Collection:Brass Foot Valves

Select and buy a brass foot valve online for your application. A foot valve is a check valve with a strainer. The most common application is when it is installed on the inlet side of a suction line. A foot valve requires a minimum pressure differential to operate and only allows flow in one direction (no backflow). When the suction pump is operated, the foot valve opens as the inlet pressure exceeds the back pressure on the valve and the suction pump draws the fluid into the valve. When the pump is turned off, the valve quickly closes, keeping the fluid in the pipeline preventing backflow. The retained fluid in the pipeline is essential to keep the pump primed. Primed pumps can effectively create suction with the help of the fluid trapped in the pipe. This feature makes the foot valve ideal for residential and industrial applications where suction line is located below the pump.

The strainer, or screen, in the foot valve prevents any debris from entering the valve and protects downstream equipment, like the pump or pipes, from clogging and other potential types of damage. A water pump foot valve is the most common application, however, they can also be used on water wells, fuel tanks, sump pumps, pneumatic brake lines, and any other suction line requiring a clean one way flow.

Brass housing

Brass is the most commonly used housing material for foot valves as it exhibits excellent mechanical properties. Brass foot valves can be used with drinking water, gas, mineral oils, compressed air and other non-aggressive media. They are not suitable for use with salt-water or distilled water due to the risk of dezincification. Dezincification removes the zinc from the brass and creates porous structure which reduces its mechanical strength. However, brass is more resistant to contaminants as compared to other types of valves. They are also compatible with high temperature, high pressure and high flow rate applications.

For additional information to select a check valve, read our technical article or contact customer support.