Having proper backflow prevention equipment installed in your building or on your agricultural equipment is essential for ensuring a safe working environment for your business. Additionally, these devices and parts help protect the well-being of the entire surrounding community by preventing contamination of potable water supplies. One of the components you should know is the backflow prevention valve. These valves are inside water pumps and help control the flow of water.Read on to learn more about the different types of valves.
Check Valves
Check valves are found in water pumps and backflow preventer devices, ensuring that water, gases, and steam all flow in one direction only. They accomplish this by shutting off one side of a cross connection at the first sign of a reverse flow. Swing check valves feature a disc that acts as a water flow regulator, while ball check valves use a moving ball system to block flows. Common applications for check valves include having them serve as vacuum breakers or low-pressure relievers for pump systems. They’re also excellent at preventing backflow from the middle of the line.
Foot Valves
As their name suggests, foot valves attach to the lowest point on the pickup line of a pump. The pump pulls water up by creating suction. The resulting upward pressure opens the foot valve and allows for regular flow. However, when the foot valve detects backflow, it shuts. Foot valves also feature a screen for filtering debris, making them highly useful for pool and pond applications. Sump pumps and farming and gardening irrigation systems also benefit from foot valves.
Float Valves
Float valves are perhaps the most interesting valves on this list, as they function with very different mechanics. Instead of relying on pressure, float valves operated with the buoyancy force present in a tank. When the liquid drops to a specific level, a float valve opens, allowing replenishment in the tank. Alternatively, the valve closes once water returns to the desired level. The most common application for a float valve is to function inside a toilet tank, but these valves also play vital role in irrigation systems for the agriculture industry.
By understanding the different types of backflow prevention valves, you can confidently invest in the right equipment for your specific needs.
