Resolved: High pressure and sand returning to water

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Mike70

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Nov 8, 2022
6
Charlottesville VA
I have been trying to resolve high pressure (28-30 PSI) in my Hayward S244S sand filter. It started about a week ago after backwashing/rinsing for the first time in a while, though the pressure had still been running 20-22 and below the red arrow on the pressure gauge set to 28 by previous owner. This pool is 15x40 with a spa in one 5x10 corner, currently set mainly to circulate spa water in the cold.

Unclear on the age of the sand and having read it is a common high pressure issue, I changed it. I struggled to get the laterals out for inspection last night, had to remove the screws keeping the lateral holder assembly together since it wouldn’t come off the lower elbow nor would the laterals fold up tightly enough to come out. Still, they were all intact so I cleaned them out with a razor. Tightened the holder assembly back up upon reinstallation of the laterals inside the tank. I also dis/reassembled the multiport valve since it was tight to operate. I put in half a tank of water, some sand gently in over the laterals, and totaled 300 lbs of sand per manual, not just to a specific height.

I turned the pump on backwash and the sight glass went clear after about 1 minute. I shut it down, switched to rinse, and restarted to see the sight glass fill with sand. Turn off/switch to backwash/turn on cleared the sand, and it came right back in rinse mode. The freshly cleaned multiport valve seems sandy when turning now too. Filter mode sends sand into the spa, and the pressure is still elevated.

- I suspect I could have overfilled with new sand - can I just let it go for a while to let it equal itself out, eventually emptying the spa, or should I remove some from the filter?
- Sand in the glass under rinse as opposed to backwash seems wrong - what does this indicate? Suggested remedies?
- Should I do anything further with the valve?
- And what feels like the biggest issue - any suggestions for the high pressure?

Thanks in advance for any assistance!
-Mike
 
Mike70 said:
I have been trying to resolve high pressure (28-30 PSI) in my Hayward S244S sand filter. It started about a week ago after backwashing/rinsing for the first time in a while, though the pressure had still been running 20-22 and below the red arrow on the pressure gauge set to 28 by previous owner. This pool is 15x40 with a spa in one 5x10 corner, currently set mainly to circulate spa water in the cold.

Unclear on the age of the sand and having read it is a common high pressure issue, I changed it. I struggled to get the laterals out for inspection last night, had to remove the screws keeping the lateral holder assembly together since it wouldn’t come off the lower elbow nor would the laterals fold up tightly enough to come out. Still, they were all intact so I cleaned them out with a razor. Tightened the holder assembly back up upon reinstallation of the laterals inside the tank. I also dis/reassembled the multiport valve since it was tight to operate. I put in half a tank of water, some sand gently in over the laterals, and totaled 300 lbs of sand per manual, not just to a specific height.

I turned the pump on backwash and the sight glass went clear after about 1 minute. I shut it down, switched to rinse, and restarted to see the sight glass fill with sand. Turn off/switch to backwash/turn on cleared the sand, and it came right back in rinse mode. The freshly cleaned multiport valve seems sandy when turning now too. Filter mode sends sand into the spa, and the pressure is still elevated.

- I suspect I could have overfilled with new sand - can I just let it go for a while to let it equal itself out, eventually emptying the spa, or should I remove some from the filter?
- Sand in the glass under rinse as opposed to backwash seems wrong - what does this indicate? Suggested remedies?
- Should I do anything further with the valve?
- And what feels like the biggest issue - any suggestions for the high pressure?

Thanks in advance for any assistance!
-Mike
Click to expand...
The fact that sand is escaping during rinse and not backwash is concerning that maybe one of the laterals broke and is allowing sand in. Sand in that multiport valve is bad news too. Have you tried bypassing the filter altogether to make sure there’s not some obstruction in the returns separate from the filter?
 
Bperry said:
The fact that sand is escaping during rinse and not backwash is concerning that maybe one of the laterals broke and is allowing sand in. Sand in that multiport valve is bad news too. Have you tried bypassing the filter altogether to make sure there’s not some obstruction in the returns separate from the filter?
Click to expand...
The water pressure itself seems just as strong as ever. I also can’t tell a difference with my hand over a return jet between it running on filter v. recirculate.
 
Mike70 said:
The water pressure itself seems just as strong as ever. I also can’t tell a difference with my hand over a return jet between it running on filter v. recirculate.
Click to expand...
If that’s the case the filter isn’t the cause of the high pressure. But hand measurements probably aren’t able to tell a big difference.

Probably need to figure out your sand issue before getting back to the pressure. Has it always been that high?
 
Bperry said:
If that’s the case the filter isn’t the cause of the high pressure. But hand measurements probably aren’t able to tell a big difference.

Probably need to figure out your sand issue before getting back to the pressure. Has it always been that high?
Click to expand...
The pressure went up after backwashing last week from about mid-low 20s to almost 30 for the first time I’ve seen it so high.

Guess it’s back out with the new sand, which actually is to about the same height of the old (covering top elbow), blowing my theory that it might’ve just been overfilled.

Am I at least correct in thinking that the clear sight glass under backwash is a sign that the top elbow and diffusers are not at issue here? And focus either closer inspection or just replacement on the bottom elbow, lateral holder assembly, and laterals?
 
Mike70 said:
The pressure went up after backwashing last week from about mid-low 20s to almost 30 for the first time I’ve seen it so high.

Guess it’s back out with the new sand, which actually is to about the same height of the old (covering top elbow), blowing my theory that it might’ve just been overfilled.

Am I at least correct in thinking that the clear sight glass under backwash is a sign that the top elbow and diffusers are not at issue here? And focus either closer inspection or just replacement on the bottom elbow, lateral holder assembly, and laterals?
Click to expand...
Hard to say for sure. I know when my filter was new, I could get sand coming out of the waste port during backwash but not during rinse. It’s possible your high pressure issue may be causing the sand to get pushed out as well. I think I’d try to figure out how to put a pressure gauge on a return pipe near the pad And maybe a couple other spots to see where the high pressure might be coming from. But if it started after a backwash, perhaps something got lodged in a pipe somewhere.
 
The sand in the spa is new since changing it, so I’ve got new internals on the way. Will update when they’re in next week and I’ve taken apart whatever seems like it won’t also break on the return side to see if there are any visible obstructions.
 
A couple of thoughts in case the new parts don’t resolve the issues:

When I filled my new 244T with the proper amount of pool sand, I had sand in the sight glass during backwash and rinsing for a while. I was concerned, but it resolved and the filter has functioned well for many years. I don’t have a spa where I could have easily seen sand coming through in filter mode so I can’t say for certain I didn’t have any, but I never saw any.

Don’t overlook the possibility of a pressure gauge issue. Gauges marketed for pools are not usually very good quality.
 
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JohnT said:
A couple of thoughts in case the new parts don’t resolve the issues:

When I filled my new 244T with the proper amount of pool sand, I had sand in the sight glass during backwash and rinsing for a while. I was concerned, but it resolved and the filter has functioned well for many years. I don’t have a spa where I could have easily seen sand coming through in filter mode so I can’t say for certain I didn’t have any, but I never saw any.

Don’t overlook the possibility of a pressure gauge issue. Gauges marketed for pools are not usually very good quality.
Click to expand...
Good point on the pressure gauge - it seems to be working fine, but what’s another couple bucks to be sure.
 
Finally got back around to this this evening. Replaced the lower elbow and lateral assembly (at least the holder assembly gave up, but I wasn’t taking any chances with the elbow) and the sand issue is resolved.

As for the pressure - turns out I just don’t know the proper pressure for spa-only operation. I had the valves back to the pool shut and when I opened them to see if it made a difference, the pressure went right back to normal. Makes sense for the spa-only return to be higher, now (after a probably unnecessary sand change, moving 1200# of sand, and breaking/replacing things) that I think of it.

Thanks for the assistance here people!
 
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