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.
Steven G Posted: 9/29/2020
Just wanted to add a closing comment: to this: after a few days of letting the pump filter as normal while i debated on what to do, the leak stopped on its own. ??Reply
Steven G Posted: 9/2/2020
I have the top mount Hayward SP type diverter. Water was leaking from my backwash tube while the pump was running. I replaced the diverter because the spider gasket was the type built in. I cleaned the entire area where the gasket would set. It’s still leaking. Please help. What do i check next? One thing i can add is a pool contractor just installed a new liner and replaced the sand. Could there be something there to cause the constant leak, i don't know.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 9/3/2020
Is your valve handle loose or jiggly? That can be a sign of a bad diverter spring. If the spring begins to fail, the diverter can lift when water pressure is applied, allowing it to divert into your waste line.Reply
Steven G Posted: 9/4/2020
I already replied to this question but don't see it after 24 hours, so ill answer you again Yes, as stated in my original post, that part is new. But, today my pool store is telling me the body of the valve itself may be warped and could cause it to still leak. Your thoughts please?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 9/10/2020
If they believe it is warped and are willing to replace it as a defective, have them replace it. It's rare to have a valve be bad out of the box, but if it is, there is no need to fiddle around. Get it replaced.Reply
Steven G Posted: 9/3/2020
Hi. No its not loose. The entire diverter valve on top is brand new, i just put it on because i was told the spider gasket or handle may be bad.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 9/8/2020
If it is brand new and leaking, then it could be a defective valve. Unless you were turning the valve handle when the pump was running, the gasket should not have failed this early.Reply
Dianna Posted: 8/17/2020
I need a top for 4.2 chlorine feeder. Any idea on part I need maybe number?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 8/20/2020
If you visit the replacement parts for 100 Inline and Offline Series, you can see the lid listed at key 1A or 1B.Reply
Robert Posted: 7/31/2020
i have a Hayward SP 710XR50 variflo valve about twenty years old. I have been noticing DE powder on the pool bottom for the last couple of years. I suspect the variflo valve gasket is worn because professional pool guys have replaced the DE grids with brand new grids and a check of the entire filter shows no problems. what part should I order?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 9/1/2020
Before you start ordering parts, you should open the valve to make sure the gasket is actually the issue. If your valve handle is loose or jiggly, you may have a bad diverter spring, which helps make the pinwheel diverter seal against the spider gasket. If you want just the spider gasket, it is part number SPX0715D; if you want the gasket kit, including the spring, you should choose APCK1034S.Reply
Danielle Jackson Posted: 7/15/2020
I am not sure what type of valve I have, it only says SP 71Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 8/25/2020
Unfortunately, all of Hayward's multiport valves begin with SP71. We can try to narrow down the choices if you can identify the model number of your filter. If we can do that, that should narrow the field to one or two possibilities.Reply
Kim Posted: 7/14/2020
We replaced the spider gasket and the backwash is still leakingReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 8/25/2020
Did you check the handle to determine if it is loose/jiggling which can be a sign of a bad diverter spring.Reply
Jim Posted: 6/24/2020
I have an SP0714G11M valve, does the SP0714T replace this?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 10/6/2020
Yes, the SP0714T is the drop-in replacement for the SP0714G11MReply
Leaking valve Posted: 6/11/2020
Anytime the filter is on in filter mode it leaks water out the waste line. Figured the spider gasket was worn so bought an entire new Hayward SP0714T VariFlo Top-Mount Multiport Valve as price was decent. After installation nothing has changed. Is the pump too strong or what's the deal?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 10/23/2020
Unless the new valve is incorrectly plumbed or defective straight out of the box, I am not sure what would be causing the problem. Your best shot or figuring out the issue is opening the new valve to check for another bad spider gasket or a weak diverter spring.Reply
Sharon Posted: 6/10/2020
Water is dripping out of one screw on top of the valve. Does this mean the spider valve has to be replacedReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 10/23/2020
A leak stemming from a screw hole in the top cover of the valve would be an issue with the cover o-ring. I suggest unscrewing the top to inspect the gasket that seals the seam between the cover. To give you an idea of where the cover o-ring is, it is listed as key 6 on this parts diagram: SP715 & SP716 SeriesReply
Jo Posted: 6/5/2020
When you replace the spider gasket which side is up, the flat side or the side with the groove? TIAReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 10/23/2020
The flat side should be in the groove, while the ridged side should be facing outwards.Reply
Erin Posted: 5/24/2020
I have a Hayward vari-flo XL leaking from my backwash I have a SP0714TC What part do I needReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 10/23/2020
The Hayward Vari-Flo XL uses the SPX0714BA - Handle for Hayward SP0714TReply
Anonymous Posted: 5/16/2020
I have a Hayward multi valve with a DE filter and it has a drip leak on filter mode coming from the circular plugged with a cap outlet. Only two year old valve... Any ideas?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 11/10/2020
The issue could be a bad diverter spring or spider gasket. What is the model number of your multiport valve? I can try to ID possible replacement parts. You can see more symptoms, their causes, and fixes on this page How To Maintain and Repair Your Multiport ValveReply
Anonymous Posted: 4/27/2020
My valve just says SP714 Is the SP0714T the same?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 10/27/2020
Yes, the SP714 is the same valve as the SP0714TReply
Mark Parshall Posted: 4/12/2020
My Hayward series vari-flo XL model # SP0714g11M is leaking at backwash out hole. What part # do I need to replace.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 4/15/2020
From step 4: 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 swap out with the new diverter.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 4/11/2020
I have a Hayward SP0714T on my koi pond and it works fine except when I put it in the Backwash position, my filter media comes out with the water. This doesn't happen in Waste or Rinse. Any ideas?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 4/15/2020
The act of backwashing your sand filter reverses the flow of water through the filter to unsettle the dirt and debris in the tank so it can be flushed out of the tank. This may cause some sand to be flushed as well, but this is completely normal.Reply
Mat Posted: 11/24/2019
Hello. I have a Hayward SP0710XR50 Vari-Flo that leaks.I took the top off and the spider gasket appears to be glued in solid. Any ideas to remove it? Right now I'm using a screwdriver and a rubber hammer (carefully) and all I'm getting are pieces. Last valve I had the gasket just popped out. Did something change? Thanks!Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Hector F. Posted: 11/25/2019
The gasket may be made from a different company or the glue used to place the gasket in the groove may have been different from before as well. Sometimes these gaskets do come apart when removed.Reply
Tammy Posted: 11/23/2019
I have a Hayward SP0714T. I know that the spider gasket is worn. It is completely smooth and worn down level with the part it is glued into so I know it needs to be replaced. I noticed this because I was losing water in my pool. When I turn the pump off I continue to lose water. A whole lot slower but still the water drops about an inch a week with pump turned off. I let the water drop to see if there was a certain level that it would stop leaking. It dropped just below the skimmer, about 1/2 inch below the skimmer opening in the side wall. I'm wondering if my problem is still just the spider gasket or once the level dropped below the skimmer opening should the water loss stop? I haven't noticed any wet spots on the other side of my pump where the water waste out. I'm going to replace the part, I think it's called a key and gasket?? But any other suggestions on what to try? With the pump on the water level drops about 6-8 inches in one week. Pump turned off maybe about 1-2 inches in a week.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Hector F. Posted: 11/25/2019
If you have an above-ground swimming pool with a standard hose connected from the pool return to the filter and the water is above the return line when the leak stops, then it would not be the valve at all. More likely be the skimmer faceplate gasket or liner damage in that area. Now, if you have an inground swimming pool, and do not have any water leaking out of the waste port, then it again is not likely to be the valve. More likely to be a leak at the skimmer itself. Could be a crack in it, in the line just below it under the deck, or maybe even erosion on the pool finish where it meets the skimmer. In the end, it really is a process of elimination and could be a number of things. Hope this gives you some things to check and try.Reply
Sal Posted: 10/18/2019
Hello my Hayward Vari-flo valve is is leaking by. I am getting water coming out of my drain line when it is in FILTER mode.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Robert M. Posted: 10/22/2019
Hello Sal - We would recommend replacing the spider gasket. What is the model number on the top your valve?Reply
Dad Posted: 10/10/2019
Hi there. I have the spo714t Hayward valve. It’s leaking from backwash, and then when pump turns on, it has to prime, as the pump is empty I’m assuming it’s the spider gasket faulty. Thanks in anticipation PaulReply