Sump pump check valve

oldbear914 · 01-25-2010, 04:40 PM

Where is the best place to locate the valve? Down by the pump itself or can it be located 5-10 feet above the pump?

Ishmael · 01-25-2010, 06:44 PM

The best place is down by the pump. If you have it a long way away, then every time it pumps out, there'll be a lot of effluent flowing back from where the check valve is into the basin again afterthe pump shuts off. It's not going to hurt anything, but you'll get a more complete "evacuation" if the check valve is closer to the pump.

The other possibility is that the pipe will hold a vacuum along that whole length up to the check valve (like holding your thumb over the end of a straw). In that case, your pump is going to have to overcome some excess resistance to pump out each time - could shorten the life of the pump.

oldbear914 · 01-25-2010, 07:12 PM

That's what I was afraid that the answer would be. Guess I'm going to have to get down and dirty in the sump pit.

Thanks

handy man88 · 01-25-2010, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ishmael

The other possibility is that the pipe will hold a vacuum along that whole length up to the check valve (like holding your thumb over the end of a straw). In that case, your pump is going to have to overcome some excess resistance to pump out each time - could shorten the life of the pump.

Which is why they recommend drilling a small hole into the PVC pipe just after the pump connection.

rudolph58 · 01-26-2010, 01:59 PM

just above the cover

coocoobe101 · 01-30-2010, 03:02 AM

i usually install the check valve one to two feet above the lid---since you most likely are using a -Y-
connector to tie into the main pump discharge line--it would be a lot easier to work above the lid--
in the pit your always short on space--so make it easy on yourself--
always drill an 1/8 inch hole 3 to 4 inches above the bottom of the pvc pipe--
that is done to prevent air lock which eliminates pump failure--
putting a check valve under the lid is crazy--it makes no sense--good luck

01-25-2010, 04:40 PM	#1
oldbear914 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 6	Sump pump check valve Where is the best place to locate the valve? Down by the pump itself or can it be located 5-10 feet above the pump?

01-25-2010, 06:44 PM	#2
Ishmael Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 382	Sump pump check valve The best place is down by the pump. If you have it a long way away, then every time it pumps out, there'll be a lot of effluent flowing back from where the check valve is into the basin again afterthe pump shuts off. It's not going to hurt anything, but you'll get a more complete "evacuation" if the check valve is closer to the pump. The other possibility is that the pipe will hold a vacuum along that whole length up to the check valve (like holding your thumb over the end of a straw). In that case, your pump is going to have to overcome some excess resistance to pump out each time - could shorten the life of the pump. Last edited by Ishmael; 01-25-2010 at 06:46 PM.

01-25-2010, 07:12 PM	#3
oldbear914 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 6	Sump pump check valve That's what I was afraid that the answer would be. Guess I'm going to have to get down and dirty in the sump pit. Thanks

01-26-2010, 01:59 PM	#5
rudolph58 Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Central IL. Posts: 163 Blog Entries: 1	Sump pump check valve just above the cover

01-30-2010, 03:02 AM	#6
coocoobe101 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 13	Sump pump check valve i usually install the check valve one to two feet above the lid---since you most likely are using a -Y- connector to tie into the main pump discharge line--it would be a lot easier to work above the lid-- in the pit your always short on space--so make it easy on yourself-- always drill an 1/8 inch hole 3 to 4 inches above the bottom of the pvc pipe-- that is done to prevent air lock which eliminates pump failure-- putting a check valve under the lid is crazy--it makes no sense--good luck Last edited by coocoobe101; 01-30-2010 at 03:14 AM.

Sump pump check valve