Most Common Check Valve Problems & How to Solve Them
Check valves are vital for preventing backflow, but several common issues can compromise their performance and damage your system. The most frequent problems include noise (especially water hammer), abnormal vibration, reverse flow, disc sticking, seal leakage, and premature wear or damage of internal parts.The main check valve product names of China Check Valve Network include:Wafer Disc and Swing Check Valve，Socket Welded Forged Steel Lift Check Valve，Flange Vertical Check Valve Flange Single Disc Swing Check Valve，Flange Lift Check Valve，ANSI Swing Check Valve，Tiny Drag Slow Close Swing Check Valve，
Often, the root cause is not a valve failure but an initial selection error—choosing a check valve whose working principle doesn't match the actual application conditions. Among all issues, reverse flow and water hammer are the most serious. Reverse flow, particularly at a pump discharge causing pump reversal, leads to costly repairs, replacements, and downtime—expenses far exceeding the cost of installing the correct valve initially. Water hammer occurs when a valve disc slams shut, creating destructive pressure shockwaves that cause loud noise, pipe vibration, and hammering sounds, potentially rupturing pipes and damaging equipment. If internal components are missing or wearing out too quickly, two main factors are typically at play. First, improper valve sizing: if the valve's flow capacity (KV/CV) is too high, the disc may flutter instead of remaining steadily open; selecting a valve with a lower KV/CV value can ensure stability. Check Valves Second, high-frequency cycling: when used on reciprocating air or gas compressor discharge lines, a standard check valve may fatigue quickly. A damped or buffered valve design is essential for these demanding conditions. Disc sticking is commonly caused by debris trapped between the disc and seat. Seal leakage often results from damage to metal seating surfaces; in such cases, switching to a soft-seated check valve with an elastomer seal is necessary to achieve reliable, zero-leakage performance. Check Valve Technology In summary, solving check valve problems starts with precise selection based on your system's flow characteristics, pressure conditions, and medium—combined with a clear understanding of common failure modes—rather than simply replacing the valve.Do you still need to know or purchase the following check valve products:
