Threaded inserts for Jandy valves

[mattorola7]

I would like to reinforce my Jandy check valves and 3-way valves so that they have a longer service life, especially the ones that I have installed 24VAC actuators onto. I am considering trying to swap the factory coarse threaded screws for a stainless threaded insert and machine screw. Has anybody tried this, or perhaps even had to resort to this to make a repair to avoid plumbing in a new valve? Valve replacement is not only time consuming, but existing plumbing can only handle so many PVC couplers before you run out of options when doing retrofit work. Here is what I am looking at using: Insert # 632J14-18SS | Yardley Inserts Self-Tapping Insert. Has anyone tried this?

 

[flynwill]

Inserts like that would probably work if there is enough meat in the the valve body, but I really don't see any reason to do this unless you actually have a stripped out hole to deal with. If you are reasonably careful it's not hard to get the screws back into the existing threads and with such care they are probably good for dozens of disassemble/reassemble cycled. If you are really concerned just plan to add unions (or just a pair of threaded adapters) the first time you have to cut out a valve.

 

[1poolman1]

I would like to reinforce my Jandy check valves and 3-way valves so that they have a longer service life, especially the ones that I have installed 24VAC actuators onto. I am considering trying to swap the factory coarse threaded screws for a stainless threaded insert and machine screw. Has anybody tried this, or perhaps even had to resort to this to make a repair to avoid plumbing in a new valve? Valve replacement is not only time consuming, but existing plumbing can only handle so many PVC couplers before you run out of options when doing retrofit work. Here is what I am looking at using: Insert # 632J14-18SS | Yardley Inserts Self-Tapping Insert. Has anyone tried this?

After installation there should not be any need to open a 3-way valve for years, or a decade, or more, especially with the newer "Never Lube" style of diverter seals that have been around since the early 90's.

 

[mattorola7]

Inserts like that would probably work if there is enough meat in the the valve body, but I really don't see any reason to do this unless you actually have a stripped out hole to deal with. If you are reasonably careful it's not hard to get the screws back into the existing threads and with such care they are probably good for dozens of disassemble/reassemble cycled. If you are really concerned just plan to add unions (or just a pair of threaded adapters) the first time you have to cut out a valve.

I noticed a decent amount of CPVC shavings after removing 4 of 8 screws just to attach the valve actuator for the first time. It is possible these were just the shavings from the initial self-threading of the screws. Since I just replaced 20 year old plumbing where several of the valves had stripped holes, I started to think about how to prevent it in the future. I have only owned this house/pool for a year and prior to that I'm sure the homeowners before me had any number of pool service companies that could have been using impact drivers or power tools to install the screws. I torqued all the screws by hand.