Protect Your Plumbing With a Check Valve
A check valve — a one-way valve that directs water flow — is an essential part of most plumbing projects. It helps prevent backflow and siphoning in your plumbing system by using a pressure differential that detects reversal of flow, thus helping to protect your pumps and other equipment from damage. Aside from indoor plumbing, check valves are also used for swimming pools, spas and more. They're available in a variety of durable materials such as copper, brass and bronze. Lowe's also has check valves in PVC and CPVC.
In-line check valves tend to be compact and are relatively easy to install in your existing plumbing. Dual check valves consist of two check valves in a series for a more reliable seal. They're primarily used for home water service connections, residential fire sprinklers and similar applications. Swing check valves employ a swing mechanism and are used for HVAC systems, sump pumps and boilers. Hydronic flow check valves are used in hydronic heating systems.
Note that a licensed plumber is required for installations in many places, so be sure to check your state's regulations. To learn more about pipes and fittings, read our handy guide — Pipe & Fittings Glossary — for a breakdown of some common terms.