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How to Backwash a Pool Sand Filter Turn off the pool pump. Set the filter valve handle to the ‘Backwash’ position and ensure the handle locks in place. Turn the pump on and backwash for 2 minutes or until the water in the sight glass (located on the filter) is running clear. Turn off the pump.
How often should I backwash my sand filter?
How Often Should I Backwash? A good rule of thumb is to backwash once the pressure displayed on your pressure gauge is 8-10 psi over the starting level. Backwashing after heavy rains, treating for algae, or when trying to clear cloudy water will keep your filter working efficiently.
Can you backwash a sand filter too much?
Backwashing a filter too frequently will keep the sand so free of dirt buildup that it will not have the ability to remove the smaller particles of dirt and they will simply pass through sometimes causing cloudiness in water.
How long do you rinse after backwash?
Wait for a few minutes until the water runs clear. Turn off the pump to cease the backwashing. Turn the filter valve handle to RINSE and ensure the handle locks in place. Allow the rinse process to occur for 1 minute or until the water is clear.
Do you vacuum a pool on backwash or waste?
Don’t use any metal object that can rust as a weight. 8. Vacuuming pool with filter valve in “backwash” position. When a pool is vacuumed with the sand filter valve in the “filter” position, the dirt and debris that passes through the pump ends up inside the filter on top of the bed of sand which is where you want it.
Do you lose sand when backwashing?
You shouldn’t normally lose sand during backwashing. You should not have to add sand, ever. Only backwash when the filter pressure goes up 25%.
Should you rinse after backwash?
In order to prevent residual blow back into the pool, once you’ve finished backwashing it’s highly advisable to rinse the filter. Just as the backwash lifts and flushes the sand, the rinse resets the sand to its original position for optimum filtration.
Can you backwash too long?
Can You Backwash Too Much? If you backwash your pool too much i.e. time duration and/or close frequency then yes you can cause a lot of problems. Some problems that can arise from backwashing your sand pool filter too much are: Loss of water – 500+ litres of water can be lost in each backwashing cycle.
What is the difference between backwash and rinse?
Backwash runs it through the sand in the opposite direction. Rinse is to clear any dirt out of the clean side of the sand before you start sending it back to the pool.
Where does the water go when you backwash a pool?
Simply put, when you backwash your pool filter, you reverse the direction of the water flow, and water moves back through the pool filter and out the waste or drain port. Just make sure you’re disposing of it properly—and we’ll get to that soon. All in good time, my friend.
What’s the difference between waste and backwash?
Drain/Waste: Opting the drain or waste setting will remove pool water without forcing it through the filter. Backwash: This clears out any debris, dirt and other contaminants that may have accumulated on the filter. Closed: if you choose this setting, then the flow of water to the pool and filter will be stopped.
What setting should my filter be on when vacuuming a pool?
For routine vacuuming, the filter valve is left in the normal “Filter” position. This directs dirty vacuum water through the pool filter to remove the contaminants, then conveys filtered water through return lines back to the pool. The “Filter” setting is used for light to moderate levels of pool sediment.
Do you remove skimmer basket when vacuuming to waste?
YES, you need to remove the skimmer or strainer basket before attaching the open end of the hose to the inlet. Finally, plug the open vacuum hose into the suction port.
Do you rinse or backwash first?
Rinse. The ‘Rinse’ setting should be used after backwashing and again run just for a minute or two. On this setting the water is flowing through the filter in the normal direction but once again is being sent to the waste pipe rather than being returned to the pool.
Why is sand coming out of my sand filter when I backwash?
Your pump may be too large or the sand level too high in the filter. When the filter is backwashing the water flow can cause the sand to rise high enough and overflow into the standpipe, which will allow the sand back into the pool.
How does backwashing a sand filter work?
Backwashing consists of reversing the flow of water so that it enters from the bottom of the filter bed, lifts and rinses the bed, then exits through the top of the filter tank. The filter bed itself is a granular substance that is usually referred to as the filter medium.
Why is my pool cloudy after backwash?
Low chlorine level is the primary cause of cloudy water. If all the chemicals are balanced, but water is still cloudy, there might be fine particles inside the pool, and you need to use a clarifier or pool flocculant and then vacuum up the pool. If all do not work, try backwashing your filter since it might be clogged.
Can you backwash with filter balls?
Yes, you save water with FilterBalls with the backwashing. Simply follow the FilterBalls installation instructions by noting your filter pressure upon installation and backwash when the pressure increases by 5-6 psi. Note your starting pressure will be much lower than what you experienced with sand.
Why am I having to backwash my pool so often?
Whenever the filter fills up with the dirt/debris it reduces the flow of water to your pool. Low flow = poor circulation which will lead to algae in the pool. Bottom line, the filter must be backwashed on a regular basis to ensure that your pool water is clear.
