Pond Boss Forums AERATION Systems questions Check valves

You guys talk about how important check valves on diffuser systems are but why? If water gets into the line, will air not blow most of it out? On windmill systems moisture gets in anyway. Please enlighten me.

The most important reason is that when a compressor looses power, under some conditions the back pressure from the pond can cause water to surge through the airline and into the compressor...I've wrecked several compressors that way.

Also, in the winter you want to keep water out of the line in the event of a power outage to prevent ice from forming.

Also if you have the compresor on a timer where it is on & off each day, an engineer at GAST (compresor mfg) told me that it is important for extending the life of the compressor not to have to push water out of the air line each time it restarts. Some uses place a check valve at the diffuser and at the pump.

Pressue relief valves are also imperative during blockages in the air line.