How To BACKWASH A POOL FILTER (The Right Way)

How To BACKWASH A POOL FILTER (The Right Way) | Swim University

Рет қаралды 509,727

Күн бұрын

If there’s pressure built up in your filter or the water’s not flowing well in your pool, it's time to backwash. Backwashing is a necessary part of sand filter and D.E. filter maintenance. And doing it the right way will save you from losing water or damaging your equipment. So here’s a quick tutorial on how to backwash your pool filter.
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⏰ Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to How To Backwash A Pool Filter
00:43 - What Is Backwashing?
01:19 - When Should You Backwash?
02:05 - How To Backwash a Sand Filter (Multiport Valve)
03:31 - How To Backwash a D.E. Filter (Multiport or Push-Pull Valve)
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Пікірлер: 119

@SwimUniversity 2 жыл бұрын

We hope this helps you backwash your filter! Sand Filter backwashing starts at 02:05 and D.E. Filter starts at 03:31. And if you need more help with pool care maintenance, be sure to grab the free Pool Care Cheat Sheet 👍 www.swimuniversity.com/cheatsheet

@kevinabela3911 2 жыл бұрын

Hi, during vacuuming I find myself having to backwash at least 2 times with pressure still stable at 10psi, but flow from the return points very very low…. Any idea what the cause might be? Btw, mine is a brand new pool and system.

@SwimUniversity 2 жыл бұрын

@@kevinabela3911 Is it a smaller filter, like Intex? They can sometimes need 3 rounds of backwashing. Otherwise you might have issues somewhere else (we have some other videos about priming the pump and air leaks).

@kevinabela3911 2 жыл бұрын

@@SwimUniversity It is a Hayward but nit very big.

@bobhughes1465 Ай бұрын

you never said when to put the filter basket back in. keep it out while you back wash? rinse? i assume you put it back before you run filter as normal

@billhrsn 2 жыл бұрын

Ha! No one mentioned the blue hose would whip around like a mad cobra, and in 30 seconds the yard would be flooded! As the kids say, it's all good. Sight glass clear, return jet pumping strong, water level back down from the huge rainstorm. Thanks for the advice!

@minaa1982 Ай бұрын

It happened to me , I had to get a stronger one

@colinmumma 2 жыл бұрын

In one day this became one of the most important channels I've ever subbed to. Thank you so much for the quality content. It's already saved me so much time, money, and heartache.

@SwimUniversity Жыл бұрын

Wow, that's so great to hear!

@atribecalledpete 23 сағат бұрын

I've watched this video so many times lol

@scpc2006 2 жыл бұрын

I have found that cleaning skimmer, strainer before backwashing has better flow. Also cycle between backwash/rinse x2 gets more debris out of the filter.

@CesarSanchez-jk8cw 2 жыл бұрын

This very helpful as we are new above ground pool owners 😆 and my pool is building up algae….so yeah I needed the tips thanks a lot!!!

@dms0505 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, man. You are my pool video guy, not sure why I never subscribed earlier. Subscribed.

@BelieverStarcraft 2 жыл бұрын

1 minute back wash, 30 second recurrulate 15-45 seconds rinse. Done.

@airgunner0335 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the video it did answer my questions

@moanasawyer8893 7 ай бұрын

Awesome tutorial

@adamschwass8050 Жыл бұрын

I highly recommend purchasing Swim University package. It's always updated and it's been so helpful. These free youtube clips are how I got educated on pools 101, but now I'm learning so much more. Good stuff!

@SwimUniversity Жыл бұрын

Thank you for that endorsement! So glad it's helpful.

@user-nw6re2bs1j 4 ай бұрын

Helpful ❤ thanks

@ianmoberg374 2 жыл бұрын

I just got new plaster in my pool and was wondering if u have a video explaining step by step what to do to get it started up? Acid was already added by the plaster guys but now they don’t want to come back to get the water ready

@JustinGriswold 2 жыл бұрын

Nice overview but a little over-simplified on the DE backwashing. In many systems running backwash for two minutes straight will dump clear water in your backyard. Run the backwash until the water coming out is cloudy/grey/green then stop when it starts running clear again. Then rinse for 10-15 seconds, then repeat and repeat again if necessary. If you can't see the water coming out of the hose, many multivalves have a small section of clear pipe on the waste end to view the water flow, or run over to the end of the hose and watch it.

@azbeast1 9 ай бұрын

I thought you had to take apart the DE filter and all that like you do for a single filter system lol I started as a pool tech 2 weeks ago and haven’t backwashed yet cause I thought it was a ton of work. This is a huge relief for me!!

@benitoramirez4631 Жыл бұрын

During backwashing should we see any pressure or should the PSI be at 0?

@ramrods11 Жыл бұрын

I rebuilt my de haywood ec-30 and I get de in the pool that I have to then vacuum, what givess. Just replaced the top o ring seal on the top and put new fingers in it last season and did not wash with muric acid as they were in new shape.

@Shadozzy24 2 жыл бұрын

I have a DE filter. How do I know where to attach the backwash hose?

@AlexM24-7 Жыл бұрын

awesome thanks!

@SwimUniversity Жыл бұрын

You bet!

@user-up8gi8xn1f Жыл бұрын

Do you have to choose which return to use? Drain or skimmer?

@user-yf7xe9ni7j 9 ай бұрын

Thank you

@nelsonjimenez983 2 жыл бұрын

How long to backwash new glass media? Im afraid glass will get in the pool and those tiny glass shards sure hurt in the toes. Thanks!

@jojenjazzjanessacaso3804 12 күн бұрын

Watching this 2024 all the way from the phillipines..thanks

@markcole883 7 ай бұрын

What was the rubber tube connected to the backwash port? I need one to connect because that port leaks on mine.

@paulsaunders6635 Жыл бұрын

Is it necessary to turn off return valve when vacuuming to waste?

@luisgrivera9395 2 жыл бұрын

What do you sugest for a leak in an inground pool.

@LubaLuba1 14 күн бұрын

What's the difference between backwash and waste and on either what should be my setting prior to

@kfx450r1 4 күн бұрын

I have a question. I have a new sand filter. When I backwash it works fine, when i set it to rinse, nothing come out of the outlet drain. Also, when I put it on waste, it starts dumping the sand from my filter out of the outlet drain. I don't know what to do😊

@thom7557 2 жыл бұрын

I get a "low flow" alarm during the rinse process of an Intex Saltwater filter. Can't figure out why.

@patrickkrajewski8591 Жыл бұрын

What is considered a small filter? I have a 100lb sand filter 19inch diameter. Is this small and should do the process 2-3x?

@renooggooner Жыл бұрын

Thanks!!!

@SwimUniversity Жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

@sa-iq8no Жыл бұрын

Dear sir I have a index sand filter , I use salty water for my pool , the sand in the filter after a year became very hard and stony, I cannot take it off the filter , how to change this stony hard sand from my filter

@alisongilroy5304 Жыл бұрын

@johnmichaelkarma Жыл бұрын

Since when is it ok to turn the multi-port handle both ways and not just clockwise ?

@grandpamoyer4743 Жыл бұрын

Don't forget to make sure you put the lid on right on the pool filter holder. I cleaned mine and I must not of put back on it right. I check everything for leaks... then I said what else could it be.... maybe I didn't put the lid on right. took it off put it back on and bam the pump started filling up.

@volpswagen_marco Ай бұрын

What position should the skimmer setting be at?

@thend4427 Жыл бұрын

The push pull level on my filter is stuck idk what to do to fix it

@Bdavie69 2 жыл бұрын

I just bought some DE to clean my filter today. I’m breaking the filter down, not just a backwash. The DE I got is a different brand than the 5 pounds I already have. Will it matter to mix?

@SwimUniversity 2 жыл бұрын

Double check the label. Some powders are actually made up of other things, like Perlite or Cellulose. And there's a difference between food grade D.E. and filter grade D.E.

@nlanwebb 15 күн бұрын

what if your rinse pressure is higher than your filter pressure after backwashing? my normal filter pressure is around 9 psi I backwashed at 15 psi I rinsed for 60 seconds water In sight glass was clear. Filter pressure is back to 9 psi but it’s 15 psi on rince this doesn’t seem normal to me?!?

@itiswatitis2760 Жыл бұрын

losing sand while backwashing do i have to refill everytime i back wash

@jerryhu7 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info!

@awahabia4530 Жыл бұрын

My pool system is more complicated than this. I really wish I can talk with you one to one and show you everything about the pool.

@justindanatos9159 2 жыл бұрын

Do you leave the valve open when you are rinsing? Like leave the backwash hose hooked up and let it flow out to rinse

@snufbox 4 ай бұрын

Yes, leave the valve open to waste whilst rinsing.

@chevyguychevelle7890 2 жыл бұрын

Matt, thanks for the videos and tips! I converted my Above Ground Intex pool to saltwater this season. Should I still Shock every 1 -2 weeks like it states on the Pool Care Cheat Sheet?

@SwimUniversity 2 жыл бұрын

Yes! Regular shocking is really helpful for any pool. But pay attention to the type of shock you use in as saltwater system. Cal-hypo shock can cause calcium build up in your generator over time if the calcium levels get too high. If you have a super chlorinate setting on your saltwater generator, you can use that. Or use dichlor or liquid chlorine. Just watch your CYA levels with dichlor.

@hofx666 2 жыл бұрын

My filter doesn’t have any of these controls or pull handle.

@vanessarp4284 Жыл бұрын

Nice video but my hayward filter has no signs on handle... how I know where is backwash, rinse...?

@rickj6048 Жыл бұрын

Look at the valve figure in this video or if yours is different check website of pool equipment dealer if you need to find a different valve. Then test it out carefully and watch what happens. The only real danger would be if you try to run the pump at full pressure with the valve closed.

@leeskenderi7344 Жыл бұрын

What do you do when you sand filter doesn’t have rinse as an option? I have a dough it filter it doesn’t have rinse. I have Pump to waste Filter to waste Backwash Recirculate

@angelaNallen 10 ай бұрын

Me too! I've been trying to figure out which option I'm supposed to pick instead of rinse.

@jamespetersen7214 2 жыл бұрын

I dont have any of these you mentioned in your video. I have a filter cartridge. I also have a lever by my filter that will release water. Should I hook up a hose to it and let the water go for 30seconds to a minute? I take the filter out and spray it out when the pressure gets high.

@SwimUniversity 2 жыл бұрын

You actually do not need to backwash a cartridge filter. That's why it's not mentioned! Taking the cartridge out and rinsing it often and replacing it when its wearing out is all you need to do.

@jamespetersen7214 2 жыл бұрын

@@SwimUniversity Thank you

@vanessarp4284 Жыл бұрын

Rinse often the cartridges is what?? Once a month or once a year??? It is a lot of work

@jamespetersen7214 Жыл бұрын

@@vanessarp4284 In the summer I have been rinsing the filter once a month, come fall it might be a little longer.

@russellkeith3193 16 күн бұрын

My push pull valve will not pull up what wrong

@christiev1129 8 ай бұрын

How much de do I add back?

@GiovanniP-ql6wl Ай бұрын

Why does my pressure not go down after backwashing? I have poor return flow back into my pool. The sand is about 8 years old.

@zackablett2918 23 күн бұрын

I'd imagine you need new sand

@jerry4012 2 жыл бұрын

I bought a house with an in ground pool but I don't see one of those valves to backwash. My filter pressure is at 40psi, it says maximum working pressure of 50psi. I'm not sure of the filter model, because the sun scorched most of the sticker off.

@SwimUniversity 2 жыл бұрын

What kind of filter is it?

@jerry4012 2 жыл бұрын

@@SwimUniversity it was an old pentair cartridge filter, I've since graduated the KZfaq and reddit pool university and got a quad cartridge along with a new vs pump.

@Ightbet123 8 ай бұрын

What is happening if the backwash ain’t doing anything? No water coming out. No movement

@abomarymm4851 Жыл бұрын

Hey thanks so much for helping, but I have issue in my swimming pool I always see sand in the pool

@rickj6048 Жыл бұрын

Is your pool inground with concrete deck surrounding it? if I pressure wash my concrete, even after rinsing it thoroughly, the wind and the foot traffic deposit sand into the pool.

@sunnygirl87 Жыл бұрын

Are you sure it is sand and not mustard algae?

@SUUCommPersuasiveSpeeches Жыл бұрын

I need some HELP! I had to fire our pool company because they didn't know what they were doing. When they "backwashed" my DE Filter, they just let all the water flood my equipment instead of attaching a hose. They also failed to add DE powder when they were done and I never received an email back telling me what to do- so I watched a lot of KZfaq videos. The DE powder I added into my skimmer backwashed into my pool and now it's completely cloudy. I don't know what to do at this point. Thank you for your time!!

@fabianrojas205 Жыл бұрын

Sounds like you have a torn grid. Time to get that replaced so it holds the d.e and not spit it back in the pool

@matoko123 Жыл бұрын

You dont show where rinse water comes out or how its done?

@randyfisher6509 Жыл бұрын

All my searches for backwashing turn up is for sand or DE, what about for regular Hayward filters? And my pool doesn't have all these valves everyone talks about. If it was so simple, I wouldn't be searching for how to do it! And the link doesn't lead to a "cheat sheet" but to your course to buy.

@lordgarth1 2 жыл бұрын

I think i read that you need to turn that hayward multiport switch clockwise only. Any truth to that?

@Mascot1991 2 жыл бұрын

Stick to one direction only; clockwise or anti-clockwise, that way you limit the wear and tear of the multi-port valve.

@Backlashed Жыл бұрын

2:40 I thought those handles should only be turned clockwise

@jbuch987 2 жыл бұрын

Silly question - we have a sand filter and when backwashing we have to open the dump drain J valve for the backwash line to open. After I backwash, do I rinse with the dump drain open or closed? I always forget - opening our pool in a few weeks!

@SwimUniversity 2 жыл бұрын

Keep it set to waste or in this case the dump drain. When you rinse, the water is flowing through your sand filter in the normal direction (vs. backwashing) so it can collect lose sand. But you want that sent out the waste pipe rather than sending it back to the pool.

@jbuch987 2 жыл бұрын

@@SwimUniversity thank you!

@apple-guy9394 Ай бұрын

What about for us with cartridge filters??

@pilinke11 Ай бұрын

You just need to clean your filter or replace it if it is very dirty and can't be clean, I use to clean it every 3 days to keep my pool clean I highly recommend switch to sand filter way easier and cheap at the long time

@luigi3286 7 күн бұрын

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼😃

@williamtaylor8806 2 жыл бұрын

i think i read that you should only turn the handle of the multiport vale in one direction. do you recommend this as well?

@SwimUniversity 2 жыл бұрын

I'm sure that would help with the longevity, but I haven't noticed that as a huge problem in my experience. The bigger issue is turning it when the system is on. But always follow the manufacturer's directions.

@jeffwolfe4058 2 жыл бұрын

@@SwimUniversity I have a sand filter as in your 1st example and for years I just been doing back wash to back on and not rinse. Is that important step? maybe that's why at open my pool takes forever to clear.

@madeirarealestate9121 2 жыл бұрын

Where are you dumping it ? On grass? Rocks? Does this damage grass?

@powertothesheeple5422 Жыл бұрын

Dump it on the street down the sewer drain if you can. It wont kill anything, it will actually make your grass green. But if there is a lot of algae or debris in the water it can make your yard smell like a dirty fish tank so get it as far away from the pool and gathering areas as you can. I know this from experience battling algae most of the summer and backwashing 3-5 times per week.

@user-tb5kz6pz8l 9 ай бұрын

Do I have to turn off the pump before backwashing?

@snufbox 4 ай бұрын

Yes. Very important to do so.

@bonniemoss8149 2 жыл бұрын

Where can I buy a backwash hose?

@ddtuss2585 2 жыл бұрын

Pool supply store or Amazon

@jonadam5392 2 ай бұрын

Won't the backwash water kill the yard. I was thinking draining into a sewer trap or draining out the front down the street. Or is it no big deal?

@SwimUniversity 2 ай бұрын

If you have a sewer or plumbing clean out port, use that

@emiliemichellady9516 2 ай бұрын

Can we leave the blue hose on the filter all season round ?

@masonp1186 Жыл бұрын

My sand filter doesnt even turn on wth!!!

@MasterIntubator 2 жыл бұрын

How about glass media?

@wudgee Жыл бұрын

Same 😀

@tankerboysabot 8 ай бұрын

I don't have a multi port or a push pull .....

@chewmonkey89 2 жыл бұрын

0:58 False. When your filter gets clogged, it will filter BETTER! But: waiting tot long wil 'crack' the sand and makes canals. The canals wil reduce the working of the filter. So, rinsing the filter to often, will work just as bad as waiting far to long.

@SwimUniversity 2 жыл бұрын

Yup! A little build up is a good thing. We have a video on when to backwash that talks about this: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rsxyoMmGx5fOqY0.html