Hi ,
In many plants, swing check valves are used almost by default.
They’re simple, cheap, and have low pressure drop – so they end up everywhere.
But in some services, that “default” choice can quietly introduce real risk to your system.
The problem with swing check valves
Because of their mechanical design, swing check valves can cause:
- Delayed closure → more time for backflow to occur before the disc closes
- Water hammer → the disc can slam shut at high velocity, creating a pressure surge, vibration, and in severe cases, equipment or piping damage
They’re fine in many “normal” services, but in critical lines this behavior becomes a serious concern.
You’ll often see non-slam check valves in:
- Compressor discharge lines
- High-pressure / high-velocity systems
- Positive displacement pump discharge
Want to explore more about non-slam check valves?
I’ve broken down the details in this article:
👉 Swing VS Non-Slam Check Valve – Which one to use?
Have a nice day!
Mohamad
P.S. If you have a question or a suggestion or a comment or a request, feel free to reply to this email.
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