MeasurIT
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