power outages and sump flooding

[Alan Russell]

How does a check valve solve your prob? Water is already flowing in the direction towards the sump. Power goes out the pump stops the flow of water out bound of the sump, but water will still enter the sump causeing an over flow depending on the size of the sump and placement of your overflow and water level inside your tank.

Overflow boxes. When the power goes off, my tank only drains down about an inch which is the height of the overflow boxes. I keep the water level in the sump low enough to hold that amount.
The problem I had when the power went out was the water from the return lines backing into the sump creating a siphon and draining the tank into the sump and then the floor. The check valves stop the the water in the return line from back flowing through the pump and then into the sump. $6 solved a major disastrous problem.

 

[Bud8Fan]

I'll second the drilling a hole to make a siphon break. I'm too worried about a check valve failing to close or not closing 100%.

 

[daleros]

I'll second the drilling a hole to make a siphon break. I'm too worried about a check valve failing to close or not closing 100%.

That was my thought with a solenoid valve. A check valve can get buggered up and fail to close 100%, especially the cheap ones.

I like the hole idea. I should have thought of that.

 

[Danger_Chicken]

I'll second the drilling a hole to make a siphon break. I'm too worried about a check valve failing to close or not closing 100%.

I use both. I just added the check valves because the reverse UGF was draining the tank when the pump turns off. The check vavle fixed that.

That was my thought with a solenoid valve. A check valve can get buggered up and fail to close 100%, especially the cheap ones.

I like the hole idea. I should have thought of that.

I use the solenoid valves for draining and filling my tank. I would be too worried about them burning out if powered on all of the time to allow water to flow. Then all the water in your sump overflows your tank and your pump burns up.

 

[daleros]

They tend to be very reliable. I have had most of mine in my sprinkler system for over 5 years. Also, they are in an underground box with corrosive conditions. But, there is always that possibility.

 

[justin guest]

I´ve seen different check valves fail. I´d never trust one to stop a whole tank from draining out. Never.
j<><

 

[daleros]

I´ve seen different check valves fail. I´d never trust one to stop a whole tank from draining out. Never.
j<><

Just to clarify, I was referring to my sprinkler solenoid valves. As far as check valves, I agree with that.