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How To Repair a Pool Spring Flapper Check Valve

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With time, the spring or flapper seal in a pool Spring Flapper Check Valve will deteriorate to the point where the Check Valve will begin to leak and water will start to flow backwards through the pipes when the pump is off. Fortunately, with most Spring Flapper Check Valve designs. you can replace the flapper mechanism without having to replace the whole Check Valve. This guide shows you how to remove and replace the Flapper Mechanism in a Pool Spring Flapper Check Valve.



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Steps

Things You'll Need

Jandy Check Valve Parts

CMP Check Valve Parts

Step by Step

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Step 1

TURN OFF PUMP - Before you open up the Check Valve, turn OFF the pump motor at the breaker box to eliminate water pressure.

Step 2

TYPES OF SPRING FLAPPER CHECK VALVES - This picture shows the two popular styles of Spring Flapper Check Valve. Both provide access to the flapper mechanism from the top of the valve. One is screwed down with 8 screws. The other is secured with a more convenient twist on Cover Nut. Although this guide is written with references to the Cover Nut version, it is also applicable for the 8-screw version.

Step 3

REMOVE COVER NUT - Twist the Cover Nut counter-clockwise and lift it off the top of the Check Valve.

Step 4

LIFT OFF COVER/FLAPPER - Lift the cover off the top of the Check Valve. You may have to pry it a little to get it started. The Flapper is attached to the bottom side of the Cover and will come out with the Cover.

Step 5

REMOVE O-RING - Turn the Cover over and remove the Cover O-ring. Replace the O-ring if it is cracked or stretched.

Step 6

IDENTIFY MFG OF CHECK VALVE - At this point you will have to determine what parts are available to repair your Flapper mechanism. For example, Jandy only sells the Flapper assembly integrated with the Cover, where CMP will sell just the Flapper Assembly without having to buy a Cover with it. Check your manufacturer to see what parts are available for your Check Valve. If you have to buy the Flapper Assembly attached to the Cover, skip to Step 14.

Step 7

REMOVE SPRING SHAFT - To remove the Flapper Assembly from the old Valve Cover, first remove the Spring Shaft as shown.

Step 8

DETACH FLAPPER - Lift the spring off of the center post on the Flapper to separate the Flapper from the spring.

Step 9

REMOVE SPRING - Pull the ends of the Spring out of the holes in the Cover. You are now ready to attach the new Flapper Assembly on toi the Cover.

Step 10

INSERT NEW SPRING ENDS - Insert the ends of the new spring into the holes provided in the Cover.

Step 11

POSITION NEW FLAPPER - Place the coiled ends of the Spring inside the Flapper arms and line up the Flapper and Spring with the Cover posts. Flip the looped end of the Spring over the center post of the Flapper. Note: the Flapper Seal should be facing down - not visible in this picture.

Step 12

INSERT SPRING SHAFT - Slide the Spring Shaft through the Cover posts and Flapper/Spring. You may have to jiggle it a little to line it up with al the parts.

Step 13

REPLACE O-RING - Place the O-ring on the rim of the Cover. Lubricate O-ring.

Step 14

REPLACE COVER/FLAPPER - Fold the Flapper down and replace it and the cover into the top of the valve. Make sure the flow arrow is going in the correct direction. Make sure the O-ring is set properly and that the slots on the cover line up with the tabs on the valve body.

Step 15

REPLACE COVER NUT - While holding the cover in place, screw the Cover Nut onto the top of the valve clockwise.

Step 16

MORE INFORMATION - For more information on Check Valves see our guide on "How To Select a Pool Check Valve - Overview".

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(1 to 18 of 18)

 Posted: 1/23/2022 

I am in the process of using the OE repair kit to fix my Waterway check valve. I do not see the two small holes that I am supposed to insert the ends of the new spring. The new lid that came with the kit does not appear to have holes. There are however two small the notches in the new lid. When I operate the new lid by hand, the two ends of the spring seem to settle into these notches. The new shaft that came in the kit seems to hold everything together. Can this be correct?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 1/24/2022 

There's likely been a redesign of the mechanism since the guide was written. So the notches will take the place of the holes in the new kit model.
 Reply

 Posted: 1/24/2022 

Thanks. I'll give it a try.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 1/24/2022 

Please let us know how it works out. Good luck!
 Reply

 Posted: 1/23/2021 

Hello, I have the 8 screw valve. I replaced the cover, however, I am worried I might have the flapper on the wrong side of the water flow. Can you tell me, would the water flow be going into, or coming out of, the ground? I am not sure if the directions mean the flow from they pump, or from the pool. (The old one popped out before I could be sure of it's direction. However, I believe it was incorrectly in, as well). Thanks
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 1/25/2021 

Follow the water path as it goes from your pool through the pump/filter and their plumbing. If you follow the flow, you should be able to figure out how to orient the flapper.
 Reply

 Posted: 9/13/2020 

What does CMP stand for?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 9/23/2020 

CMP is short for Custom molded Products.
 Reply

 Posted: 9/10/2018 

Hello Dale - If you have a salt water pool or the pH was low, the metals in your spring valve will corrode. We recommend a sacrificial zinc anode if you have salt water and maintaining a pH level of 7.4-7.6.
 Reply

 Posted: 9/9/2018 

I found my spring broken / severely corroded. Also the pin is pitted. This is the original Jandy equipment. What would cause that type of corrosion? I would assume these materials are designed just for pool service.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 9/17/2017 

Matt - The stripped screw might cause a leak but shouldn't affect the operation of the spring loaded flapper. Sounds like a seal problem. When the pump is off, do you see the flapper swing down to close the valve? Try reinstalling the flapper. Check that there is enough spring pressure on the flapper when it is folded down 90 degrees. Also, check that the arrow on top of the cover is pointing in the direction of the water flow when installed.
 Reply

 Posted: 9/14/2017 

I have the check valve with the 8 screws and recently replaced the flapper and cover. However I am still having the same bad seal and water flowing back when the valve should be closed.
One of the screws is stripped. Could the stripped screw be the cause of this? Or maybe the flapper is not seated correctly?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 7/8/2016 

John Z - We no longer carry Praher check valve or parts. Generally speaking, parts are not interchangeable across different manufacturers.
 Reply

 Posted: 7/5/2016 

Anyone know if I can use Jandy flapper (or flapper and cover) on a Praher check valve?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 9/16/2015 

Stan - Unfortunately, the parts we list are the only parts available to us. You might have better luck on the internet.
 Reply

 Posted: 9/15/2015 

The only part on the Jandy flapper is the double O-ring seal that deforms over time. Why isn't just that O-ring seal available instead of having to replace the whole assembly? Or, just the flapper with a new seal?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 11/14/2014 

tom - See "Things you’ll need" at the top of this guide for parts. Generally you will not be able to buy just the spring but will have to buy the whole flapper assembly. You may be able to find just the spring on the internet.
 Reply

 Posted: 11/11/2014 

Where do i buy the spring
 Reply