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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 you backwash a 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.
How long do you backwash a sand filter?
After the hose fills with water, backwash your sand filter for 2 – 3 minutes or until water runs clear. Shut off pump motor and push T-handle back down into locked position. Turn pump back on and note lower pressure.
Do you backwash or rinse a sand filter first?
After about 5-10 days, or when the reading of the pressure gauge on the pump side of the filter has increased by about 0.2 bars (20 kPa, 3 psi) since the last backwash, backwash the filter as follows: Start the pump. Rinse the filter for about 1 to 2 minutes or until the water in the sight glass is clear.
What does backwash mean on a sand filter?
Backwashing is a pool term used to describe a filter cleaning method which reverses the flow of water through your filter system. The process of backwashing dislodges trapped debris and contaminants, flushing them out through your value’s waste line or a hose that is connected to the pool pump.
Can you backwash a sand filter too much?
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.
How do I know if my sand filter is working properly?
Add diatomaceous earth (DE) to your pool skimmer, stick to around a scoop or two – no more than the size of a 1lb coffee cup. The moment you do this, go to the pool jets to see if it is returning DE into the pool, or if the water suddenly looks cloudy. If it is, you likely have an issue with your filter.
How do you backwash a sand filter without a multiport valve?
D.E. Filter without multiport Turn pump off. Open discharge valve at very bottom of filter. Pump/bump handle ten times. Turn pump on for fifteen seconds. Repeat step 1 -4 three times. Close discharge valve. Leave filter running and add three pounds of D.E. to the skimmer that you vacuumed from.
Why do I have to backwash my sand filter so often?
“Why do we need to backwash?” – Similar to a vacuum cleaner, air conditioner filter, or your kid’s bedrooms, your pool filter collects dirt! 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.
Do you lose sand when backwashing?
Excessive sand coming out when backwashing is not normal. Often, excess sand gets into the wrong places when refilling and will sand to come out into the pool or out of the backwash hose. But it should go away after a few runs. In general, you shouldn’t be losing sand from your sand filter.
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.
Does pool backwash hurt grass?
* Can i discharge the backwash water onto my lawn, will it harm the grass / plants? The DE doesn’t harm the grass or plants, excessive chlorine or saltwater may. Alternatively you could backwash to a sewer outlet or clean-out.
How long do you backwash an above ground pool?
Turn off the pool pump. Turn the valve to the backwash position. Turn on the backwash valve and let water run through the backwash hose for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the water coming out runs clear. This will rinse out any organic matter in the filter.
How do you backwash an Intex above ground pool filter?
How to Backwash an Intex Pool Turn the pump filter off. Set the filter to back-wash. Connect a hose or pipe to the discharge port. Turn on the filter. Turn off the filter and set the filter mode back to its regular position. Disconnect the hose from the discharge port and store the hose.
How often do you backwash an above ground pool?
As a general rule, you should be backwashing your pool about once a week or in conjugation with your scheduled maintenance. Another industry standard is to backwash when your filter’s pressure gauge reads 8-10 PSI (pounds per square inch) over the starting level or “clean” pressure.
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.
Where does the backwash water go?
Any backwash water is to bypass the septic tank and be discharged to the drain between the septic tank and the common effluent drain.
Should I backwash after shocking pool?
Backwash only as needed. Brush the pool vigorously, several times after shocking the pool. Do not use a solar blanket until chlorine and pH level are normal. Improve filtration with a pool filter cleaner or filter aid like Jack’s Filter Fiber.
Does backwashing remove water from pool?
The backwashing process reverses the flow of water to flush out contaminants from a swimming pool filter. It should be carried out until water runs clear through the waste line.
What happens if you backwash too long?
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.
Should you backwash every week?
Your maintenance schedule will guide you on how often to backwash a pool, but ideally, you should do it once each week. Typically, you should backwash a pool if the pressure gauge on your filter is at 8-10PSI at the starting level. So, to answer the question of how often should you backwash your pool, check your PSI.
How often should you change sand in sand filter?
On average, sand should be replaced every 3-5 years. This may be longer if the pool stays clear, or shorter, if the filter runs all the time. The jagged edges of the sand wear down and become smooth as the sand ages.
