How do you backflush a sand filter?

Asked by: Shannon Gonzalez

How long do you backwash a sand filter?

Set the sand filter multi port valve handle to the BACKWASH position and ensure the handle locks in place. 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.

Can you backwash a sand filter?

Make sure to screw the hose clamp on tight. Next turn their multi-port valve from filter to backwash. Now turn on your sand filter. Let this run for about a minute or until the slight glass is

Do I need to backwash new sand in filter?

As a sand filter collects more particles it becomes less efficient, collecting more and more dirt in the sand. It’s time to backwash a sand filter when the pressure gauge on the filter reads 8-10 pounds higher than it did when the sand was new and clean.

How do I flush my sand filter?

Deep Chemical Cleaning



Pour sand filter cleaner into the strainer basket and replace the lid. Turn the pump off and leave it off for at least 8 hours. Backwash the filter for 3-5 minutes again to remove dirt, debris, and the cleaner. Turn the filter system back on.

Do you rinse after backwashing a pool?

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.

How often should you backflush a sand filter?

“How often should I backwash my sand filter”? Ensure you do it if there’s an algae outbreak or after a significant storm. A DE( diatomaceous earth)filter system needs cleaning six or more times each year. If you have a sand filter, backwash it every month and tear it down twice every year.

How much 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.

Do you vacuum a pool on backwash or waste?

If you do have this option, it is highly recommended that whenever you have algae, you will need to vacuum to waste. This option allows you to vacuum the algae up and send it out through the backwash line, avoiding getting algae into your filter sand.

What happens if you don’t backwash your pool filter?

Water flow – debris and contaminants clogging the filter media restricts the rate at which water can pass through the filter, reducing the flow of water into your pool. 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.

How do I know if my sand filter is clogged?

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.

What’s the difference between rinse and backwash?

Rinse runs water in the same direction that normal filtering does. 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.

How do you backwash?

Turn your filter valve to backwash. Then turn on your pool. Pump. Watch the water coming out until it runs clear usually in two to three minutes once the water is clear shut off the pump.

When should I backflush my pool filter?

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.

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.