With over 35 years of innovative valve design experience, our check valves (also known as non-return valves) feature lightweight and robust construction for long and reliable operations. Our range of automatic check valves is suitable for use in potable, clean and wastewater applications; with swing, wafer, axial, ball, non-slam recoil and backflow preventer designs available.
Check valves, also known as non-return valves, only allow liquid to pass through in one direction. Preventing backflow, or reverse flow, of liquids is essential to protecting pumps and other components from damage, protecting buildings from flooding and preventing clean water contamination.
Check Valve FAQs
What is the difference between a spring check valve and a swing check valve?
A spring check valve features an axially guided sprung loaded disc to prevent reverse flow. Swing check valves offer an obstacle-free passage and suitable for clean and wastewater applications. Spring check valves are only suitable for clean media’s due to the disc in the flow path.
Can a swing check valve be installed vertically?
Swing check valves are generally installed horizontally, but they can be installed vertically depending on the required set-up. Contact our experts for more information.
What is the swing check valve operating pressure?
The maximum working pressure is 16 Bar.
What is better, swing check valves or ball check valves?
Both valves are suitable for wastewater, and the choice will depend on the final system design and usage. The ball check valve is self-cleaning by design, although generally rated to lower working pressures.
What are the different types of check valves?
All check valves are designed to prevent pipeline backflow and prevent water contamination, equipment damage and flooding; there are different models that are designed for optimal performance in varying applications:
• Spring check valve - uses a spring-loaded disc that sits on a seat in the valve body and is held in place by a spring. Pressure from fluid flow in one direction pushes the disc away from the seat and allows fluid to pass. When the flow stops, the spring forces the disc back onto the seat.
• Swing check valve - uses a swinging disc that is pushed open by fluid flow in one direction. When the flow stops or reverses the weight of the disc swings it back into a closed position.
• Recoil check valve - Similar to a swing check valve, however the recoil valve has an inclined seat and body profile to reduce the damaging effects of water slam.
• Double hinge flap valve - simple valves featuring a flap attached with two hinges that allows flow in one direction and closes when flow stops or reverses.
• Ball break valve - a self-acting valve that uses a ball to prevent backflow. As the flow subsides the ball falls back into the valve seat, creating a seal and stopping any media from passing in the wrong direction.
• Twin plate check valve - two half-circle shaped plates are hinged and located inside the valve body, the plates swing open to allow flow in one direction, swinging shut if flow reverses.
Check Valve Case Studies
T-T Flap Valves for £5Million Matlock Flood Defense
After intense storms in 2022, Matlock in Derbyshire experienced severe flooding from the river Derwent.
In order to prevent this from happening again a £5million flood defense scheme was initiated to protect over 50 homes situated on the river bank, with essential non-return valves supplied by T-T Flow.
Challenging Legacy Check Valve Replacement by T-T Flow
Replacing legacy valves requires careful analysis of existing infrastructure as well as a comprehensive knowledge of existing products.
Thankfully for a UK water provider, the T-T Flow team were on hand to fabricate the perfect check valve replacement for their clean water pumping station.
Preventing reverse flow is a crucial aspect of most waterworks applications in order to protect water supplies, pipelines and pumps alike.
For a client in urgent need of a reliable reverse flow prevention solution, our experts were able to pick from a large on-site stock of products to provide a fast turnaround on a set of duckbill check valves.