Brief Description of a Brass Foot Valve:

A brass foot valve is an essential a brass component in submersible and jet pump systems, like wells. A submersible pump and a jet pump have the foot valve on their intake suction line. Foot valves prevent water from flowing backward when the pump is off. In technical terms, it keeps the pump primed at all times.

What is a brass foot valve?

Electric pumps are used to drive water from a lower level to a higher level. When the pump is turned off, the water may flow in the reverse direction due to gravity. One of the main functions of a foot valve is to prevent this reverse flow. A foot valve is a non-return valve installed in a pump suction or at the bottom of pipelines. They are installed to prevent water from flowing backward when the pump is off. The valve keeps the fluid trapped in the suction pipe when the pump stops, thus sustaining a suitable prime for the pump, and preventing pump burnout. When the pump restarts, suction opens the foot valve. The intake side of the foot valve has a screen that prevents larger debris from entering the valve and damaging the internal components. Foot valves are commonly used in ponds, pools, wells, and almost anywhere there is a pump. The foot valve’s floor area or opening is larger than the pipe, thereby minimizing head loss (energy dissipated due to friction along the pipe length). Since the strainer or screen at the opening of the foot valve can get clogged with debris over time, especially in ponds, wells, and pools, it’s essential to regularly check and clean the valve to ensure optimum performance. Check out our range of non-IBR valves here!