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The humble check valve is one of the most important components of any pumping system or fluid moving application. The simple design belies its critical nature. Put simply, the check valve is the first line of defense against backflow which can cause serious problems for your pump and pumping system. Backflow is the motion by which water, under the influence of gravity, flows back down or through the pipe, opposite the direction it originally traveled. Remember that most pumps operate depending on the amount of water the pump needs to move at a given time. If water continually flows back into the pump's basin, the pump will turn on and off continuously. This will lead to improper pump cycling and eventual burnout. Imagine that your sump pump fails and you have a flooded basement - it could be avoided with a proper check valve. (more…)