I desperately need check valves

Alan R

Alan R

AC Members
Jul 9, 2008
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Northeast Georgia
Anyone know where I can get some that fit 1/2" pvc and at a reasonable price. Some that fit half inch hoses with barbed nipples on them would work too.

We have been having some thunderstorms tonight and the power went out. I have planned for temporary power outages and have the water level in the sump low enough not to over fill. But there is one thing I never anticipated on. The water from the return lines falling back into the sump creating a siphon.
I have shut the power down in the past to see what would happen and all was good. This time it was almost disastrous.
I have ball valves on every line so that I can shut off any individual line including the main line. Which is exactly what I did when I heard the water hitting the floor.
The outage only lasted about 30 minutes, but it was an eye opener. If we hadn't been home it would have been a complete disaster. A flooded house with 220 gallons in the floor and a lot of big dead fish.
 
rich311k said:
Drill a hole in the return at the right level to break the siphon as the water levels fall.
Click to expand...

I like that idea. I will definitely do that. I was thinking that myself actually, but I was concern. How big would the hole have to be? If I could get by with a very small hole then I'm set. The bigger the hole the more it will reduce the force of the jets.

I still wouldn't mind putting in some check valves if for nothing else than just piece of mind in addition to the holes.
 
The hole is all you need, but check it occassionally to be sure it hasn't been clogged. As for a check valve, look in the sprinkler section of your hardware or landscaping store. They carry them as well as anti-siphon valves.
 
Home depot as well as Lowes caries the size you need PVC or brass which ever you want
 
I know hardware stores like Home Depot sell ball valves for pvc piping, which I use with my sump intake, and they are normally located near the pvc pipes area, but I'm not sure if they sell any that are only 1/2'' big.
 
backflow valve used in sprinkler systems to prevent syphoning water from the sprinker back into your drinking water. They are sold in either brass or plastic and in 1/2" or 3/4" sizes.. any harware store that sells sprinker parts ought to be able to hook you up.
 
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