Tideflex Valves vs Flap Valves
Key Benefit: TOTEX Winner!
8 November, 2017 by
Tideflex Valves vs Flap Valves
Geraldine Swanepoel
Odoo CMS - a big picture

MeasurIT are increasingly called upon by end users to provide Tideflex valves to replace faulty flap valves (see case studies here and here). However, it can sometimes be difficult for designers to justify the specification of a Tideflex valve when construction and council budgets become involved. We maintain that the capital outlay on a Tideflex far outweighs the operational costs of a flap valve. Here are some facts for peace of mind for those considering their options.

Key Features

  • Duckbill design - variable opening

  • Rubber construction - flexible, durable & strong

  • Experience - Tideflex Technologies is the original inventor and manufacturer of the duckbill check valve

Key Advantages

  • Self-clearing of debris so eliminate potential blockages

  • Do not warp, freeze or corrode so maintain long-term function

  • Thirty years of proven field operation, research and development, and continued engineering enhancements - the nature of its construction means that the design cannot be copied

Key Benefits

  • Free draining - no upstream flooding issues

  • No maintenance - saving operational time and money

  • 25+ years service life - long-term capital cost savings

  • Reliable, proven track record - no unpleasant surprises

Flap Valve Design

While flap valves have traditionally been viewed as a simple solution to a simple problem - backflow prevention - the maintenance department of any local council have countless examples of where the practical implementation is far more complex.

Anywhere an outfall occurs in a coastal or river location, it will be subject to the influence of wind and water action. While flap valves operate well on outfalls located where sand, mud,

silt, stones and other debris cannot reach them, in locations where this is not possible they tend to fail time and again. 

Either the valve is unable to open or it is unable to close fully - both scenarios resulting in flooding upstream and other negative consequences, depending on the drainage system design.

Below is a small selection of the types of scenarios that can occur - perhaps you have seen similar situations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flap Valve Maintenance Effort & Cost

While flap valves may appear to be a cost-effective solution due to their widespread availability, ease of installation and low capital cost, many an end user has found the old adage "penny-wise and pound-foolish" to be an apt description.

As can be seen from the above photos, over the lifetime of a particular flap valve many different maintenance scenarios may arise that lead to on-going costs and even replacement expenditure.

Below you can see a few of our favourite flap valve maintenance photos.

Maintenance costs may include, but not be restricted to, the following:

  • Plant to clear blockages - backhoe/mini digger/pump/generator/truck

  • Manpower - general operative/driver/foreman/engineer

  • Environmental testing of excavated material/dredging license

  • Disposal of excavated material

  • Upstream flooding issues due to flap valves being stuck closed or open

  • Restoration after process upsets due to flooding & saltwater intrusion into WWTWs

  • Bad publicity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Tideflex check valves are much more efficient than flap valves.  They have proven time and again that they are able to handle the various trials and tests of harsh conditions, extreme siltation and unexpected situations. MeasurIT have over 20 years experience in installing Tideflex products in new build and retrofit projects. Why not consider the whole-life cost of your outfall and make Tideflex your first choice for peace of mind and sensible budget expenditure? Your maintenance staff and local area residents will thank you for it for decades to come!

Here are just a few examples of our Tideflex valves operating under circumstances that a flap valve would be unable to cope with adequately.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tideflex Valves vs Flap Valves
Geraldine Swanepoel 8 November, 2017
Share this post
Archive