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A Guide to Sump Pump Check Valves

What is a Sump Pump Check Valve and How Does it Work?

Before explaining the details of check valves, let’s briefly summarize the basic operation of a sump pump. A standard sump pump includes a sump pit that acts as a reservoir to hold any unwanted water that has entered your basement. When enough water has entered the pit, the pump activates and pushes the water up and out of your home via a discharge pipe.

Since your sump pump will operate at one of the lowest levels of your home, it must overcome the force of gravity to send water up the discharge pipe. The problem is that when a sump pump stops pumping, any water that has not fully exited the pipe will come rushing back into the pump, which can cause mechanical failure.

A sump pump check valve prevents water from flowing back into your sump pump. Check valves come in several forms, but each one operates similarly to ensure your sump pump operates as efficiently as possible.

When at rest, the valve blocks the pipe so water can’t flow downward into the pump. When the pump activates, it is strong enough to open the valve so water can move up through the pipe. As soon as the pump stops, gravity allows the valve to close, blocking water from falling back into the pump, thus ensuring the pump remains functional.

Benefits of a Check Valve for Sump Pumps

• Protection for your sump pump: The primary benefit of a sump pump check valve is that it protects the sump pump itself. Without a check valve, water will flow back down the discharge pipe into the pump, causing mechanical malfunctions and failure.
• Greater sump pump efficiency and longevity: By preventing water from flowing into the sump pump from the discharge pipe, a check valve allows your pump to operate more efficiently. This increased efficiency not only makes your sump pump more effective in the short term but also helps increase its overall longevity.
• Prevents overflow and flooding: When water flows back through the discharge pipe, it eventually enters the sump pit. Since the pit is already responsible for holding considerable water, this additional volume could cause it to overflow. Once your sump pit overflows, you’ll have water on your basement floor, nullifying your sump pump’s intended effect.

Those benefits are so impactful that you should not have a sump pump installed without including a check valve. With a functional check valve, your sump pump will continue to help keep your basement dry for years.

Types of Sump Pump Check Valves

Sump pump check valves can come in various styles, each serving the same purpose by slightly different means. Below is a list of some of the most common types of check valves your sump pump installer may choose to use:

• Swing: A swing check valve is the standard check valve that relies on a flap that rests in a closed position. When the sump pump activates, its pressure forces the flap open. When the sum pump deactivates, the flap falls back into a closed position.
• Ball: Some check valves use a ball rather than relying on a swinging flap. Like the flap, the ball in a check valve rests in a closed position. When the pump is on, it will push the ball into a small offshoot from the discharge pipe, allowing water to flow through the pipe. Ball check valves are especially useful for discharge lines that accommodate sewage and other non-liquid materials.
• Spring-loaded: As the name implies, a spring-loaded check valve includes a flap with a spring. Rather than relying on gravity alone, this valve style uses the spring to force the valve to close slowly while the pump deactivates. One of the most significant advantages of this check valve type is that it is quiet compared to swing and ball valves, which make loud noises when they close.

The best way to determine which of these check valves is best for you is to consult a professional sump pump installer. These professionals will be well-prepared to explain the pros and cons of each option so you can find which one is best for your home.

Get Sump Pump Advice from a Pro

A sump pump can become one of the most critical elements for keeping your basement dry. Due to that importance, you must have your sump pump installed correctly. Finding a trusted sump pump professional in your area is the best way to do just that.

At Regional Foundation & Crawl Space Repair, we have extensive experience with foundation repair, waterproofing, and sump pump installation. If you live in the Triad, Triangle, or anywhere in Eastern North Carolina, and you need a sump pump, reach out to us today to learn more about what we can offer.