The valve that used to prevent backflow in a piping system is known as a check valve. It is also known as a non-return valve or NRV. The pressure of the fluid passing through a pipeline opens the valve, while any reversal of flow will close the valve. It allows full unobstructed flow and automatically shuts as pressure decreases. The exact operation will vary depending on the mechanism of valve. Its not used to check the water flow in pipes, in all directions.