Hot water heater backflow valve

[nunya]

So we had very little hot H2O flow and I remembered about the backflow valve issues, took ours apart and yep it was in peices! I also remember readin that some are running without the guts in it, question is,,,,,, any problems with this? Guess it won`t hurt for a few days, where to buy a new one? Thanks again! I am runnin without it now.

[DonandJudy_12]

Our valve was removed 2 years ago- Have not had any problems- Will probably have one when the water heater fails and is replaced- Don

[nunya]

Thanks, I just wondered if any real problems. Yep the plastic came apart inside, cheap to say the least!

[SlickWillie]

We have been without the check valve for about a year. Only difference I see is we get a blast of hot water when we shut the shower head off, then back on. Better than a blast of cold water tho. It is my understand the check is merely for winterizing the system.

[JimF]

We have been without the check valve for about 2 years, no problem and better waster flow. I took our check valve out and drilled it out. Works much better.

[camper4]

The check valve is there for winterizing so your hot water tank does not fill with antifreeze. I wish they would put another valve in place of it.

[swanny]

where is this check valve location on the tank? Is it screwed into the tank at the exit?

[camper4]

Mine is on the hot/outlet of the tank.

[JimF]

The check valve is not there for winterizing, you have a bypass valve for that, you drain the tank.

[SlickWillie]

quote:Originally posted by JimF

The check valve is not there for winterizing, you have a bypass valve for that, you drain the tank.

Pretty strong statement; you care to explain why the check valve is not a part of the bypass system? Why is the check valve there?

On edit, I'm gonna show you why it is an integral part of the bypass on my Mountaineer. Without it, you either fill the tank with anti-freeze, or run it out the drain. I would think other models would be the same. Keystone only used one valve on the bypass, to switch the cold water line to the bypass loop. No valve on the hot side to switch, so the check valve does the trick. For you guys with questions about location, you can see the brass valve body by the "hot outlet" sticker. I merely gutted the brass body.