Check valve and submerged filling of CW tank

You can buy float valves which have a flat tube extending into the tank so they fill quietly, but would collapse flat if any backflow occurred.

I have seen torbec valves like that, but wasn't sure if they'd be up to the job for a large tank - I wonder if you can buy (or make) a device to retrofit to a standard brass valve...

Ben

This really depends on the water pressure and flow rate available.

If both are quite high, then filling a large tank is not a problem.

I have relatively low flow rate and pressure available in the loft and a large tank to fill, so fitted two Torbeck valves.

The floats are adjusted so that for a small draw off of water, only one opens - e.g. flushing from a toilet cistern during the night.

The other opens for larger uses such as shower or bath, in effect giving a much larger flow rate into the tank. I measured this as about 50% more than a single valve.

I wouldn't recommend using check valves if you are concerned about flow rate into a tank. They tend to nobble it quite a bit, especially if the pressure and flow are not high in the first place.

"Ben" wrote

The advantage of being able to hear the filling, is that leaks or hot-taps-left-running can become evident (when you realise that tanks are filling when they shouldn't be) IYSWIM. Particularly handy if you have kids.

Phil

Yes, hang a bit of suitably-sized tube (e.g. plastic overflow) under the fill valve spout and reaching down below the water level in the tank. Make sure it's not an air-tight fit to the valve. It will mute the water going into the tank without any risk of back-siphonage.

I've seen layflat hosing that I think might be ideal:

(maybe like this:

Cheers,

Ben

OK if you've got some lying around, overkill to go out and buy some.

Ok - I came across another problem with the layflat hose - apparently all piping for use in hosues has to be approved by someone or other, and that stuff never has been.

Ben