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how do you backwash a saltwater pool

by Mrs. Annamarie Wolff MD Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

How do you backwash a saltwater pool?

  • Turn off the pool pump.
  • Set the filter valve handle to the BACKWASH position and ensure the handle locks in place.
  • Turn on the pump and backwash for 2 minutes or until the water in the sight glass (located on the filter) is running clear.
  • Turn off the pump.

Part of a video titled How to backwash your pool - YouTube
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Turn your filter valve to backwash. Then turn on your pool. Pump. Watch the water coming out untilMoreTurn your filter valve to backwash. Then turn on your pool. Pump. Watch the water coming out until it runs clear usually in two to three minutes once the water is clear shut off the pump.

Full Answer

How do you backwash a pool filter?

Backwash or backwashing is the process of thoroughly cleaning a swimming pool 's filter by a method of reversing the flow of water to flush out contaminants. This way, you don't have to clean the filter manually, and it usually takes just a few minutes. Continue the process until the water runs clear through the waste line.

Do I need to backwash my Pool?

Unless your pool gets really dirty, you should not need to backwash it beyond your scheduled maintenance. Another theory recommends to backwash when the pressure gauge is about 8 to 10 psi (pound-force per square inch) over the starting level.

What is backwash in swimming pool cleaning?

Petegar / Getty Images Backwash, or backwashing, is a method to thoroughly clean a swimming pool 's filter and avoid having to clean it manually. It usually takes just a few minutes. You'll know it's time to perform the backwashing routine when the pressure gauge indicates a pressure rise of 8 to 10 pounds above the clean or "startup" pressure.

Where does pool water go when backwashing?

So where does it go? When you backwash the pool water exits the pool and in general either goes directly into the sewer system or to somewhere in your yard, such as on a lawn, a flower bed, under trees or wherever you direct it by laying out a backwash hose.

How often should you backwash your saltwater pool?

about once a weekAs a general rule, you should be backwashing your pool about once a week or in conjugation with your scheduled maintenance. Another industry standard is to backwash when your filter's pressure gauge reads 8-10 PSI (pounds per square inch) over the starting level or “clean” pressure.

What is procedure for backwashing a pool?

Just follow the below steps to get backwashing:First, turn off the filter system. ... Then, connect the backwash hose to the filter's backwash port. ... Open the backwash gate. ... Turn the filter system back on, and let it go for about three minutes. ... Turn the filter system back off.Go ahead and close that push/pull valve.

Should I rinse or backwash first?

The 'Rinse' setting should be used after backwashing and again run just for a minute or two. On this setting the water is flowing through the filter in the normal direction but once again is being sent to the waste pipe rather than being returned to the pool.

Can I backwash pool after adding salt?

More than likely, the answer is yes. I backwashed for about one minute just to dump water and 30 seconds for rinse and it starved the grass in the area (at least parts of it). You can try hooking up your backwash hose to a longer vacuum hose with a clamp. It will leak, but if your hose is not sturdy, it may break.

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.

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.

What happens if you dont rinse after backwashing?

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.

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.

How do you rinse after backwash?

2:243:24How To Backwash And Rinse Your Sand Filter - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you've completed the rinse cycle depress the lever and put it back to filter. You have nowMoreAnd you've completed the rinse cycle depress the lever and put it back to filter. You have now completed your back wash and rinse of your sand filter.

Should you shock a saltwater pool?

So, not only is shocking a saltwater pool okay, but it's actually important to your pool's health. Shocking is the process in which you overload your pool with chlorine (3-5 times the normal amount) to improve your pool's cleanliness and kill off organic matter.

How often do you salt a saltwater pool?

Annual booster additions of pool salt are usually required, but only to replace salt lost from backwashing, splashout or lowering the water for winter. If you fully drain the pool for maintenance, you will need to replace all of the pool salt. Over a ten-year timespan, the cost of a salt water pool vs.

What is ideal salt level for pool?

between 2700-3400 ppmThe ideal salt level is between 2700-3400 ppm (parts per million) with 3200 ppm being optimal. Before adding salt to your pool, test the water to check your salt level. If the level is low, determine the number of gallons in the pool and add salt according to the chart below.

How much pressure should I use to backwash a pool?

Another theory recommends to backwash when the pressure gauge is about 8 to 10 psi (pound-force per square inch) over the starting level.

How long does it take to backwash a pool filter?

Backwash, or backwashing, is a method to thoroughly clean a swimming pool 's filter and avoid having to clean it manually. It usually takes just a few minutes. You'll know it's time to perform the backwashing routine when the pressure gauge indicates a pressure rise of 8 to 10 pounds above the clean or "startup" pressure.

How to backwash a water hose?

Clamp the backwash hose to the water outlet. Position the backwash valve to either push or pull—the water will flow through the hose or the equipment. Turn the handle to the backwashing position. Backwash for a few minutes or until the water clears. Turn off the system to stop the backwashing process.

How to clean a septic system?

Instructions vary according to your filter type; it's best to consult the website of the filter manufacturer, if possible. Basically, this is how it is done with a DE filter: 1 Turn off the pump and turn the backwash valve (plunger or multivalve) to the backwash setting. 2 Turn on the pump again until the filter view-glass appears clear. Try to alternate between backwash and rinse (or filter for plungers) a few times to remove more DE. Don't forget to turn off the pump when changing valve settings. 3 Discard the DE in the yard or in the trash. Some units include a DE separation tank that captures and contains the DE. 4 Turn off the pump to make sure that the timer or automation system doesn't turn back on while the filter is being disassembled. 5 Drain the filter by opening the release valve at the top of the filter to allow the water to drain. For thorough draining, remove the drain plug (sometimes by using a screwdriver) at the bottom of the filter so the water can drain from the tank's bottom.

What to do if dirt gets through pool filter?

If dirt or DE (diatomaceous earth) gets through the filter and into the pool, check for: Maintenance and prevention are key: When you feel a backwash valve becoming difficult to turn, do a teardown and lubricate before any leaks occur. While you're at it, carefully examine grids, laterals, cartridges, and manifolds each time you break down ...

How to stop backwashing?

Turn off the system to stop the backwashing process. Roll up the hose. Move the valve handle to its previous position, which will permit water to flow through the system. Lock it in place. While turning on the system, open the air relief valve, which is located at the top of the filter.

Can you backwash a DE filter?

Backwashing a DE filter should be considered a temporary solution when a complete teardown and cleaning aren't practical. A sand filter works well with backwashing. Since there is no DE to add, it removes the potential for errors that may result in a dirty pool.

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.

Why does my pool filter lose suction?

This can happen, particularly if the pool is quite dirty, as the filter may become blocked which then builds up back pressure and reduces suction .

Why do you empty a pool in stages?

In this case it may be better to empty the pool in stages to allow the water time to soak in and distribute.

Why does my pool sand get blocked?

This also occurs because the sand becomes blocked by the debris that has been collected in the filter. you have just vacuumed the pool, which was particularly dirty and it is good practice to do it then as part of your regular cleaning routine.

Can you vacuum a pool with a backwash valve?

No, you cannot vacuum a pool when the multiport valve is in the backwash setting. This is because the water flow is reversed with the water from the pool (or the vacuum hose if it is connected) going from the bottom of the sand filter to the top and then into the waste pipework. Any dirt you pick up while vacuuming is likely to get trapped in ...

Can you leave the pool pump running after vacuuming?

If you haven’t already done this after vacuuming the pool, then turn off the pool pump. You should do this every time before you change the setting on the multiport valve as it you do not and leave the pump running it could damage the system.

What Does Backwash a Pool Mean?

Backwashing is a pool cleaning method in which the filtration system of the pool is cleaned so that the water flows smoothly and there is no debris and hurdles in its way.

How to Backwash a Swimming Pool?

You can do the backwashing process by yourself because it is an easy task or you can also hire a professional team to do the service.

What is the Purpose of Backwashing a Pool Filter?

Backwashing is about reversing the water flow. The purpose behind backwashing a filter system of a swimming pool is to clean all the debris from the filter system.

How to Backwash an Inground Pool?

If you do not clean the filter of your inground pool regularly then the gauge of the pump close to redlining or the sand in the pump gets dirty.

How Long to Backwash a Pool?

Backwashing does not require more time. Backwashing an above-ground pool filter consumes 2 to 3 minutes and an inground pool takes around 7 minutes.

How to Backwash a Pool with a Cartridge Filter?

As told you that backwash means reversing water flow but when it comes to cartridge filter then unfortunately you cannot backwash it.

How to Backwash a Pool without a Multiport Valve?

In the previous sections, you have learned about backwashing a pool filter having multiple ports that represent “BACKWASH”, “RINSE”, and “FILTER”. But what if your pool filter does not have this multiport valve? How should you backwash your pool filter then?

What does it mean to backwash a pool filter?

Don’t worry—this has nothing to do with sharing drinks, ick! Backwashing your pool filter, also commonly referred to as just “backwashing the pool,” is the act of cleaning out your filter by flushing out all the gunk it’s accumulated. Simply put, when you backwash your pool filter, you reverse the direction of the water flow, and water moves back through the pool filter and out the waste or drain port. Just make sure you’re disposing of it properly—and we’ll get to that soon. All in good time, my friend.

How to backwash a filter?

Just follow the below steps to get backwashing: 1. First, turn off the filter system. Again, it’s better to work when the filter’s off. 2. Then, connect the backwash hose to the filter’s backwash port. This will be the hub of where the backwash really happens. 3. Open the backwash gate.

How to backwash a multiport valve?

And while you’re at it, make sure the filter is never on while you’re turning that multiport valve: 1. First, turn off the filter system. You don’t want anything running yet. 2. Then, connect the backwash hose to the filter’s waste port. This will be where the backwash really happens in a second. 3.

Can a pool filter suck anything?

For all the noble work it does, a pool filter’s sort of like a household vacuum: as it picks up dirt and debris, it holds everything inside, and eventually, it can’t suck anything else in—unless you switch out the bag.

Does backwashing a filter make it less efficient?

But once those contaminants build, your filter becomes increasingly less efficient—even if those edges haven’t yet smoothed down—and the pressure of your filter ramps up. Backwashing cleans out your filter without requiring you to pick through sand, which would be messy, and D.E., which would be dangerous.

How to keep sand from going back to pool?

Run the rinse setting while you top up the sand to ensure it doesn’t go back to the pool. -Lubricate the backwash valve often. -As you reassemble the filter system, ensure that you take note of all the parts. If you forget some, the filter may leak.

What is backwashing a pool filter?

Backwashing is a filter cleaning process through your filter system that reverses the flow of water. Pool filters allow the removal of organic material by directing the water into a porous medium such as sand.

How to clear pool water from filter?

Allow the water to clear for a minute. Turn the pump off. Shut the skimmer valve to ensure water can’t get into the filter from the pool. Wash the hair catcher and the skimmer basket, then put them back in place. Set the skimmer values and then turn the filter valve to “filter.”.

How do I install a waterfall in my pool?

However, if you have to do it yourself, here’s how to do it: First, ensure the filtration system and the pump is shut. Next, you have to clamp the hose used for backwash to your outlet. Confirm that the handle locks are in place and set the filter to “ Backwash.”.

How to backwash a water pump?

However, if you have to do it yourself, here’s how to do it: 1 First, ensure the filtration system and the pump is shut. 2 Next, you have to clamp the hose used for backwash to your outlet. 3 Confirm that the handle locks are in place and set the filter to “Backwash.” 4 Wait until the water is clear. 5 Stop the backwashing by turning off the pump. 6 Again ensure the filter handle locks are in place and set the valve to “rinse.” 7 Allow the water to clear for a minute. 8 Turn the pump off. 9 Shut the skimmer valve to ensure water can’t get into the filter from the pool. 10 Wash the hair catcher and the skimmer basket, then put them back in place. 11 Set the skimmer values and then turn the filter valve to “filter.” Lock the handles then turn the pump on.

How often should I backwash my pool?

Your maintenance schedule will guide you on how often to backwash a pool, but ideally, you should do it once each week. If you’re wondering how often to backwash pool filters, you should look out for the industry standard.

How often should I clean 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.

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