Domakihub Pool Multiport Valve Settings Explained
Know exactly which position to use — and the one rule that protects your valve gasket.
Reviewed by Domakihub pool pros · 2026-06-23 · 5 min read
Every pool filter with a multiport valve gives you six or seven settings, yet most owners rotate between Filter and Backwash and leave the rest untouched. The video above walks through each position in plain terms; this guide pairs those explanations with step-by-step instructions so you can use every setting with confidence. Whether you manage a private villa, a holiday rental, or a hotel pool in Greece, understanding your multiport valve is the fastest way to keep water clear and avoid expensive repairs.
What the Multiport Valve Actually Does
The multiport valve sits on top of or beside your sand or D.E. filter and acts as a traffic director for water flow. Each position routes water through a different path — either through the filter media, around it, or straight to waste — without requiring you to disconnect any plumbing.
Most valves are six-position models covering Filter, Backwash, Rinse, Waste, Recirculate, and Closed. Some include a Winter (or Winterize) setting as well. The handle clicks into each position via a spring-loaded mechanism, and the rubber spider gasket beneath it seals the selected port. That gasket is the most commonly damaged part of the entire valve.
The One Rule You Must Never Break
Always stop the pump before moving the multiport handle. Rotating the handle while the pump is running sends pressurised water crashing into a partially open port, tears the spider gasket, and can crack the valve body. Replacement gaskets cost little, but if the valve body cracks you are looking at a full valve replacement. Turn off the pump, move the handle firmly to the next position, then restart the pump. This single habit protects the most failure-prone component on your filter system.
How to Use Each Multiport Position Correctly
- 1
Filter — everyday operation
This is the default position for all normal pool use. Water is drawn from the pool, pushed down through the sand or D.E. media, and returned clean. Run the pump on Filter for the bulk of its daily cycle. Leave it here unless you have a specific reason to switch.
- 2
Backwash — cleaning the filter media
Switch to Backwash when filter pressure rises 8–10 psi above its clean baseline, or roughly every two to four weeks during heavy use. This reverses the water flow, flushing dirt and debris out through the waste line. Run Backwash for two to three minutes, or until the sight glass on the waste line runs clear. Remember to stop the pump before switching.
- 3
Rinse — the step most owners skip
After every Backwash, move the handle to Rinse and run the pump for 30–60 seconds before returning to Filter. Rinse re-settles the disturbed filter media and flushes the remaining dirty water from inside the valve and laterals out to waste — not back into the pool. Skipping Rinse sends a brief cloud of murky water into your pool, undoing the Backwash you just ran.
- 4
Waste — bypassing the filter entirely
Waste routes water directly from the pool to the drain line, bypassing the filter media completely. Use it when vacuuming heavy algae (so debris does not clog the filter), when draining water to lower pool level after heavy rain, or when adding pH-lowering acid to a small volume of water you want removed immediately. Be aware that Waste reduces pool water level quickly, so monitor the water level and keep the skimmer fed.
- 5
Recirculate and Winter — the two forgotten settings
Recirculate pumps water from the pool and back again without passing through the filter media at all. Use it when the filter is out of service for media replacement, or to circulate a chemical treatment that would be absorbed by the sand. Winter (or Winterize) opens all ports simultaneously so water can drain from the valve body and avoid freeze damage. In Greece's mild climate you may never need it, but it is the correct position when blowing out lines for any extended seasonal closure.
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FAQ
- How often should I backwash my pool filter?
- Backwash when the filter pressure gauge reads 8–10 psi above its clean starting pressure, or at least once every two to four weeks during the peak summer season. In Greece, where pools run heavily from May through October and dust and pollen loads are high, monthly backwashing is often not enough — let the pressure gauge guide you rather than a fixed calendar.
- Can I damage my valve by leaving it on Waste by accident?
- Yes. Leaving the valve on Waste while the pump runs will drain a significant volume of water from the pool in a short time, potentially running the pump dry if the water level drops below the skimmer. A dry-running pump can overheat and damage the seal and impeller. Always return the valve to Filter after any Waste operation and check the water level before restarting.
- My multiport valve leaks back into the pool through the return jets even when the pump is off — what is wrong?
- This usually means the spider gasket inside the valve is worn, torn, or has debris stuck under one of its legs. The gasket seals each port when the valve is in position; a failed gasket allows water to bypass the seal and find its own path. In most cases the fix is a straightforward gasket replacement — remove the top of the valve, lift out the old gasket, clean the seat, and press a new one in. It is one of the most common pool maintenance jobs in Greece and takes under an hour.