Flexpvc

As do-it-yourself home repair person, or even a professional installer, having a good understanding of the different types of PVC check valves on the market can help you in selecting the right part of the job.

There are many applications that use check valves, which can also go by a variety of different names including a non-return valve, a one-way valve, or a clack valve. As the names implies, the purpose of any check valve is to allow a liquid, or less commonly a gas, to flow through the system but only go in one direction.

How a Check Valve Works

There are several different types of check valves available, including air diaphragms, ball check valves, swing check valves and compression swing or diaphragm spring check valves. At FlexPVC, you will find both PVC valves as well as anti-corrosion stainless steel or Hastelloy options.

In essence all PVC check valves, or any check valves, operate using the same operating principles. Since they are simple valves that operate based on flow pressure they don’t require any calibration or specialized installation. This also makes them a low-cost option for any type of system where fluid or gas flow will only be needed in one direction.

All check valves have to be installed with the direction of flow in mind. As the liquid or gas moves through the system, the pressure forces the valve, or the ball, or the diaphragm to open, allowing the liquid to flow in the desired direction. Should the system fail past the check valve and the liquid or gas try to reverse direction the increasing pressure on the downside of the valve simply causes the valve, ball or diaphragm to reverse position, effectively sealing the valve and preventing backflow.

What to Consider

Depending on the use, and the size of the pipe in the system, there may be more than one option in PVC check valves for any given requirement. There are some valves that come in a variety of colors to match with the corresponding PVC pipe. This is important in areas where the system is visible and aesthetics are important.

There are also clear PVC check valves that can also be found in white or gray, but the clear provides the ability to see the valve and ensure that it is allowing the flow of liquid or gas through the system, which can be very important in identifying system failures or verifying system components are in top working order.

If you are doing some home repairs or upgrades to your residential irrigation system, or perhaps putting in a swimming pool or a hot tub, you may find that using flexible pipe can help to make your job a lot less complicated.

What are you plumbing?

All types of pipe are designed for specific use parameters. This is true if it is the flexible PVC pipe or if it is rigid pipe. The good news is that with the new types of PVC pipes temperature, at least in home use, this won’t be a problem.

There are different colors and sizes of flexible pipe, and there are only some pipes that can be used for potable or drinking water. It is important to carefully consider this when purchasing your pipe to avoid getting it home and finding out you have the wrong materials.

If you are going to use the pipe to provide water to an aquarium or for any type of watering of animals or plants, it is important to rinse it out first. This will remove any chemical residue that may be present in the pipe from either manufacturing or storage.

Rough Terrain

To be able to avoid a lot of fittings and connectors, the ability to bend offered with flexible hose or pipe is amazing. You can easily position the pipe as need and while you can’t make a right angle you can create the same directional change with a bend that will eliminate the need for a right angle fixture. This helps to reduce the risk of possible leaks and also to help to maintain high water pressure even when the run is long.

Another thing to consider is the flexible pipe is going to fit into the trench you dig, and you don’t have to worry about keeping in completely even or level. This means you can avoid having to move huge rocks or digging deep if you have an elevated part of the lawn or a low spot you have to accommodate for along the path.

While any PVC flexible pipe should be protected from direct sunlight to avoid any damage, this is simple to accomplish by simply covering it with dirt or taping any exposed areas to avoid any degradation from UV rays.

At FlexPVC with over 40 years of experience in working with all types of PVC pipe, fittings, and systems that experience translates into support and advice for those taking on these projects. Surprisingly, with just a bit of planning and a little bit of reading you can easily choose the materials you need to get the job done right the first time.