Hope this video helped you figure out when to backwash your filter! And if you want to learn more about pool cleaning and pool maintenance, subscribe and leave a comment to suggest a future pool care video. And visit www.SwimUniversity.com/pool to get the Pool Care Handbook and Video Course (Use The Promo Code VIDEO for 10% Off!)
Every time I put clarifier in the pool my sand filter usually gets to 20 psi after only a few hours of running.. If I backwash too soon wouldn't it void the clarifier??
I appreciate that it was quickly mentioned that cartridge filters do not need backwashing. I gather a mid season cartridge cleaning is important. Thanks Swim University for teaching us about pool maintenance!
I've found that the most reliable way to determine when to backwash is to watch the water flow into my skimmers. When the pump is running on "high" and the the water is visibly streaming over the weir flap, it's good. But when the water is trickling over the flap (or if the movement isn't visible at all), then it's time to backwash. The most important thing is to find something that you can easily identify as a feature of "good" flow and "bad" flow. For me, the 10 PSI rule doesn't seem to apply; from what I can tell, I need to backwash at around 5 PSI over, but even then, it's still not a great proxy. Looking at the water flow when I'm cleaning the skimmers every week is easy and intuitive.
Thank you for this. This is my first full season with a pool and I’m trying to soak in as much knowledge as possible. The pool has looked great all season and I’ve been doing well with it but this is something I haven’t done. Granted, my pressure has been good and I haven’t seen any issues, but still good to know I should be back flushing occasionally.
I don't pay much attention to gauge, I go by the return water pressure. When it slows down I backwash. Question why does my salt chlorinator low salt light come on even though the salt reading is correct ?.
The circuit that triggers that light is measuring the current (amps) that flows between the anode and cathode of the cell. Low salt can be one of the reasons but since you checked that it usually means end of life is nearing for the cell. These cells usually have a life expectancy of about 10.000 hours.
I have a polaris 360 pressure driven sweeper. Without it hooked up, pressure is 15-20 psi. Hooked up, the pressure goes to 30. I have back washed to clear water, and the problem stays the same.
Rinse. This lets the water circulate in the normal direction but the water is still a bit dirty after the backwash so this setting prevents it going to your pool. Be sure to open a waste valve if you have one (but that should already be open during backwash). About 20 to 30 seconds is ususally enough. I use the light of my phone and hold it underneath the glass, very easy to check if the water is all clear.
We have had an algae problem and have used your other videos to clear it up. However our vacuum only attaches to a water hose to remove debris into a mesh bag and our sand filter only has Backwash, Filter, Rinse, and Winter settings. How would you recommend removing the algae from the bottom after treating?
What do you do after vacuuming out the flocculant? Backwash the filter? or turn the MPV to 'Filter' and turn on the pump??? In other words what do you do with your sand filter after vacuuming out the flocculant and before you balance the water??? Please help?
RULE OF THUMB ALWAYS BACKWASH OR CLEAN CARTRIDGE FILTER ONCE A MONTH OR 5 POUNDS OF PRESSURE INCREASE this is what I have instructed all my customers for years to do and NEVER HAD. A problem OR CLOUDY WATER shock after a rain or heavy bather load and remember a slightly dirty filter will catch more debri than a clean filter and the more you swim the cleaner your pool will stay because the dirt never has time to settle to the bottom of the pool it stays stirred up while your swimming and the filter grabs peace ✌ all and happy splashing
Question what if you open your pool and it’s clean and all you have to do is shock it do you have to back wash still or do you back wash when it get dirty?
If you have high cooper or other metals in your water do not add chlorine until you use a metal out. Let run for 24hrs. Vac to waste than add enough chlorine to raise FC to 3ppm. Also stay away from copper algecides
First year with my pool....the system is fine. The baskets are clean, nothing leaking or getting air. Pool is clear and fine but i have really low pressure out the return. Filter is only 2psi above where we started the season. Thought? Backwash?
2:28 Clean the filter when te water is cloudy, but: not to often! Wait just a day, sometimes two before backwash the filter again. When backwash to often will prevent making a 'layer of debris' witch also finctions as a extra filtering layer. This layer will catch the most smallest particles of dirt (cloudy water) even better than just the sand.
What's the most common reason why I loose my vacuum suction while vacuuming my above ground pool, using skimmer bowl, with the cap in it ? Seems like I am never able to complete my vacuuming before I loose suction !
I would love to see a video - any video specifically for Baquacil users. I have a tough time finding good pool info that applies to my chlorine alternative pool. I love the stuff, just wish it was popular enough that more pool people could help me.
I have a sand filter with my inground pool and my pool is 15,000 gallons and I have to backwash and rinse just about every 2 days and I don't have any trees or shrubs around my pool. I just got a brand new Hayward filter and motor, and put in new sand last season. Do you think I have a leak or something, or is this normal?? My psi runs around 15-17 psi and it always has.
@@wayneguy6043 IDK that's what I'm worried about because we're going on vacation next month for 8 days. I do have my cousin watching my house because we have a dog and he knows what to do with the pool so he'll take care of that but I don't know if having to backwash and rinse my filter every few days is normal. I've had to do it since we opened the pool 10 years ago.
Hi. I started my pool for the first time this summer from sitting all winter. I had it on it on backwash when I started the pump, noticed I lost some sand out the end of the backwash hose, did I hurt the system at all? Thanks.
I keep waiting for my pressure to go up and it's never gone up more than a pound or two after a year in spite of lots of debris and runoff,,, the gauge seems to be working fine... Any ideas?
How often should I do this on my Hayward cartridge filter. I think its about 8" round and about 2' high. My pump was making a funny noise the other day. I thought something was plug up. I just changed this filter a month ago. I put in a clean one in. When I got the cartridge out it was a terrible color of brown, but was water was clear. I can't figure this one out. Any suggestions about this. My pump runs at about 10 to 11 pounds. Once I changed the pool filter the water was running strong again. Still do not know why it was very brown, could it be from the baking power? HELP !
So I have my pump run continuously on a schedule, 3 hrs @ 100%, 7hrs @ 55%, & 14hrs @ 35%. Since the filter is never turned off are you suggesting that I backwash my de filter every 2 days? I've had the pool since June and only cleaned and back washed the filter once after a heavy storm since I started getting Low/no pressure alarms.
Sand filters take about a week to build up 10psi. DE filters on average can run for about 4 week's between backwashing. But if it's been over sized it can go much longer.
When I backwash, I wait til the water is clear, wait 10-15 min., then do it again. After twice backwashing, I turned on the pump and green/algae looking water flowed into the pool. Never seen this happen before, so I backwashed again, adding DE after every backwash. We live near a pond and lake and get a lot of algae, brushing almost daily, using algicide as well. A little help, please? Thnx, and great informative video.
DE filters are so good at filtering they cause more issues that they solve Go with sand. Backwash is 2-5 mins and rise 15 seconds After 12 years I decided to stay away from accounts with de filters
I service a pool and the owner asked me how often I backwash, and I said, "Well, when its necessary." Then she said, "oh no no no please backwash every week. thats how it should be done." -________-
the big freeze & power outages got the pump & flitter this year. We back washed 2 times a week for about 5 years, so was surprised the sand was still at the full mark when I cut the sand filter apart. So what are the negative's about backwashing too much again? Was surprised how clean the sand was, expected to see a lot of stuff on top.
Hope this video helped you figure out when to backwash your filter! And if you want to learn more about pool cleaning and pool maintenance, subscribe and leave a comment to suggest a future pool care video. And visit www.SwimUniversity.com/pool to get the Pool Care Handbook and Video Course (Use The Promo Code VIDEO for 10% Off!)
Every time I put clarifier in the pool my sand filter usually gets to 20 psi after only a few hours of running.. If I backwash too soon wouldn't it void the clarifier??
R to😅
I appreciate that it was quickly mentioned that cartridge filters do not need backwashing. I gather a mid season cartridge cleaning is important. Thanks Swim University for teaching us about pool maintenance!
I've found that the most reliable way to determine when to backwash is to watch the water flow into my skimmers. When the pump is running on "high" and the the water is visibly streaming over the weir flap, it's good. But when the water is trickling over the flap (or if the movement isn't visible at all), then it's time to backwash.
The most important thing is to find something that you can easily identify as a feature of "good" flow and "bad" flow. For me, the 10 PSI rule doesn't seem to apply; from what I can tell, I need to backwash at around 5 PSI over, but even then, it's still not a great proxy. Looking at the water flow when I'm cleaning the skimmers every week is easy and intuitive.
Good morning. Great intel…. I subscribed. Topic: replacing the pool grouting around the edge between the surface around to the flagstone edging…
Thank you for this. This is my first full season with a pool and I’m trying to soak in as much knowledge as possible. The pool has looked great all season and I’ve been doing well with it but this is something I haven’t done. Granted, my pressure has been good and I haven’t seen any issues, but still good to know I should be back flushing occasionally.
Get the Swim University membership he mentions in the video. You'll learn a LOT!
I think last year I prob backwashed to much because I thought it was debris in the bottom of pool but it was sand in the bottom. Ty for Tip
Y’all put out some really good content wish I could see more on comercial pools college pools and the system maintenance too.
I don't pay much attention to gauge, I go by the return water pressure. When it slows down I backwash. Question why does my salt chlorinator low salt light come on even though the salt reading is correct ?.
The circuit that triggers that light is measuring the current (amps) that flows between the anode and cathode of the cell. Low salt can be one of the reasons but since you checked that it usually means end of life is nearing for the cell. These cells usually have a life expectancy of about 10.000 hours.
I'm at work now, but I'll be asking more question after I do what you said. Thank you.
I have a polaris 360 pressure driven sweeper. Without it hooked up, pressure is 15-20 psi. Hooked up, the pressure goes to 30. I have back washed to clear water, and the problem stays the same.
Do I put the pool filter on waste or on rinse after I have run the backwash setting?
Rinse. This lets the water circulate in the normal direction but the water is still a bit dirty after the backwash so this setting prevents it going to your pool. Be sure to open a waste valve if you have one (but that should already be open during backwash). About 20 to 30 seconds is ususally enough. I use the light of my phone and hold it underneath the glass, very easy to check if the water is all clear.
Thanks for this video!
I backwashed 3 times in 3 days !!! Only because I had massive algae is that good or bad. ??
How long should I backwash for?
How long should you backwash?
Awesome questioned has been answered thank you video
I left my sand filter on rinse and it ran for 5 hours before I discovered it. Did I damage anything?
No , you would have just been emptying water from your pool to waste.
We have had an algae problem and have used your other videos to clear it up. However our vacuum only attaches to a water hose to remove debris into a mesh bag and our sand filter only has Backwash, Filter, Rinse, and Winter settings. How would you recommend removing the algae from the bottom after treating?
What do you do after vacuuming out the flocculant? Backwash the filter? or turn the MPV to 'Filter' and turn on the pump??? In other words what do you do with your sand filter after vacuuming out the flocculant and before you balance the water??? Please help?
Thanks for the video
RULE OF THUMB ALWAYS BACKWASH OR CLEAN CARTRIDGE FILTER ONCE A MONTH OR 5 POUNDS OF PRESSURE INCREASE this is what I have instructed all my customers for years to do and NEVER HAD. A problem OR CLOUDY WATER shock after a rain or heavy bather load and remember a slightly dirty filter will catch more debri than a clean filter and the more you swim the cleaner your pool will stay because the dirt never has time to settle to the bottom of the pool it stays stirred up while your swimming and the filter grabs peace ✌ all and happy splashing
Why when doing the back washing I see sand coming out too?
Question what if you open your pool and it’s clean and all you have to do is shock it do you have to back wash still or do you back wash when it get dirty?
What if the pressure thing is 0 ??
The pressure gage is probably broken. Easy fix.
Great vid! Thanks!
How often we have to change the filter sand?
About every 5-7 years
Replacing the top 3 or 4 inches of sand every year will keep it happy for a long time..
Do I have to put ed powder every time when I’m backwashing?
After backwashing also vacuuming the pool daily, we still have dirt on the bottom of the pool. Is it time to change the filter or water?
Do you need to take apart and clean your DE filter at the end of the season
Thank you ☺️
what filter should i get for water park pools? or pumps? i looked through your videos didn't see what pump you prefer or filter? like brand.
@port nut im planning to open a water park outside the US. so me having the blue sky water is my must.
Can you do a video on copper content ? It's dangerous and causes a light green tinge .
If you have high cooper or other metals in your water do not add chlorine until you use a metal out. Let run for 24hrs. Vac to waste than add enough chlorine to raise FC to 3ppm.
Also stay away from copper algecides
First year with my pool....the system is fine. The baskets are clean, nothing leaking or getting air. Pool is clear and fine but i have really low pressure out the return. Filter is only 2psi above where we started the season. Thought? Backwash?
Diameter of pipe and length away from system, could also have an underpowered pump
Thanks.
After I backwash I lose water I bet? Do I need to add more water to respect my pool levels?
Yes, make sure your water level is a bit higher than normal before backwashing so the skimmer doesn't suck in air
What if you don’t have waste as a selection on the sand filter pump? How do I vacuum?
vacuum to filter then
How do I start it
2:28 Clean the filter when te water is cloudy, but: not to often! Wait just a day, sometimes two before backwash the filter again.
When backwash to often will prevent making a 'layer of debris' witch also finctions as a extra filtering layer. This layer will catch the most smallest particles of dirt (cloudy water) even better than just the sand.
What's the most common reason why I loose my vacuum suction while vacuuming my above ground pool, using skimmer bowl, with the cap in it ? Seems like I am never able to complete my vacuuming before I loose suction !
What I have found, is that my water level isn’t high enough. Just add more water. (it has worked every time for me!)
water level for sure. make sure the water level is abovethe hose/vacuum plate elbow thing. if the water is too low, air gets in and you lose pressure.
The vacuum hose will add resistance which can cause the pump to not get enough water to keep a full prime
I do backwash every day and …is it ok???
I have to backwash every time my salt generator says low pump pressure. Which is every 4 days of 10 hr run time.
Bad flow switch for you chlorine generator sodium chloride system
Or high TDS/ calcium hardness
@@mikehaugen4816 incorrect sir, intex pool salt filter is just too small for a 10g pool
Sorry I did not realize it's a novelty pool
I would love to see a video - any video specifically for Baquacil users. I have a tough time finding good pool info that applies to my chlorine alternative pool. I love the stuff, just wish it was popular enough that more pool people could help me.
Why would you not use chlorine as a sanitizer?
Baquacil will never be popular with pool professionals
I have a sand filter with my inground pool and my pool is 15,000 gallons and I have to backwash and rinse just about every 2 days and I don't have any trees or shrubs around my pool. I just got a brand new Hayward filter and motor, and put in new sand last season. Do you think I have a leak or something, or is this normal?? My psi runs around 15-17 psi and it always has.
What happens if you have to go away for a week or two?
@@wayneguy6043 IDK that's what I'm worried about because we're going on vacation next month for 8 days. I do have my cousin watching my house because we have a dog and he knows what to do with the pool so he'll take care of that but I don't know if having to backwash and rinse my filter every few days is normal. I've had to do it since we opened the pool 10 years ago.
Hi. I started my pool for the first time this summer from sitting all winter. I had it on it on backwash when I started the pump, noticed I lost some sand out the end of the backwash hose, did I hurt the system at all?
Thanks.
First very impressive question. Does it get below 32 where you live?
Did the filter drain plug get pulled when it was closed
I keep waiting for my pressure to go up and it's never gone up more than a pound or two after a year in spite of lots of debris and runoff,,, the gauge seems to be working fine... Any ideas?
I’ve moved into a house with a pool this summer. Has been right at 15 psi all summer....water is good and clean....flow is strong...
Leave it be
This is my issue as well. We need answers...
How often should I do this on my Hayward cartridge filter. I think its about 8" round and about 2' high. My pump was making a funny noise the other day. I thought something was plug up. I just changed this filter a month ago. I put in a clean one in. When I got the cartridge out it was a terrible color of brown, but was water was clear. I can't figure this one out. Any suggestions about this. My pump runs at about 10 to 11 pounds. Once I changed the pool filter the water was running strong again. Still do not know why it was very brown, could it be from the baking power? HELP !
Will algae have an effect on how often you will have to backwash
It looks like they don’t respond to questions. I run a saltwater pool with a sand filter. I vacuum to Waste setting to get rid of algae.
So I have my pump run continuously on a schedule, 3 hrs @ 100%, 7hrs @ 55%, & 14hrs @ 35%. Since the filter is never turned off are you suggesting that I backwash my de filter every 2 days? I've had the pool since June and only cleaned and back washed the filter once after a heavy storm since I started getting Low/no pressure alarms.
Sand filters take about a week to build up 10psi. DE filters on average can run for about 4 week's between backwashing. But if it's been over sized it can go much longer.
can I open the valve for back wash half way and the result for back wash and rinse will be good for send filter pls I need this info thanks
It's simple. When the return water pressure is low, backwash.
When I backwash, I wait til the water is clear, wait 10-15 min., then do it again. After twice backwashing, I turned on the pump and green/algae looking water flowed into the pool. Never seen this happen before, so I backwashed again, adding DE after every backwash.
We live near a pond and lake and get a lot of algae, brushing almost daily, using algicide as well. A little help, please? Thnx, and great informative video.
If thats your method, its better just to clean the filter.
the only time i ever had algae is when the stabilizer (cya) levels were way too high.
@@warriordugan7236 You can open a sand filter?
DE filters are so good at filtering they cause more issues that they solve
Go with sand. Backwash is 2-5 mins and rise 15 seconds
After 12 years I decided to stay away from accounts with de filters
@@mikehaugen4816 what issues do de filters cause?
Cotton Ball filter... never needed backwash
How do you backwash a cartridge filter?
You don’t. You just clean the cartridge with a garden hose or soak in a cleaning solution if it’s really dirty.
@@SwimUniversity spread the flaps and get deep in there too homie
You dont
The simple answer is backwash once a week for 3 minutes followed by a 45-60 second rinse.
3 minutes? Wont be any water left for the skimmer
Exactly
If your going to backwash why not just clean the filter??
I Was just told by 2 poor companies DO not backwash baCK washing prevents the small particles from being trapped in the filter. Is that true?
Can you just change your sand instead of back washing
Your sand with proper chemistry should last years for residential pools.
Be sure to backwash your cartridge filters twice a week. This is absolutely necessary.
Lol. Evil.
I go entire seasons without cleaning my cartridge filters. Pool-zyme is amazing
👍👍👍
I service a pool and the owner asked me how often I backwash, and I said, "Well, when its necessary." Then she said, "oh no no no please backwash every week. thats how it should be done."
-________-
Oh yikes 😅
the big freeze & power outages got the pump & flitter this year. We back washed 2 times a week for about 5 years, so was surprised the sand was still at the full mark when I cut the sand filter apart. So what are the negative's about backwashing too much again? Was surprised how clean the sand was, expected to see a lot of stuff on top.
No need too. I just hose mine off
I came here for advice on washing my back. Slightly disappointed :(
Don’t get a de filter. There your welcome you never have to backwash again.
By far the Best filtration