First backwash of my DE filter and DE came out of the returns

[Schadenfreude]

Hi, this is my first pool and I've owned it for about five years, but I just took over maintenance about a month ago. I knew zero about pools but that seemed to be about the same as the guy who was maintaining it before me. I've done quite a bit of reading here and have found the advice helpful.

I know the filters (I have two filters, four pumps and two skimmers on two separate systems for the one pool - why, I don't know) were cleaned about six months ago and some of the grids replaced. We had the pool drained and refilled about a month ago and, while it was cloudy for a day after the refill, it has been crystal clear ever since.

I backwashed this morning (just a push-pull valve) and put DE in the skimmers, about 5 lbs in each. One was fine, but the other spewed some DE out of the returns for about a minute, which has turned the pool cloudy. This leads to three questions:

1. How can I clear my pool?
2. How do I know if that filter has enough DE on it?
3. Does my filter or my plumbing need a major repair?

 

[jblizzle]

There must be a problem in the filter that allowed DE to pass. Tear it down, clean and inspect it. Then recharge it and vacuum.

 

[kabutotx]

You will have to tear down the filter. Clean the filters and check for any holes in the fabric and also any cracks/broken areas where the filter meets the manifold and check for cracks in the manifold and there is usually a washer the fits the manifold to the pipe. I once had only two very small tears and got DE blowback.