Pool Valves

Collection: Pool Valves

376 products

Pool Valves

Control water flow through your pool system with pool valves from Pentair, Praher, Waterco, Carvin, and more — multiport valves, check valves, and ball valves for every pool plumbing application. PST Pool Supplies stocks pool valves starting from $15.00.

Pool valves serve three distinct functions in pool plumbing, and this collection covers all three: Multiport valves (sand and DE filter control) are the central control valve mounted on top of or beside a sand or DE filter. A multiport valve routes water through Filter, Backwash, Rinse, Waste, Recirculate, and Closed positions with a single handle turn — eliminating the multiple shut-off valves that older plumbing designs required. Options include the Pentair Tagelus TA 100D (2\", 6-position, $371.50) for larger commercial-grade sand filters, Waterco Side Mount (2\", 6-position, $227.70) for side-mount filter configurations, Praher SM-20-3 (2\" FPT, $139.90) and Praher TM-22-PB (2\" FPT top-mount, $181.20) for various sand filter brands, and the Carvin DVK7 (1-1/2\", 7-position bolt-mount, $122.20) and Astral (1-1/2\" top-mount, $119.90) for smaller filter systems. Check valves prevent reverse flow in pool plumbing — critical in chemical feeder lines (Pentair Rainbow 322, CMP PowerClean Mini), ozone injector lines (AquaSunOzone 1/4\" barb Kynar, $15.00), and suction lines to prevent backflow when the pump shuts off. The FlowVis Flow Meter/Check Valve (Jandy/Praher Retro, 2\", $164.80) combines check valve function with a visual flow rate indicator. Ball valves (Intex 40mm union, $24.99) provide manual on/off flow isolation in specific plumbing runs.

When replacing a multiport valve, match the connection size (1-1/2\" or 2\"), the mounting style (top-mount or side-mount), and the plumbing connection type (FPT threaded, spigot, or union). Praher valves offer PacFab-compatible plumbing on select models for direct drop-in replacement in those installations. Check valve selection requires matching the pipe diameter and connection style (socket slip, spigot, barb, or union) of the existing installation.

Shop pool valves at PST Pool Supplies and find the exact valve for your filter system or plumbing configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the positions on a multiport valve and what does each one do?
A multiport valve (MPV) controls water routing through the filter system using a single rotary handle. The standard 6-position valve has these positions: (1) Filter — normal operating position. Water flows from the pump into the top of the filter tank, down through the filter media, and returns clean water to the pool. Use this position during all normal circulation and filtration. (2) Backwash — reverses flow through the filter media to flush trapped debris out through the waste line. Run until the sight glass (if present) runs clear — typically 2–3 minutes. Never turn the valve handle while the pump is running; always shut off the pump first. (3) Rinse — run for 30 seconds after backwashing to reseat the filter media and flush waste-line residue before returning to Filter. Without a Rinse cycle, backwash water can return to the pool. (4) Waste/Drain — bypasses the filter entirely and routes water directly to the waste line. Use for draining the pool, vacuuming to waste (to remove heavy debris without clogging the filter), or lowering pool water level after rain. (5) Recirculate — pumps water through the system bypassing the filter media — water circulates but is not filtered. Use when adding chemicals and wanting circulation without filtration, or when the filter media needs replacement and you must keep the pump running. (6) Closed — blocks all flow through the valve. Use only with the pump off to isolate the filter for maintenance. 7-position valves (Carvin DVK7) add a Winter/Winterize position that opens the valve ports to prevent freeze cracking during off-season storage.
How do I select the right replacement multiport valve for my sand filter?
Multiport valve replacement requires matching five key specifications: (1) Connection size — 1-1/2" or 2" pipe connections. Measure the existing plumbing at the valve connections. Most residential above-ground filter systems use 1-1/2"; most inground systems use 2". The Pentair Tagelus TA 100D, Waterco, and Praher SM-20-3 in this collection are all 2"; the Carvin DVK7 and Astral are 1-1/2". (2) Mounting style — top-mount (valve sits on top of the filter tank) or side-mount (valve attaches to the side of the tank). The Waterco and Praher SM-20-3 are side-mount; the Praher TM-22-PB and Astral are top-mount. (3) Plumbing pattern — the port spacing and orientation must match your existing plumbing connections. Praher offers a PacFab-compatible plumbing model (SM2-PP2) for direct replacement in PacFab/Pentair side-mount installations. (4) Number of positions — 6-position (standard) or 7-position (adds Winterize). (5) Filter brand compatibility — some valves are designed as OEM replacements for specific filter brands (Pentair Tagelus TA 100D is the OEM valve for Tagelus filters). When in doubt, measure the valve port pattern on the filter tank head and compare to the replacement valve's port diagram. A mismatched port pattern requires plumbing modification.
Where are check valves used in pool plumbing and why are they necessary?
Check valves allow flow in one direction only — they are essential in several specific locations in pool plumbing: (1) Chemical feeder lines — automatic chlorine feeders (Pentair Rainbow 322, CMP PowerClean Mini) inject chemicals into the return line downstream of the equipment. A check valve in the feeder inlet prevents pool water from siphoning back into the chemical canister when the pump shuts off, which would dissolve chlorine tablets and flood the feeder. The Pentair Rainbow 322 check valve ($41.70) and CMP PowerClean check valve assembly ($25.20) are OEM replacements for these specific feeders. (2) Ozone injector lines — ozone is injected into the return plumbing through a small-diameter injection fitting. The AquaSunOzone 1/4" barb Kynar check valve ($15.00) prevents water from backflowing into the ozone generator, which would cause immediate equipment damage. Kynar material is required for ozone contact — standard PVC degrades with ozone exposure. (3) Suction line applications — check valves prevent water from draining back through the suction line into the pool when the pump shuts off, maintaining pump prime. The Zodiac Serviceable Check Valve (2" socket union, $80.60) is designed for easy in-line service without cutting plumbing — the union connections allow removal for inspection or cleaning. (4) Spa blower lines — check valves prevent water from backflowing into the blower through the air injection ports. Always replace chemical feeder check valves whenever the feeder is disassembled for cleaning — a failed check valve in a chemical feeder line is a leading cause of chemical equipment damage.
What is the FlowVis Flow Meter and why would I need one?
The FlowVis Flow Meter/Check Valve (Jandy/Praher Retro, 2", $164.80) is a combination device that provides two functions in a single inline fitting: a visual flow rate indicator and a check valve. How it works: a weighted indicator inside the clear body rises in proportion to the flow rate passing through the fitting — a scale on the body shows GPM (gallons per minute) directly. The check valve function prevents reverse flow when the pump stops. Why flow rate visibility matters: (1) Variable speed pump optimization — when dialing in a variable speed pump's speed settings, you need to know the actual flow rate to verify you're achieving the required turnover rate for your pool volume. Without a flow meter, you're guessing. The FlowVis lets you set the pump speed and read the actual GPM directly. (2) System performance monitoring — a gradual decrease in flow rate at a fixed pump speed indicates increasing system resistance (clogged filter, partially closed valve, or developing blockage). The FlowVis makes this visible before the problem becomes severe. (3) Heater protection — many pool heaters require a minimum flow rate to operate safely; the FlowVis allows verification that minimum flow is being maintained. Installation: the Jandy/Praher Retro version is designed for direct installation in existing Jandy or Praher valve body plumbing runs — the 2" slip/spigot connections fit standard 2" PVC plumbing. Install on the return line after the equipment pad for accurate total system flow measurement.