Unscheduled repairs are unlikely to please anyone. Especially when an apartment or a country house was flooded with waste water from a sewer pipe. To prevent a catastrophe of local scale can a non-return valve for sewage. It is enough to choose the right model and install it.
We will tell you how the device works, why it will become the best protector against the reverse flow of stocks for the next 5 or more years. We have described in detail the types of valves, their design features and operating rules. Taking into account our recommendations, you can choose the ideal device that solves your problems.
The content of the article:
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Structure and purpose of shut-off valves
- What is a check valve?
- Device and features of work
- Do I need it in principle?
- Types of check valves
- The nuances of the check valve selection
- Features of the installation of the locking device
- Device operation rules
- Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Structure and purpose of shut-off valves
To protect your house from the sewage flood and not to close all night the holes in the sink, bathtub and Toilet towels, bathrobes, bedspreads and everything that comes to hand, put special locking devices. Sometimes even one plastic bag, accidentally flushed into the toilet, can cause disastrous consequences.
What is a check valve?
To protect against the flow of sewage in the opposite direction, special devices are used, which are activated at the right time and block the path of waste water. This is a shut-off valve used for sewage in private homes, apartments, office premises, on production. Also shut-off devices are installed in heating and water supply systems.
Check valves are able at the right time to close the hole in the sewer pipe. And all the drains, which began their movement in the opposite direction, will be forced to look for another way.
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The check valve for the arrangement of sewer networks is designed to prevent reverse movement of the effluent discharged into the system
Owners of private houses and apartments are now offered check valves with or without a servo. At the moment, the second most popular because of the price and ease of use
Check valves are installed on the external and internal networks, are located mainly horizontally. For installation on risers produced vertical models
The installation of a check valve is required mainly in the apartments of the first floors and in public buildings, where reverse flow is initially required to be excluded.
Devices against the return flow of waste equip the outer branches. Install them where regular monitoring and periodic cleaning of the system is required
Inserting the check valve into the pipe after the dishwasher or washing machine will ensure complete removal of dirty water, which will reduce the load on the motor and pump
At the disposal of the consumer a lot of structurally different check valves. Models with a revision hatch, allowing cleaning
On the simplest valves there are no structural parts for cleaning. The main element is the flap opening under pressure and slamming in the absence of pressure
Appearance of check valve
Check valve without servo
Sewer valve at the outlet of the house
Installation and operation in the bathroom
Location in the manhole
Protection of household appliances against overload
Fitting with inspection hatch
The simplest check valve for bidets and sinks
Such a situation can occur in a high-rise apartment building, where there is usually a common riser for residents whose apartments are located under each other. Then the sewage eruption can be seen even on the 2nd floor, if the tenants of the 1st have taken care to install a stop sewer valve.
If the valve is on the 2nd floor, then the 3rd pillar of sewage is unlikely to come - under the pressure exerted by him clogs up and everything will go where it should be - to the general house sewer pipe.
Device and features of work
Shut-off valves for sewage can be of very different shape, size. They are made of various materials and have different working parts. But they all act in the same way - blocking the way for drains that have drastically changed the direction of their movement.
Several sewer branches can be connected to the check valve. Regardless of the model of the locking device you need to choose the place of installation, the most convenient for inspection and cleaning in the future
In general, the valve consists of the following parts:
- inlet and outlet connections;
- lever for forced withdrawal of stocks;
- membrane / working body to overlap the entire cross section of the pipeline;
- cover for inspection and cleaning.
The working mechanism depends on the model - it can be a rubber ball, damper or other device that completely overlaps the pipe.
If the drains go in the right direction, nothing prevents their movement. Should they change direction, the working mechanism will close the entire cross section of the pipe.
Do I need it in principle?
Locking devices are not required for installation in all situations. In some cases, these devices can be dispensed with.
For example, a family living in an apartment on the 5th floor may not worry about flooding the bathroom with sewage through a blocker blockage.
When installing a check valve, you need to follow the direction of the red arrow - it indicates the correct direction of effluent
A check valve is needed if:
- the apartment is on the 1st or 2nd floor of a high-rise building;
- in a private one-story house / cottage;
- in a 2 or 3 floor cottage;
- in the office premises on the 1st and 2nd floors, especially if the building has old pipes.
It is for such categories of premises that it will be cheaper to install a locking device than to deal with the consequences.
The valve on top has a lever for forcing the sewer pipe to shut off.
Types of check valves
All stop sewer devices can be divided by place of installation:
- for the street;
- for the room.
If the device is to be installed in an outdoor sewage pipe, then a frost-resistant model with a large capacity should be chosen.
For installation in the same room suitable options easier. And it can be both plastic models and steel
Depending on the method of installation emit:
- flange;
- interflange;
- coupling
The second option requires the use of welding and is used in metal pipelines. But this is a quick and easy way, which does not take much time to install.
Flanged way put a check valve on the pipes of large diameter. Most often on the street. A clutch method is more convenient to install devices of small diameter. Basically, this option is used indoors. The main thing when installing is to find a place where you can safely remove the cover and clean the valve, it is clogged.
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Structurally simple valves are installed in sockets, fixed crimp method or cold welding
Simple valves are used on sewer branches transporting gray drains coming from baths, swimming pools, showers and similar objects.
Valves with one working leaf are placed in points of the pipeline that moves the water purified in the septic tank to the place of unloading.
Valves with a shut-off valve on the pipes, through which the discharge of water purified in a septic tank into a wastewater reservoir is made or ditch, not only prevents the reverse flow, but also protects the pipelines from the penetration of rodents and insects
Cold Welded Check Valve
The structure of a simple check valve
Discharge of sewage to the collector well
Utilization of water in the gutter
Also, as a locking device emit a rotary, lifting and ball valve. This difference in the method of fastening the locking mechanism in the device itself. In the swivel, a damper is used, in a ball working body a ball is protruding, closing the cross section of the pipeline.
The model of a non-return valve for sewage, in which a ball is used as a working body, is most often used in industrial premises.
In the lift model of a check valve, there is a special lock - a valve that moves under the influence of a spring or under its own weight.
Sometimes homemade craftsmen offer their own version of a homemade device - this is not always justified. Such a device can not withstand the pressure, and subsequent repair will cost a pretty penny.
The nuances of the check valve selection
Before buying a locking device for personal use, you should carefully analyze the features of your sewage systems. Based on its specifics and to choose.
When selecting the best option, you should pay attention to the following characteristics:
- diameter of sockets;
- material;
- the size of the device;
- installation complexity;
- quality and warranty;
- price.
And the price is clearly in last place - the reliability and functionality of the valve does not depend on it. Here you should focus on your financial capabilities. For example, it makes no sense to buy a heaped model of a locking device with an electric motor for more than 120 thousand to a modest summer house with cheap sewage pipes made of plastic.
For arrangement of sewer systems, models of check valves with horizontal and vertical installation methods are manufactured. Horizontal mounted on trunk lines, vertical to risers
The most important parameter is the diameter of the sockets. That it is a key characteristic and must coincide with the diameter sewer pipein which to install the check valve.
Taking a smaller or larger section size of the device and buying special adapters would be the wrong decision. This will disrupt the well-functioning mechanism of the system and may disrupt the throughput of installed pipes.
The material from which the check valves are made is the same as the material of sewer pipes:
- plastic;
- steel, including stainless steel;
- cast iron;
- bronze;
- other materials, less common.
Of the options found, it is best to choose the same as the installed sewer pipes in the house, cottage, apartment. It is not practical to embed a plastic valve in the cast iron pipe and vice versa. And plastic models are the most affordable.
Models of locking devices made of metal, properly installed in the same pipeline, made of similar material
As for the size, the locking device should be selected based on the availability of space for its installation. Do not forget that there are valves for vertical and horizontal installation.
Most often choose the second option. But in the absence of a sufficient amount of free space in the bathroom, in the kitchen, behind the toilet or in the utility room, take a vertical version.
If there is very little space, then a reasonable solution would be to use wafer models of check valves, for installation of which only seals will be required.
The cost of installation works depends on the ease of installation, if you plan to invite a plumber. If this is an unpretentious plastic model, then it will be up to the home craftsman, who has the minimum set of tools.
Also, before buying, it will not be superfluous to look at your favorite model and check it so that nothing dangles and creaks under your fingers. You need to pay attention to the top was the arrow inflicted by the manufacturer.
Each quality product must indicate the direction of movement of sewage, which eliminates errors during installation.
The seller must ask for a warranty from the manufacturer for this product. A quality product manufactured at the factory always has warranty documents and installation recommendations.
In private homes and cottages, the shut-off valve can also perform the function of protection against rodents
Features of the installation of the locking device
The best option for the installation of a shut-off valve - an apartment repair or home construction. It is at this stage that the easiest way is to design its location and calculate the required length of pipes. In this case, the locking device will be mounted in the process. build the entire sewer system.
Plastic check valves for arranging internal sewage networks are produced with shaped elements that facilitate installation and decorate the passage through building structures
Most often it happens that no one plans to do the repair, but it is necessary to install the valve. Then you should choose this device, based on the realities of your sewer system. If the shut-off valve is already selected and purchased, you can deal with the issue of its installation.
There are 2 options:
- do everything yourself;
- invite plumbing.
Depending on the pipe material in the apartment / house, the installation methods and the list of works required for this will differ. The price of the issue will also differ - for cast iron fittings, removing a part to install a check valve at this place is significantly more expensive than the same amount of work with plastic materials.
When the option of inviting a master is chosen, then only money will be required to pay for his services. It is also advisable to check the work and check the quality of the installation so that later there will be no problems. It is best to contact the plumber serving the house / assigned to a specific territory.
A non-return valve is connected to the plastic sewer pipe using a connecting element designed to exceed the standard pressure in the network. He does not allow leakage
If you decide to do everything on your own, you first need to look at the theory of installation or read a brief instruction on installing a check valve on the sewage system.
First, you need to check the purchased device in action before it is installed. For this you can use, for example, a stream of water from the tap. Having tested the valve's performance and making sure that it only passes water in one direction, you can proceed to the next step.
The second step is to measure the length of the return device and mark the place of its installation, taking into account these dimensions. It is important here that there is free access to the valve - periodically it will be necessary to conduct an audit.
When everything is marked up, it is necessary to remove / cut off a section of the pipe in whose place the stop device will be placed. During installation, you must use a sealing ring and sealant or fum-tape to ensure a reliable connection and prevent leakage.
To connect the check valve at the point of changing the direction of the sewer branch, elbows with seals are used. They allow you to create the optimum bend angle and ensure reliable connection
Similarly, to do with the rest of the stop valves, if you plan to install separate locking devices for each plumbing fixture.
The valve should be correctly positioned using the instructions attached to the device, and you can look at the red arrow indicating the direction of movement of the sewage.
When all joints of the sewer pipe with a shut-off valve are reliably isolated, you should check the work done in action by opening the tap or emptying the water in the drain tank. If nothing in the installation site is leaking, then everything is done qualitatively and you need not worry.
The variant with separate blocking devices on each sanitary appliance is more convenient - this way the apartment will be more reliably protected when a sewer blockage occurs
When installing a check valve in the common sewer pipe in the country / cottage, you should also ensure free access to it, even if it is on the street. The external part of the sewage system together with the device and other fittings should be supplied heating cable or thermal insulation system.
Device operation rules
In order for the check valve to protect the house / apartment for a long time from the reverse flow of sewage, it is necessary to maintain it in a timely manner. Therefore, it is important to provide convenient access to it.
Every 6-12 months, you will have to open / unscrew the revision cover and, if necessary, remove debris accumulating on the flap
It is possible that in the process of removing used water there is noise, creaking and other unpleasant sounds. In this case, it is necessary to check the shut-off valve ahead of time - possible damage in the form of worn-out parts or unexpected clogging.
If you do not check everything in time, then during the reverse movement of sewage drains, the device will not be able to fulfill its purpose and dirty water will begin to come out of all plumbing fixtures.
It is advisable to put check valves on each plumbing fixture, so that if one of them breaks down, the rest
In the case when using an automatic device with an electric motor, you need to strictly adhere to the recommendations for its maintenance and timely replace parts. The wear periods of individual elements of the device are indicated by the manufacturer in the instructions.
It is important to observe the recommendations and terms of service of locking devices with an electric motor to ensure maximum protection of the house / apartment from flooding.
It happens that in the course of the audit, the wear of certain parts was detected, which cannot be replaced - the manufacturer does not produce the necessary parts.
In simple models with flaps when the locking part fails, it is better to buy and install a new valve instead of a damaged one.
Repairing the damaged part with the materials at hand should not be made - there is no guarantee that, if necessary, a homemade valve will cope with the pressure of drains from the pipeline in the opposite direction.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Video about the benefits of the check valve and the features of its installation:
The work of the check valve in the outer part of the autonomous sewer:
The video demonstrates the effect of check valves for domestic networks:
Some craftsmen manage to make some kind of check valve from improvised means. Read more in this video:
Installation of the shut-off valve should be carried out at the stage of sewer system assembly. This is clearly demonstrated in the video:
Selecting a suitable check valve for the sewerage system of your house / apartment should be based on the location and branch pipes. You can install it on your own or draw plumbing - it all depends on the skills and the forthcoming amount of work.
The main thing is not to forget to check the valve every 6-12 months and remove the blockages that appear, so that it can qualitatively protect the house / apartment in case of reverse flow of drains.
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