"name": "Leslie's Pool", Disposing of backwash water properly is essential, not just to avoid potential fines, but to keep your community and the environment safe from illness and damage. Pool Filter, How to Clean a Pool Filter (Sand, Cartridge, D.E. Looks like your current store isn't near your delivery area. All rights reserved. Make sure you vacuum to waste or youll clog the filter. The purified water is then passed through the bottom and returned to the pool. Shut off the pump motor and push the T-handle back down into locked position. Yes absolutely. Any dirty filter in fact filters better than a clean one, because smaller particles fill in the empty spaces in between the filter medium and trap even smaller particles that would otherwise pass through unfiltered. To backwash, a sand or DE filter, turn off the pool pump and attach a backwash hose. I change mine yearly. pool filters. Intex 2800GPH 14Inch Sand Filter Pump & Sand in Pool, With over 300,000 members, TFP is the largest and most influential pool & spa website on the Internet. It may need cleaning or the filter medium may need replacing. "height": "500", Water flows backward through the filter system and out your filters waste port. Also, make sure its not going to run into your house or anywhere else. Set the sand filter multi port valve handle to the BACKWASH position and ensure the handle locks in place. Required fields are marked *. Open the air bleeder assembly on your filter and turn pump on. "wordCount": "362", "width": "1060", will be entering your pool. Read on to learn how to backwash your pool. Another issue, instead of using the Manual / Start switch on the control panel he turns the timer control to an ON sequence to vacuum etc,. AJH Trade Group also participate in other affiliate programs.

"keywords": "", "url": "", Cartridge filters are not designed to run backwards. It is possible that sometimes, no matter how many times you backwash, the pressure remains high. In many places, its illegal to discharge pool water into the street, gutter or stormwater drain unless its been decontaminated. not the sand but the actual sand filter. The creek behind your house? Hi there. Then youll be able to afford that cute little kraken youve been wanting to adopt.

filters. "url": "https://lesliespool.com/blog/" Thank you, I'll leave the system open during these processes, I get for the rinse and waste you need to get rid of the water, but in the videos I have seen it doesn't seem like they are dealing with the pool draining during the backwash phase. In most cases, your grass should be fine if you route your backwash water there. Thank you for your business! powder on hand, as youll need to top up the filter after backwashing. You need to have a plan before you start. Sorry. "height": "500", It dumps the water in the ground or wherever your filter hose is directed. Looks like Ive been doing it wrong! "logo": { Thats your normal operating filter pressure. "@type" : "PostalAddress", Contact your local authorities with questions about where you can legally backwash your pool water. Heres how to backwash a sand filter: A DE filter uses Diatomaceous Earth (DE for short) instead of sand to catch contaminants. A slightly dirty filter is better. Most people seem to backwash a few times a season. We are a registered 501(c)3 non-profit that is funded by user donations. Please obtain a google maps API key and put it in Site Preferences! time duration and/or close frequency then yes you can cause a lot of problems. "datePublished": "2019-09-23", "postalCode": "4213", Backwashing clears out the dirt and gunk from your pools filter. Since then, his mission is to make pool and hot tub care easy for everyone.

2022 Leslies Poolmart Inc. Were sorry we missed you; we look forward to assisting you soon. DE gets washed out when backwashing. "@type": "BlogPosting", A good rule of thumb is to backwash once the pressure displayed on your pressure gauge is 8-10 psi over the starting level. Or maybe just some dirty pool water. This free printable cheat sheet helps keep your inground, above ground, or Intex pool clean and clear without messing with confusing water chemistry. Because backwashing inevitably washes out some of the sand along with the dirt and debris, from time to time it will be necessary to top up the amount of sand in the filter. "width": "1060", As sand filters are not as effective as cartridge filter in removing finer particles, its important to backwash on a frequent basis. Every 5 years is fine. These can be a life (or property) saver if you live in an area that sees a high level of rainfall, or experiences tropical storms. In this case, you may consider deep cleaning your filter:How to Deep Clean a Sand Filter (And Change Sand)How to Clean Pool Cartridge Filter (Using Muriatic Acid). Disconnect the hose from the discharge port and store the hose. Covered everything. Return the sand filter multi-port valve handle to Filter and ensure the handle locks into place. If the water level is too low (below the skimmer box), you can top up your pool again. A few hundred gallons of water flooding onto your neighbors properly will likely result in you not being invited to their next Christmas party. Note: To backwash using a multi-port valve, refer to labeling on the valve itself or in the manufacturers instructions. In this article Ill tell you why you need to backwash, when to backwash and give you step-by-step instructions on how to backwash your pools filter. Seems somethings not right somewhere. This process removes any dirt, algae and visible contaminants / debris from your sand filter. It alerts you to problems so you can troubleshoot, repair, or replace. Mix the appropriate amount of D.E powder with enough water to make a slurry, which is a thin, creamy solution.

If your pool has had a lot more use than normal, it may be necessary to backwash twice a week. Doesn't hurt to backwash a couple times a year anyway. The water discharges through your backwash hose and can irrigate your lawn or other areas of your property. Cloudy water is the symptom of something not right in your pool. We opened and inspected the sanded, it was a little dirty and had some clumps in it but over all in pretty good shape. The other part could be a combination of a pump that can't really build a lot of head pressure, or a gauge that isn't super sensitive so you could tell a pound or two increase. In these cases, instead of vacuuming and backwashing, it may be better to vacuum directly to WASTE, and to send the vacuumed water directly down into the drain. The filter medium (sand or DE) inside the filter system blocks debris, dirt, and oil. If you backwash your pool too much i.e.

The one downside of backwashing is that, because water is expelled from the system and sent into waste, is that itwellwastes water. The Intex pool company, which manufactures and sells pool supplies, offers both cartridge and sand filters, with the sand filter using the back-wash feature.

Your pool is only as clean as your filter is. You must log in or register to reply here. Her work covers topics in education, business, and home and garden. It may not display this or other websites correctly. We have needed 2 rebuilds on the pump already & a new replacement just yesterday, this morning during his twice weekly visit he had the pump on & off 6 times within 5 minutes ??? "streetAddress": "Shop 2, 71 Railway Street", Water from your pool is used to pass through the sand and instead of returning back to your pool, it is redirected out through a waste pipe.

When the sand gets dirty and clogged up, however, the pressure reading rises. Where is all that water going to go? I would use floc as a last resort though. "primaryImageOfPage": { "@graph": [

It would be normal to lose up to 500 litres of water during this process. Don't worry, it's not as complex as it looks. Anyway, when the time comes to backwash your pool, youll be ready with the right equipment and procedures. "url": "https://lesliespool.com/", Sand filters are perfect filters for almost any type of pool, although as previously mentioned they do require a bit of maintenance. "openingHours": [ "Mo-Fr 8:30-17:00"],[ "Sat 08:00-14:00"] },

For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. You should back-wash an Intex sand filter every few weeks to ensure the water that returns to your pool is clean and clear. is a much finer medium than sand and therefore does a better job at filtering your pool water.

You could try flocculant and then manually vacuuming. I backwashed (man, it was dirty!) The correct answer is not that the filter fails to clean, but that more pressure is required to maintain flow, resulting in a drop in efficiency. I have learned a lot from this article. Are you sure? its not leaking or anything just considering the age of the sand filter. In this article we cover inground pools, above ground pools, saltwater pools. Do you ever need to change the sand in a sand filter? "openingHours": [ "Mo-Fr 8:30-17:00"],[ "Sat 08:00-14:00"] A typical pool filter multiport system has 6 different settings Filter, Backwash, Rinse, Circulate, Closed, and Waste. First, Ill give a brief explanation of the purpose of a sand filter. While backwashing generally works the same way regardless of the type of pool filter, the procedures do vary a bit. }, }, Check with your local water authority. Please consider. This water will often end up in rivers, creeks, lakes and oceans. If you have a DE filter, youll to refill the DE. When you backwash you will be draining some of the water. Do you know how to clean a pool filter? Of course, that was the extremely short version. Rinse and spray the cartridge with the hose every 4 weeks and give it a deep clean every few months. We may earn a small commission. I used to be exactly looking for. Or if its a sand filter you may have cracked laterals or a cracked stand pipe (located inside the filter). (he did vacuum the entire pool first through the filter including the canal). This procedure differs only slightly from the multiport valve process. If your filter valve is set to filter, and you are still losing water out of the backwash valve, the seal in your control head is damaged. "image": { Finally, absolutely make sure you always turn off the pump before you either move or reset the filter valve setting. Yes, learn to check your own water chemicals, and get an autovac system. Shouldnt we be drawing water through the filter from the skimmer near the top of the pool the water is clean, sending through the filter to waste and not from the overflow canal where all the bugs and detritus id caught? Bravo, I have 4 valves on my system. "@type" : "PostalAddress", We recommend this suction cleaner and this robotic cleaner. Can you tell me what is could be? None of those are good options, and in fact, may even be illegal, depending on where you live. You can definitely find an easier, safer, and less expensive way to dispose of your filter backwash water. "addressLocality": "Worongary", how often do you change the actual filter? "addressLocality": "Mudgeeraba", When you first set up your filter, whether its sand or D.E., take note of the pressure gauge reading. When you learn how to backwash a sand filter, the sand never leaves the filter. When you do add extra sand, run the filter system on RINSE for a minute or so to reduce the amount of sand blowback into the pool. It'll help you save $100 right away on pool care! This site is owned and operated by AJH Trade Group. (Very important). When the needle is close to or within the red zone, its a good time to backwash. Sand filter systems operate most efficiently during the middle of the filtration cycle. Dont backwash more than necessary, or for longer than necessary. When back-washing the filter, you can use a hose to drain water away from the pool area. Im confident after reading your post that we will be able to properly clean and care for our pool. We are in the deep south with an infinity edge pool. But it's possible it won't go up, only down. Make sure you keep the water on your property, though. "parentOrganization": { This is also the case if your water had, or has had, an algae problem. "addressRegion": "QLD", We have a new pool. "name" : "Trojan Pool Services" This will allow pool water to flow out of the backwash valve or port. Set the sand filter multi-port valve handle to the RINSE position and ensure the handle locks in place. Use Up and Down arrow keys to navigate search results. It may also be that whatever is making the water look dirty is too fine to be picked up by the filter. Fill the basket with water, and allow some water to run through the incoming line. "telephone" : "07-5530-2680" As pool water passes through your D.E. Heres a step-by-step guide on how to backwash a pool filter. Turn your pump back on and note the lower pressure. "name" : "Trojan Pool Services", }, Run the pump for 30 minutes or more to allow the D.E. If your pool contains an unusually high level of dirt (for instance, as a result of a nearby construction site, a protracted period of being untended and uncovered, or possibly from runoff caused by flooding) it may be advisable to by-pass the filter entirely. I just replaced my gauge today. (Very important).

To clean a cartridge filter youll need to open the filter up and remove the cartridge. I have heard intex pressure gauges tend to fail over time. { We have experts on hand to answer all your questions and more! All sand filters use the same principle for backwashing, the configuration may vary from manufacturer and model. Run the pump on the FILTER setting for 30 minutes or more to allow the D.E. In order to ensure against residual blowback into the pool, once youve finished backwashing it is highly advisable to rinse the filter. Some councils issue fines if poolwater runs off. However, there is some extra maintenance required when backwashing.Backwashing a D.E. We have service teams and vehicles that can come out to your home and maintain your pool for you. When the pressure gauge reads 10 pounds per square inch (psi) above the normal operating level, its time to backwash. We have a 24 round above ground pool. I thought back washing removed all the sand so I always added it all (4 & 1/2lbs) each time I back washed. You may consider moving the hose around as you are discharging the water, so the water doesnt accumulate in one spot. As a rule of thumb, regardless of if you have a sand filter or DE filter, you should backwash your pool about once a week during swimming season. We cut out all the fluff and confusion of pool maintenance and provide Gold Coast residents with pool servicing and advice. Every time you backwash your pool filter, you could be pulling hundreds of gallons of water from your pool. How long you backwash the sand filter for is not critical though you should visibly see clear water within 2-3 minutes. A clean filter is key to a clean and healthy pool and will help you maintain the highest water quality possible so your family and friends can enjoy your pool during the summer. }. A couple of months ago, I caught him using the multi port valve whilst he had the pump running, I gave him a reprimand, though unfortunately the fairly new sand filter was damaged soon after & had to be replaced ??? Thanks for the info on back wash and rinse cheers Mick Bertram, Water clarity cloudy water may indicate that the filter media is dirty or unable to catch the dirt and debris making its way into your pool. Refer to your filter owners manual to determine how much D.E. Weve drained, cleaned, refilled, back washed and all chlorine, ph, alkaline and stabiliser levels are fine. Above ground 10,000 gal with sand filter. When back-washing the filter, you can use a hose to drain water away from the pool area. Help!!!! When you talk of a dirty filter you say: the sand becomes dirty and clogged with contaminants that, if left unchecked, will reduce the sands ability to filter. No need for pool up. }, // Leaf Group, Intex Pool Care: Intex Pool Filter and Pump. "hasmap" : "https://www.google.com.au/maps/dir//Shop+2,+71+Railway+Street,+Mudgeeraba,+Gold+Coast,+Queensland/@-32.8811091,151.6654943,15z" ThenIll dive into the simple steps to backwash your filter. If it reads more than 10 psi over the normal level, its really time to backwash. Instead of manually cleaning the system like you do with a cartridge filter, you use water from your pool to rinse dirt and debris from the filter sand. }, Backwash sand filter on schedule or based on pressure reading? This latest article, Ill go through everything you need to know about backwashing your sand filter. Turn on the pump and continue to run under normal operating conditions. }, As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for sharing this one! filter or sand filter, it leaves behind dirt, oils, and other debris, which are collected in the filter mediumeither D.E. Water will begin running out of the hose or pipe. If you ever need to backwash because of slow water return to the pool, I would check the gauge. "@type": "ImageObject", Before you get started, the only extra equipment youll need is a backwash hose. "parentOrganization": { Yep you should change the sand.

mine is 15 years old and i was wondering if i should change it when i change the sandany help would be good. You wouldnt want to do that anyway. Back-washing a pool filter cleanses it from the debris collected through the filtration process. Filters), Pentair Quad Cartridge Style D.E. Set the sand filter valve handle to the BACKWASH pool position and ensure the handle locks in place. Apparently there was water in it that froze over the winter and destroyed it. For routine maintenance, a sand filter is one of the easiest of the three types of pool filters to keep clean. The previous owner told me to only backwash if I saw air bubbles coming from the jet. All DE (diatomaceous earth) and sand filters use the same basic mechanics: when set to Filter, water flows from the pool, through the filter, and back into the pool. Shut off pump motor and roll out backwash hose (if you have it). Before you get started, youll need a few supplies. While this is unavoidable, the key to not overdoing the backwash process and flushing out more water than strictly necessary is to keep a careful eye on the colour and quality of the water in the sight glass. Im trying to get green algae out, but it come back in when I clean? Disposing of pool backwash water in your own yard is the recommended option. If you have any more questions about backwashing your sand filter, visit your local Leslies store. Shop Online Reset the Filter Valve to Filter and ensure the handle locks into place. powder in the pump strainer and the rest in the skimmer. pool skimmer step moderate algae treat swimming low inyopools maintain correct pressure system

Some problems that can arise from backwashing your sand pool filter too much are: Over time, the sand inside the filter loses its coarseness and becomes smooth and round. "headline": "How to Backwash a Sand Filter", Turn on the filter to restart the normal water-filtering process. Turn on the pump and run the rinse process for 1-2 minute or again until the water in the sight glass is visibly clear. Daniella holds a Master of Science in elementary education and a Bachelor of Arts in history from Pensacola Christian College. After the hose fills with water, backwash your sand filter for 2 - 3 minutes, or until water runs clear. Get crystal clear, pristine pool water by keeping any type of filter clean with a few easy methods. When should you backwash your pool filter? Over time, as the filter starts to accumulate dirt and debris, pressure will begin to build up because the water cant flow as freely through it. Appreciate such publish and please keep writing. Great work. So after every visit I have to physically reset the pump timer otherwise the pump / water feature & pool lights are not in sequence. When backwashing your pool filter, use this easy-to-roll up and store backwash hose. { A pool sand filter uses sand to catch contaminants in your pools water.

But I saw this advice from one of the most experienced commenters here so I think it might have some validity. This will change the water outlet from the pool to the discharge port. Turn on the pump and allow the sand filter to backwash for 2-3 minutes or until the water in the sight glass (typically located on the top of the filter) is visibly clear. Our gardener back flushed the sand filter drawing water from the over flow canal. "@type": "Person", Twist and unlock the plunger T-handle, then pull and twist the plunger upward 2 - 3 inches. 1-800-537-5437. How to Clean Your Haier Dehumidifier Filter, How to Filter Out Colloidal Clay From Well Water, How to Calculate Volumetric Flow for a Sand Filter, Copyright 2022 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Lifestyle, All Rights Reserved. This could cause the rubber diverter gasket inside the valve to come loose or break, which will in turn cause water to leak out of the wrong ports while its running. Every 3 to 5 years you should change the sand in a pool filter. What is this multiport valve thingy? Does your pressure gauge work? Using our computerised water testing equipment, well give you a fast, accurate diagnosis about the condition of your pool water and prescribe exactly what your pool needs to keep it in great condition. Empty the filter skimmer basket and clean out the hair catcher.

}, They can help prevent flooding and erosion. As you now know, backwashing is easy to do and should become part of your regular pool maintenance schedule. One of the few maintenance tasks youll need to perform on a periodic basis is to backwash it.

In addition, youll find these procedures will work for many brands, including: Backwashing or backwash reverses the flow of water through the pools filter, lifts up and flushes the filter medium (sand or DE), and then expels the dirty water via a waste line into the ground or drain. Local, state and federal regulations prohibit discharging backwash into storm drains. You can repeat steps 2 to 6 a few times if the filter is particularly dirty. "address": "", Then again I only back washed once twice a month max during the season. It is being practiced by thousands of pool owners just like you. Backwashing after heavy rains, treating for algae, or when trying to clear cloudy water will keep your filter working efficiently. If you dont, youre going to damage, and maybe destroy the system. Sometimes this is also referred to as backflushing. We have wastewater facility which used the same system but we backwash 2-3 times per day at 3-5 minutes every backwash. "dateModified": "2019-09-23", The process only takes a few minutes and will most likely require you to add fresh water to the pool to maintain a proper water level for the skimmer. }, Set the filter valve handle to the RINSE position and ensure the handle locks in place. Thanx. "telephone" : "07-5525-1606" "thumbnailUrl": "", Aside from the issue of permission, a dry well must be constructed by a professional, and its a project that can easily cost thousands of dollars. Remember, for piece of mind always keep an eye on the pressure in your filter and if it gets too high, go ahead and backwash your sand filter. How To Fix Cloudy Pool 4 Ways to Clear Cloudy Swimming Pool Water, How To Clean A Swimming Pool After Winter, Loss of water 500+ litres of water can be lost in each backwashing cycle, Loss of silica sand resulting in increased consumption and replacement costs, Dilution of chemicals resulting in higher sanitisation costs.

"address": { You can also tell when it is time for a backwash by checking the filters pressure gauge. But they may also require that you apply for a permit first. This cake, along with the filter grids inside, helps to filter out very fine particles. We have full instructions to deep clean your cartridge filter in our blog here:How to Clean Pool Cartridge Filter (Using Muriatic Acid). The water that comes out of your pool is chemically treated, and can damage plant life, groundwater, and aquatic life. I just looked over your post again. More on that later. I really love your title and you mentioned many key factors and straight to the point reminders with us.

"description": ""

Turn on the pump and run the rinse process for 30-60 seconds or until the water in the sight glass is clear. Certainly it responds when I attach the vacuum. powder youll need to add. You may be able to dispose of backwash water by directing it into one or more of your homes plumbing cleanouts. "caption": "How to Backwash a Sand Filter" Turn the filter system back on, and let it run for about three minutes. Phone: 5575 1222 }, "name" : "Trojan Pool Services",

Important: before you start, make sure you have some D.E. The reason is simple: TFPC (Trouble Free Pool Care) is a methodology, not a product that you must purchase. Our current pool (Expert) continues to do whatever he feels is correct with the maintenance of our in-ground cement pool. They also sometimes don't show a power cord for things that clearly require one. Most pressure gauges on sand filters have a red and green zone. We are really grateful for that blog publish. },

The filter seems to be working fine and has a lot of pressure when you see water going through but the pressure gauge is always sitting just above zero? Theres also a lot of approaches after visiting your publish. "address": { You are using an out of date browser.

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