What is a Storm Valve?
A storm valve is a crucial component in your plumbing and drainage systems. It acts as a guardian against the fury of nature, preventing backflow during heavy rains and storms. When the downpour hits, storm valves keep your property safe from flooding by allowing water to exit your system while blocking any unwanted return flow.
How Does it Work?
Imagine a one-way gate. Storm valves operate on a similar principle. They are equipped with a flap or disc that opens to let water out but swiftly closes to stop it from coming back in. Once flow begins, the operator must choose whether to open the locking block, or keep it closed. If the locking block is closed, the fluid will stay out of the valve. If the locking block is opened by the operator, fluid can flow freely through the flap. The pressure of the fluid will release the flap, allowing it to travel through the outlet in one direction. When flow stops, the flap will automatically return to its closed position.Regardless of whether or not the locking block is in place, if flow comes through the outlet, the back flow will not be able to enter the valve due to the counterweight. This feature is identical to that of a check valve where back flow is prevented so that it will not contaminate the system. When the handle is lowered, the locking block will again secure the flap in its close position. The secured flap isolates the pipe for maintenance if necessary.This ingenious mechanism ensures that when the storm water pressure rises, it only moves in one direction—away from your home.
Comparison with Other Valves
Gate Valves: Unlike storm valves, gate valves are designed to either completely stop or allow the flow of water. They do not offer backflow prevention and are typically used in situations where the flow needs to be fully on or off.
Ball Valves: Ball valves control water flow using a rotating ball with a hole through it. While they provide excellent control and durability, they are not designed for preventing backflow in storm conditions.
Butterfly Valves: These valves use a rotating disc to regulate flow. They are more compact than gate valves but also lack the backflow prevention capabilities of storm valves.
Post time: Jul-18-2024