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: 9/2/2020
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
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
InyoPools Product Specialist Robert M. Posted: 10/10/2019
We'd recommend replacing the Key, Cover, and Handle Assembly (part# 4703-20). That should correct your problems.Reply
DONALD RITCHEY Posted: 9/2/2019
I have the Hayward S244T filter with SP0714T diverter. I am using ZEO sand media. After every backwash, whether I use a rinse cycle or not, I get a lot of ZEO in my pool.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Robert M. Posted: 9/4/2019
The issue is usually a cracked lateral, standpipe, or a bad spider gasket. It's also possible that the Zeo is breaking down and need to be replaced.Reply
Janine Posted: 8/5/2019
Hello, my model number says SP0704TX but I can find gasket that references that model #... Can you help!Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 8/7/2019
This is the page for the Hayward Multiport 4 Position 1 1/2" Vari-Flo Model SP704 Parts Diagram.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 7/27/2019
my model hayward model number is faded out. my owners manual states models s220t, s220t2, s244t and s244t2.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 7/30/2019
Did you have a specific question about the filter or a part of the filter?Reply
SPO714B Posted: 7/18/2019
My valve says SP0714B. I can’t find this specific model number. Any suggestions?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 7/19/2019
That is a part number for one of the pieces of the valve, but there is only one model of SP714T. If your valve has a part or model number with the 714, the whole valve replacement is the SP714T.Reply
Caleb Posted: 7/18/2019
I have a SP0714T so I ordered a replacement diverter. In the meantime, I've put a PVC cap on the backwash pipe to stop the leaking water. However, my koi pond is still dropping ... any idea what might be going on?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 7/18/2019
If it is still dropping after plugging the backwash line then it sounds like you have a leak elsewhere. Check your plumbing lines and equipment for water leaks.Reply
Robert knott Posted: 7/8/2019
My Hayward backwash valve is leaking. My model valve number is SP722-A please instruct me on how to correct this leakReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 7/9/2019
A Hayward SP722 is not a backwash valve, it is ball valve. Where is the leaking come from?Reply