Spider valve trouble

[Scarecrow]

Needed to drain half my pool to get CYA number by refilling. Spider valve is stuck in waste mode. When back flushing it moves relatively easy but now l’m afraid I’m going to brake something.

 

[Texas Splash]

Hey Baytown! You still stuck down there? Did you manage to get that valve moving again? Is it a Pentair filter?

 

[Scarecrow]

Not yet. Yes Pentair

 

[zea3]

Is the handle not wanting to depress to move the valve, or does the valve just feel stuck even with the handle depressed? You can open up the top of the multiport valve and check the spider gasket, if it is worn it will need replacing. If the handle is stuck then you may need to take it apart to repair it. Pentair has links to PDFs that show blow up diagrams of the valve assembly. Look at the Hi-Flo backwash valve installation guide. Pool and Spa Product Manuals and Specs - Support - Pentair

 

[Scarecrow]

Zeta thanks so much. So far I’ve taken top half off. Has a good amount of shards from the coping work. Pool is only about 11/2 yo. Gasket looks ok for now maybe slightly rough where the really fine pieces have ground on it. I think I have rinsed all out top half. I don’t think I want wrestle the spring in the top half. Thanks for the help, Brad

 

[Scarecrow]

Oops I meant Zea

 

[zea3]

Hopefully it was just the debris. Did cleaning it help?

 

[Scarecrow]

Don’t know yet. I’ve got to get some silicone lube first. I do need to lubricate the moving surfaces right? I also noticed some wear on the fingers in center section of bottom half. Wish I knew how to get picture off phone and post it here.

 

[Texas Splash]

You do want to lube the gasket and any O-ring, but not get too sloppy. Also check as best as you can the spring under the handle to ensure nothing broke or snapped free.

 

[Scarecrow]

Alright folks, spider valve is clean lubed back in service circulating. Thanks for all the information.

 

[Texas Splash]

So what do you think it was? Just a fluke, needed lube, or something else?

 

[Scarecrow]

No doubt the issue was shards of the stone used for coping the pool.