Foot Valve Maintenance and Repairs

A foot valve it is one of the most important parts of an irrigation system, especially for household or commercial uses.  Foot valves are usually dropped in a well or water reservoir,
and are connected to a suction pipe connected to a water pump.

Even if it does little, it does save a lot of money and helps to ensure that the water being supplied is efficient and constant. Simply put, what it does is keep water
from flowing back into the supply source, keeping the lines filled with water and the water pump primed at all times.  This is important because a pump cannot run dry
or else it would break and cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. 

Foot valves are generally low maintenance, however prevention is always the better decision and having a routine maintenance check up is essential.

1. Always check for debris in the strainer

These valves come with an attached suction strainer to keep out any foreign materials from coming into the suction line and preventing it from clogging it up or ruining the water pump. Since a foot valve sits at the bottom of a water source, sediments may get sucked in along with the water. This can cause the valve to stay open as well, letting the water flow back. Regular checking of the valve is a must to ensure that the strainer does not get filled or clogged with debris. This would also ensure the efficiency of the water flow into the pump.

2. Always check for signs of corrosion

Since these valves deal with fluids all the time, they could get corroded or show signs of material fatigue during its use. Signs of corrosion can lead to the valve malfunctioning or leaking. With corrosion, it may stop the valve from either letting in fluids or letting fluids leak back into the water source when the pump is turned off. This may cause a lot of damage to the entire pumping system.

3. Try to ensure that the bottom of the water source is clean

These valves generally sit near the bottom of the water source and this is where sediments commonly reside, so it is always better to try and prevent any debris from entering the valve.  Always monitor and check for cleanliness to ensure the efficiency of the valve and water system.