Blog

The Valve O-Ring Supply Chain Is Fragile — What Can You Do?

Smart Products — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 15:29:22 GMT

For many manufacturers, the biggest production delays are not always caused by large or complex components. Increasingly, valve o-rings can cause critical delays across the supply chain.

Understanding Foot Valves and Check Valves

Smart Products — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Foot valves and check valves are both one-way valves that are designed to prevent backflow, but have different functions and placement in the systems they operate within.

Backflow Preventors vs. Check Valves: What’s the Difference?

Smart Products — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Backflow preventers – These units are often specifically mandated by codes to protect water supplies and use multiple fail-safes for superior protection against contamination.
Check valves – These components are simpler, less expensive, one-way valves primarily suited for low-flow, low-pressure applications.

Both backflow preventors and check valves serve key functions in the controlled movement of liquids, ensuring that a flow direction is maintained and that a system’s operation remains unimpeded. We’ll examine some of the key distinctions below.

Plastic Check Valves for Hydraulic Systems | Low-Flow & Low-Pressure Valves

Smart Products — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Hydraulic systems are used by diverse industries to keep machinery operational and fulfill essential industrial roles. But without the right equipment in place, these systems would be unable to function, and hydraulic check valves represent core components.

Check Valves for Brewery and Winery Equipment

Smart Products — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

When you oversee beer brewing, winemaking, or distribution operations, quality is everything. Customers expect excellent products that taste great and are delivered fresh, and if your operations can’t provide that they’ll find them somewhere else.

Saltwater and Chlorine Check Valves - Smart Products

Smart Products — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Working with chlorine or saltwater? We have component recommendations for these applications.

Flanged & Side Seal Options in One Valve

Smart Products — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Need a flanged AND side seal valve option for your application? Look no further than Model #154 and Model #191, which combine both features in one small 0.455" length valve. These two options are easily inserted into 5/8” device. The external o-ring side seal keeps the valve in place, while also providing an extra barrier against leaks.

Check Valves for Air Compressors

Smart Products — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Smart Products USA is proud to offer a wide array of custom check valves that feature tailored components, precise opening pressures, and nearly unlimited application possibilities, exclusively for those of a low-pressure, low-flow nature.

Did you know? Most Smart Products USA Check Valves are also Pressure Relief Valves

Smart Products — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Practically all of our check valves have a dual role as pressure relief valves. The reason some customers might not realize you can use our valves for anything other than a check valve is because flapper, disc or ball type check valves don’t have a spring to resist pressure in the flow direction. These valves rely on gravity or back pressure to close the valve. We can provide versatility and reliability with all our different spring combinations. We can even tailor a custom spring to meet specific pressure requirements.

BACK TO BASICS: VALVES 101

Smart Products — Tue, 13 May 2025 04:00:00 GMT

If you have new people in your organization that need a primer on check valve operation, let us take you back to the basics. At Smart Products USA, you will find 40 years of experience working with check valve operation in countless low flow, low pressure environments. Check out the link below for a 1:40 minute video to better understand the process and help you create the best option for your application.