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Check Valves

Check valves allow flow in one direction and prevent it in the other, protecting equipment from backflow without requiring manual operation. This range covers swing check valves, spring check valves, quick exhaust valves and mesh foot filters, in brass, stainless steel and nickel-plated brass across all main connection sizes. Check valves are used across compressed air systems, water lines, pump outlets and hydraulic circuits wherever backflow would cause damage or loss of prime. The Hosemaster stocks check valves in standard thread sizes for straightforward replacement or new installation.

  • REF #2927

    Check Valve

    Check Valve

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    £13.68 INC VAT
    £11.40 EXC VAT

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  • REF #5328

    Mesh Foot Filter

    Mesh Foot Filter

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    £5.23 INC VAT
    £4.36 EXC VAT

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  • REF #2931

    Swing Check Valve

    Swing Check Valve

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    £17.70 INC VAT
    £14.75 EXC VAT

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  • REF #2787

    Quick Exhaust Valve

    Quick Exhaust Valve

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    £8.15 INC VAT
    £6.79 EXC VAT

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  • REF #2968

    Stainless Swing Check Valve

    Stainless Swing Check Valve

    From
    £66.42 INC VAT
    £55.35 EXC VAT

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  • REF #2966

    Stainless Spring Check Valve

    Stainless Spring Check Valve

    From
    £63.06 INC VAT
    £52.55 EXC VAT

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Check valves: automatic backflow prevention

A check valve is one of those components that does its job invisibly until it fails — at which point you find out exactly what it was preventing. Backflow in a pump circuit loses prime and can damage the impeller. Backflow in a compressed air system wastes pressure and can contaminate the supply. A check valve stops all of that without any manual involvement.

The right type depends on the application and the installation orientation. Swing check valves are reliable in horizontal pipework with consistent forward flow. Spring check valves are more versatile — they'll work in any orientation and close faster, which matters in systems where backflow would happen quickly. Quick exhaust valves serve a different purpose: they're about speed of exhaust rather than backflow prevention, and they belong in pneumatic actuator circuits where fast return strokes matter.

Sizing is straightforward — match the connection size and thread type to your pipework, and check the working pressure against your system specification. The range covers all main sizes in brass and stainless steel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a check valve do?

A check valve allows fluid or gas to flow in one direction only. When flow reverses, the valve closes automatically — no manual operation required. This protects pumps, compressors and downstream equipment from backflow damage.

What is the difference between a swing check valve and a spring check valve?

A swing check valve uses a hinged disc that swings open with forward flow and closes under gravity and back-pressure when flow stops or reverses. A spring check valve uses a spring-loaded disc, which closes more quickly and can work in any orientation — making it more suitable for vertical pipework or where fast response is needed.

What is a quick exhaust valve?

A quick exhaust valve is used in pneumatic systems to exhaust air from a cylinder or actuator quickly, without routing the air back through the control valve. This speeds up the return stroke of pneumatic actuators and is commonly used in automation and machinery applications.

What is a mesh foot filter?

A foot filter (or foot valve) is a type of check valve fitted at the bottom of a suction pipe, usually in a pump intake. The mesh strainer prevents debris from entering the pump, while the check valve prevents the pump from losing prime when not running.