Backwashing

Q: What is backwashing? I've heard of it.

A: Backwashing is a backward flow of water. The process of backwashing passes pool water "back" through the filter, hence "washing" it. Get it? It's what we pool people call cleaning the filter.

Q: Can you backwash all kinds of filters?

A: No, not all types of filters can be backwashed. A backward flow of water is not capable of cleaning all types of filters sufficiently. Some need to be taken apart and cleaned.

Q: The ones that you can backwash, do you backwash them all the same?

A: Sorry Jack, not that easy. They all have different types of valves and different processes in which to backwash them. Don't be concerned though. I've listed them all below for you.

Q: Gee. Thanks.

A: At Family Pools, we even go one step further sometimes and like to call cleaning the filter "backwashing", relatively speaking. It isn't always so...but it works. Soooo, if you're in chatting with us and we ask you if you've "backwashed" your filter, you know that we're asking if you've cleaned your filter lately. It's just a whole lot easier than asking if you've drained your tank, taken the filter top off, pulled out the cartridges, hosed them down, and put them back, etc. Sound okay to you?

Q: Deal. You can ask me if I've backwashed even if I can't! Great?

A: Yes. I'll also tell you below how to backwash even if you can't! Thanks for being so cooperative!

*Important tip - Please don't get hung up on your pressure gauges. They are just that...a "gauge". Gauges are sometimes faulty and often break. You will know when to backwash by looking at your pool circulation. If the circulation is slow and sluggish then it is time to backwash.

Actually :
    if your circulation is slow and sluggish, backwash
    if your pool heater or chlorine generator reads "low flow", backwash
    if your vacuum has poor suction, backwash
    if your pump fills up with air and your water appears to have stopped flowing, backwash
    if your floor jets are not going up and down as normal, backwash
Put it this way...unless you have a bad mineral problem, it can't ever hurt to backwash

Now onto the list. If you want to understand your Multiport, we have additional information available (see Multiport Functions).

SAND FILTER

• Generally speaking, backwashing is required weekly with this type of filter.
• Generally, the pressure on a clean filter starts between 5 lbs and 15 lbs. When the pressure goes up ten pounds over what it normally starts at, it's time to backwash. Always check the pressure when the filter is first turned on and not after it has been running all day.
• Most sand filters have a six position multiport valve.
• Always shut the power off when turning the handle.
• Turn the handle to backwash then turn the power on until the water looks clear in the sight glass.
• Turn the handle to rinse for 30 seconds.
• Turn the filter back on filter position.
• Turn the filter back on filter position.

PERFLEX DE FILTER

• Generally, backwashing is needed every three to four weeks with this filter
• Generally, the pressure on a clean filter starts between 5 lbs and 15 lbs. When the pressure goes up ten pounds over what it normally starts at, it's time to backwash. Always check the pressure when the filter first starts as opposed to the end of the filter cycle.
• Under severe conditions where the pool is extremely dirty, this filter may need to be bumped or backwashed daily, or even multiple times daily, due to it's efficiency of picking up fine particles
• Shut the power off
• Open the small air relief valve on the top of the tank near the bump handle Bump the filter eight to ten times
• Open the valve at the bottom of the tank if you have one or remove the plug
• Let the dirty water and DE Powder run out
• Close the valve at the bottom and the air relief and start the filter for a couple minutes
• Shut the filter off again and repeat the process a couple times. By backwashing multiple times, more DE that might be stuck between the fingers, washes loose.
• Once done, add the required amount of DE Powder to the skimmer with the filter on. (see DE chart)

VERTICAL GRID DE FILTER

• Generally, under normal conditions, backwashing is needed every four to six weeks with this filter.
• Generally, the pressure starts on a clean filter starts between 5 lbs and 15 lbs. When the pressure goes up ten pounds over what it normally starts at, it's time to backwash. Always check the pressure when the filter first starts as opposed to the end of the filter cycle.
• Most of the time, vertical grid filters have multiports similar to sand filters and the backwashing process is similar.
• Sometimes, they have push/pull valves.
• If you have a multiport, always shut the power off when moving the handle Turn the handle to backwash then turn the power on until the water looks clear in the sight glass.
• Turn the handle to rinse for 30 seconds.
• Turn the filter back to backwash for 15 seconds
• Turn the filter back to rinse for 15 seconds
• Repeat backwash and rinse for another 15 seconds each
• Turn the multiport back to filter position.
• Add the required amount of DE Powder to the skimmer with the filter on

Note that if you have a push/pull valve that one direction is filter and the opposite direction is backwash. Simply go back and forth between filter and backwash a few times and, when back on filter position, add the required amount of DE Powder to the skimmer with the filter on.

CARTRIDGE FILTERS

• No backwashing is necessary, not technically, but these filters do need to be cleaned. Usually, mid-season simply hosing these filter cartridges down will get them clean enough. If not, see Acid Washing.
• Always drain the filter tank prior to taking it apart or hosing the filters. If you miss this step, dirt and debris at the bottom of the tank may end up back in your pool when you restart it.
• Take the top of the tank off.
• Hose the filter cartridges down.
• Be careful when replacing cartridges to tank that all 'o' rings are in place and that the cartridges are placed back onto any stack pipes just as they were before being removed.
• Close the tank back up and start the system. Be patient once you put it back together and restart the pump as the system has to reprime.

STA-RITE SYSTEMS III COMBO FILTERS

• Turn off the filter
• Release the pressure in the tank by taking off the pressure gauge. This will allow the tank to drain.
• Connect a hose to the bottom of the tank at the drain.
• Open the drain. The rest of the water will drain out.
• Take the tank apart. The clamps should be hand tight.
• Hose off the heavy DE and debris in the tank. The water and debris will go out the drain.
• Take the filter out of the tank and get the rest of the DE off.
• Once all the DE is off of the filter element, place it back in the tank. Make sure the 'o' ring at the bottom of the tank is still in place. If it’s not, DE will return to the pool.
• The filter has an arrow on the top. This arrow should face the two pipes that are leading to the filter.
• Put the top of the filter tank back on. Cross tighten the clamps, hand tight only. Make sure the pressure gauge has been replaced.
• Start the pump back up, make sure nothing is leaking.
• Add the proper amount of DE to the skimmer with the filter running.