Vaccumed Pool, now filter gauge reads 2, sluggish backwash

[poolmommy]

I could really use some help here. Usually only I take care of the pool, BUT, I showed my husband and 13 year old son how to correctly vacuum the other night, and then yesterday I went to backwash and noticed the pump basket was loaded with leaves and debris, and now the pressure gauge on the DE filter reads 2-4, and my backwashing is sluggish.
I told them to make sure they scooped out the majority of the leaves before vacuuming....but I don't think that happened.

I have a Hayward Vertical Grid DE filter with a multiport valve, except that this valve only has :filter, waste, backwash and boost settings.

I think the filter may be clogged?, I added DE to it yesterday, but with the poor backwashing I don't know if it was effective. To me it doesn't feel like the returns are as forceful as usual. I relubed the o-ring on the pump basket, after I washed out the basket. I did notice the side of the basket was cracked, and I am picking up a new one today.

Should I take the filter apart, I think it may be clogged.. Any advice would help.

We have a 45k gallon, gunite/plaster pool with attached inground spa and waterfall feature.

 

[sewzhmkr]

Maybe you have a blockage somewhere...either between skimmer and pump or pump and filter? My psi dropped to 5 one time (usually runs 15) and I was having to prime the pump because the basket was only half full of water.....the problem was that my kreepy krawly sucked up some leaves/goo which went passed the pump basket and was in the opening between the pump and filter. I had felt that opening and didn't feel anything and then went back and pushed in a little further and felt the goo. I dug it out, and the psi went back up and the air worked itself out of the system and is now working fine. Hopefully it is a simple fix for you like it was for me.

 

[Richard320]

If the hose was hooked up directly to the suction port, you may have clumps of debris stuck in the lines between the skimmer and the pump, too. Try a drain king to blow it out, if you have one. Or tightly wrap a rag around a garden hose and wedge it in tight then turn on the water.

 

[zea3]

If you get a lot of leaves on a regular basis you may want to invest in an inline leaf canister. It will catch the leaves and keep the pump basket clean while you vacuum. Yes, I would take the filter apart and completely remove all the old DE from the grids, especially if you have not done this in a while.

 

[sredish]

It's pretty easy to take the top of the filter off... you might do that, or just rotate and pull off the very top cap to take a look in there. it sounds like it may be clogged which might require you taking the filter out and giving it a good hosing. and yes, a leaf canister is a good thing.

 

[waste]

Welcome to TFP!!

As the others posted, it's a blockage, either in the line or in the impeller of the pump.

A dirty filter would result in a high psi, not a low one!

If your multiport has the option (which it should ) put it on 'recirc' and see how the flow is, this takes a clogged filter out of the picture.

I hope you'll respond with your findings, so we can assist you more with this issue.

 

[sredish]

A dirty filter would result in a high psi, not a low one!

yep, sorry about that.... was in a hurry and thought to fast....