How to repair a leaking Hayward backwash valve

WRITTEN BY: 

  3.19 out of 5 stars on 53 ratings
(Click on a star to add your rating)

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.

Step by Step

Top

Step 1

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

Click Here to View Hayward Multiport Valve Part Diagrams

Click Here to View All Multiport Valve Part Diagrams 


Step 2

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.

Click Here to View our Spider Gasket EZ Find Chart

Step 3

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.

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.

Click Here to View Hayward's SP714T Valve Parts

Step 5

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

Click Here to View Hayward Multiport Valve Part Diagrams

Click Here to View All Multiport Valve Part Diagrams


Step 6

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. Email us at upload@inyopools.com

Comments

Top
(201 to 232 of 232)

Anonymous  Posted: 6/11/2017 

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.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 6/9/2017 

Fred - Sorry, I can't find Spo714g11 in our system or the internet. What filter is it mounted on?
 Reply

 Posted: 6/8/2017 

My part number is Spo714g11?
 Reply

 Posted: 6/5/2017 

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?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 6/4/2017 

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.
 Reply

 Posted: 6/1/2017 

I have a hayward sp71. Which gasket do i need.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 6/1/2017 

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.
 Reply

 Posted: 5/30/2017 

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

 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/5/2017 

SP714A is the part number for just the valve body. SP714T is the part number for the entire valve.
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 5/2/2017 

I have a SP714-A. It is stamped on the body molding of the unit.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/2/2017 

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.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/1/2017 

Lisa - The spider gasket for your SP740DE multiport valve is SPX740D.
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 4/30/2017 

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.
 Reply

 Posted: 4/27/2017 

I have model #SP740DE,what should I use?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 2/27/2017 

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.
 Reply

 Posted: 2/25/2017 

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.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 12/28/2016 

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.
 Reply

 Posted: 12/26/2016 

I have a leak in my Hayward flush valve. It started with the valve being difficult to turn. Recently, I discovered ball bearings in pump filter basket which I have no idea where they originated. The pump seams to be operating fine. The real clue to back flush leak was when the pool level dropped. Where should I start first? Is it repairable or should the whole valve be replaced?
I can't find a model number on the body or handle. On the label, very deteriorated, only thing I recognize is the 50 PSI and the 75 GPM flow.

 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 8/12/2016 

710 flovalve - It sounds like the spider gasket in your flovalve is damaged. See our guide on "How to Replace a Spider Gasket on a Multiport Valve" to see how to inspect and possibly replace your spider gasket.
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 8/10/2016 

I have a hayward flovalve the # on the top is 710. It's leaking while it is in the filter mode
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 6/24/2016 

Leaky MPV - If you are holding down the handle to backwash, you are allowing waste water to go out the return port as well as the waste port. This also might have damaged the spider gasket. See our guide on "How to Replace a Spider Gasket on a Multiport Valve" to see how to inspect the gasket and replace it, if required.
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 6/22/2016 

I replaced the entire valve however water still dripping and cannot get it to backwash without holding down the handle. Any suggestions?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 9/10/2015 

chefd55 - It sounds like someone has over tightened the screws and damaged the lower valve body like you described. You might check to see if the o-ring between the valve cover and the valve body is there and not damaged. Like #6 in this list of valve parts. Note: this may not be your valve. If the o-ring is good you will probably have to buy a whole new valve. Replacing just the valve body will cost you more than buying the whole valve. To replace the valve you will have to cut out the current valve and glue in a new valve. Not a hard job but may be tricky the first time.
 Reply

 Posted: 9/2/2015 

The leak seems to be coming from where the bolts are connected through the holes. Small cracks around and under the edge of the plastic body (casing?)where the valve is connected with the bolts.
I've tried things like epoxy, pvc cement. Was gonna try liquid nails?

Do I need to buy a body, or housing, or casing whatever it's called? How difficult is it to change this whatever it's called, or do I have to call a plumber? It doesn't look that difficult.

Thank you

 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/21/2015 

cindi - Here's the label plate for your sp-0711A13 side valve.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/21/2015 

cyndi - This should be the spider gasket for your sp-0711A13 side valve. Check the number of spokes and other dimensions to be sure.
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 5/19/2015 

Can I buy a new label for this also?
 Reply

 Posted: 5/19/2015 

Label is gone found a sp-0711A13 on the side. Can I replace the spider gasket on this? Leaking from back was.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 3/10/2015 

Dave Thompson - If your pump is over 10 years old, you might consider replacing it, but most people just replace the motor. If you're comfortable with fixing things, you shouldn't have any trouble replacing a motor. See our guide on "How To Replace the Motor on Your Pool Pump" for step by step instructions on replacing a typical pump motor.
 Reply

 Posted: 3/9/2015 

My swimming pool pump has been acting strange lately. Should I look into getting it replaced, or do you think it is a problem I might be able to fix on my own? I am pretty good at fixing things on my own, so I feel confident I could do a pretty good job. http://www.globalrewinds.com.au
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 7/21/2014 

ataylor - I suggest calling Hayward on this one at 866-772-2100. I am not familiar with this problem.
 Reply

 Posted: 7/21/2014 

I purchased the replacement Key/Seal Assembly (Diffuser w/ gasket glued in) (spx0714ca) However, the old diffuser had a gasket on the top of the piece as well as the glued in gasket on the bottom. I removed the top gasket from the old diffuser which appears identical to the gasket slots in the new diffuser except that there is an inside the gasket ring a perimeter wall which precludes the installation of the old gasket. What now?
 Reply