Any swimming pool equipment repair experts here?

[Hugh R]

I have a pool/spa combination. Once or twice a year when I turn the valves from pool to spa, the 2" pentair diverter valves strip at the top internally where the metal square tab inserts into the top of the plastic diverter valve. See this picture the metal tabs goes in the square recess in the bottom right of the picture. I replace it and use silicone grease on the silicone gaskets. Not hard to replace 4 screws on the top of the valve and pull it out.

Is it normal to strip out once or twice a year? Should I not be using silicone grease on the off white gaskets in the picture. Yeah, I exercise them by switching from pool to spa once or twice a month. Seems to do it more in the cold weather, but silicone grease is pretty temperature resistant.

Thoughts

[Rick Lee]

Mine has been replaced once in six yrs and always feels notchy and sticky when I turn it. I think I used Sly-Glide on it and it's been fine for the last four yrs.

[Hugh R]

Thx, I'll try that.

[flyenby]

I have rebuilt mine once in 30 years..I believe it is called an Ortega Valve

[phillipboyer]

I had some sort of issue with my swimming pool and the spa hot tub combination where one of the part had to be changed. I was worrying if it would a lot but then I had called up Ferrari pools, a custom swimming pool repair professional from Boston who could really help me out and seriously they don't charge the 'cut the throat' way
You can try talking to them about your issues, most probably they can help you out.

[Cajundaddy]

Yep, Ortega valve and Magic Lube II silicone lube is rated for those valves. Some other automotive silicone is not compatible.

A few common reasons for these valve seals to swell and bind:

1. Salt chlorinator system installed, attacking the seals.
2. Very high chlorine levels or an in-line chlorinator without isolation check valves installed.
3. Very low pH water
4. heavy use of algaecides.
5. Old heater with boiling water backing out after shut down and deforming the valve bodies.

There are other possible reasons but these are very common. Is the valve body brass or noryl (grey plastic).

[Eric Coffey]

Those are fairly outdated valves. I am surprised you can even get parts for them these days. You might consider just replacing the whole assemble with a newer-style Pentair/Jandy (no messy lube/grease needed).

[flyenby]

If you need parts...Try Pool water products