Retrofit the non-return valve on the water pump
Most of the higher quality water pump models are factory-fitted with a check valve. If this is not the case with your model, consider retrofitting.
Why to build a check valve on water pumps
Water pumps suck in water and keep pumping it. As soon as you switch off the pump, all the water runs back to its place of origin, depending on the gradient. There are check valves to prevent this from happening.
- A functional check valve is only permeable to water in one direction. The so-called non-return closes the valve in the other direction so that the medium to be transported does not flow back again. Therefore you have to install it on the suction opening of the water pump.
- If the non-return valve is leaking, jammed or otherwise defective, it cannot perform its function and prevent backflow. Complications can also arise if you install the valve the wrong way round. Fortunately, the direction of flow is marked with an arrow on most valves.
- Alternatively, you can also install the check valve in the lower area of the suction hose instead of between the suction hose and the water pump. However, this has the disadvantage that you will not notice any defects in the valve until very late, since in this case it is under water. In addition, in this case you have to provide the valve with a sieve to be on the safe side.
How to retrofit the check valve
Have all the parts required for retrofitting the non-return valve on the water pump ready. This saves unnecessary searching.
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- To be on the safe side, disconnect the pump from the power supply.
- Briefly check that all threads are in order, clean and, in particular, free of grease.
- Make sure to install the check valve on the suction port of the water pump. To test, screw it into the thread of the pump and note the screwing direction. Check the correct installation direction of the valve.
- Wrap the external thread of the check valve with sufficient Teflon tape. Do not be too frugal here. Otherwise the connection could remain leaky and you will have to repeat this step. Wind up the Teflon tape in the direction of the screw. Otherwise you will unwind the tape when you screw in the non-return valve.
- Now screw in the check valve by hand as tightly as possible. Then use the wrench to help ensure that the connection between the non-return valve and the water pump is properly tightened. It should no longer be possible to turn the valve down by hand.
As you can see, adding the check valve to the water pump wasn't as bad as it might have read.
