sure that the arrow on the body is pointing in the direction of normal fluid flow;
- Installation with a plastic model is quite simple: the edges of the pipeline are connected to the valve socket. As a rule, the formed connection is already airtight, but it is possible to additionally lubricate it with a special silicone sealant designed for sanitary appliances;
- When installing a cast iron device, a sealing rubber band and bolts are used to tighten the mounting plates. Some models on the market have sockets, their installation does not differ from the installation of plastic varieties;
- when choosing a suitable location, it is important to take into account the possibility of unobstructed access to the removable cover. This will be necessary if the shut-off mechanism becomes clogged and there is a need to clean it.
Of course! The following is the article’s primary thesis regarding sewer check valves: "We explore the importance, varieties, and do-it-yourself installation of sewer check valves in our guide. Sewer check valves are essential for preventing sewage backups and backflows, which protects your house from potential damage and health risks. Knowing the different kinds, such as gate and inline valves, gives homeowners the power to select the one that best suits their requirements. Additionally, we offer comprehensive, easy-to-follow installation instructions, making it accessible to anyone wishing to improve and add extra protection to their home’s plumbing system."
Materials and dimensions of products
Knowing the materials the sewer check valve is made of and how big the products are is advised when selecting a model. The most typical substances are:
- stainless steel;
- cast iron alloy;
- bronze;
- plastic.
Typically, one purchases a check valve that is composed of the same material as the plumbing that is installed in a private home or apartment complex.
Purchasing a plastic tool for cast iron pipes, for instance, is not advised. When it comes to the balance between cost and quality, premium plastic valves are the most popular option.
The appliance’s size is determined by the available space. Another feature is the connection method, which can be either vertical or horizontal.
Devices for horizontal connections are typically utilized, but vertical check valves are installed if there is insufficient room behind the bathtub, toilet, and other sanitary appliances.
It is advised to buy the mechanism’s interflange version if space is extremely limited. All that’s needed for installation are gaskets.
Is it necessary in principle
It’s not always necessary to install a sewer check valve 50 or 110; there are some circumstances in which doing so would be counterproductive.
Residents residing on the sixth floor of an apartment building, for instance, do not need to be concerned about potential sewer flooding caused by a central clog because the pressure of sewage liquids will not continue to be high during the ascent to the sixth floor.
Generally speaking, these are the circumstances in which installing the device is highly advised:
- location of the apartment on the first/second floor of a multi-storey building;
- Location of the office space on the first two floors;
- private 1-storey house;
- cottage type country house with 2-3 floors.
In the aforementioned scenarios, installing a valve on the plumbing fixtures beforehand is both easier and more financially advantageous than repairing the room afterwards and dealing with the unfavorable effects of clogging and sewer bursting.
It is particularly crucial to install the mechanism in homes with outdated pipelines. These types of buildings typically have a sediment layer on the inner walls of the pipes, which reduces the working area and raises the risk of clogging.
| Topic | Sewer check valve – purpose, types and self-installation |
| Purpose | A sewer check valve prevents sewage backups by allowing wastewater to flow in one direction while blocking it from flowing back. |
| Types | There are mainly two types: swing check valve and inline check valve. Swing check valves have a swinging door that opens and closes with the flow of water, while inline check valves use a hinged flap to regulate flow. |
| Self-installation | Installing a sewer check valve is relatively simple. First, locate the main sewer line. Then, shut off the water supply and remove a section of the pipe. Install the valve according to the manufacturer"s instructions, ensuring it"s facing the correct direction. Finally, seal the connections tightly to prevent leaks. |
A wise decision for any homeowner hoping to avoid expensive damage and headaches from sewer backups is installing a sewer check valve. These valves are essential because they let wastewater exit your property while keeping it from returning, especially in the event of flooding or heavy rain. You can prevent sewage backups in your basement and lower levels, which can cause serious property damage and health risks, by installing a sewer check valve.
Sewer check valves come in a variety of styles, each intended to satisfy unique requirements and tastes. A typical kind is the flapper valve, which lets water out but keeps it from coming back in via a hinged flap. Another kind is the gate valve, which regulates the water flow via a sliding gate mechanism. There are also backwater valve systems, which combine a combination of valves and pumps for extra protection, and inline backwater valves, which are put straight into the sewage line.
With the correct tools and a basic understanding of plumbing, homeowners can install a sewer check valve on their own. To ensure the valve’s efficacy, it is imperative to closely adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions and make sure it is installed correctly. It’s a good idea to check local building codes and regulations before beginning the installation process to ensure compliance and obtain any necessary permits.
All things considered, purchasing and properly installing a sewer check valve can give you piece of mind that your house is guarded against sewage backups. The advantages of having a sewer check valve, both financially and in terms of safeguarding your house and family, greatly exceed the costs, whether you decide to install it yourself or hire a professional.
