how do you know when your pool sand filter is not working

Signs that Your Sand Filter is Bad

• 1. Slow sand filter The first sign to know that your filter is bad is it has a slow filter which is evident when your pool becomes cloudy. Your filter can become sluggish and still function properly. ...
• 2. Leaking multiport valve ...
• 3. Broken Laterals ...
• 4. Filthy sand filter ...
• 5. Valve Failure ...
• 6. Tank Failure ...

Full Answer

How to troubleshoot swimming pool vacuum leak problems?

How to Troubleshoot Swimming Pool Vacuum Leak Problems

1. Make sure all of the fittings on the vacuum hose are tight. Check the head connection and where the hose connects to the strainer basket.
2. Check the interior filter basket that is adjacent to the pump. ...
3. Fill the hose completely with water. ...

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How do you remove sand from a pool filter?

STEPS FOR CHANGING THE SAND IN A SAND POOL FILTER:

• Remove the old sand from the pool filter - You need to remove all of the old sand that is in the tank. ...
• When removing sand with a scoop or with suction, make sure you don’t hurt the laterals at the bottom of the tank. ...
• Once the sand has been removed, take out the pipe and lateral assembly carefully and soak them in a bucket of cleaning solution. ...

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Why is sand blowing out of a pool filter?

Why is the Pool Filter Blowing Out Sand?

• Too Much Sand in the Tank. Most models of sand filter require at least 6 inches (15cm) of clearance from the top of the filter tank to the top of ...
• New Sand Not Bedded Down. ...
• Wrong Type of Sand. ...
• Broken Multiport Valve. ...
• Faulty Laterals. ...
• Faulty Standpipe. ...
• Faulty Valve Gasket. ...

How do you clean pool sand filter?

• Turn the valve to FILTER and take off the pump’s strainer lid.
• Pour your sand filter cleaner into the strainer basket, putting the lid back on.
• Turn the pump on for as long as it takes for the cleaner to transfer from the pump into the filter. ...
• Turn your pump off. ...
• Backwash your filter as you did previously but for longer, about 3-5 minutes. ...

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How do I know if my sand pool filter is not working properly?

Method #2: Another way to test your filter is to connect up a vacuum and hose to a skimmer suction port. You can then see if the jets or returns show any cloudy water coming back through. Of course this method assumes you have dirt on the floor of your pool that you can vacuum through the system to perform the test.

What can go wrong with a sand filter?

These include a bad gauge, bad sand, a problem with the multiport valve that's recirculating water and preventing good backwash flow, or an obstruction either before or after the filter.

Why is my pool sand filter not filtering?

Top off your pool water or add more sand to the filter and you should be good to go. If your sand filter pressure is too high, the first step is to backwash the filter. Dirty sand will cause the filter pressure to rise. If this doesn't resolve this issue, you may have too much sand in the filter or an obstruction.

What happens if your sand filter doesn't have enough sand?

Too little sand and you will have cloudy water no matter how much your filter runs. For this reason check your filter manufacturer's specs. Typically filters hold sand in 50 lb. increments, so you can safely expect filters to range from 100, 150, 200, 250 lbs., etc.

Can a sand filter get clogged?

When you have too much or too little sand in the pool filter, the filter will not work properly or efficiently. The wrong level of sand means that debris can be forced into the sand instead of being trapped at the top of the sand canister. This will clog the sand system quickly.

How long does a pool sand filter last?

Sand filters will often be able to perform for around three-to-seven years, depending on use. If you frequently clean and backwash your filter and only use the pool seasonally, you can expect to replace it after at least five years.

Should sand come out when I backwash?

In general, you shouldn't be losing sand from your sand filter. Nor should any sand be coming out during backwashing, rinsing or filtering. If sand is coming out, something is wrong. You shouldn't need to be topping up the sand in the filter either.

How often should you backwash 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.

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 often do you add sand to a sand filter?

every 3-5 yearsWhen do I need to replace my sand? 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.

How much water should be in my sand filter?

2:364:21How To Change The Pool Filter Sand - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo it's a good idea to fill the filter up with halfway with water. And then put your sand. AndMoreSo it's a good idea to fill the filter up with halfway with water. And then put your sand. And gently. And that way it can settle down neatly. Without damaging those filter fingers.

Can you put too much sand in a sand filter?

Adding too much sand to your pool filter can cause the pressure in your filter tank to rise and negatively affect the performance of the sand filter. If there is too much sand in the filter, it may cause certain components to break when putting the filter back together.

What happens if you overfill pool sand filter?

TOO MUCH SAND IN TANK - If you have too much sand in your filter tank, your backwash and rinse cycles will not be as effective. Leave at least 6" of space between the top of the sand and the top of the filter tank.

How often should you backwash 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.

Why is my sand filter spitting out sand?

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.

Why is my sand filter blowing sand in the pool?

Shattered laterals can be one reason your pool filter is blowing out sand. A second reason could be due to a broken seal. The most common seal to break is the O-ring. If your pool filter is still blowing out sand after fixing the laterals and seals, it's likely time for a new filter altogether.

How to tell if pool filter is bad?

The first sign to know that your filter is bad is it has a slow filter which is evident when your pool becomes cloudy. Your filter can become sluggish and still function properly. The only way to know that there’s a problem with the filter is that it will not be filtering debris.

What happens if a sand filter is dirty?

Filthy sand filter. A dirty sand filter can also make your sand pool filter malfunction. To know if the filter is dirty, your backwashing cycle would become shorter. When you notice this, you have to check if your filter is not clean enough.

What happens if your pool is not properly managed?

If your pool is not appropriately managed, it may develop specific issues that will make the pool inhabitable. One of such problems is a malfunctioning sand filter. To ensure that your sand filter is functional, you need to look out for signs that indicate that it’s operational or not. If you’re not sure of the signs to look out for, ...

Why does my pool filter tank fail?

The tanks on the filter system can fail when the valves are shut off from the backwash lines. However, this may not be the only cause of tank failure as when tanks of cheaper versions are used to design your filter system, it can lead to tank failure and pool filter leaking from bottom.

Does a leaking multiport valve affect a sand filter?

Leaking multiport valve. Even though a leaking multiport valve doesn’t affect the sand filter directly, it’s still a part of the sand filter and needs to be checked. The sand filter has a spider gasket located inside that makes the constant flow of water possible to its right ports.

Can you check if a Hayward sand filter is dirty?

If you don’t know how to check for this, you can go through a Hayward sand filters manual to know the right steps. The filter is dirty, the pool water won’t flow through the sand filter media; instead, it would create a way for itself around the side of the filter and return to the pool.

How to tell if a pool filter is broken?

Check to see if there is dirt or debris returning to your pool or during a pool vacuum. If there is, this can be a sign you have a broken lateral. Laterals are plastic parts at the bottom of the sand filter, with slits so small that it keeps out sand grains, until it cracks that is. It could also be a broken standpipe or diffuser.

How long does sand last in a pool?

If your pool is struggling to keep clear after a backwash, chances are your sand has reached its life expectancy of about 4-5 years. At this point, the sand loses its shape and starts to get full of oils and will clump up and become gunky.

What happens if a multi port gasket is worn?

If there is, chances are your multi-port gasket is worn and will need to be replaced. Through normal use, the gasket rubber will wear down and eventually allow water or debris to bypass the intended direction and escape out the backwash port (or return to the pool unfiltered).

How to tell if pool filter is not working?

If your pool filter is not working, it will just re-circulate dirt back into your pool.

Why is sand floating in my pool?

If you have a sand filter, the problem may relate to cracks in laterals or a broken standpipe.

How to test pool filter?

If you have an automatic pool vacuum set up in your pool, you can use this to test out the effectiveness of your pool filter as well. Connect the filter to your vacuum and hose using the skimmer suction port. Make sure there’s some dirt on the bottom of your pool otherwise it won’t give you much feedback.

How to clean a pool filter that is pushing dirt back into the pool?

If your filter is pushing dirt back into the pool, the first step is to clean out the filter and then perform a backwash valve inspection. This includes fully taking apart the filter and inspecting each internal component to see where the damage is. If you are operating a sand filter, check to make sure the sand in it is not over three ...

What does it mean when a pool vacuum is running?

When the vacuum is running, check the jets or returns to see if they are spouting out clear or cloudy water. If cloudy water is coming out, that means the dirt sucked out by the vacuum is simply recirculating back into the pool and essentially running for no reason.

Why is my pool pump not working?

Too High of Pressure. If too much pressure builds up inside of the tank, it can cause issues with the filter. This will occur if the filter is not large enough for the pump. A dirty filter can also cause this same issue to arise. When left unchecked, high pressure will cause laterals to crack and leak sand back into your pool.

What happens if you wear out a DE filter?

If you have a DE filter, worn out grids have likely developed tears over time. Check the grids as well as the standpipe o-ring for wear and tear. Also, be on the lookout for adding too much DE powder when recharging the grids.

Why is my pool sand filter slow?

1. Your Sand Filter is Slow. If your pool starts to look unclear or cloudy, then you might have a slow sand filter. It can happen even if the filter seems to run smoothly and looks fine. If that is the case, test the water chemistry to ensure it is balanced. Then check the backwash valve.

What does a dirty sand filter look like?

If you release that backwashing cycles are shorter, then you need to inspect the sand filter for grease and dirt. A dirty filter looks like sandy lard and prevents the water from flowing freely. You might notice a channel of water on the bottom side of the filter.

Why is my pool cloudy?

That can make your pool to turn cloudy. Here you should change the valves and spider gaskets. 3. Bad or Broken Laterals. If the laterals on your filter are bad or broken, the sand gets into your pool. That can cause a lot of problems and require you to clean your facility.

Where are the valves on a filter tank?

It can occur because of various reasons such as tree damage, freezing, and becoming deadheaded. The valves are located on the sides or top of the filter tank (multiports).

Can a small filter handle excessive pressure?

Ensure you check the pressure regularly to make sure it is in the right levels. A small filter might not handle excessive pressure in the tank.

How to test if sand filter is working?

Method #1: If you are unsure if your filter is working you can try adding some diatomaceous earth (DE) to a DE or sand filter to test it . I would suggest just a scoop or two (1lb coffee cup size) into the skimmer. Immediately after adding it go look at the pool jets or returns and see if you can visually detect cloudy water coming back in. If you can then you most likely have a filter issue and will need to address that.

How to test a pool filter?

Method #2: Another way to test your filter is to connect up a vacuum and hose to a skimmer suction port. You can then see if the jets or returns show any cloudy water coming back through. Of course this method assumes you have dirt on the floor of your pool that you can vacuum through the system to perform the test.

Why is my backwash valve failing?

Also Note: If you have a backwash valve it is possible that the valve seal or diverter could be failing which is allowing dirty water to bypass the filter and re-circulate. However it is far more common for the filter to have an internal problem than the backwash valve itself fail… and either way these methods will show you if you have a filter / filter backwash valve problem.

How old is sand when you blow it back in?

If you have a sand filter blowing dirt back in then I would check and see if the sand is more than 3-4 years old. If so you might be ready for a sand change. Over time the water going through the sand particles causes them to “round out” and lose their sharp edges.

How much does it cost to replace sand in a filter?

Replacing the sand in a filter typically costs several hundred dollars and can put you at 50% of the cost of a new filter.

Can you add DE to a cartridge filter?

Note: Do not add DE to a cartridge filter. You can add some cellulose fiber based filtration powder though if you want to try and see if anything comes through. DE can pack into the cartridge folds and cause excessive strain on the fabric elements.

What causes a pool sand filter to channel?

Pool sand filters can basically become like sandy lard which causes " channeling " down the s ide of the sand filter. T his is when the water doesn't get pressed through the pool filter media. It forms an actual channel down the side of the filter. The water is returned to the swimming pool as dirty water.

What happens if a sand filter is broken?

2. Broken or Bad Lateral. When your sand filter has a broken or bad lateral you will usually have sand returning back into the pool. You'll probably need to remove all of the pool filter media and replace the lateral. The actual replacing of the lateral is like screwing in a light bulb, it takes about 10 seconds.

What Is A Pool Sand Filter?

A pool sand filter is a high quality and commonly used filter system that captures both small and large debris and dirt particles. Think of it as the kidney and liver of your pool. It filters everything. The large particles includes debris such as bugs, leaves, grass clippings, and hair. Smaller particles include dead algae spores, phosphates, and bacteria. A sand filter rates 3rd in line for filtration, behind cartridge and D.E. filters.

How many parts are in a pool valve?

There are over a dozen parts inside a multiport valve and each one plays a vital role in keeping your pool clear. It's common to see a little dribble out of your backwash hose after you backwash your filter and rinse the lines. A stead stream of water is something else.

Why is pool sand a pain to troubleshoot?

A problem is only frustrating when we don't have an immediate answer, right? Not knowing what to do and when to do it!! Although they're a great filter, pool sand filter problems can be a pain to troubleshoot simply because of the size of the pool filter and the amount of sand involved.

How to fix pool water clarity?

Your pool filter sand may look good, but it's not doing its job at filtering out debris from the pool water. First, check your pool chemistry with a good water testing kit to be sure the water is balanced correctly. Next, backwash your sand filter, check the backwash valve to be sure it's working ...

How often should a pool filter pump turn over?

Normally, a residential pool filter pump should turn over the water at the most every 8 - 10 hours. Commercial pools may do it a little faster. 8.

How to clean sand in pool filter?

Set the pump on the backwash setting to pull pool water back through the filter. The dirty water and debris drains out of a backwash hose, which cleans the sand in the filter.

How long does it take for sand to filter water?

After five to seven years, the sand gradually loses its sharp edges and its ability to filter the water. When the sand no longer effectively filters the water, you should change it according to the instructions for your brand. Advertisement.

What is sand filter?

Sand filters are pressurized filtering systems. The pool water is pumped through the sand, which filters out large particles as well as leaves, insects and debris. The larger particles increase the ability of the filter to remove smaller particles from the water. The clean water then returns to the pool. The filtration system should filter all of ...

What to do if chlorine doesn't work?

When adding chlorine doesn't work or the chlorine level is above 2 ppm, check the pH level. High pH, alkalinity and/or calci um levels reduce the ability of the water to hold fine particles in suspension and make the water look cloudy.

Why is my water green?

In addition to the filter, clear water depends on sanitation. Chlorine kills algae and bacteria, which can also cloud the water and turn it green over time. Always test the chlorine level in the water, and if it has less than 1 ppm (part per million), simply add more chlorine.

How many microns are in a sand filter?

Though not all of the smaller particles may be filtered through the sand, each cycle captures additional particles that are even as small as 20 to 100 microns. After a few weeks, the dirt and debris will build up pressure in the filter tank by eight to 10 pounds.

Can you shock a pool with chlorine?

If more chlorine doesn't clear the water, you can "shock" the pool, but it may stay cloudy until all the water in the pool has passed through the sand filter several times, and you may have to backwash the filter before running a few more cycles to finish clearing the dead algae. When adding chlorine doesn' t work or the chlorine level is ...