So our pool has been installed for about 2 months now and all of the sudden we are getting sand in the the pool and coming out of the backwash pipe. The man that installed the pool came out and put new laterals in the sand filter, but after vacuuming today we have more sand in the pool. We also have no suction when trying to vacuum to waste and air bubbles combing out of the return when vacuuming to the filter.
New member and pool owner
- Thread starter DKelsoeFSU
- Start date
Hi and welcome to TFP. I am sorry for us to be meeting this way.
How soon after they replaced the laterals did you see the sand?
Do you have any idea what brand of sand they used? If not see if you can find out as it is very important as there was/is one brand that does not work as well and can cause stuff like this.
Now are you SURE it is sand? If so how do you know?
Sorry for more questions than answers but this will help us dial it all in to get it all sorted out.
How soon after they replaced the laterals did you see the sand?
Do you have any idea what brand of sand they used? If not see if you can find out as it is very important as there was/is one brand that does not work as well and can cause stuff like this.
Now are you SURE it is sand? If so how do you know?
Sorry for more questions than answers but this will help us dial it all in to get it all sorted out.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,120
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Welcome to TFP! 
Might also help for you to update your signature with all of your pool and equipment info. Post a pic or two of your equipment pad so we can see what you have to work with. By the way, have you been turning off the pump when changing settings on the multiport valve?
www.troublefreepool.com
Might also help for you to update your signature with all of your pool and equipment info. Post a pic or two of your equipment pad so we can see what you have to work with. By the way, have you been turning off the pump when changing settings on the multiport valve?
Pool Care Basics Archives
Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!
www.troublefreepool.com
I don’t know what brand of sand. The guy was supposed to inform me when he done the repair so I could be there to watch what he did, but he didn’t and I was at work. I noticed the next day. I vacuumed the next day to get what sand that was still in the pool, and more came out during backwash and when the filter came back on I noticed more in the pool after a few hours of the pump running. I’m not 100% it’s sand because we did have some dirt run in the pool after a big rain a few weeks ago. It’s just that when I backwash it’s appears to be sand on my patio where the backwash pipe lets the water out.
Okay lets dial you in some more then. You REALLY need to find out what kind of sand they used. Can you call/text him to ask? There was (still is???) a brand that did this all of the time so we need to know.
Take a pic of the sand from the backwash.
Do you run your filter on rinse after you backwash?
Do you turn the pump off before you turn the filter handle from position to position?
Do you think you can open the filter up to look inside?
Take a pic of the sand from the backwash.
Do you run your filter on rinse after you backwash?
Do you turn the pump off before you turn the filter handle from position to position?
Do you think you can open the filter up to look inside?
Yes I have been turning the pump off when changing the setting on the multi port.Welcome to TFP!
Might also help for you to update your signature with all of your pool and equipment info. Post a pic or two of your equipment pad so we can see what you have to work with. By the way, have you been turning off the pump when changing settings on the multiport valve?
Pool Care Basics Archives
Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!
Attachments
This is the sand he pulled out and replaced with the same if I was betting but I’ll call him and see what kind. The sand in the picture from the concrete is what’s coming out in backwash, there was more but we had a big rain last night. Yes I always rinse after backwash. I did notice that the sight glass always has sand and looks dirty during the backwash. Yes I shut off the pump when turning the handle
Attachments
unhappy sigh here.................ya that IS sand 
Now to find out why it is coming out like that. My guess there is something going on with the filter as a whole. There is NO reason he should have had to replace brand new laterals. I am thinking there is something else wrong on the inside. I would be asking for a complete replacement.
Now to find out why it is coming out like that. My guess there is something going on with the filter as a whole. There is NO reason he should have had to replace brand new laterals. I am thinking there is something else wrong on the inside. I would be asking for a complete replacement.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 52,120
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
When we see sand like that blowing back into the pool, two main reasons come to mind. Either the laterals are damaged/separated, or the filter was filled with too much sand. As Kim noted, some people use a sand that is not ideal for pool use (i.e. play sand, or concrete sand) that passes through the laterals. Remember that even new laterals can be damaged if the tech didn't partially fill the vessel with water first before dumping the sand inside. The water cushions the weight of sand from direct impact on the plastic and joints at the bottom.