the ultimate sewage check valve placement thread

greetings fellow plumbers!!

i have been searching these threads for the definitive check valve placement for a sewage ejector pump installation. i have received a request from a friend who says he can hear leakage from his vertically-installed check valve...

from what i gather here, the check valves should be installed horizontally to prevent solids from sticking in the gate.

however, i have also seen opinions that placement does not matter, or that vertical installation is preferred.

so, discuss please, here and often!!!

thanks!

Logic suggests the check valve should be high so the discharge line will not be full when it has to be disconnected for service to the pump or whatever, and horizontal makes sense so there will be no surprise when same line is jostled during same service. However, not all situations are identical and I have no idea whether "code" is always logical.

Flint and Walling show a pakage kit with the check down by the pump, you probably should have a check and a gate valve for servicing.

Rancher

If vertical, the weight of the water above the valve will be more apt to help keep it closed.

bob...

If pumping "clean" effluent from the second chamber of a septic, where the pump sits in a screen, then use any good check valve, preferably spring loaded ball or disk. 10 years on mine without repair.

Pumping sewage from a grinder type pump TO the tank, I use a Hayward 3" non spring loaded floating ball check valve horizontally with an access chamber and unions very close to the pump. No leakage or blockage in 5 years. But its a very expensive valve and you wont find it at Lowes.

Here is a link to install instructions for one.

http://www.zoeller.com/zcopump/zcopdfdocs/FM0447.pdf