Hydraulic Check Valve

What is a Hydraulic Check Valve?
A hydraulic check valve is a device that is installed in a pipe to keep water from flowing backwards through the pipe. They do not require any external activation; instead, they contain a mechanism that moves according to the flow of the water through the pipes. When the water flows froward towards the valve, the mechanism allows it through. When the water stops flowing, the mechanism plugs up the valve opening so that the water cannot flow backwards.

How Does a Hydraulic Check Valve Work?
There are many different types of hydraulic check valves, but they all work based on the same underlying principles. For example, a ball check valve contains a ball that sits at the opening of the pipe and is held in place by a spring. When the water flows towards the valve, it pushes on the ball, forcing the spring to contract and the ball to move away from the opening of the valve. When the water stops flowing through the valve, the spring expands once again and presses the ball back into the mouth of the valve, stopping the water from flowing backwards through the valve.

Swing valves and split disk valves work similarly. Swing valves contain a small hinged door that swings open as the water flows past and slams shut when the flow stops. Split disk valves contain a folded metal disk that allows water to flow past it but springs open when the flow stops.

Why Use a Hydraulic Check Valve?
Hydraulic check valves are beneficial for several reasons. First of all, they prevent flooding if too much backflow runs through the pipes. They also prevent the damage of equipment from water flowing the wrong way. In addition, when the machine (such as a sump pump or water heater) is turned off, the check valve prevents water from flowing back in the wrong direction. This saves power and protects the pipes from water damage.