How Do I Clean My Check Valves?

[GMF21]

Ok, so I have Spears True Union check valves (https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/spears-true-union-check-valve.html) installed on my return plumbing as a second line of defense to prevent flooding. It has been about a year and I'd like to clean them. However, I cannot for the life of me figure out how to take them off without having all the water they are holding back pour out once they are removed.

Since they are installed on the returns, they are behind the tank and the tank is placed against a wall (well about a foot or so away). For those of you that not only have these installed, but also maintain them, can you please clue me in.

Lastly, please do not turn this into a thread about whether they are necessary/needed/value added. They are already installed and I am simply trying to maintain them.

thanks in advance.

 

[Billldg]

I turn off my return pump and then drain the water into my sump in order to remove them. To get the water out of the upper half of the check valve I remove the union on the bottom and open the flap with a stick to drain the rest of the water. Then I soak it in Cetric Acid. I have 2, so that way I can just remove the dirty one and install a clean one and turn the pump back on. Then I clean the dirty one and when its time I do it again. I use the same check valves.

 

[GMF21]

Thanks for the info @Billldg. Seems like a reasonable approach.

Quick follow up, since you have removed the union on the bottom, when you open the flap with a stick, where does the water flow to? I can't really fit a bucket of any size back there...

I turn off my return pump and then drain the water into my sump in order to remove them. To get the water out of the upper half of the check valve I remove the union on the bottom and open the flap with a stick to drain the rest of the water. Then I soak it in Cetric Acid. I have 2, so that way I can just remove the dirty one and install a clean one and turn the pump back on. Then I clean the dirty one and when its time I do it again. I use the same check valves.

 

[Billldg]

Thanks for the info @Billldg. Seems like a reasonable approach.

Quick follow up, since you have removed the union on the bottom, when you open the flap with a stick, where does the water flow to? I can't really fit a bucket of any size back there...

I dump it in my sump, I have a 120 gal tank with dual returns and, to be honest, their really isn't that much water on the top side of the check valve in my tank. You could probably use a 2 gallon bucket with no problem.

 

[Billldg]

This is an old picture, but the plumbing has stayed the same.

 

[ca1ore]

Not helpful this time, but you might want to consider putting a ball valve above the check to make cleaning easier next time.

 

[GMF21]

I dump it in my sump, I have a 120 gal tank with dual returns and, to be honest, their really isn't that much water on the top side of the check valve in my tank. You could probably use a 2 gallon bucket with no problem.

thanks for the advice. I cleaned out my check valves this weekend and your approach worked like a charm. I was surprised at how little water came out of each valve...was probably no more than a cup or two on each side.

 

[DeniseAndy]

I am late to the party. I just use a towel to catch the water as mine is not really over the sump. Usually very little water as you have found out. :)