One of the most common problems pool owners run across when maintaining and serving their swimming pool is a leaking backwash valve. The backwash valve is the valve which is mounted on either the top or side of your filter tank and are specifically used clean sand filters or DE filters. One of the most popular filter manufactures in the world is Hayward Pool Products who also makes quite a few backwash valves. Based on the Hayward valve you have the fix varies slightly. This guide will help you determine which Hayward valve you have and then determine the proper fix for your situation.
The first step you will take when determining how to fix your valve will be to obtain the model # of your valve. Typically this is located on the label on the top of the valve, normally there is a box named model no. and the valve # will be located in this box. The majority of Hayward valve part #’s start with this prefix SP7
If you are having trouble finding the valve # on the label then you may be able to find a SP or SPX part # molded into the plastic of the body of the valve or the handle. Feel free to post a comment at the bottom of this guide with as much information about your filter as possible and we should be able to help identify your valve. Helpful information for us would be any part #’s off of the valve, the filter manufacture name, the filter model name, filter model #, filter square footage, number of positions the valve can be set to, plumbing size going into the valve and filter type (i.e. sand filter or D.E filter). Any or all of this information will help out a lot.
If you have one of the following Hayward valves which is leaking then the appropriate fix would be to replace the spider gasket within the valve. Here is a detailed guide on How to Replace a spider gasket, this guide will walk you through all the steps needed to fix your backwash valve.
The following 1.5" Hayward valves can be fixed by simply replacing the spider gasket. The appropriate spider gasket for the valves below is the SPX0710XD.
SP711-13, SP710XALL, SP7122, SP7121, SPX0710X32, SP0710X62, SP0710XR50
The following 2" Hayward valves can be fixed by simply replacing the spider gasket. The appropriate spider gasket for the valves below is the SPX0715XD with the exception of the SP0740DE which uses the SPX0740D spider gasket.
SP715ALL, SPX715X32, SP0715X62, SP0715XR50, SP071621, SP071620T, SP0740DE
If you have any of the model #'s above then purchase the SPX0710XD or SPX0715XD spider gasket and move on to our How to Replace a spider gasket guide for easy step by step instructions on replacing the gasket.
If you have the SP0714T valve or any other model #'s then move on to step # 4 of this guide.
The most common Hayward backwash valve is the SP0714T valve which is used on many of the Hayward top mount sand filters. If you have the SP0714T valve then the spider gasket cannot be replaced as it comes glued into the diverter on the valve. The appropriate fix for a leaking SP0714T valve would be to replace the diverter (part # SPX0714CA) which comes with the spider gasket glued into it. This is an easy enough fix, you would just need to remove the cover and handle assembly from the current valve and and swap out with the new diverter.
The last style of Hayward valve is called a slide valve or plunger valve. The two most common model #'s for this valve are the SP0410X602S and the SP0410X502S. If you have either of these model #'s then the appropriate fix would be replace the gaskets within the valve using the following valve tune up kit There are also a few other fixes the Hayward Slide valve which have detailed in the guides below:
How to maintain a Hayward slide valve
How to replace a Hayward slide valve handle & piston assembly
How to replace a Hayward slide valve O-ring
If you are still having trouble determining the fix for your Hayward backwash valve then please comment below with the information indicated in step #2 and we will let you know the appropriate fix. Also feel free to call us toll free at 1-877-372-6038 or connect with us on Live Chat with any questions.
Inyopools Posted: 09/03/2017 12:53 PM Inyo Product Specialist
Mike S. - I'm not sure what your question is. Are you asking if the leak can be fixed by replacing the top Key Cover and Handle Assembly or if you have to replace the whole MPV? Let me start by saying there are three major replacement parts for the common Hayward MPVs: the whole Multiport Valve (MPV) itself; the Key, Cover, and Handle Assembly (KCHA) and the Key Assembly (KA) itself. The KCHA is the upper half of the MPV and the KA is the lower half of the KCHA. Most repairs are fixed by replacing only the KA. In your question, you mix replacement parts between the SP0714T MPV and the SP0710 MPV. For the SP0714T MPV, the KCHA is SPX0714BA and its KA is SPX0714CA. For the SP0710 MPV, the KCHA is SPX0710BA17 and the KA is SPX0710XD. If you are asking how to tell the difference between a SP0714T MPV and a SP0710 MPV, the gasket on the SP0714T MPV has 4 spokes and the gasket on the SP0710 MPV has 5 spokes. Also, in your question, you say water is being pushed to purge (the waste port) when in filter mode. If you still have water returning to the return ports and you also have water leaking out the waste port, you probably have a damaged spider gasket that you will have to replace. If you only have water pouring out the waste port and you recently replaced your KA, the KA may be installed 180 degrees wrong. See Step 14 of our guide on “How To Replace a Pool Multiport Valve Spring”.
Mike S Posted: 08/29/2017 11:15 AM
When valve is set to filter I'm getting water pushed to purge. Losing water and I'm curious if this is the multiport sp-714t or the Hayward SPX0710XBA17 Key Cover and Handle Assembly Replacement for Hayward Multiport Valves. How would you tell?
Inyopools Posted: 08/28/2017 13:01 PM Inyo Product Specialist
k - Here is the link to the SP0714g11 replacement O-rings.
k Posted: 08/27/2017 10:50 AM
I am looking for replacement o rings for the hayward vari-flo xl valve sp0714g11. I am not finding anything that matches that. If you could advise that would be great thanks
Inyopools Posted: 07/24/2017 12:58 PM Inyo Product Specialist
David - Don't have part # sp0714g11m in our system. The internet has it but it seems to be the whole valve. The manf code for an SP0714T key assembly is SPX0714CA.
David Posted: 07/22/2017 11:48 AM
Just replaced my key assembly on a hayward variflo valve. filter will not backwash at all and there is a slow leak from the backwash hose when the valve is in the filter position. Part# sp0714tx. my pool store sold me replacment part# sp0714g11m. said part would work...? Could this be my problem or am I missing something? Thanks
Inyopools Posted: 07/03/2017 11:13 AM Inyo Product Specialist
DGV - Ignore the end numbers/letters. Your MPV is an SP715.
DGV Posted: 07/01/2017 17:12 PM
I have a Hayward Multiport Valve but not sure of the model number as the mark at the top have faded. There is however a number on the body which read SP-715-A 4. Can you tell me what model it is?
Inyopools Posted: 06/27/2017 16:06 PM Inyo Product Specialist
DV - There are two O-rings on the shaft of the key assembly. Doesn't look like they are provided with the new key assembly. Might transfer them from the old one.
DV Posted: 06/27/2017 12:08 PM
I rebuilt the inside of my hayward valve & replaced the spider gasket. Water is leaking up through the handle. Any suggestions?
Inyopools Posted: 06/27/2017 11:09 AM Inyo Product Specialist
Anonymous (leaking MPV) - If the "Waste" port is not sealed when you are in "Filter" mode, you could be dumping a lot of water depending on the rip in the MPV spider gasket. Take a look at the spider gasket and replace it if necessary. See our guide on "How to Replace a Spider Gasket on a Multiport Valve".
Anonymous Posted: 06/26/2017 9:27 AM
in ground pool was fine this season for 2 days after opening..til I backwashed!!! would the backwash valve leak enough to lower my water considerably in my pool?
Inyopools Posted: 06/22/2017 11:48 AM Inyo Product Specialist
Jim - Here is the link to your SS240 Jacuzzi filter, Splash Pak - 16, 18.5, & 24" Sand Filters. Yours is the 24" diameter model. It originally used the DVK7 Multiport Valve (MPV) but may have been converted over to the more common SP0714T MPV. You MPV should match one of these.
Jim Posted: 06/20/2017 19:58 PM
My waste port is leaking but I could not determine my valve model # in order to know which spider gasket I need. the filter manufacture name-Jacuzzi, the filter model name-FloPro, filter model #SS240, filter square footage-3.1, number of positions the valve can be set to-6, plumbing size going into the valve-1 1/2"and filter type-sand filter
Inyopools Posted: 06/19/2017 11:38 AM Inyo Product Specialist
Sherry - SP0714C and SP0714T are the same MPV. If you need to replace the spider gasket, you will need to buy the whole Key/seal Assembly (Diffuser w/ Gasket Glued In) (spx0714ca).
Sherry Posted: 06/17/2017 18:42 PM
Hayward vari-flo XL valve part number unreadable. Molded plastic # is SP0714C.
I can't seem to find a "C" model. Can you tell me what model replacement valve is a suitable substitute for mine?
Sherry Posted: 06/17/2017 17:42 PM
Water leaking from backwash hose. Label faded so cannot read part number or serial number.
Label says Hayward vari-flow XL valve
Rated for 75 GPM/284 LPM
Pressure 50 PSI/3.5 BAR
Inyopools Posted: 06/13/2017 19:34 PM Inyo Product Specialist
Anonymous (SP0714T1) - The consensus is that SP0714T1 and SP0714T are the same MPV and it uses the Key/seal Assembly (Diffuser w/ Gasket Glued In) (spx0714ca).
Inyopools Posted: 06/13/2017 18:12 PM Inyo Product Specialist
Anonymous (faded MPV label) - Please give one of your service reps a call at 877-372-6038. They will make arrangements for you to send in pictures of your MPV.
Anonymous Posted: 06/12/2017 20:49 PM
Have a hayward sp0714t1 and my waste port is leaking when I have it on filtration. Is part # spx0714ca the correct part to fix this problem?
Inyopools Posted: 06/12/2017 18:10 PM Inyo Product Specialist
Anonymous (new MPV) - Since this is a new MPV, I would tend to look elsewhere. If you think you have 1/2 the water flow then you used to, see our guide on "How to Correct Low Water Pressure in Your Pool System". Look at Step 6 first, Clogged Impeller. It is a common source of low water pressure.
Anonymous Posted: 06/12/2017 13:49 PM
My model number of my valve is faded from sun anyway to find out the model number or post a picture of it?
Anonymous Posted: 06/11/2017 10:37 AM
I have a Hayward vari-flow Xl valve , couldn't replace the gadgets because the spider one is glued on so I bought a while new valve, but noticed my backwash is like 1/2 of what it use to put out of water. Don't know what to do next please advise. Thank You.
Anonymous Posted: 06/11/2017 10:28 AM
I have replaced the whole valve with a new one so .ca my old one I couldn't replace the o ring and the other gadget. But I noticed my back wash is not coming out like it use to about half as much water comes out.
Inyopools Posted: 06/09/2017 22:24 PM Inyo Product Specialist
Fred - Sorry, I can't find Spo714g11 in our system or the internet. What filter is it mounted on?
Fred Posted: 06/08/2017 11:49 AM
My part number is Spo714g11?
ColumbiaCarl Posted: 06/05/2017 17:00 PM
My Hayward Multiport Valve also has only SP71 on the label. No additional number is available on the handle or along the valve body. Am I missing something?
Inyopools Posted: 06/04/2017 11:26 AM Inyo Product Specialist
Sean - SP71 is the first part of several Hayward MPVs. I would have to know the rest of your part number to know what gasket you need. If it is the common SP714T MPV, you would need the whole Key/Seal Assembly. The gasket is pre-glued into the assembly and is not sold separately.
Sean Posted: 06/01/2017 12:38 PM
I have a hayward sp71. Which gasket do i need.
Inyopools Posted: 06/01/2017 12:32 PM Inyo Product Specialist
Greg - If you replaced the handle/valve assembly, you replaced the spider gasket that comes with it. A damaged spider gasket is generally the culprit is water going the wrong way. Look at your new spider gasket for any new damage. If it looks good, check for cracks in the valve body.
Greg Posted: 05/30/2017 20:10 PM
I just replaced handle/valve assembly on my SP0714T1 Hayward vari-flow valve head and I have low backwash flow and when I have it on filter water still flows fron backwash/waste port.what do
I look for?
The pool,filter and pump are 11 yrs. old
Inyopools Posted: 05/05/2017 9:41 AM Inyo Product Specialist
SP714A is the part number for just the valve body. SP714T is the part number for the entire valve.
Anonymous Posted: 05/02/2017 19:35 PM
I have a SP714-A. It is stamped on the body molding of the unit.
Inyopools Posted: 05/02/2017 14:04 PM Inyo Product Specialist
Anonymous (leaking MPV) - The appropriate fix for a leaking SP0714T valve would be to replace the diverter (part # SPX0714CA) which comes with the spider gasket glued into it. This is an easy enough fix, you would just need to remove the cover and handle assembly from the current valve and swap out with the new diverter. See our guide on "How To Replace a Pool Multiport Valve Spring" for instructions on removing the diverter.
Inyopools Posted: 05/01/2017 11:36 AM Inyo Product Specialist
Lisa - The spider gasket for your SP740DE multiport valve is SPX740D.
Anonymous Posted: 04/30/2017 18:25 PM
SP714 is the part number on the multiport valve. It is leaking in the filter position and even when closed is leaking slightly. Please recommend replacement part and how I can order.
Lisa Posted: 04/27/2017 19:14 PM
I have model #SP740DE,what should I use?
Inyopools Posted: 02/27/2017 10:59 AM Inyo Product Specialist
Eric - If a gasket has to be glued in, it is only sold as a part of the key assembly like the SP714. The SP715 gasket is sold separately so does not have to be glued in. However, many people put a drop of glue at a couple of the gasket intersections to help minimize gasket movement when rotating the handle.
Eric Posted: 02/25/2017 17:14 PM
Does the spider gasket for my Hayward SP 715 require Loctite when I replace it? It seems that some spider gaskets do and others don't and it's not clear to me.
Inyopools Posted: 12/28/2016 11:05 AM Inyo Product Specialist
Ron - I'd take a look at the spider gasket inside the multiport valve to see if it has been damaged. See our guide on "How to Replace a Spider Gasket on a Multiport Valve". To find out what model MPV you have, find the model number of your filter and see what MPV is associated with the filter.