I have a substantial suction side leak with my pool, to add to her plumbing woes!! I started with cleaning the cartridges and replacing & lubing the filter gasket and the pump lid gasket with virtually no change. I noticed the loud racket the equipment made when I shut it down for the night as the water returned to the pool. (FYI My pump station sits 8-10' above my pool)This morning I opened up the check valve(vertically installed) and noticed right away that no tape had been used on the threads on either end and the bottom threads were filled with mud through and through to the last thread on both parts of the union. When I got it out I saw #1 a small rock, large enough to prevent a good seal, but I also noticed tiny pebbles wedged into the hinge side of the flap assembly against the wall of the clear valve, along with 2 big holes in the gasket which was slimy and falling apart. Obviously, this is a major player in the game I have been playing. I am having trouble uploading any current pics or I would ask if the wear and tear on this valve appears normal for a part that is less than 1 year old. I am considering installing the new FloVis FloMeter/Check valve in its place and I want to know if it should be installed after the turn to the pump sideways or vertically like the old one was and if it would make a difference in my particular situation?