CHECK VALVES are necessary if there is a risk of condensate backflow. For example, when a trap discharges into a common condensate collection line, there is the potential risk of backflow from condensate discharged from other traps, so as a rule a check valve should be installed. Preventing this backflow is important because it can not only diminish process heating efficiency, but can also damage steam traps. In contrast, when there is a single downward sloping pipe that is not submerged at any point, there is almost no possibility of backflow, so a check valve is not necessary.