How to Replace a Multiport Gasket: Spider gasket replacement on a multiport valve: Backwash leaking

How to Replace a Spider Gasket or Multiport Gasket on a Pool filter multiport valve. Full removal and installation of Spider gasket in a Pentair or Hayward pool sand filter multiport valve. Multiport gasket fixes the water leaking out the pools backwash line and poor filtration.

[@stevenc485]

I congratulate you on having the patience to remove the gasket. Mine was factory glued with some unholy cement and nothing I tried would release it. I gave up and ordered a new valve. It was less of a pain to install.

[@Poolelementary]

Thanks and yes I do lose my patience also with most of the really stuck gaskets! Lol

[@x2malandy]

Some videos show someone just lifting the old one out. I'm with you. I stood over that pump for 2 hours with scraping tools & knives that I had. Then started making special tools with my grinder out of files to pull and cut ect. My left knee went bad and has never healed. In the end, that deformed washer that I found on the sand was part of the pressure to seal it off. New gasket did not work so I bought the washer, spring, O-rings kit from Amazon. With the added pressure, it sealed off not to leak a drop.

[@mitchellunruh754]

@@x2malandyI concur with this. Scrapping this old gasket out was one of my worst experiences as a pool owner. Rotten 6-7 hours scrapping that old one out.

[@x2malandy]

@@mitchellunruh754 I just had my left knee operated on and replaced the joint. I am in some pain but I know when it started was when I was standing by that pump. I'm 74 and things are starting to wear out on me. Ha

[@hollybeaudry1713]

Looks like I'm gonna give it a try! great video!

[@ericloebsack8310]

like the comments below the gasket can be put upside down so my best guess from looking at two videos the flat part of the gasket goes down and the side with the center ridges goes up it would help this video to mention which way the gasket goes

[@aseasonoftomatoes1572]

I can add that if your gasket has not been replaced more recently, you could or probably will have the mess I had. Every bit of the gasket had to be gouged out with screwdrivers, blades and what all else. A Dremel tool will help. Prepare for a three hour bitch session if you decide to do it. I would pay somebody rather than do it myself.

[@mitchellunruh754]

I second this. Essentially the new #1 worst DIY project I have ever inflicted upon myself. Previous gasket super glued in place. Replacement gasket very very slightly too small. Would have rather replaced the whole multiport.

[@ronfoskett6247]

One of the sidewall spider notches has cracked where the gasket sits inside. Not sure if need to replace the whole assembly? Not sure if cracked when previously removing gasket.

[@Poolelementary]

As a pool professional I would have to replace the whole assembly but if it's just a hair line crack I have had customers say they used some jb weld or epoxy from the auto parts store on the outside of the crack and it worked for them! The gasket also should seal from the two sides that are not cracked also. You might give it a try and save 180 bucks!

[@ronfoskett6247]

@@Poolelementary ok, thanks for the advice

[@briansea3157]

Same situation.. Pentair valve, and glued everywhere. Would it be safe to use a solvent to remove the old sealant?

[@Poolelementary]

It should be safe to use a solvent just test the solvent on a safe place on the outside of the multiport valve to make sure it doesn't melt or eat away at the plastic.

[@x2malandy]

I think it would take a blow torch solvent to get it out of there.

[@brandonwundrow1885]

I would have talked about how the gasket should be put in. It has a grove on one side and is flat on the other. A lot of people put it in upside down.

[@robertodiaz6925]

What is the correct way?

[@Poolelementary]

Flat square side of gasket goes down which makes it fit tight in the channels of the multi port valve and side with bead goes up to help seal against the diverter connected to the handle

[@aimalghaffar910]

Hello I tried replaced my gasket but the walls surrounding the gasket some of them cracked because the old gasket was in there really bad I had to use a flat head screw driver to remove the old one but it cracked the side and the water is still coming out of my backwash line

[@tikicat147]

does the filter handle always face the filter? ?

[@enriquewilliamsteeny]

So did you drain the pool below the skimmer?

[@Poolelementary]

Hello Enrique, this valve was higher than the water level of the pool so there was no need to drain pool. Also if it had been below the water level of pool with no other valves to stop the water flow I would have used some winterizing or marine plugs to stop the water flow from the skimmer and even the return jets if it were an above ground pool.

[@rayh7264]

Is it normal for the handle to be that loose before starting up again?

[@Poolelementary]

Yes as they age the spring in the handle will get more loose and most of the time it's still enough to seat it up to the new gasket. If not it's cheaper to get a rebuild kit for than replacing the whole top assembly with handle.

[@rayh7264]

@@Poolelementary I changed the spider gasket but the handle feels more loose than before. I’m letting it sit overnight and turn on in the morning and see how it goes.

[@Poolelementary]

Hopefully it works for you because rebuilding the handle assembly isn't the funnest thing to do.

[@25lipsey]

Just paid warranty company 75$ to do mine....should have done it myself....smh

[@Poolelementary]

Ya they normally only take 20 minutes to change. The one in this video was one of the worst ones I've had getting the old gasket out! Do it yourself next time and save that $$

[@fahad2010stc]

From Where we can get the gasket and how much does it cost

[@Poolelementary]

@@fahad2010stc amazon.com for ten to twenty dollars u.s. just type in multiport gaskets in the search bar or the gasket part number you need the one we used in the video SPX0710xd only fits the 1.5 inch plumbing side mount sand filter multiport valves so if yours is not the exact same as the one in the video you might need some more specifications to get the proper one. when you search the amazon.com website they do have pictures and size details to help out hope this was helpful there just is so many different gaskets sizes out there you could also try the numbers on top of the multiport valve followed by gasket on the internet to maybe help find the right one

[@fahad2010stc]

@@Poolelementary thanks for fast feedback 👍

[@jaycolapinto950]

What type of gasket sealant did you use?

[@Poolelementary]

I just buy a descent automotive grade gasket sealant

[@jayellis6142]

I changed the gasket it’s sealed nice and tight but I’m still getting a leak from the back wash line 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@Poolelementary]

Try working the multiport valve up and down a bit because if the gasket is correct the only thing left would be the spring not compressing down onto the new gasket properly.

[@jayellis6142]

@@Poolelementary thanks we got it it was a bad spring I ordered off Amazon 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@jayellis6142]

@@Poolelementary I tried my old spring and bam magic it worked

[@Poolelementary]

Great news sounds like pools up and running !👍

[@beaud3035]

Does the water level have to be below the return port before taking the top off of the sand filter? Will it leak if you just try and remove the cap?

[@AV84USA]

8:46 said everyone before it leaked…

[@moisesaguilar3968]

So the flat side gos down?

[@Poolelementary]

Yes the flat side goes down to fit perfectly in the channels of the valve. Sorry I wasn't clear on this step and thanks for watching Moises Aguilar!