After a period of time, the contaminates in a sand filter start to clog the sand to the point where water flow is significantly diminished and the pressure gauge rises 8 to 10 psi above normal operation readings. To clean out the contaminates, you have to backwash the sand. This guide shows you the steps in backwashing a filter.
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James P. Herring Posted: 10/17/2021
what mixture of sand and peoples do you put into a filterReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 10/18/2021
First, I would look at your filter manual to see if it is recommended or for or against adding gravel to your pool filter. Generally, it's not necessary to add gravel to your filter nowadays. Most installations I have seen that use pea gravel have enough to cover up the laterals, then fill the rest with sand.Reply
Donna J Posted: 5/17/2021
When I rinse the pump do I leave open the backwash line or put the cap back on?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 5/21/2021
Leave the backwash line open. Water will be coming out of the backwash line during the rinse.Reply
Andy Posted: 11/24/2020
Hi I Backwashed my pool yesterday and now it is half empty what happenedReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 12/3/2020
It sounds like you drained your pool. Are you sure you set the valve to Backwash and not Waste or Rinse?Reply
Anonymous Posted: 5/31/2021
I had the same problem. My (sand) filter doesn't give me the options or drain, rinse, etc. To backwash, I'm supposed to turn a handle and push down. I've done this before with no problem. This time, I backwashed a little longer than usual and came back out to find the pool down one foot and water gushing all over my back yard. I turned off the backwash. The refill started to kick in, but after a while it stopped and now it's still at the low level. That's my main concern, now. Will it ever refill?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 6/4/2021
Turn on the hose again, it would be as simple as that. If you have an autofill that isn't working, just put a hose in the pool and fill it up the old fashion way.Reply
Sand in pool Posted: 10/15/2020
Change the sand in filter but noticed every now then on pump start up, sand is pushing back into the pool.. please help.Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 10/19/2020
When do you notice that sand is entering your pool? Is it usually after a backwash or some other time? If you only see it after backwash, then I would do a more thorough rinse. If there is no correlation with anything else your pool, then I would suspect a cracked lateralReply
joan Posted: 8/26/2020
when I backwash my pool, do I need to turn off pool filter or leave it on? Also, what's this rinse thing all about and when do I use that, right after I backwash?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 8/26/2020
It appears you skipped the guide; see the following excerpts:Step 1Turn off power to your pool pump at the circuit breaker. To prevent damage to the valve, or any other pool equipment always turn off the pump before moving the multiport valve’s handle.Step 6Set the valve to Rinse. Depress the valve selector handle, then turn it to the Rinse setting. After a backwash, sand and debris becomes unsettled settle in the filter’s internal plumbing. The rinse setting returns to the normal path through the filter, flushing debris to waste.Reply
Kari Terry Posted: 7/1/2020
We are having trouble with our filter not having much pressure. Please helpReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 8/27/2020
How to Correct Low Water Pressure in Your Pool System or How Do I Correct Low Water Pressure?Pool care topics or questions can be entered into the search at the top of the page to find any relevant guides, articles, or content.Reply
EJ Posted: 6/11/2020
Hi, should my pump be on the high or low setting while backwashing?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 10/23/2020
The high setting would be preferred for a quicker, more thorough purge of debris.Reply
Ronna Posted: 4/13/2020
After shutting off my pump I left my multi dial on backwash. Woke this am to the pool drained down to just below skimmer basket. Did the water drain through gose even though pump wasnt running?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 4/15/2020
It likely did not. Are you sure your pump does not have a night or early morning run time scheduled?Reply
Anonymous Posted: 3/30/2020
Should my pump be on skimmer or main drain when I’m backwashing or can it be in the middle? Which one should be off/on?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 3/31/2020
I would pull from the main drain. Depending on how much water you will be putting to waste, your waterline could fall below the optimal level for the skimmer to operate properly. The main drain will not have that issueReply
Annelisse Posted: 1/11/2020
Hi, I "backwashed" a pool without turning on the pool pump. Just before that I also mistakenly opened a valve that flooded/overflowed the basket in the pump-lots of water pored out of the closed lid above the basket. Then I closed it. I thought it was the valve that takes water from the pool, but instead I was told its the valve that takes water from the spa that flows into the pool below it. After "backwashing" the pool, I turned the pump back on, but there was no suction being generating in the pool, and the spa jets were barely turning on. the spa water is also an inch lower than before. After a while the pump just shut off. Any suggestions how I can fix this?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 1/13/2020
Hello - I am little mixed up in the description of the problem, but it sounds like while backwashing you opened a valve and/or pump lid, now suction is low. If that is incorrect, feel free to correct me.If that description is correct, I believe you have air in your system, either from the water level is low or from opening your pump lid. If you have a DE filter, I suggest opening the air relief until it spurts water. If you have a san filter, the air should eventually expel itself.Reply
Martha-Megibben Parry Posted: 10/12/2019
I CANT MOVE THE HANDLE ITS CLOGGED WITH SAND IM AFRAID OF BREAKING THE HANDLEReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 10/14/2019
If the valve is caked with sand, I suggest removing the top handle assembly. The valve cover is held in place with 6 to 8 screws; once you remove them, you should be able to remove the handle assembly and clean out any debris.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 7/29/2019
My pool will only run In filter mode for about 4 hours and then it starts leaking from the top..any suggestions on what can be wrongReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 7/30/2019
If you enter "leaking multiport valve" into Inyo's site search, there a few articles explaining the issue. Give those articles a read.Reply
Orville Posted: 7/29/2019
Should I do it all again if my psi levels are still high? And not back at the 8-10 psi? What should I do?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 7/29/2019
Yes, try it again. You may need to do a longer backwash and rinse if it has been longer than usual since your last cleaning.Reply
Bernie Posted: 6/18/2019
Hi, when I put my filter in backwash there’s no pressure, but when the filter is running there is strong pressureReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 7/10/2019
Have you recently replumbed and connected the lines to the filter? Because the symptoms you are describing sound like the pipes are on the wrong ports.Reply
Anonymous Posted: 6/13/2019
When do I add the DEReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 6/14/2019
You wouldn't have to because this is a sand filter.Reply
stan jackson Posted: 6/5/2019
Thanks guys.....appreciate the helpReply
Rick Posted: 5/27/2019
Outstanding information glad to have found this siteReply
Anonymous Posted: 5/20/2019
Whenever I run my filter for more than an hour or so I have to backwash in order to get the flow right again. Once I backwash it starts to work properly again for another hour or so. Then repeat. Any idea why this would happen?Reply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 5/21/2019
Is this a sand or a DE filter?Reply
roy Posted: 5/13/2019
When doing the backwash and rinse cycles do I need to turn my skimmers off and main offReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Matt S. Posted: 5/14/2019
No, those lines need to be open so that the pump can draw water.Reply
Steve Posted: 12/20/2018
My sand filter sight glass is dirty with algae or something. Wondering if it can be replaced or somehow cleaned. Also wondering about the pressure valve the glass or plastic housing is fogged up so I can't read it. Is that replaceable? Thanks, SteveReply
InyoPools Product Specialist Robert M. Posted: 1/2/2019
Hello Steve - The sight glass and pressure gauge can be replaced. What is the make and model of your pool filter?Reply