The Best Check Valve for a Sewage Ejector

The engineers who design these cheap plastic setups should be forced to service them. I was cursed with one for a long time with 'quick disconnect' fitttings at the top. It was constantly breaking when the pumps got out of balance.

I was the one stuck with the job, cause I had the poorest sense of smell, thanks.

Such a system should have a large room above with an overhead chain fall to pull the pumps. A flange should be by a shut off valve for each pump. The check should be flanged for easy removal. Another unit I worked on had a large iron check on the horizontal. No problems. I think it was a swing check. A spring check has too many places for tampon strings to hang up on.

I made my own check for a cistern cleaning pump. I put a pool ball in a large pvc fitting that had plenty of room for junk to pass the ball. No springs or anything in the chamber but the ball. Mounted vertically, it worked pretty good.

If you could find a large ball (duckpins, croquet, etc) and the correct fittings, you could make your own. Use flanges and SS bolts.

Finally, there should be a large check on the main pipe leaving the lift station. This will protect the pump check from water hammer. Water hammer can destroy your system, especially plastic parts. The large check should be iron, massive.

I strongly recommend that you consider a "Duck Bill" Check Valve

See:

ttp://www.valvias.com/type-rubber-duck-bill-check-valve.php

or

http://www.scribd.com/doc/7908299/tideflex-duck-bill-check-valve

and you can Google for more.

I have in the past dreamed of almost this same design, but never pursued it. With a little reworking of our fish pump, we could use this in a 10/12 inch size. Now it's off-the-shelf. Thanks for the links!