Your pool’s sand filter plays a big role in keeping your water fresh and clean. As the pool water is pumped through the filter, the sand inside the tank traps dirt and debris. Without this function, your swimming pool can quickly go from dazzling to dirty. If you’re experiencing sand filter problems, the quicker you can resolve them, the better. This post will detail the 5 common sand filter problems and how to resolve them, so you can get your pool back to its gleaming self!
SAFETY TIP: Always shut off power to your sand filter and set mode to “winterize” before you begin to investigate or repair a problem.
Job Materials
- Philips-head screwdriver
- Flat-head screwdriver
- Needle-nose pliers
- Loctite 401 or 403 glue
1. Loose or Broken Multiport Valve Handle
The multiport valve on your sand filter is a powerful piece of pool equipment. As the name implies, a multiport valve has numerous internal ports, or pathways, for the pool water to flow. These valves have a lever handle that you can rotate to set one of the seven filtering functions. By changing the position of the handle, you can initiate the filter, backwash, recirculate, waste, rinse, winter, or closed settings. The pool water will be routed a certain way, depending on which setting you choose. This function allows your pool filter to efficiently perform several maintenance operations.
With all that being said, if your multiport valve handle is loose or broken, you won’t be able to use all the functions your valve has to offer. Below we will explain how to repair a faulty handle.
Loose Handle
If you notice that your multiport valve handle is wiggly, this could be due to a loose or broken spring within the key seal assembly. Thankfully, replacing the spring is fairly simple.
- Unscrew the lid of your valve to access the key cover assembly.
- While pushing down on the top of the assembly, use a hammer and screwdriver to gently tap on the pin holding the handle in place until it pops out. Unless you can grow an extra set of arms, you will probably need backup for this step!
- Set the handle off to the side and lift off the top portion of the assembly. Check the integrity of the washer that sits underneath the handle — replace if worn.
- Remove the current spring, and replace with a new one.
- Check the o-rings on the stem as well. Clean or replace if any are dirty or broken.
- Reassemble the key seal carefully, ensuring all parts go back in the right places.
- Screw lid back on snugly.
Broken Handle
A broken multiport valve handle might seem like a bigger problem than a loose one, but it’s actually a bit easier to fix. Follow steps 1 and 2 listed above to remove the valve handle. Again, check the washer and replace if needed. Attach your new valve handle by inserting the pin back into place, then screw the lid back on.
2. Leaking Waste Line
A bit of water dripping out of your sand filter’s waste line after backwashing the filter is a normal occurrence. However, if this drip continues for a long time and/or the drip becomes more intense, you could have a problem on your hands. Typically, an old or damaged spider gasket is to blame for a leaking waste line.
Replacing the Spider Gasket
- Unscrew the lid of your valve to access the key seal assembly.
- The spider gasket will either be glued to the rotor — the bottom piece of the whole key seal assembly — or sitting inside the valve body.
- If the spider gasket is glued to the rotor, you will need to replace the entire rotor.
- If the spider gasket is located inside the valve body, peel it off with your hands or pliers.
- Once the old spider gasket is removed, clean and dry the valve.
- When everything is dry, apply a small amount of glue to the edges of the grooves in the valve, and place the spider gasket flat side down into position.
- Let the glue dry completely, then put the key seal assembly back together.
Check out this link for a complete list of products you might need to replace within your multiport valve.
3. Sandy Pool
It’s common to see a small build-up of sand on the bottom of your pool after replacing the sand in your filter, or running the backwash cycle. However, if the amount of sand in your pool increases, you are likely dealing with a broken lateral or standpipe inside the filter.
Laterals are plastic parts at the bottom of the sand filter, with small slits that keep out sand grains. It could also be a broken standpipe or diffuser — all internal parts that can leak sand into the pool if cracked. The solution? Drain the tank, scoop out the sand, and replace the entire set of laterals. You can reuse the filter sand if it’s still in good shape. Generally, pool filter sand lasts about 5–7 years before it wears out and needs to be replaced.
While a broken lateral or standpipe is frequently the reason for leaky sand, here are a few other potential problems that could be turning your pool into a beach:
- Worn-Out Sand: The sand becomes smooth over time and isn’t able to trap dirt and debris.
- Calcified Sand: Very hard water minerals will turn the sand into sandstone.
- “Mudballing”: Oils collect in a sand tank, making gooey balls of gunk in the top third of the sand.
- Bypassing: If the pump is too powerful, dirt could be bypassed straight through the filter, without being properly processed.
4. Low or High Filter Pressure
For most pools, the ideal sand filter pressure range is from 10 to 25 psi. An obstruction in the system or incorrect sand levels are often the cause for an increase or decrease in pressure. If the sand filter pressure drops below 10 psi, first check for a clog before the filter. Clean out your pool skimmer and inspect the impeller in your pump. If there are no issues in your pump, the problem could be due to low pool water levels or not enough sand in the filter. Top off your pool water or add more sand to the filter and you should be good to go.
If your sand filter pressure is too high, the first step is to backwash the filter. Dirty sand will cause the filter pressure to rise. If this doesn’t resolve this issue, you may have too much sand in the filter or an obstruction. Check your sand levels and remove any excess if needed. If you suspect an obstruction and are not sure how to clear it out, contact a professional for assistance.
5. Cracked Tank
Sand filters are highly pressurized pieces of equipment. Therefore, if the tank cracks, it needs to be replaced. Unfortunately, no amount of MacGyver-level duct-taping skills will safely repair a crack. It is generally cheaper to replace the entire sand filter than to repair a cracked tank.
Diagnosing and repairing sand filter problems quickly is important. A well-functioning sand filter is crucial to keeping your pool clean and enjoyable. Thankfully, many common sand filter problems are relatively easy to resolve.
We have a Best way pool with an Intex pump/filter and we keep getting sand in the pool. From day 1 we have never really had a pristine pool. Any ideas
Hi John, sand in the pool can be either too much sand used, or not enough sand used, or the wrong kind of sand, or a bad batch of sand, or cracked laterals or standpipe. Water clarity issues can also arise from not running the pump long enough each day, or from low chlorine levels or imbalanced pool pH, alkalinity and calcium levels.
Contractors put new cool deck coating on our deck . but during removing old layer. they didnt bother to thread cap off the 3 skimmers ..now our psi intermittently jumps 10 to 20 lbls every otherday ..i backflush 3 to 4 minutes at goes back to normal 10 psi .but 2 days later its back to 25 lbs .we have pentair 2 sand filter
Hi Daniel, let’s assume some of the gunk got in the filter. I’d start with using a Sand Filter Cleaner chemical. These are added thru the pump, and backwashed into the filter, and can also be poured into the top of the tank, if that’s convenient. They work to dissolve grease/oil or calcium blockages in the sand. Very effective when used regularly. Otherwise, another treatment is to irrigate the sand bed with strong garden hose pressure, letting the tank overflow (shield pump motor from water), and getting your hands in there, to feel for grease balls and sand ‘rocks’, and disturbing the full depth of the sand bed.
I have a multiport sand filter. No matter which setting I turn the handle to, water leaks out the waste hose, and comes out full force when the pump is running, no matter the setting. I’m thinking maybe a bad spider gasket, or is it something else? TIA
Paul, usually it is the spider gasket, which should not allow water out of the waste line on Filter or Recirculate settings, only Waste and Backwash. It can also happen when the filter is plumbed in backwards. Or, if the spring under the handle is broken, allowing the rotor to lift up from the spider gasket. Heavy sand or debris inside the valve can also cause small leakage.
Thank you. It was indeed the spider gasket.
We just had a pool installed. I backwashed for about 3-4 minutes initially and then turned in the pump as I was told. After a couple of hours I noticed we have sand in several places around the pool. We had this problem last year too with a different pool and pump that we installed, I thought it was the type of finer sand we used. We did elevate the pump/filter on a stand my husband made to keep off of the sandy ground with both pools. Is it possible the filter being elevated about 6-8 inches off the ground could cause it to throw sand back into the pool?
Hi Kari, probably there was a little too much sand added to the filter. Or perhaps some sand entered the standpipe while adding it. Or, if it continues to pump sand into the pool, it could be a cracked lateral or some other damage inside the tank. Raising the filter would not cause a problem. IF it is just a little bit of sand, it could be residual from the backwash. and if you use the Rinse setting for 10 seconds, after each Backwashing, that will ‘rinse out the pipes’.
Have you ever seen or heard of sand media causing a severe blockage of the return lines? I have a Triton II TR-100 filter and a Raypak heater. The filter and pump work fine in Waste and Back Wash modes. I have almost no water coming our of my 3 return jets (had to use dye to confirm some flow) in either Filter or Recirculate modes. Pressure in the the tank is 2-3 psi higher as the only return to the pool that is working is for my sweeper which is upstream of the heater. I have had some sand in the pool from time to time but it goes away with some vacuuming and back washing.
Keith, sand can calcify into sandstone, but how would it get out of the filter and into the line? I would be more suspicious of the heat exchanger tubes being clogged up with lime deposits, or a return side valve broken and mostly closed, or some part of the heater internal bypass or other broken part is clogging the line somewhere, usually at a 90 fitting. You can get a Drain King at a local hardware store and attach it to a garden hose and stick it into the wall returns to spray water back thru the return line. Cut a pipe to let the obstruction out. Heat exchangers can be reamed out of lime, if that is noticed. You would have to remove the rear header to inspect the HE tubes.
Hello,
I am having trouble keeping my pool clean. I have index sand filter, I started to notice sand in the pool. I have taken the filter apart (Didn’t see any cracks) and washed the inside and replaced the sand, I then vacuumed the sand In the pool on the waste setting and all was looking well. Choline level has been low throughout and I shock it in the morning and the level is 2ppm by the end of the day the level is back down to less than 1 ppm.
There now appears to be sand back in the pool.
Any suggestions as of the cause of this problem and how to fix?
Thanks
Aaron
Aaron, any other possible sources of sand in the area? If from the filter, it could be either too much sand added, or a bad grading of the sand, some particles so small, they pass thru the screen or laterals at the bottom of the tank. Sand is usually graded .45-.55 mm in size, or aka #20 silica sand. This year I have heard a lot of complaints about sand, either clogging up, not backwashing, or passing thru to the pool. So many complaints, that I am sure there is a major pool filter sand packager that made a grading mistake on thousands of skids of sand, across several brands.
I have a sand filter and it’s pumping great and the pressure is good but my water in the pool is turned green. Its to the point that I can’t see the bottom. At first when I flushed it would be green but the last cycle was not and it had ran for 10hrs. I am repeating that step in case it was a fluke. My alkalinity is high but it seems odd that it would be so green. Chlorine is at shock level now, PH and Alkalinity is still high. I’m going to buy some PH down today. Any idea’s? Also the pump was installed in May so the sand is only a couple months old.
Bryan, >>> Low pH, High Chlorine, and run the filter 24/7.
I have a Hayward side mount sand filter for my inground pool. Early in the season after opening I had no trouble backwashing. For the last few weeks I have not be able to back wash properly and my tank pressure is high. When I do backwash now the water is clear, the flow is good and the tank pressure drops slightly after back washing but I know I am not getting a good back wash due to how clear the water is when doing so. I took the handle assembly off and everything seems to be fine. The diverter is working and the spring is good. One thing though the handle does have some slack in it. Once I get it in the slot for back washing or circulating the handle is a little loose and can easily move up and down (partially). Do you have any thoughts?
The handle does have some play in it, that’s normal, if the spring is intact, then all is likely good. The sand bed may have some calcification in it. I would recommend using a Sand Filter Cleaner, which is poured into the pump basket, and then with the handle in backwash position, turn on the pump for just 1-2 seconds. Shut off the pump and let it sit overnight, and then backwash. In your case I would repeat again the next night, possibly a third night. Another technique is to irrigate the sand bed with garden hose pressure, removing the dome and sticking the hose deep into the bed and letting the tank overflow (shield the motor from the water), moving the hose every 30 seconds or so. Do this for about 30 minutes, getting your hands in there too, to stir up the sand…
Hi, great article thank you. I was seeing sand in my pool near the jets every time I ran the filter. The sand was also a few years old. So I replaced the complete lateral assembly and replaced the old sand with pool filter glass (for longer lifespan and better filtering). The water seems much cleaner, but I’m still seeing lots of sand near the jets after a night of the filter running.
I had completely vacuumed out all of the sand and I’m not even sure how stand is still present since I replaced it with the glass. Any thoughts?
Well, unless there was a bunch of sand in the pipes, I can only think that sandy dirt is washing into the skimmer, from under the deck, or being drawn into a pipe from a crack in a suction pipe, or being blown into the pool and sucked up by the drain, and then being pushed thru the glass media, into the pool…?
Hi I have a hayward s144t filter with a 1 1/2 hp motor I have constant sand in my pool, we changed the lateral and middle pipe in filter 3 times and still no relief any idea on what can be wrong
Hi Jenn, it could be that the sand is graded incorrectly, and not #20 silica sand. lots of problems with sand this year. Try a different brand. Secondly, perhaps too much sand in the filter? Or, maybe the pump is too large for the filter, if that is different from the original.
Hello,
Our sand pool filtee was working fine until we lost power 3 days ago. Power was out for 2 days and we used the small generator to run the pool pump every few hours. Now power is back on and there is barely any suction and the pressure is very low. Im not sure what happened?
Check the pump basket and check the impeller for clogging. Possibly a clog in the suction line. Lower than normal pressure usually indicates an obstruction at or before the impeller.
I accidentally cut of water to the tank while running. A popping noise followed by water oozing from the top of the bladder. What have I done???
I call that the water hammer effect. Maybe you ‘blew a gasket’ so to speak, or maybe no worries. If something is leaking, open it up and find the crack or damage and find the replacement part in our parts dept. and you should be ok.
Hello, I just reopened our pool after 7 yrs of sitting empty. I used all your products to refinish and repair the walls. But the sand filter I have questions, he said the sand was changed 7 yrs ago before the pool was let go. It is a 16×32 inground cement bottom pool. 16,000 gal of water.
The problem is I notice after doing a super vacume job, going over it twice, a few hrs later and no one had been in the water during this time that there is dirt back on the bottom of the pool. It’s frustrating. But do you feel changing the sand in our Hayward model 712 w/Hayward 1 1/2 horse pump would help? I do use clarifier and the chemicals and chlorine levels are good. What do I do?
Hi Maureen, that can be considered normal for a sand filter. They can pass fine, silty dirt, sometimes visible while you are vacuuming, or afterwards. Clarifier can help. Or vacuuming to waste (with filter valve on the Waste position) can help when vacuuming silty dirt or algae. New sand probably won’t help. You could backwash immediately after vacuuming, if you are seeing the dust later, that may help. And, not backwashing as often can help, because a half-dirty sand filter will actually filter more effectively than one that is very clean. We also have a product with a funny name, The Slime Bag, which is a fine mesh filter bag that attaches to your wall return, to act as a secondary filter, and would definitely trap that fine dust.
We have an intex sand filter pump. When we turn the pump on to filter we can see the strong flow. After about an hour the PSI moves into the yellow and when putting my hand into the pool there is no longer any water coming out of retutn line. We backwash and then its fine again. What could be causing this?
We checked all hoses no blockages, all port valves open, there is no hair or anything in the tiny leaf catcher or inside. We are at a complete loss.
Stacy, I would try a Sand Filter Cleaner chemical, to remove any oils and scale that may be clogging the filter. If that does not help [enough] I would change the filter sand. Small sand filters need sand changes much more often than large sand filters, due to the shallow depth of the sand bed. While larger inground filters can go 5-7 years between sand changes, for small sand filters under 16″ diameter, it can be every 1-2 years.
How high of a chlorine level should I run with the granuals on bypass mode while I await parts?
HI Steph, I would run at least 5 ppm, and a pH level of 7.2 – and add some weekly algaecide.
I have a new sand filter I Triton tr60 just installed I was cleaning our vacuuming my pool of algae and now I don’t have pressure for backwash what can I do I don’t have proper water flow it’s very low not a high pressure
Jay, put the multiport valve on either Waste or Recirculate settings, both are filter bypass settings. If you can establish good water flow on these valve positions, but not on filter or backwash, that means that there is a restriction in the filter or after the filter. If all the valves are open after the filter, but still you cannot get water to flow on filter and/or backwash, I would be suspicious of the Filter Sand. If you read back thru the comments over the last few months, you’ll see many people with a similar complaint, and my theory is … “Bad Sand”, or filter sand mislabeled, and not actually #20 silica sand, graded to .45-.55 mm, but something else in the bag. You can try to irrigate the sand bed, by removing the dome, and inserting a garden hose on full blast into the sand, and letting the tank overflow, (shield the pump motor from the water) while you move the hose to different parts of the sand bed, pushing the hose deep into the sand, to flush out dirt/dust/algae, and see if that helps (?), maybe just temporarily (?), and if so, if such problems continue, you may consider replacing the (new) sand with another brand.
Hey, Dave.
should sand come out when i backwash?
Hi Anita, it’s somewhat normal, especially after a recent sand change, or on new filters. Should be just a few tablespoons. If you are seeing much more… there may have been too much sand added to the tank.
Hi, I just replaced a Hayward S244T2 sand filer, pressure seems to be around 10-13 psi. During backwash today I noticed I’m getting sand out of the backwash pipe. I put 300 lbs of sand per the recommendations from the installation guide. Any suggestions?
HI Bob, if it is just a few tablespoons, and only during backwash, not during filter mode, don’t worry about it. Can be considered normal.
Is it normal to have the basket portion of my sand filter not properly burp? When I unscrew the valve , it almost appears to drain the basket area rather than fill…
Why?
When you remove the pump lid, the water will run out of the basket, due to gravity.
Hello, yesterday afternoon we put together our intex 3000 sand filter pump, we backwashed, it ran for a while, when it stopped the pool had sand all in the bottom, the filter will not fill with water unless I release pressure. Can you help in any way? I’m lost.
Hi Angie, there is always a little bit of air in the filter tank, so don’t let that worry you. But sand in the pool, you could have spilled some sand in the standpipe, or overfilled the filter a little bit, both of which are no problem, as long as you were added just a small amount more and did not fill the tank up to the top, it should be only about 2/3 full, or whatever amount of sand is required. If the sand problem continues however, there may be a cracked or loose lateral in the bottom of the tank, allowing sand to bypass. If you have a vacuum hose and head, just vacuum the sand in the pool, back into the filter.
Hey Dave,
Just installed a 120lb intex sand filter on a BestWay Pool…Filter seems to be working, but, we cant get the pressure to stabize. The filter basket will not stay filed and the filter appears to be
“pulsing”…Any ideas what might be going on?
John, yes there is likely an air leak on the suction side, or the hose is collapsing under the suction. Look at the pump lid, must be very tight. Look at the pipe going into the pump, it must have thread sealant on it. Are the hoses clamped tightly? Are there any splits in the hose. Is the pool water level high enough? Is the skimmer drawing air from a vortex or a stuck skimmer weir?
when I put the threaded cap on my sand filter, as tight as it will go, It still leaks and I’m not exactly sure why it’s leaking.
If you mean the drain cap, on the bottom of the filter tank, there is a gasket that fits inside, perhaps it has fallen out. You can find the correct replacement in our parts department, by finding your filter make and model, and viewing the parts schematic. In the meantime, you can wrap Teflon tape around the male threads on the tank, to help seal up the leak.
Hi, I have just setup my 16x32x52 intex pool with sand filter pump. Trying to get the pump going and I have air coming back into pre-filter housing after burping. Then when i turn the pump off water leaks from between the pre-filter housing and pump motor. It looks as if the plastic has warped and isn’t completly round. But the 2 O-ring gaskets are in place. I can’t tighten the filter housing nut any more. What can I do?
Hi Shelby, it could be that the plastic overheated and warped, when water was not pumping, but just churning. What you can do it fix it, perhaps permanently, with a silicone gasket maker like Blue RTV, or perhaps pool putty epoxy. Open up the bolts a bit, to be able to squirt the silicone inside the junction of the housing and motor, then tighten the bolts, then put a thick bead on the outside of the junction. Then turn on the pump and let it run non-stop for 24 hours, to allow the silicone to be sucked into the junction and to harden or cure overnight. Good Luck!
Thank you for this suggestion, it sounds perfect!
Hi There! We have a brand new Intex 2800gph Sand Filter Pump. The 6way valve keeps seizing up! When we go to backwash the pool, it will not go back to Filter. We have to force the handle to filter. We have taken it apart and it does not need cleaning and nothing is getting stuck in there. We’re at a loss. We cannot sweep and backwash our pool because the Handle is stuck in filter mode.
Hi Chelsey, that is the second person I’ve heard that from today. See my answer to Missi below. You have already done most of what I suggested. Here’s one other thought. Make sure that the pressure gauge is not screwed in so deeply that it is contacting the rotor. The same with the hose fittings screwed into the valve, if not using the unions. I might suggest also removing the waste cap on the valve before moving the valve, and of course be sure the pump is off. If you need it, here is Intex customer support 1-800-234-6839
I purchased a new intex sand filter and have been using it for about 1 month. It will run for about 1-2 hours and then throws off a low flow error. I have tried to backwash because the problem really started after a vacuuming session, but I cant get the valve to turn. Any thoughts on how I can resolve this on my own?
Hi Missi, wow – they have a Low Flow sensor? That’s pretty cool. The multiport valve, you probably know this, but you have to first always shut off the pump before turning the multiport valve, and then push down on the handle, and while down, turn the handle, to the Backwash position. If you are doing all that and it won’t turn, it may be easier if you closed the suction and return valves (if you have them). If none, plug the pool wall outlet/inlets with a plug or a hand towel. If that doesn’t help, maybe there is sand or something stuck inside the valve, so remove the screws on the top of the valve to remove the handle/cover/diverter assembly to inspect the Spider Gasket inside, and look for any obstruction, and to find out why the valve will not turn. You did not fill the tank all the way full with sand right? Should be only about 2/3 full, to allow for freeboard (always add the required amount of sand only). With the valve removed, water will gush from the pool, so make sure your plugs or rags are holding. Very important to be able to backwash the filter, don’t delay or the pool will turn dark green and it could take weeks to recover, along with lot$ of chemical$. If so, you may be wise to drain and refill instead.
Hi there. I have an Intex 12×24 pool with sand filter. When I opened up the plunger valves for the first time to start the filter water started pouring from the 6way valve cover where the Collar attaches it to the tank. What should I do??
Hi Laura, close up the plunger valves and see if the clamp is just loose, or if it is is cracked, and if the crack is a damaged clamp or a damaged flange on the filter tank. There is an o-ring in there as well. Possibly it was just loosened during winterization, or possibly it was not winterized and froze and popped off the valve, in which case, the filter may be needing replacement.
We had sand in pool so changer the sand than tried to back wash and rinse and the motors on but it will not backwash or circulate the water in the pool and took top back off for air pocket so I don’t know what I did wrong. Do you
Hi Diane, if you place the valve on the Recirculate position, which is a filter bypass position, will the water return to the pool? Will the filter run on the Filter position, or I mean will the water flow? There has been reports of bad filter sand this year, that must be mis-graded, or mis-labeled, but many people have reported the same symptoms. If you cannot get it to work, replace the sand again, with a different brand.
I have a sand pro 50d sand pump. It is leaking around the drain plug. I can’t really tell if it’s leaking from the base or/and the cap. I can’t order the drain replacement parts( not available) any suggestions on how to stop the leak. I have tried marina putty, expoxy, flex seal tape already.
Hi Susan, Most drain assemblies thread into the tank, and need Thread Sealant on the threads to seal up. The drain cap also has a rubber gasket to seal the cap to the drain insert piece. If you remove the cap to drain the water overnight, then you can remove the drain insert (if needed – if it is the cap that is leaking, do not remove the drain insert), and clean the threads and then reseal with Teflon tape and Blue RTV sealant. If it is the cap, make a gasket from sheet rubber.
Update: The sand plume has stopped. Seems that there was a build up of sand in the supply side (pipes to jets), and it has all been flushed out. Still takes 3-4 minutes to prime. Perhaps I still have a couple of small air leaks (I think that I can hear one near the heat exchanger when I turn the pump off), and I see a small drip on the upper pipe between the filter and the selector valve.
Hi Thomas, that is good to hear. An air leak however, will ONLY be in front of the impeller, or on the ‘suction side’, and voids on the ‘pressure side’ of the pump are not air leaks, but water leaks. Air leaks will always originate before the impeller.
There is water leaking/spraying from my drain cap on the sand filter. I replaced the cap and it’s still spraying everywhere. What could be the problem?
Hi Alison, most drain caps have a gasket inside that may have fallen out. Some are sold separately, so your new one may also be missing. If you have any spare rubber sheeting around, you can cut-out a small gasket to fit inside the cap. (If you have a PLUG and not a CAP, there is a small o-ring that could be missing). If you have a Hayward sand filter, the Hayward part number is SX200Z9.
Good Morning, The diameter of the filter is over 6 feet! You had remarked it was 24 inches. Used a clarifier and little improvement and no increase in pressure. why would the pressure not increase? Can’t get it to rise over 11 psi. Sand is 5 years old so maybe it is time for a change. Just hate to do it if its something else. What type of sand do you recommend, I understand there are new choices but warned they may not be any better. If they didn’t pull the plug and we had a freeze could that cause the laterals to crack and would like be causing any of this or am I just reaching?
Thanks,
Bob
Hello again, I think you may be confusing diameter with perimeter? a 6ft dia. filter would be very, very large, and very old. In any case, new filter sand would be a good idea, just avoid HTH sand, I’ve heard problems with that this year. Regular sand is good. If the laterals are cracked, you would have sand in the pool, and would know it right away.
When i vacuum it gets sucked to the liner. I have to shut the pump off to release it. Its like it has to much suction. This is the first time I’ve had this problem. Could the sand ball be going bad? We’ve had it for about 12 years
Hi Pamela, if you can reduce the suction by opening up the main drain more, that could help. Some vacuum heads are adjustable height, but usually only the ones with wheels, for concrete pools. In some cases, the issue is an uneven pool floor. If you have brushes on your vac head, they may be worn down and need replacement, as they help elevate the vac-head without wheels. Or your vac head may be worn down in other ways, and just need to be replaced.
Hi I have a sand filter and I followed all setup instructions. It was working well until one of the hoses came off. I quickly put the hose back on and tightened the clap. I have noticed small minut leaks from where the hoses connect and a bit more where the gauge is mounted. After the hose came off the pump is not sucking in as much water and it has a fluctuating flow. I’ve tried backwashing and repriming the filter think air got in the pump. Help please I don’t know how to fix this problem. I’m a new above ground pool owner and I’m hating it already..Save my summer!
The threaded hose adapter that goes into the pump, make sure that it has Teflon tape on the threads. If you have a pump basket, make sure the pump lid is very tight. Also put Teflon tape on the gauge and other hose adapters. This may be the issue with all this.
Hello, on my 6way valve assembly the plastic housing around my pressure gauge is cracked. This creates air inside the sand filter and therefore diminished pressure. Can an external crack around the threads be fixed or do I need an entire top to the filter?
Hi, there’s a little trick to sealing it up, using Superglue. Tighten the gauge into the valve as far as possible to open up the crack (with pump off), and then quickly squirt in a good volume of Super Glue Gel, and quickly unthread the gauge, so that the crack closes again. Now remove the old Teflon and silicone from the gauge, and replace with new, Teflon tape, wrapped 4x in a clockwise direction around the gauge threads. Carefully thread the gauge in until snug, and turn on pump to test.
I have an Intex above ground Pool 16x32x52. It comes with a sand filter pump. It holds 70lbs of sand. I read the comments above to try and figure out why my filter keeps spitting the debris back into the Pool while I’m cleaning it. I had the chlorine run out and I got algae so i shocked the Pool and used the recommended dosage of algaecide to remove the algae. The problem is when I’m cleaning it I try backwashing before I start then I start cleaning but it keeps spitting junk back in the pool. I can’t get it clean. It runs at 8psi then quickly goes to 11-12 after cleaning 1/6th of the Pool. Then the pressure is so low it barely sucks anything up. The sand in the tank is within the recommended levels.
Eric, it might be ‘bad sand’, there have been reports of poor performing pool filter sand this year, see other comments below, for the last few months. So you may want to replace the sand. You can also try vacuuming to waste, first filling the pool up full, then vac fast, before water gets too low. Sand filters commonly spit some fine and silty dust back thru the returns. Using Clarifier regularly can help coagulate the small particles into larger more easily filterable clumps.
Yeah, you may be right about the sand. If I clean on the side away from the return it will eventually turn the whole Pool cloudy by the time I get halfway across. Also, when I add chlorine it only lasts maybe two days after I shock it. I’m even using the tabs in the slimmer. The waste method works great. But of course I lost some water but I could clean really fast with good suction. I’ve used clarifier and algaecide weekly. I’m not sure about the bad sand, the pool store even said it’s the brand they use. Other things to note. The plastic viewing bubble collects sand during backwashing. It gets over 1/3rd full of sand. I do get just a little sand near the return in the pool but not much. The six way valve is gritty when you turn it. When I took it apart it did have scratches where the sand was rubbing. I might try the filter bag on the return line. I feel like I’m running out of options.
24,000 thousand gallons in-ground pool and I can’t get the water clear. Don’t trust the company that opened it, they are using in-experienced seasonal help. Professional came out and changed the multiport valve, which hasn’t seemed to help. He thought the sand looked good. Filter is running at 11 and just doesn’t seem to rise. I don’t think the water is filtering properly! Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Bob
Hello Rob, 24K gals is alot for a sand filter of 24″ tank dia. or less. If you are not already, run the filter for more hours each day. I would start with a cleaning of the Filter Sand, or a Saturday project of sand replacement. See our other posts about changing filter sand. If the sand is relatively new, then I would try Clarifier, with a weekly dosage. Aluminum Sulfate makes a good Filter Aid, if you can find it, some Leslie’s carry Alum, just use 6 oz per 100 lbs of filter sand in the tank, added thru skimmer. It forms a layer on the top of the sand bed, flushes out while backwashing. We have a product called a Slime Bag that is helpful for sand filters, used at opening, or other times as needed, like a secondary filter. It’s a mesh filter bag, attaches to return line.
Hi my new intex sand filter does not release any water when I put it on back wash and my water is cloudy can you help me figure this out Thank you
Hi Harriet, if it filters normally with good water flow, but does not flow when you place the valve on the backwash position and turn the pump back on… it could be a problem with the valve, or it could be bad sand. Try to use a Sand Filter Cleaner, in case there is clogging from oil or scale. Also make sure that the Waste port on the valve is open, that it is not plugged or no valve has been put on – usually there is just a hose adapter and a backwash hose clamped on…
Hi Davy! Help! My Bestway Sand Filter (58401) was sitting since last used in 2018. I had it well covered but never opened it and the sand was nasty. I took out the old sand (but didn’t rinse it completely out on the bottom with the sand I couldn’t get out) and replaced it with a brand new 50lb. HTH bag from Ace Hardware. I did a backwash and it’s still at 10 psi (should be 6.5 according to manual). I’m going to clean it out now with strip-kwik because I think it still has grease and oil buildup from me no rinsing and cleaning it out but I’m wondering if something else could be the issue. Perhaps I have too much sand in the filter. I filled it all the way to the top with 50 lbs. but now it seems I should have put only 18kg according to the manual which is around 39 lbs. Could an over-amount of sand be the cause of my high pressure? Also, I’m running 24 feet long filter hoses to and from a solar mat that came with the pool to be the most amount of sunlight, which isn’t much in Seattle. I have the solar mat perched higher than the water level on top of an old little-tykes play cube to catch that sunlight so not to get bush shadow and kids walking on it. I’m very new at this pool thing and I want to get it right. Thank you for any help you can give. I’ve done two backwashes and it just goes back up to 10. The skimmer doesn’t seem like it has a whirlpool inside of it either. Any suggestions? Here is the link of the filter I’m using (it came with the Bestway pool sold in Costco in 2018).
https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/p360fileupload/Manual/652.pdf
Hi Esther, yes too much sand. It needs to be about 2/3 full maximum, there has to be some space above the sand bed, called ‘freeboard’. Open it up and scoop out the excess sand, being careful not to spill any down into the standpipe. Then use the Filter Sand CLeaner. DOn’t worry about the 10 psi, it’s fine – backwash at 15-17 psi.
Please help! I have an Intex above ground skimmer in the pool. It’s the skimmer that has a basket and hangs over the edge but inside the pool edge. Today the skimmer somehow came out of the water and the sand pump had been running for about 3 hours before I noticed it. Because the skimmer was out of the water the pump hardly had any water flowing into the pump. Now the water is super cloudy. I fixed the skimmer and zip tied it down, ran the pump for about 3 hours and it was still cloudy. So I put some clarifier and went to go check after about 2-3 hours and it’s still just as cloudy. What do you think caused this and could you pleas advise me? It’s been over 9 hours and the cloudiness has not cleared up.
Hi Alicia, keep running the pump, and be sure the chlorine level is high and the pH level is low. You can redose with clarifier after 5-7 days of previous dose. Not sure why the skimmer popped off, maybe a squirrel.
We have a sand filter system for our inground pool. We use a kreepy Krawly to vacuum and filter the water. Our problem is the vacuum quit working, the pool will filter at 12 psi without the vacuum hooked up with good flow through the pump, as soon as we hook up the vacuum the flow will diminish. We replaced the vacuum hose, the vacuum, and the pump and motor but the issue still occurs. I am at a loss, any ideas? Thank you, Mark
Hi Mark, when you connect the cleaner, this puts the pump under a strain or a load. But your pump is essentially lazy, and instead of trying to pull water from the bottom of the pool, thru a skinny hose, it takes the easy route and pumps air instead. You have an air leak before the pump, not a problem, until you connect the cleaner. Could be a loose pump lid, or a loose pipe going into the pump, or a leaky skimmer or main drain valve.
Hi there. We got our 16’ best way above the ground pool. We went ahead and got a sand pump anticipating needing a bigger pump. Ever since we got it and the pump turns on it shoots a plume of sand into our pool. We bought pool sand and we did the long backwash followed by the long rinse. HELP!!! We are so frustrated. This is first time with a pool. We live in a tiny town 45 minutes from nearest big towns so no one will come help us out. Thanks in advance.
Hi Kimberly, sounds familiar, I am hearing this a lot this year. Is it shooting out actual sand grains that sink to the bottom, or is it sand dust? IMportant distinction, because if it is sand grains that could mean some damage to the filter laterals or standpipe, a small crack or something loose perhaps. It could also mean that too much sand was added, but that usually shoots sand only after a backwash. If it is mostly dust with a few sand grains, you may consider it to be low quality sand, not graded properly, which I am hearing many reports of this year. If it seems to filter well however, with at least a week between necessary backwashing, maybe just let it be, the plumes should subside. Another cause could be a pump that is too large for the filter, but if you bought both together, as a system package, that would not be the case. If you are having to backwash very often to restore flow, and plumes continue, replace the sand with another brand of Pool Filter Sand, aka #20 silica sand, graded to 0..45-0.55 mm.
I had my sand filter cleaned out a couple years ago. I’ve noticed recently when I backwash, there is no swishing sound as when the sand is being churned around. When I backwashed it before, there was a strong churning sound of sand. Could this mean it is gummed up?
Also the regular pressure on the gauge has dropped from about 15 to 12 in the last few days, and now my boiler is not working. Thoughts?
Hi Stephen, when pressure is lower than normal, that usually indicates a clogged impeller or pump basket, or a bad gauge, maybe the needle stuck on the dial. The filter could be gummed up, try a Pool Filter Cleaner, or you can irrigate the sand bed with a garden hose, letting the tank overflow
Hello,
I just changed the sand in my Hayward S310S sand filter, completely removing the hard packed sand (10+ yrs), inspecting the laterals and other pipes for cracks… finding no damage. Filled part way with water to help diffuse the sand as it was replaced 20 bags of HTH pool sand.
Every time I start the pump it takes 3-4 minutes to prime and kicks out a small plume of sand.
Any thoughts as to the cause of the delay or the sand plumes? The sand stops after the initial plume.
The delay could be loose pipe fittings, or air leaks or something not related to the sand. Is the filter pressure higher than normal? Is the flow rate the same? We have had some reports this year, as you can see in the comments below, of issues with new filter sand not allowing water to flow normally, with high pressure on the gauge. If that is you, I would consider changing sand brands. IF the flow and pressure seems normal after it catches prime, and you just have a plume of sand, it may be slightly too much sand was added. Try a very long Backwash of 5-10 mins, followed by a long 2 min Rinse, to try to flush out the tiny grains.
Got my 18′ pool last year water was clear all season. At the end of season i shocked and put a time release ball in for winter. When i opened the pool this year the poll was pretty clear. I shocked the pool the first day. Since then water has been cloudy. Ph is good as well as alkalinity. I have not used any type of chlorine in the past week thinking maybe this was the problem. Still cloudy. I flocked the pool and added a clarifier and this cleaned most of the debris but its still cloudy. I feel like maybe thd filter is not cleaning properly due to fine debris in pool but water pressure on return is strong. Any ideas?
Hi Shaun, be sure that you have a good strong chlorine level, or it may never clear. High chlorine + Low pH is a good combo for clear water. Shocking the pool can sometimes cause cloudy water, due to the calcium in the shock, or by knocking calcium or carbonates out of solution. If you shock with Cal Hypo and have the problem each time you shock, try Dichlor (Di-Zap) shock or non-chlorine shock, instead. For the sand filter, you can add more Clarifier after 5-7 days, or add some Aluminum Sulfate flake to the filter (via skimmer), or use a Slime Bag as a secondary filter on the return, which is reusable for the next time(s) you have to deal with it. Keep the filter running non-stop and resist the urge to backwash, sand filters will filter the water better, when they are a little dirty. Let the pressure gauge rise at least 5-7 psi before backwashing.
I have a commercial sand filter with a push and pull side valve. We have air getting into the system and found the leak and someone coming to repair Thursday. However pressure in tank is at 12 but I’m noticing that I’m having a small leak at the top of the tank around my gasket/fitting could this be an O ring issue or is something else going wrong? Should I turn off filtration?
Ryan, keep the filter running. It is an o-ring issue. Try tightening, or lubricating, or replacing the o-ring.
My intex sand filter 6way valve keeps getting jammed up because sand gets inside??
Hi Tina, could there be too much sand in the filter? If so, it may be flushing out some sand each time you backwash, which can get stuck in the valve. Be sure to do a 20 second “Rinse”, after each backwash, by placing the valve in the Rinse position. This should clean out the valve.
Hi Cara, that would not seem normal. My first reaction is the pump too large for the filter? 19″ is rather small, so I would think the “Design Flow Rate” would be around 40-50 gpm, so you want to be sure not to use a pump that is more powerful. Secondly is the sand, is there enough and is it the right type (#20 Silica sand, labeled Pool Filter Sand)? IF all good, then it probably will subside. When adding new sand there may be residual dust, even if a backwash and long rinse is performed. It should stop after a few days…
Please help, I had a broken valve (I over tighten the pressure gauge) after I replaced it and turn on the pump I only get noise. Like the pump wants to work but is not. I checked the valve and water flows fine. What can I look at on the pump?
Hi, check that the impeller is not bound-up, and that the shaft spins freely. If so, look to the pump capacitor, rear of motor, at 9 o’clock, it may be failing. Replace with the same MFD number printed on the capacitor.
when we set the filter to close, water continues to come out. Also the pressure never ever rises and when backwashing, the water is clear. Does this mean that the 6 way valve has debris in it?
Nate, it might mean that the valve is allowing water to bypass the filter, by diverting some of it back to the pool without being filtered. Is your water clarity poor? Are you having other water issues? As an inspection, you can remove the screws from the valve cover and pry up the lid and lift it off with the handle, to inspect the spider gasket inside. If it appears twisted or torn or damaged in any way, it should be replaced. Remember never to turn the valve when the pump is running, and always push down fully on the handle, before turning the handle.
I have a problem with after blowing out the top of my sand filter…
I have replaced the o-ring on the top of the filter, changed the sand, and also changed the seal on the main valve.
Everything will be good for 1-2 days and then we have a blow out… any ideas what the problem is?
You tell me, Filtrationgroup guy! 🙂 I would guess that either the sand is bad, or the filter tank is bad. Is the filter pressure higher than last year? Have you tried a filter cleaner chemical? Forget all that, if the filter lid (dome or valve) is blowing off, either something is broken, or some incorrect parts are used. In any case, it can be a very unsafe situation, besides the inconvenience. If it happens all by itself, something is not as tight as it needs to be. Very unusual, not common at all…
We just got an intex pool sand filter. After turning it on it seems to work, but the filter seems to pulsates like there is air in the hoses. Will this straighten out, or what should we do?
There could be air in the hoses. Look for a water leak when the pump is off, that will be an air leak when the pump is on. Make sure the clamps are tight, and the hose adapter screwed into the pump, make sure it has Teflon tape on the threads.
Summer in Texas..how much can i expect my above ground pool 24 ft to evaporate daily or weekly? do you recommend a solar ball to help?
ON a hot day, you can lose 1/4″ per day, perhaps more. A solar blanket will stop 95% of evaporation. And liquid solar, like the solar ball, can stop up to 50%. Pools can leak too of course, so if you are losing 1/2″ per day to ‘evaporation’, you may also have a small leak or two.
Hi there, my filter pressure sat at about 5.5 right out of the box. Over a month or so I noticed it crept up to maybe 8.5. I backwashed and it was back at 5.5. Now, however, it goes up to 10 after one day of filtering. I basically need to backwash everyday, it then goes back down to about 6, then creeps up to 8 or 9 over about 5 hours of filtering. The pool does not get a lot of debris and I opened up the sand tank and it was clean. I moved the sand around a bit, backwashed, rinsed and pack on filter. Within a two days the pressure was back up… It remains a daily backwash. Any ideas on how I can get it operating normally again?
If this is a new filter, it could just be because it is too small. Small sand filters clog up quickly. If this is an older filter and this rapid pressure rise is new, then I would suggest to replace the sand. Small filters can get much better performance with the use of Sand Filter Cleaner, before each backwash, to dissolve grease/oils and calcium clumps that hinder filtration. Small sand filters, under 18″ diameter, or filters that are undersized for the pool, will need more frequent sand changes and heavy use of Sand Filter Cleaners, to remain effective.
Hi! I have a question. I have a 24’ Round Above Ground Pool. When I opened the pool this season, the water had a milky white color. After testing at the local pool store, I was told that there was a high copper content in my water. Well, after 2 trips to the pool store and $400 dollars I’m chemicals, nothing has changed. PH and Chlorine levels are fine. Cooper is gone. New sand added to the filter this year. Could this just be a filter problem? Maybe a badly seated valve? I have no leaking.
Thank you!
Hi John, cloudy water would not be caused by copper, which is a mild bacteristat, and not bad to have in the pool. Cloudy water can be caused by many things, and if you are certain that the pH and chlorine is proper, then I would look at the filter, as you say. Firstly I would increase filter to near 24/7, if possible. Secondly, I would use a Clarifier, per label dose instructions. If the filter is working, it should rise in filter pressure, over time. Sand Filters are not the best at filtering small particles, but with a Clarifier, you should see the psi rise slowly. A filter multiport valve, if it had a bad spider gasket, could bypass some water, unfiltered, yes.
Oh! One other question. Do you thing it might be worth adding some Sand filter helper through the skimmer?
Thank you!
Yes!
We have a newer Jandy FloPro VS pump with an old Hayward sand filter (with the multi flow valve handle on top.) The pump starts at “priming” speed (2750) then slows down to “filter” speed (1250) after 3 minutes.
My question is this: Is the priming speed too much for a “backwash” or “rinse”? Could this be causing some sand to return to the pool? Or is it time for a sand change / lateral problem?
Thanks for your advice!
Hi Sidney, No priming speed is less than full speed, 3450 RPM, which filters are made to handle. However it does depend on your filter size, in relation to your pump size. If you had a small sand filter, with a large pump, that could push out some sand. If sand returns to the pool after backwash and rinse, is that a problem? Could be… if it is a sizable amount. But if it’s just a tablespoon, and it stops afterwards, then no worries. And is it regular sand grains, or very fine, almost dusty grains – that can’t be avoided, as some of the filter sand breaking down, as it ages.
Ok we have a Hayward Pro Series S180T Sand filter on an 18’ circular Intex pool. We have our pool set up for fresh water. We put in new sand about a month ago when we started opening up the pool here in Louisiana. We are having trouble keeping the algae out though we test and adjust chemicals quite regularly. After reading several comments about the sand type this year, exactly what type of sand is the problem? I purchased the typical “pool sand” from Ace and it doesn’t seem to filter well. We had about 1 really good week with beautiful water. It’s so frustrating. Help please.
Hi Elizabeth, pool filter sand should be 100% Silica Sand, aka #20 Silica Sand, graded to a size of 0.45-0.55 mm, and it also has some sharp edges to the grains, I am told, that helps them to lay flat, but create enough space between, to trap particles. This year I must have heard this issue 20 times, usually it will backwash and rinse fine, but will filter for only a short time, before backwashing is needed again. Or I’ve heard the opposite, that they can’t get it to start backwashing, just a trickle come out. Or I heard that filter pressure is higher than normal. Both symptoms indicate that the sand is not laying together with spacing but is more like dirt, and clumping together, making it difficult for pass water thru. So I just have a theory, not yet a full blown conspiracy, but I have to wonder if a manufacturing or purchasing or packaging error has occurred which sold hundreds or thousands of bags of ‘bad pool filter sand’ in 2019-2020?
Hello,
I have and Intex pool and inter sand filter system. It is about 3 years old. All of a sudden I have sand, about 3 to 4 hand fulls, in my pool right under where water comes into the pool from the filter. What could it be?
Hi Mark, could be a broken lateral, or a crack in the standpipe or lateral hub. Vacuumn or scoop it up and put it into the pump to go back into the filter, and maybe it will stop or clog itself up again? Then it may bust open later, during backwash perhaps. But sometimes filters do ‘burp’ sand and then go back to normal. If continues, remove the valve, remove the sand and inspect laterals, hub, standpipe. Replace broken parts and put in fresh new Filter Sand.
I have an intex sand and salt pump. its brand new. I did everything in the instructions book. The sand is the right grade. I did the start up steps and all went fine. After just 1 hour the water is starting to come in slower and slower. then its barely coming in after 2 hours. ??????
Hi Eddie, I keep hearing this from many people this year, what brand of sand did you use? And you put in the right amount of sand, according to the filter instructions? Not too little, not too much? I am wondering if there is a bad run of sand out there being sold this year, that is not graded quite right (0.45-0.55 mm), or is the wrong type of silica sand (#20), or the edges are not formed correctly for layering, or there is too much dust in the bag? Try backwashing for a long time (10 mins), and try a Sand Filter Cleaner. Let me know what brand of sand, if you remember.
Same thing is happening to us…so frustrating! I have tried everything, now thinking about replacing the sand and starting over. We used the HTH pool sand.
Davey, my clamp on my new filter will not bull together on the collar on the top of my new 19 inch tank
Steve, you might need to push the valve down snug onto the standpipe, it often takes a little push to bring the valve flange down flush, or touching the tank flange. IF… the filter internal standpipe and hub was not sitting completely flat, on the bottom of the filter tank, before / during the time sand was added, it is possible that it is higher than normal, making it impossible to push the valve down any more, over the standpipe. In such cases, you would need to empty the tank fully and try again. But that may not be the case here, it may need just a little push top-down, to get the standpipe pushed past the internal o-ring in the valve hub, on the bottom.
Same thing is happening on my end! I have the Intex Sand Filter with the digital timer(2019). Sand was bought from Farm and Fleet and meets all the requirements listed above. I have noticed from watching other videos, that when I backwash, the steam of water that comes out of mine is significantly thinner than other. Not nearly as much water comes out of mine. When I switch the filter to “Recirculate” it shoots water out like a jet stream! But when it goes back to filter you can hardly tell it’s working.
Samantha, thanks for chiming in – Recirculate is a filter bypass setting (Waste is one also), so it makes sense that the flow would be greater. I’m going to recommend, like I have to others, that you use a Sand Filter Cleaner, and/or remove the top valve and deeply irrigate the sand bed by pushing a garden hose into the sand and letting it overflow the tank, to flush out any tiny bits, grease, oil, scale, band-aids 🙂 – which will rejuvenate the sand. If it starts happening again, replace the sand. BTW, I can say that none of the comments I’ve seen have referenced the filter sand that we sell, AquaQuartz from Fairmount Santrol, so I think we must have the good stuff! 😉
I have a sand filter that was running fine and about 2 hours after starting it up for the season we discovered water (a lot) coming out of the waste line. We had a backup sand filter so we took the multivalve off and put it on the one that was leaking. Was good for a bit then noticed it too was allowing water to go through the waste line… what could be the problem?
When water leaks out of the waste line it is because the spider gasket, or the valve spring is damaged. It can also happen if the pump size is too large for the filter, but usually it’s a valve problem.
How far does the standpipe go inside the valve, I just put new valve on and it won’t backwash or rinse, the new valve is a different brand than old one, new one is Tm12L it has Oring inside hub of valve
On a topmount valve filter, the standpipe should go up about 1″ into the bottom of the valve, just past the sealing o-ring. TM12L is made by Praher, as a replacement for Baker Hydro III/ Cooper & Millenium sand filter, W Cooper Ranger RS Series sand filters, Waterway Smartclean sand filter and Speck Aquaswim AS-250, and Sta-Rite Cristal Flo filters. If you have a different filter, it won’t fit. If your standpipe is not long enough, you could extend it by inserting a coupling, just hacksaw cut, and glue on the PVC coupling, to extend it by 1/2″ or so
Help. I have sand in my central standpipe.
If you have a shop vac with a small hose, that may get it out, or otherwise, you would have to empty all the sand out of the tank, in order to remove the standpipe and clean it.
When my sand filter is in “filter” setting, water is leaking out of the waste line. What could be causing this, and how would I go about repairing it?
Hi Nick, first shut off the pump and push down on the handle, to let water wash over the gasket, in case a stick or something is stuck in there. If still leaking, then it will be the spider gasket, inside the valve. More Info here: https://blog.intheswim.com/leaky-pool-filter-multiport-valves/
I believe im having a flow issue. I cant get my heater to stay on. Filter is 3 years old and Ive never changed the sand. Could it be bad/ gunky sand causing the flow issue? everything else seems ok
Hi Mark, it could be yes. With lower flow comes higher pressure, so maybe you notice the pressure gauge is higher than before? Small sand filters, with tank sizes of 18″ or less, do need to change sand more often than larger pool filters. Heaters also have an internal bypass device, in the front header that can malfunction or parts can break, so you may want to inspect that. Another semi-common flow issue in springtime is clogged impellers, which will produce a lower than normal filter pressure, and slow swirling in the pump basket.
ok im actually seeing lower pressure, not higher.. my heater needs steady flow to kick on and it wont stay on. the only way to get it to kick on is to backflow the filter right now and i know its not good to do that often, but im having to do it 2-3x a day for the last couple days in order to get the heater to stay on.
Lower than normal filter pressure, on the gauge, indicates an obstruction prior to the pump, and is most often associated with a clogged impeller, or very full pump basket. It can also indicate a clog in a pipe, or closed valves on the suction side, anything that restricts flow before the filter. To clean out an impeller, see this blog: https://blog.intheswim.com/clogged-pool-pump-impeller/
ok thanks. i have the pentair pump and sand system.. so im looking for the impeller on the pump assembly itself?
Yes, the pump impeller, it is behind the pump basket. Sometimes you can reach back there and clear it with just your fingers, or needle nose pliers, or a small screwdriver, and don’t have to pull open the pump. See the post above.
ok its not that. i just took the pump basket apart and i could feel the water rushing back in from the other direction through the impeller hole.. im at a loss.. could it be bad sand after just 3 years?
It could be bad sand, how does it run on Recirculate or on Waste position on the multiport valve? These are both bypass settings, so if the water flows normally on these settings, but not on Filter, Backwash or Rinse, then it is a filter problem, likely sand. Using a Sand Filter Cleaner regularly can flush out the grease and scale that can clog a sand filter.
I have a Hayward sand filter. I replace the key assembly handle the whole top part of the sand filter .I took the sand filter apart and cleaned it real good and put it back together. It still does not want to back wash the sand filter I can’t get the water to run through the backwash. What could be the problem?
You did not change the plumbing right? No chance of being plumbed ‘backwards’ I guess. And the valve key assy, those fit on in only one direction usually, in the old days you could put one on backwards and have backwards flow issues, but now most valve keys are notched to fit into the valve body in only one orientation. On your backwash line, there is not a plug in the waste port, and no valve installed on the waste line, right?
I have a Hayward sand filter and when I rinse after back washing there is a lot of sand that is visible in the sight glass. And there’s even a lot of sand in the yard by where the discharge pipe displaces the water. Do you know what might be causing this?
Hi Michelle, that’s not uncommon, especially after a sand change, and especially if you added “a little extra sand” when changing the sand or starting-up a new filter. Each backwash you may lose a tablespoon of sand, perfectly normal. Now if there’s “a lot of sand” at the end of the hose, like handfuls of sand, that could/would/should indicate a problem. Assuming you are not seeing sand in the pool, I think we can rule out a broken lateral, at the bottom of the tank. I’m assuming you have the valve located on the top of the filter tank (not a side-mount valve), so if the problem continues, pull off the top mounted valve and inspect the vertical standpipe for cracks. Check inside the hole in the bottom of the valve, where the standpipe fits, to be sure the o-ring is in place (inside the hole).
I have a intex sand filter this is the second year ive use it. I put fresh sand. It seem to be pumping. My problem is nothing is going into the skimmer basket and alot of debris floating on top. Water is clear have not got in the pool to swim yet. Is there a problem /
Hi Wanda, the intex skimmer has what I would call a ‘floating weir’ that bobs up and down to help create current into the basket, is that in place? If you reach into the bottom of the skimmer, do you feel the suction? Is there a valve that allows you to control the water flow or suction from the skimmer, and any other suction lines? Is the filter clogged up? You say it seems to be pumping okay? Small sand filters benefit from using the Liquid Sand Filter Cleaner before backwashing, and often need to change the sand every year or two, as opposed to larger sand filters, with much deeper sand beds, that can go 5-7 years between sand changes.
my pool has a silty sand colored residue in my pool that I cant get rid of, any advice
That is common this time of year, a mix of pollen, dirt and dust that tends to pass thru a sand filter. First tip is to not over-backwash your filter, but wait until the pressure gauge rises at least 5 psi. Secondly, using a Clarifier weekly helps immensely. Third, you can use the product called Slime Bag, on the return wall fitting, as a secondary filter. Adding a small scoop of Alum to your pool filter can help trap the small silt. Vacuuming the silt to Waste, (out the waste line) can help get rid of it. Replacing sand will help also, if you have not done it in a while. Very small sand filters need to do it more often than larger sand filters.
I replaced my sand this year (correct amount as per the label and the previous changes the past 10 years). I had to replace my multiport valve last year. I struggled at the end of the season getting my water correct and this year at start up very green, lots of pollen, etc. I can literally only get about 2 hours from filtering before my pressure drops through the return and very little water is being filtered. Normal due to the water at start up? I generally use a start up kit, but chose not to this year as I shocked a couple times and chlorinated heavy. Suggestions?
Mike, I am hearing this a LOT this year, I wonder if there is a bad run of Filter Sand out there, what brand did you use? Can you share with the group? 🙂 I would try a Sand FIlter Cleaner to start, and see if that will help. You can also remove the valve and flush out the sand bed with a garden hose, allowing the tank to overflow, and see how gunky the water is. Might be a layer of greasy gunk in the top inch or two of sand.
I recently bought a pool and first week sand pump worked fine. Pressure gradually went up and by the end of first 7 days it needed backwashing. After backwashing before the end of the first 5 hour cycle pressure was up again showing it needs another backwash. Tried backwashing and after a few days decided to change brand new sand. Same exact thing has happened again. First week of new sand perfect. Pressure gradually went up over 7 days. Backwashed and same thing again. After 2 hours of first cycle after backwash hardly any water coming out of return and pressure showing backwash needed?
Maynard, what is the brand of the pool filter sand? What you describe is unusual, and assuming that the pump is not too large for the filter, assuming that you bought them as a pump / filter set, already matched in size, I wonder if the sand is not #20 silica sand, graded to 0.45-0.55 mm in size. I’m hearing a lot of the same issue this year, just as you describe, so am curious of the brand of sand. Also, this might be normal if your pool water was a green, gunky soup, and if the filter is undersized for the pool size, but if the water is relatively clear and the filter is not undersized, and the filter was plumbed correctly with the pipe from the pump going into the valve port labeled PUMP, then I have to wonder about the sand…
I purchased the wrong lateral lines for a filter. They thread into the hub like they should but they are shorter in length. Will they work or do I need to return them for the right length?
Jon, they probably would work, but the longer laterals will draw water throughout more of the sand bed, resulting in better filtration.
I have a question 🙂 I installed my carwin laser filter system. So When i got it going water started to come out of the top where it connects. I took off the top, resealed it and it seems to be working fine. What cuase the water to spill from the tank? Too much pressure? I am nervous about attempting to backwash and rinse.
Probably did not have the clamp band tight enough, or the o-ring was not in position.
Davy you da man! one last question… my pump is working great and has good pressure going into the pool. MY PSI gauge is not moving. do i need to take it out and screw it back in?
Yes, unscrew it, it may be clogged behind it. Turn off pump, remove, turn on pump and water should spray out. SHut off pump and carefully thread it back in, so as not to strip the threads. Sometimes gauges get stuck too, flicking with a fingernail on the dial may help.
We have an above ground 27 ft. Hayward filter seems to work at every setting EXCEPT BACKWASH and RINSE. All valves are open that are supposed to be. No lines are clogged. We change sand every year. We bought a new thingy that goes inside the sand tank that has all the legs sticking out around the bottom and we just now bought ($109) our second top of the filter thingy that has the handle. Still doesn’t work.
Pam – does the Waste setting work? Water comes out of the backwash line OK, on the Waste setting, but just not backwash and rinse? If not, is there a valve or plug in the waste line? If not, I would wonder if there is too much sand in the filter, or if the sand is not actually labeled Pool Filter Sand? I have heard this problem a lot this year, and I am struggling to find an answer, please let us know when you find out.
Hello! I filled the filter with sand and reconnected the lines as usual but the pressure is only half normal and there is a lot of air being expelled into the pool. Looks like a Jacuzzi! The impeller is clean. Any suggestions?
Hi John, easy question, you have an air leak. Either the hose adapter in the pump is not tight or it has no Teflon tape, or the pump lid is loose or the o-ring not lubed, or the hose connected to the pump is not connected tightly, or it has splits in the hose, or the impeller is clogged.
Hello. My pool is crystal clear, but I have to vacuum it daily due to something that looks like maybe sand or algea on the bottom near the center and around the edges. My pool rep thinks that I may need sand replacement because water test are fine. Your thoughts
HI Chris, that is normal for this time of year. Sand filters tend to pass-thru pollen and fine silt. You can use a Clarifier to help, or vacuum the fine dust to waste (put valve on drain to waste setting). It could also be that the sand is nearing the end of life. It normally lasts 5-7 years on filters 24″ or larger, but for smaller sand filters, it is less, and for the very small 12″ tanks, it needs to be replaced almost annually.
We just replaced our sand filter. Everything seems to be hooked up fine. Pressure is good once we backwash but after a few hours pressure gauge is high and low return pressure. Why is this happening?
Hi Yalitza, Correct amount of sand? Correct type of sand? (labeled Pool Filter Sand), Valve plumbed correctly, with pipe from pump connected to valve port labeled PUMP? Really bad water conditions? (oils, thick algae, poor water balance?) Is the pump the correct size? (not overpowered?) Try a sand filter cleaner, if none of my questions helps…
Hi there,
We have been trying to clear up our cloudy water, it’s been tested twice and after doing what was recommended it’s still cloudy. It’s a brand new filter installed this year. Any suggestions??
1. Run the filter longer each day. 24 hours per day would be best at this point, if you are not already. Do not try to run the filter as little as possible, it only causes problems.
2. Use a Clarifier to assist in helping your filter trap tiny particles.
3. Is the pump and filter the right size for each other? Is the pump too powerful for the filter? Is the new filter too small for the pump? Are both pump and filter too small for the pool?
Hi Dave,
Just opened the pool, put new sand in the filter. No visible leaks. When I run the filter in the filter setting on my multiport, the filter will run for about 10 minutes and then the output back into the pool will drop. When I backwash or recycle the water I get no pressure loss. Help!!!
Hi Dan, did you put the required amount of sand into the tank, no more no less? Did the bag say “Pool Filter Sand”? Was the water in bad shape at first? Might already need to use a Sand Filter Cleaner.
Hi first I just want to know, should power be turned off when switching from filter to backwash. Also are backwash and waste to different purposes?
YES! Always shut off the pump before turning a filter multiport valve. Backwash reverses the flow of water thru the filter, to flush out dirt trapped in the sand. Waste is a filter bypass setting, the water comes from the pump and goes directly out the waste line. Recirculate is another bypass setting, but the water returns to the pool.
I set the filter to backwash and poured sand renewer in today as directed on the bottle. I noticed green water (from the color of the chemical) coming out of the jet while the filter was set to backwash. I’ve had cloudy water for 2 weeks and can’t figure out the cause
Hi Carter, that sounds like a multiport valve problem, leaking or bypassing water back to the pool unfiltered. Remove the valve key (cover/handle) from the valve and inspect the spider gasket, which may be torn, or twisted.
I went to backwashes my sand filter and the knob won’t turn! How do I get it to turn? It’s only a month old.
Hi Alex, some filter valves are sticky. Are you pushing down on the handle? Is the pump off?
I’ve had this problem with my Intex sand filter. Sand gets stuck inside the valve and causes it to stick. You need to remove it and get the sand out from in between the housing that turns. It’s not that easy to remove, we used a thin razor blade to slowly scrap the sand out. The sand became glue like. I’m not sure why this happens,any ideas Mr. Merino?
Hello Kim, I would say that there must be too much sand in the filter, or it has been over-filled with sand and suggest removing some to the proper fill level. I don’t know what to say about the sand getting stuck in there, it must be mixing with some other glue-like substance, not sure what that could be…
My sand filter was running at 14 psi forever. I replaced sand last year and it ran fine. My base cracked last year so I took some sand out to replace base. Fired it back up and has been steady running at 20 psi. Pool is cloudy and won’t clean up.
When pressure is high, that indicates obstruction or clogging. I would try to use a sand filter cleaner. If you have less sand than last year, that could be a problem, the filter should have the full amount of recommended sand. Also use a Clarifier chemical, until you get it figured out, in addition to a high(er) chlorine level.
Hello any info helps
I just opened my inground pool today it has a sand filter. The psi used to always run around 20 now runs around 26 ive tried back washing with no luck? Also I have one return on my pool and it seems to be pumping water significantly faster. Not sure if these issues are linked or what the issue could be?
Daniel, typically higher pressure means lower flow. The higher pressure could be a bad gauge (does it go to zero when off?), or could be the sand is old, or in need of cleaning. I’d start with a Sand Filter Cleaner, to see if that lowers the pressure. You can also rejuvenate the sand by removing the top dome or valve and pushing a garden hose into the sand bed, to flush out dirt/oils/band-aids,etc, and overflow the top.
Hi, my sand filter is blowing sand back into the pool. Last year, I changed out the sand and the lateral. I feel like I did it correctly. Sand was in the pool immediately. Friends have said a new spider gasket in the Hayward multisport may fix it. My local pool place is doubtful. They suggest I put the lateral in incorrectly. Will a new spider gasket or am I better off getting a whole new multiport? Or move over to the cartridge filter which has been suggested.
Hi Brent, a spider gasket problem will not cause the filter to leak sand into the pool. It is either a cracked lateral or standpipe, or the standpipe is not fully inserted into the bottom of the (top mounted) multiport valve. It’s kind of hard to put a lateral in incorrectly, but I suppose it’s possible. A cartridge filter could be an option, if sized correctly. I like to see 100 SF of filter area, per 10000 gallons of pool water.
My filter doesn’t have a cap or hose line on the waste output of the filter. Will that inhibit my filter from working properly?
Hi Dan, no that’s no problem, you can also backwash without a hose, but the water will spray wildly. If it does not erode the ground or make a mess, no hose needed.
I just started started up the pool last night and also started up the auto vacuum unit (the lady bug that maneuvers around and cleans the pool). I’ve had to backwash 4 times already (ran backwash for approximately 45 seconds each time with 30 recirculate) because I keep losing pressure which in turn will not operate the vacuum. About 1/3 of sand was reused from last season and other 2/3 new. I am about 3” down from the top of the stem with sand. The pressure is great after backwash but why am I having to backwash so often? Because of old sand? Too much sand? I’ve had the pool for about 15 years, always have done everything myself but never experienced this. Thanks.
Hi Garrett – it might be because you may have used too much sand, sounds like the level is high. Sand filters are normally filled only 2/3 full, to allow enough space called freeboard, above the sand bed. Less freeboard could perhaps produce short filter cycles? Not sure, but try to use only the amount of lbs. of sand, called for in the brochure or on the tank label. Secondly, try backwashing for longer, 2-3 minutes, and then a 15 second Rinse (not recirculate). Also try using our Sand Filter Cleaner, to remove grease and scale.
Hello, I hooked up my filter yesterday and got it running. It is set on the filter setting, and water is circulating through it back to the pool. However there is no water showing in the viewing area, and there is no pressure registering on the gauge.
Hi, If there is no pressure, that means either there is no water moving, or the gauge is clogged, or the gauge is broken, or an air leak or obstruction, is causing the flow rate to slow down to a very low level where it doesn’t register on the gauge. Open the air bleeder, if you have a side mount valve. If you have a top mount valve, the viewing area is a sightglass, that is only used during backwashing, so you know when the water begins to run clear, and are nearing the end of the backwash.
I had sand at the bottom of my pool. I changed the sand and found had a crack in my standpipe assembly.. I replaced it, did everything correctly when adding the sand and everything. My filter is still spitting sand back into the pool. My o ring is new, and my spider gasket seems to be in ok shape.. however nothing I’ve been able to Google or try has stopped the sand. Pressure is good sitting at 12ish normally. HELP Please!
Might be that you added a bit too much sand? A few pounds extra, for good measure? 🙂 That might be the cause, which releases most sand during and after backwashing. Another question is are you sure it’s sand? Or is it sand colored dust? Sand grains as mentioned before will just roll around when hit with a pool brush, but sand-colored dust will ‘poof’. Third, is the pump the correct size for the filter/ Was the pump upsized in the recent past?
My best way sand filters skimmer basket keeps leaking. I’ve opened the top and closed it again. Sometimes it would stop leaking but most of the times I have to reopen and close it 8-9 times before it would seal completely. Any ideas ?
Hi Ikra, get some Teflon based pool lubricant for the lid o-ring. Clean first, then lube. Flip the o-ring over, that sometimes helps. Inspect the o-ring for any nicks or dry rot damage.
Hi
When we turned our filter on, the water can be seen moving inside but there is no pressure on the gauge. Can you help?
Tried to do a backwash and no water coming out.
Hi Nina, it could be a clogged pump basket or clogged pump impeller. Secondly, there could be an air leak, usually from around the pump lid, or the pipe that comes into the pump. It could be closed valves, or plugs still in the wall.
Hello I just got a polygroup 10 inch 1400 gph sand filter for my 18×48 round coleman pool. I got it hooked up and going all seemed well but I went out to check on it after each hour or 2 and after about 4 hours the pump sounded like it was going but no water was coming through. Strainer was clean and no blockages. Gage only reading 10 psi was 5 psi after first set up. Any ideas? Is this filter too small for my po? It says it’s good for pools up to 18×52 and 7500 gallons.
Hi Eric, you checked the impeller and the strainer already. The hoses are not blocked or crimped, and are tight to avoid air leaks into the pump. Flow was good at 5 psi, but after 4hrs its up to 10 psi, with nearly no flow? I’m sure you cleaned the filter. The 1400 gph filter is a bit small for an 18′ round, which may normally have the 2500 gph system. Using a Filter Cleaner chemical regularly and a Clarifer dose weekly will help.
Hello, Just started up my pool today and notice a nice flow of water running out of the bottom of the sand filter around the hole for the drain pipe. When I ran on recirculate instead of filter it looks like very minimal water coming out around pipe now if any. But there is a small flow of water constantly flowing out of backwash hose while on recirculate?
Wasn’t leaking all summer prior to closing for the winter.
Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks
Hi Jake, sounds like there are two leaks. The drain assembly. If threaded, try to unscrew the drain pipe a little to see if you can add Teflon tape to the threads. It may need silicone. But if you take it all the way out, the sand will run out, unless the filter is first drained of water. When in recirculate, the water is bypassing the filter tank, which is why the flow slows. Water leaking from the backwash line while on recirculate indicates that the spider gasket inside the valve, is damaged or is worn, and may soon need to be replaced. Or sometimes it is a small twig or leaf or sand grains, between the gasket and the rotor, allowing a trickle to escape.
If it leaks out the waste line on filter, it is a valve problem, not a filter problem, usually a spider gasket problem. First, shut off pump, and immediately push down on handle on multiport, to pull up the diverter/rotor and flush out the gasket. Some leaks are caused by stuck debris, as small as pine needles. Twist the handle left and right and then let the diverter back down gently in the filter position. Turn on pump. If still leaking, remove all screws around lid and pull/pry the handle, lid and rotor assy up and outta the valve body. Then inspect the gasket, order new if damaged. If the gasket is on the diverter bottom, it’s easiest to replace the entire key seal assy.
My sand filter has a pinhole on the side that is spraying out water. Just now setting up. Everything lease works fine except the spray coming out of the side of tank
Hi Sharon, please you must shut off the filter, it could be dangerous. If the tank were to rupture with someone nearby, they could be injured. At the very least, it will sound like a gunshot, and drain the pool. I am sorry to tell you this, but there is no safe way to repair this issue of a pinhole in the tank. Shut it down and if this is new equipment, contact your retailer for a warranty claim. It’s going to set back summer for a few weeks unfortunately, but it can not be fixed, and is a major manufacturing defect that should be addressed thru the warranty process. If the spray is between the valve and the tank flange, on top, that could be a gasketing issue, but if it is coming from the tank itself, please shut down, or operate with extreme caution, until you can get it replaced (quickly).
Hi my Sand filter has no pressure when backwashing, we have replaced every part except the lateral assembly. If it is broken would it cause the low pressure when backwashing?
Hi Ann, could be a valve problem, inside the diverter not positioned properly. Could be the incorrect type of sand used (if it was labeled Pool Filter Sand, you’re OK). Could be another restriction, on the waste line, is there a blue hose attached, or a solid PVC pipe that might be clogged. Is there a valve on the waste line, that may be closed?
Hi,
I have leaking from waste only when the pump is running on filter. When it is running on recirculate, it does not leak. Is the diverter the likely issue or could it be something else? Thanks!
Yes it is the gasket, aka spider gasket. With Hayward SP714T valves, the gasket is on the bottom of the diverter, so the diverter is replaced. On other valves the gasket sits in the bottom of the valve body and is not affixed to the diverter, aka rotor, aka footpad. You also may just have a stick or debris in the valve. Undo all of the nuts/bolts and lift up on the handle (you may need to help pry up the lid or cover gently), pull out the “Key Assy”, and inspect inside for gasket damage or debris
Brand new sand filter with new sand; vacuumed twice now on waste, and sand still ends up on the bottom of the pool..HEEELLLLP!
Hi Shaun, there may be a little bit too much sand added to the filter. You may know if you over-filled it possibly? You could open up and remove some sand if so. Other possibility is that one of the laterals became cracked during installation of the sand. Or possibly the standpipe is not attached or fully seated into the bottom of the multiport, assuming a top-mount filter valve design on your filter… third possibility is the wrong type of sand, should say Pool Filter Sand on the bag.
Hi there! Trying to get our sand filter back to working this year. We put new sand in it and ran the rinse function first. It took a minute to get it flowing. When I switched it to the filter function, the water wouldn’t flow back into the pool. We checked all the hoses, rings, etc. and it will flow when it’s disconnected and on the rinse and circulate features. Nothing is clogged on the opening or the hose. Any suggestions?
Hi Kristi, here’s a few ideas: was the sand labeled Pool Filter Sand, or #20 silica sand? Did you overfill, or use the right amount, which is something around 1/2 to 2/3 full in the tank. Is the valve plumbed correctly with the pipe from the pump connected to the valve port labeled RETURN?
hi. I find my sand filter very loud this year. Its working with no leaks. Its like a bubbling or gurgling sound coming from the multiport valve
Hi Gianni, I suppose you may have an air leak, drawing in air before the pump impeller. The most common sources for an air leak are the pipe that threads into the pump, around the pump lid o-ring, the pump drain plug, or the suction-side valves (skimmer/main drain). If it sprays or drips when you shut the pump off – that is the source. Air can also enter the skimmer, from water level being too low, or from a skimmer weir stuck in the vertical position.
There seems to be water coming out from the bottom of our new Hayward sand filter. It was fine and then all of a sudden I saw water, quite a bit of it. We shut it off and it’s still leaking what can I do to fix it
Wanda, is it coming from the drain assembly? Is the drain cap missing, or loose? The cap has a gasket inside, a flat rubber gasket – maybe it went missing? If it is not the drain cap, is there a crack in the tank? If so, you will need a new filter. Another possibility is that it is leaking from above, near the valve, and running down the side of the tank, and dripping off the bottom.
I’m having trouble with my pump. Every time it cuts off, it back flows out the suction inlet back into the pool. Almost like air blowing back.
Hi, that is the cause of an air leak into the pump. The most common cause is a loose pipe coming into the pump, or a loose pump lid, or loose pump drain plug. Be sure the pump lid o-ring is clean and lubed, and the lid is very tight. See this post for more tips: https://blog.intheswim.com/air-in-pool-pump-or-bubbles-in-the-pool/
Ok. I think it’s the center pipe causing it not to sit right, but the sand won’t allow me to adjust it.
Hello, if the center pipe is not sitting on the very bottom of the tank, but has a layer of sand underneath it… hate to tell you, but you should drain the water, scoop out all the sand (or use a shop vac) and try again. Have a helper hold the standpipe in place until you get the enough sand to keep it steady. Then, as you fill the tank with sand, adjust the pipe to keep it in the center as needed, as it will tend to shift slightly.
I installed a brand new hawyard sand filter with Vari-flow XL valve.
I cannot get it to backwash or rinse.
It filters fine. All outlets from the pool are blowing, skimmer basket empty and good suction. The water drains fine on waste mode.
Mike, is the valve plumbed correctly? Is the pipe from the pump connected into the valve port labeled PUMP, and the pipe going to the pool connected to the port labeled RETURN? Did you use sand labeled as Pool Filter Sand, on the bag? Can’t think of anything else
Hi! My sand pump is 2 years old. It will pump fine for about 2 hours and then stops pumping. I can backwash it, recirculate, and switch back to filter and it works fine again. Still only pumps for about 2 hours before I have to backwash all over again so it’s hard to vacuum or keep the pool clean. I’ve changed sand , added sand and have primed the pump. Any ideas?
Try our Sand Filter Cleaner, to remove the oils and scale that must be clogging the sand. I suspect this is a very small sand filter, on a small pool? Small sand filters clog up easily and need the sand changed often. Our liquid sand filter cleaner is added before backwashing, each time. People swear by it, and it has very good reviews (or it did!?! reviews have disappeared for some reason). https://www.intheswim.com/p/liquid-sand-filter-cleaner
I just opened my pool. The pressure gauge is reading 18psi and will not go back down below 10. I’ve backwashed it several times. When I recirculate it. It goes from 10-15psi back and forth very fast several times then stays at 15psi then does it again with the pressure gauge doing the same thing. I’m wondering what the deal is. It’s only my second year owning a pool. Bad sand? Obstruction? Is there any trouble shooting I can Do to pin this problem down.
Hi Reice, it could be as simple as a bad gauge, they are cheap instruments and fail after 5-10 years. If it does not go to zero when the pump shuts off, that means it has failed. When it fluctuates between 10-15, is the pump surging, and making an up/down noise? If not, that is another clue that the gauge is bad.
Hi, Can i use Quikcrete pool filter sand in my Hayward S224t filter? The bag does not have much info on it.
Hi Fran, yes you can use Quikrete pool filter sand – just be sure it’s the Pool Filter Sand and not the Concrete! :-0 Any sand that is labeled Pool Filter Sand will be fine, aka #20 silica sand, graded to 0.45-0.55 mm in size.
Hayward sand filter leaking water at bottom of filter thru plug. Only 1 year old pool.
Hi Destiny, could be a cracked plug, or missing the gasket. You can try using Teflon tape on the threads or replace the plug (or Drain Cap actually). Most likely it is Hayward SX180HG, but if it looks different you would have a different Hayward sand filter, and can find the correct plug in our Filter parts pages.
OMG! I just took out the old sand and I got some on my skin. I can’t touch my arms it feels like I have glass in my skin. It doesn’t matter how many showers I take, I can’t make it stop. The sand was over 10 years old. My filter is a very old Hayward from 1975. It is so painful. Do you have any idea what to do?
Hi Jeanine, it’s not from the sand, but fibers from an old fiberglass filter tank. Been there many times. Use lotion, it will stop within a day usually.
My pressure is at 6psi when off, 23 when on and jumps to 40 during a backwash. Is this normal?
Alan, sounds like a bad pressure gauge. They are cheap instruments that fail every 5-10 yrs. Find new ones here: https://www.intheswim.com/p/system-gauges or here: https://www.intheswim.com/browse?Ntt=gauge
Hi
At the end of season I forgot to switch my sand filter to winter … is that a problem ?
Also last year I changed my sand in my sand filter and when backwashing I notice sand coming out of my hose? I still see fine sand or dust in the bottom of pool … not by the jets ?
Thank you
Hi Greg, it’s not a problem to not use the Winter position on the valve in most cases, if the valve body was not full of water. The Winter setting simply raises the rotor/diverter up off of the gasket, to allow for some room for ice expansion. Placing the handle in-between two settings does the same thing. But you are likely OK, unless you see water pouring out of a large crack. A little bit of sand coming out after backwashing is normal, as is fine dust throughout the pool, also normal for a sand filter. Using a Clarifier can help the sand filter to trap fine/silty dirt – and losing a few tablespoons of sand after a backwash wont add up to much. No worries! Enjoy your summer ~
Hi,
I have recently regrouted pool, refilled and it was looking really good. However, (and there always seems to be a however) after priming the pump and running it overnight, I came to backwash and rinse, but all that happened was with the filter multivalve in backwash the pump made more noise than usual and the water within the basket could be seen to noticeably drop in level. The same thing happened in rinse, after changing multivalve and appropriate taps I put the pool back to normal filtration, which sadly dumped dust/dirt back into pool through return lines.
I know the pump is sound so what am I missing….with this lockdown we would like to get in the water as it is 21c, thank you for any advice you can offer….
Hi Mark, did you replumb the filter or do any work or dissassembly with the multiport? If it is not plumbed backwards, then there may be something broken inside the valve, or the key (aka diverter or rotor), may not be positioning itself properly over the ports, while in backwash/rinse, and likely not fully in filter either. Another possibility is that the filter sand is bad, or gunked up with something nasty like calcium deposits, grease or foreign stuff like paint or paper. If you have not replumbed it or worked on the valve, I would inspect the sand, by pulling off the valve and digging around in there. You can refresh the sand by irrigating it with a garden hose, to let the tank overflow. But first, try just a regular backwash again, to see if the issue repeats itself, might have just an air leak or something
I have a saltwater pool and my pump is on a timer. Im getting sand back in the pool after the pump stops running. The sand was replaced last year and i replaced the entire lateral assembly including the down tube this year. What else to i need to check to stop the sand from coming in the pool. Its not as bad as before i replaced the laterals but its still pretty bad
Hi Mac, are you sure that it’s sand? It could be sand colored dust? If you hit it with a pool brush, does it ‘poof’, or just roll around? Also, sand will deposit only directly below the pool returns, but dust will spread throughout the pool. Sand in the pool can come from too much sand in the filter, if more sand was added that is called for, or if the pump is too large for the filter, when purchased separately, or if the laterals or standpipe are cracked. Dust is considered normal with a sand filter, especially a nuisance with small sand filters. You could use a Clarifier weekly, or add a Slime Bag filter onto your wall return, both as ways to help control / capture the dust.
After backwashing and rinsing my sand filter the skimmer is sucking water like crazy and the psi is about 5-10. Then roughly 15 mins later the water movement slows and the psi jumps to what has been its “normal” operating pressure of about 20. I generally backwash for several mins should I be backwashing longer? Can you backwash for too long? I bought the house and I have no idea of the sand needs to be replaced how can I tell? Have also had 2 separate bouts with mustard algae not even 2 weeks apart and I am afraid with my filter running this way it will just return again.
Hi Chris, what you describe is not normal, backwashing should be needed every 4-6 weeks, if the filter is properly sized. If it is a sand filter, it sounds like time to change the filter sand. If it is a D.E. filter, DE filter powder needs to be added after backwashing.
My Waterway valve was leaking out the backwash so i took the top off and the spider gasket (that is mounted to the diverter) was eaten up. I bought a new one and installed it with no issues but now water just pours out of most positions when its off. Only filter and closed positions do not leak. I took it apart again to make sure it was installed correctly, relubed seal and o rings, put it back together but still the same!! What could it be?
Thank You, Jim
Hi Jim, if you mean that water pours out of the waste line, that is normal in backwash, waste and rinse positions, even when the pump is off, if your filter is located below water level. It should not pour out when in Filter, Recirculate or Closed positions.
Hey. We have a strange problem- we changed the sand in out above ground pool top mount filter. Now we can’t get the Mutliport valve to sit flush on the top of the filter causing a small gap. Since it won’t sit flush we can’t put the collar on.
Hi Ashley, it could be that the standpipe is not sitting perfectly flush on the bottom of the filter tank, but is sitting on a thin layer of sand. Empty all of the sand back out (ugh, I know), and then fill the tank half full of water. Cover the standpipe with tape or a plug or an upside down cup, and have a helper hold the standpipe assembly firmly down on the bottom, and centered, while you pour the sand back into the tank. Keep holding it in place until you get about half of the sand in the tank… Now, it could also be that the standpipe is on the bottom and the valve just needs to be pushed onto the standpipe more firmly. There is an o-ring inside of the bottom of the valve, a little lube is helpful. You should feel the valve set firmly onto the standpipe, and it does take a little push to get it past the o-ring. Don’t force it, just a little nudge…
Hi! We just got a new sand filter for a new pool and it seems to be releasing small particles of sand into the above ground pool. Is it suppose to? How can I fix the problem? Please help
Hi Ashley, it is common that sand filters pass through small amounts of silt and dust, especially after start-up with new sand, or after vacuuming very silty dirt or algae. Much of the silt can have a sandy color. If you hit it with your brush, sand will not ‘poof’ like dust, but will just roll around the floor. If it is sand grains, and not dust, that could be from filling the tank too full, adding more sand than is specified, or it could be a residual amount of sand leftover from backwashing (a tablespoon of sand is normal, using the Rinse setting after backwashing can help with this), or there could be a broken lateral in the bottom of the tank, in which case you will be seeing lots of sand on the bottom of the pool, directly below the returns, as sand is heavy and will fall to the floor quickly, and not be suspended in water, floating around.
Hi there. I wish I could show you a photo. My pool guy just informed me that the reason I am losing pressure to my system is because my sand filter is “bleeding” through the skin. I am in Phoenix, AZ and he explained the fiberglass used to build the 300lb Pentair filter is getting sun damaged. I can see water oozing through the filter. I always just assumed it was sweat (cool water vs hot weather)..but he’s saying it’s not. He is saying I need a new filter. Have you ever heard of this and is there a way to fix it cheaply? With Coronavirus, I need to save the $ as much as I can. Thanks!!! Great Article btw!
Bill, I would bet on condensation, not water oozing thru the filter tank. Never heard of that. Tell him you will take a ‘wait and see approach’, and consider looking for a new pool guy. And, it would not be a reason for ‘losing pressure’ on the filter. If pressure is lower than normal, be sure the gauge face is not bent, or the air bleeder clogged. A clogged pump impeller is a common cause of low filter pressure, or clogged pump/skimmer baskets, closed suction valves, or a clog in a skimmer line.
What is normal psi when recirculating? My Hayward above ground pool filter is starting at 50 when off and redlines when turned on no matter what the setting?
Hi Bridget, every system is different with different psi on the gauge. If anything was normal, most systems run around 10 psi. 50 psi is DANGEROUS, and could rupture the tank or plumbing fittings, and hurt someone nearby. If this is a new problem, and it runs 50 psi on both the filter setting and on the recirculate setting, I would suggest an obstruction after the filter, such as a closed valve, plug(s) still in the wall returns, or something broken off and stuck inside the pipe/hose. If it only runs 50 psi when on the filter setting, I would suggest that the filter sand has calcified, or something is wrong with the multiport filter valve, perhaps it is installed wrong, or something is stuck inside. Third possibility is that the gauge is broken, and if so, water flow in/out of the pool would appear normal, despite the high pressure reading.
Hi, when we had our pool closed,would they have checked the laterals? The last two years when they’ve closed it, I’ve mentioned sand coming back into the pool but they say everything looks fine, but I think maybe they only checked the filter grids (is that what they’re called?) Are the laterals attached to the filter grids? This past year it seemed like ALL of the sand we put in was coming back in. And there wasn’t any sand coming out when backwashing. We ended up with an algae problem by the end of the summer because we couldn’t get anyone out here to look at it. Thanks for any help you can give.
Hi Michelle, the company cannot easily check the laterals, they are on the bottom of the sand filter tank, beneath all of the sand. If you are losing sand into the pool, a broken lateral is the most likely cause. You could order new replacement sand, and a new set of 8 laterals, and DIY the job. We have many tutorials on our blog about how to change filter sand, it’s not very hard. (Filter grids are used in DE filters, you do not have those).
Hi
I am getting a small amount of dirt onto the bottom of our above ground pool, seems to be very fine silt, I have changed the sand, cleaned all the filter out and also just changed the water, the plastic filters on the bottom of the tube look ok but there is sand wedged into the slits and it wont come out, Any suggestions.
Thanks very much
Hi Steve, could it be pollen (?) common this time of year. Or perhaps a nearby construction site? Sand stuck into the slits of the lateral is common, some people use pea gravel to cover the laterals then fill the rest of the way with Filter Sand, but maybe not for small filters like yours. Is the pump correctly matched in size to the filter (yes, if they came together as a kit), and not too large and powerful? Sand filters do have a way of passing very small silt, it’s normal to some degree, especially smaller sand filters, used on aboveground pools. You could use a Clarifier regularly, or add a 1/2 cup of Alum to the filter thru the skimmer, which will backwash out, or use the Slime Bag product, a filter bag that attaches to the pool wall return, to act as a secondary filter.
Hello. So I just has my sand and a part inside the filter replaced. I think it’s called a lateral? It’s a black pole with like 8 slides off the bottom. Anyways, ever since then my pressure goes up to 20 after running the pump for a couple of hours. I backwash, or even just turn the pump off for a few minutes and back on and it goes back down low. You can tell there is little to nothing coming out of the return with the high pressure. What could possibly be the problem?
Hi Tyler, it could be the wrong type of sand, should be #20 Silica Sand, labeled “Pool Sand”, graded to .45-.55 mm in size. Second possibility is that the multiport valve was reinstalled incorrectly, with the in/out pipes plumbed backwards. The valve is labeled PUMP and RETURN, you can easily check, making sure the PUMP port is connected to the pipe that comes from the pump. Third is some kind of oily/gunky deposit in the sand, you could try a Sand Filter Cleaner, or open up the tank to inspect the sand. Fourth… not enough sand? Filters should be about 2/3 full, and have sand added according to the label or owner’s manual.
Experiencing high pressure on Hayward DE filter after backwashing. Have taken whole thing out and washed throughly. It works fine for only a few minutes and manometer. reads 30 PSI with pulsations of flow. Hayward Navigator loses pressure and will not vacuum pool
Hi – Are you adding the correct amount of DE filter powder? Remember that it is double a dry measure, so when it calls for 1 lb of DE powder, it’s not 16 oz, but 32 oz of dry measure, because it’s so ‘fluffy’! 🙂 If you have added the DE okay (and it’s not passing back into the pool), I would next suggest that the grids or ‘flex-tubes’ if a Perflex filter, may be clogged with oils or scale, or both which flushing will not remove. Get a 5-gal bucket and fill with hot water, add 1/2 gal of white vinegar or 1/2 gal of muriatic acid, or 1 cup of dry acid (pH reducer) and soak the fingers for 1-2 hours, then rinse thoroughly. To degrease, refill the bucket with hot water and add 1 cup of TSP to the solution, soak for 1-2 hours, rinse thoroughly. Or use our DE Filter Cleaner, which does both in one-step.
Hi I am having an issue with my pool sand filter… The top of the filter is leaking water (neck of the filter) and I don’t know what’s causing that. Also, the filter gauge reads 0 when in operation. What should I do? Thank you so much in advance.
Hi, if the pressure guage reads zero, but you can see water moving or being pumped to/from the pool, then it’s either a) clogged or b) broken, or c) stuck. Sometimes flicking it with your fingernail will get it to pop-up, or you may need to remove and clear out the air assembly (open to see if air flows out). The leak on the filter, well if your valve is on top of the filter, and it’s leaking between the multiport valve and the filter tank flange, then it could be a loose clamp, or a bad o-ring. It can also be from very high pressure (Caution!), caused by a filter needing backwashing, or an obstruction on the return side, after the filter, a closed valve or clog or plugged return at the pool wall. So, I’d get the pressure gauge fixed too, and make sure psi is not like 30+, or much higher than normal, and then see about the leak…if it is leaking from the multiport valve, those o-rings and parts are found in our Valve parts department (as opposed to the filter parts dept).
To whom it may concern,
I am currently dealing with a ‘strange’ problem on my koi pond filter system. When my system is set on ‘Bypass’ the flow of the water is 100%.(Thus the water flow is not going through the sand filter) However, when I set the system on ‘filter’ for the flow to go through the sand filter, the system builds up air, and pressure is lost. At that point I have to do a backwash to get the built-up air out of the system, to ensure a strong flow through the complete system. When I need to do the backwash, i obviously switch off the pump. When i switch off the pump, there is a ‘Back-draft’ pushing back into the koi pond. I have changed the Multiport Valve. I also replaced the sand on the filter recently. PLEASE HELP?
Hi Chris, two possibilities and both could be occurring – 1. There is an air leak, before the pump impeller, either around the pump lid or drain plug, or on the pipe coming into the pump. If you see water dripping or a quick splash-back water spray when the pump shuts off, in any of these areas (Before the impeller only), that’s where you need to seal up. 2. The sand needs to be replaced as it is gunked up, greasy and worn-out.