A check valve includes a valve seat and a compliant member that moves to seal the check valve by contacting the valve seat. A method for priming a chromatography solvent pump includes providing the check valve in fluid communication with an outlet of the pump, drawing fluid into the pump from a fluid source, and expelling the fluid from the pump through the valve, thus wetting the check valve. Another method for priming a chromatography solvent pump includes providing the check valve in fluid communication with an inlet of the pump, drawing fluid through the valve into the pump, and expelling the fluid from the pump.