multivalve hard to turn

[CarlD]

Hi,

We had a guy out to open the pool this year that said our multivalve was going to need to be replaced. It has gotten difficult to turn and is making a funny noise like plastic on rubber when I turn it.

I no longer trust our pool company...they seem to have lost all their good people. Is he correct that it will soon need to be replaced? Is there any maintenance I can perform?


thanks,
vp

Depending on the brand, it may be as simple as lubing the inner works gasket, called a "spider" because it looks like a spider's web. I had a similar problem a few years ago, split the unit, lubed the spider and VOILA!, just like new. It's the same lube you use on the o-rings for your connectors (if you use them). Every pool store sells it--silicone lube.

The next level is to replace the spider--it is, after all, a rubber gasket like a big O-ring with spokes. Again, you lube it.

I find it hard to believe that any multivalve manufacturer does not make it serviceable. Who would buy it more than once when you can get a Hayward or something else which is rebuildable until the structure cracks!