Is there such a thing as a check valve with a manual release

sump-pump

I have a sump pump without a check valve on the outlet line. I would like to install one but I'm worried about the water in the pipe freezing during the winter.

The outlet exits the house below grade and appears in the yard a few feet from the house on its way to the curb. If I install a check valve, there will be several feet of vertical pipe above the frost line (3.5' in my area). The vertical column of water will eventually freeze and burst the pipe (correct me if I'm wrong).

What I would like to have is a check valve that has some sort of handle that allows opening the valve. This way I can drain the pipe before winter.

Best Answer

Add a TEE just above the check valve and a valve off the TEE. The valve is closed when the pump is working normally and you can open the valve to drain the pipe any time you want