"Steve Barker" wrote in message
...
On 11/20/2011 7:10 AM, Joe J wrote:
In the same crock I have two sump pumps on two separate breakers. The
primary pump has a check valve installed and it drains into a
underground pipe that runs to a sewer. The backup pump float is set a
little higher and turns on if the primary doesn't. One and a half inch
pvc pipe that rises about 8 ft and does a 90 degree turn before heading
outside and draining onto the lawn and it has no check valve.

So here are the questions...Is there a valid reason for not having a
check valve on the backup? I had a failure on the primary pump and it
seemed half the crock was refilled by the remnants in the pipe draining
back after the backup pump shut off.

Is there a standard height a check valve should be installed and
wouldn't it make sense to install one on the backup pump?

This was the arrangement when we bought the house in March and I only
noticed this after the primary failed. Actually, the pump didn't fail,
the float switch did. $30 for a replacement.

here's what you are looking for:

http://www.farmandfleet.com/products....Tslw 7T1Cq0s


--
Steve Barker
remove the "not" from my address to email

Exactly the type of valve I was talking about installing. $9 at Home Depot.
After sorting through all the responses, I think I'll just go ahead and cut
the pvc pipe on the backup and install one.