
- Turn the pool filter system off.
- Attach your pool hose to the backwash port on your sand filter.
- Select the “Backwash” position on your multiport valve handle.
- Turn the pool filter system on and allow it to rush out of the backwash port and through the backwash hose for two minutes or so until the water ...
- Turn the filter off again and set your multiport filter valve to the “Rinse” position.
- Turn the pool filter system back on and allow it to run for a minute or so.
- Turn the pool pump off and switch the multiport valve to its original setting (usually the “Filter” position).
How do you backwash a sand filter on a pool pump?
With your backwash hose connected, turn off the pump, and move the valve to the “Backwash” position Turn on the pump and backwash the filter for 3-5 minutes Turn off the pump, and move the valve back to the “Filter” position Open the pump lid, and pour the sand filter cleaner into the pump’s strainer basket.
How do you backwash a pool with a multiport filter?
Select the “Backwash” position on your multiport valve handle. Turn the pool filter system on and allow it to rush out of the backwash port and through the backwash hose for two minutes or so until the water in the sight glass runs clear. Turn the filter off again and set your multiport filter valve to the “Rinse” position.
How long does it take to backwash a pool filter?
This normally takes between 1 minute and 3 minutes, depending on how dirty the filter was. Do you rinse after backwashing a pool? Once I have turned the pump off I always turn the multiport valve to Rinse and run the pump again for between 30 seconds and a minute.
Why do I need to backwash my sand filter?
If you have a swimming pool with a sand filter then quite frequently you will need to backwash the filter to remove the dirt and other debris that gets trapped in it as part of your regular swimming pool maintenance.

How do you backwash a Hayward pool filter?
2:244:40How to Backwash Your DE Filter - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNext bump the handle of the filter five to eight times by pressing down slowly and then pulling up.MoreNext bump the handle of the filter five to eight times by pressing down slowly and then pulling up. Quickly. Finally open the ball valve on the drain.
What is the proper way to backwash a sand filter?
0:472:39How To: Backwash a Pool Sand Filter - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFor maximum safety turn off the power at the circuit breaker to the pump your pool filter valve isMoreFor maximum safety turn off the power at the circuit breaker to the pump your pool filter valve is probably at the filter setting for normal operation depress the multi-port valve handle.
How often should you backwash a Hayward 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.
Do you backwash or rinse a sand filter first?
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 long should 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.
How long do you rinse after backwashing a pool?
Rinse the filter for about 1 to 2 minutes or until the water in the sight glass is clear. NOTE: Any electric heater must be off.
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.
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?
Having said that, what will actually happen if you simply don't backwash your pool? Increased water pressure strains the pump, eventually damaging it. Water can't travel freely through the sand, so your system will experience reduced flow, rendering your pool cleaner useless.
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 full should my pool sand filter be?
Bottom Line Most filters should be filled about two-thirds of the way, but depending on the diameter of your filter, you'll need to purchase more sand to fill the filter. Pool filters could need anything from 100 lbs to 700 lbs of sand, so plan accordingly, and your pool will sparkle throughout the season.
Why do I get sand in my pool after backwashing?
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.
What happens if you don't rinse after backwash?
You should always perform a rinse after a backwash before going back to the regular filtration setting. If you don't, any remaining junk released from the sand that is still in the tank gets pumped directly into your pool. The rinse flushes it out first.
What is the difference between backwash and rinse?
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.
Should I backwash after shocking pool?
Clean your pool and filter You should then use your best vacuum cleaner to remove any remaining dust or dirt that remains. Once you have cleaned the pool, you should move on to the sand and DE filter. The expert says you should backwash them.
What's the difference between waste and backwash?
Filter Settings 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.
How to backwash a pool?
Backwashing is an easy process, but you do want to make sure you follow the steps correctly to get it as clean as possible. 1. Turn the pool filter system off. 2. Attach your pool hose to the backwash port on your sand filter. 3. Select the “Backwash” position on your multiport valve handle. 4.
How long does it take for a pool filter to clear?
Turn the pool filter system on and allow it to rush out of the backwash port and through the backwash hose for two minutes or so until the water in the sight glass runs clear.
What is the PSI of a filter?
PSI (pounds per square inch) is the measure of pressure your filter is operating on.
Why is my pool water cloudy?
If you notice your pool water getting a little cloudy or see debris floating in it that the filter doesn’t seem to be removing, it could mean the filter isn't working as well as it should. You'll also notice high TDS (total dissolved solids) levels when you test your chemistry levels if this is the case.
How to know when to backwash?
However, if the flow rate is dropping, you'll likely experience an increase in PSI and cloudy water as well, so you can usually just go by those two indicators to know when it’s time to backwash.
What should my pool water be?
Your pool water should be crystal clear and ready to swim in again!
How often should I clean my pool?
I personally don’t think it hurts to take care of it once a week when you are checking your pool chemicals, but there are certainly instances when you should clean it more often like when you're battling algae, after a storm and when you see obvious signs that it’s dirty.
What happens when you backwash a pool sand filter?
When you backwash a pool sand filter, you are reversing the flow of water through the filter. The water passes through the filter from the bottom, rather than from the top, and dislodges all the dirt particles lodged in the sand . The dirt is then expelled, either to the sewer or the yard/garden, depending on the set up.
Why do pool filters need to be backwashed?
This guide assumes that the filter needs to be backwashed because you have too much back pressure, too little suction or that you have just cleaned the pool which was dirty.
How often should you backwash pool filter?
Some say you should only do it when it is absolutely essential (as in the situations in the section above), others say you should backwash every week as part of your regular weekly pool maintenance while others believe you should do it every time you vacuum your pool.
How long do you backwash a pool for?
Most sand filter setups include a small glass inspection tube so that you can see the dirt that is coming out of the filter system and flowing down the waste pipe. I watch this while the filter is on backwash and turn the pump off when I see that the water is running clear.
Can you backwash while vacuuming?
While you are vacuuming it is possible that you may start to notice a loss of suction as dirt on the bottom becomes more difficult to pick up. This can happen, particularly if the pool is quite dirty, as the filter may become blocked which then builds up back pressure, reduces suction and lowers the sand filter’s efficiency.
Should I backwash after shocking pool?
Generally speaking , this wouldn’t be a very sensible idea as you will be flushing some of the chlorine shock straight to waste. It would be much better to backwash, rinse and only then shock your pool.
Do all pools need to be backwashed?
Both pools with sand filters and DE (diatomaceous earth) filters need to be backwashed, although DE filters less often (see the section on how often you should backwash above).
How Long Should You Backwash Your Pool?
To backwash a pool sand filter, turn off the pool pump first. Position the valve handle to BACKWASH and turn on the pump.
Can You Backwash Your Pool Too Much?
Actually, you can if you follow a fixed time schedule, instead of backwashing based on the pressure reading.
How to backwash a sand filter?
Backwash The Filter. Turn the pump back on and run it for around 3 to 5 minutes, which will start backwashing the sand filter. Monitor the sight glass on the side of the multiport valve during this time. Once the water changes from cloudy to clear, shut off the pump once again. Step 5.
How many microns does a sand filter remove from a pool?
Besides that, however, the water needs to be filtered from all the matter left behind – and this is where the sand filter comes in, removing anything as small as 20 microns in your pool water.
Why Clean Your Sand Filter?
Swimming pools need a chemical sanitizer to kill off pollutants like bacteria, viruses, and various various debris in the water. This is usually chlorine, but some pools use bromine, while others use salt.
What is the backwash valve on a pool pump?
Set The Valve To “Backwash”. The multiport valve on your filter controls how water flows through your pool system. Normally, it’s set to “Filter”. This directs water from the pool pump, through the filter, out its “Return” port, and back into the pool. But when backwashing, the valve position needs to be changed.
How long to backwash a filter?
With your backwash hose connected, turn off the pump, and move the valve to the “Backwash” position. Turn on the pump and backwash the filter for 3-5 minutes.
How much pressure should a sand filter have?
Sand filters have a pressure gauge on them that requires monitoring. Once it hits 8 to 10 PSI over the measurement taken when the filter was clean, you’ll have to reduce the pressure by cleaning the filter.
Why are sand filters more effective?
Sand filters become more effective the longer they work. This is due to the small size of the sand. As pollutants are caught and start plugging holes between sand grains, they begin to block subsequent pollutants from passing through.
