Hello, new user with my first post... Was sent to The PoolForum by another user on Hearth.com (where I'm a moderator) couldn't register but found the link to this forum there...
We have an in-ground gunnite pool, free form, estimated about 16K gallons, using a DE filter. I'm not sure of the age on the pool or filter - both were put in by the previous owners, more than 15 years ago when the GF bought the place, but less than 30 years ago when the house was built. (we've seen an aerial photo that shows the house but no pool...)
The filter is a different design from what I've seen described here in the various "DE care & feeding" threads - there is a valve in the base that gives the choice of "filter" or "backwash" modes. The body contains a manifold in the base (not on top) that mounts 8 curved fins in a sort of spiral pattern, with the entire vane assembly held together with a long stainless rod that holds a spacer bracket on the top of the vanes. The filter housing is thick fiberglass or PVC with a band clamp in the middle to hold it together - I think it's about 36sq feet of filter area - takes 7 one lb cans of DE to fill it (the way I've been doing it - that may change slightly based on the stuff I've been reading here)
(Currently the pool equipment shed is under a load of snow, will try to dig it out and get brand / model info this weekend, but not sure I'll be able to get into it...)
The vanes are essentially a plastic framework that has been covered with some sort of fabric, looks like a nylon or fiberglass knit.
Since we've owned the pool, we have replaced all the vanes at least once, and last year when I did the anual breakdown, I found several of the vanes had gotten holes in them (which I was suspecting as I had DE getting into the pool) The last time we replaced the vanes, they were seriously expensive, and very hard to find (the pool store said it was an obsolete filter...)
Aside from the fabric, the rest of the plastic frames are in good shape, I don't really see a need to replace the entire thing if it can be avoided, especially if I can save some money by repairing the existing vanes.
Is it possible to re-cover the vanes? (or get them recovered?) If so, where do I get the fabric, what sort of thread do I use, and so forth?
If that isn't a practical solution - any suggestion on inexpensive places to get the replacement vanes, or is it possibly time to bite the bullet and get a whole new filter? (If so, I'll probably start a different thread about what sort and all that)
Thanks,
Gooserider
We have an in-ground gunnite pool, free form, estimated about 16K gallons, using a DE filter. I'm not sure of the age on the pool or filter - both were put in by the previous owners, more than 15 years ago when the GF bought the place, but less than 30 years ago when the house was built. (we've seen an aerial photo that shows the house but no pool...)
The filter is a different design from what I've seen described here in the various "DE care & feeding" threads - there is a valve in the base that gives the choice of "filter" or "backwash" modes. The body contains a manifold in the base (not on top) that mounts 8 curved fins in a sort of spiral pattern, with the entire vane assembly held together with a long stainless rod that holds a spacer bracket on the top of the vanes. The filter housing is thick fiberglass or PVC with a band clamp in the middle to hold it together - I think it's about 36sq feet of filter area - takes 7 one lb cans of DE to fill it (the way I've been doing it - that may change slightly based on the stuff I've been reading here)
(Currently the pool equipment shed is under a load of snow, will try to dig it out and get brand / model info this weekend, but not sure I'll be able to get into it...)
The vanes are essentially a plastic framework that has been covered with some sort of fabric, looks like a nylon or fiberglass knit.
Since we've owned the pool, we have replaced all the vanes at least once, and last year when I did the anual breakdown, I found several of the vanes had gotten holes in them (which I was suspecting as I had DE getting into the pool) The last time we replaced the vanes, they were seriously expensive, and very hard to find (the pool store said it was an obsolete filter...)
Aside from the fabric, the rest of the plastic frames are in good shape, I don't really see a need to replace the entire thing if it can be avoided, especially if I can save some money by repairing the existing vanes.
Is it possible to re-cover the vanes? (or get them recovered?) If so, where do I get the fabric, what sort of thread do I use, and so forth?
If that isn't a practical solution - any suggestion on inexpensive places to get the replacement vanes, or is it possibly time to bite the bullet and get a whole new filter? (If so, I'll probably start a different thread about what sort and all that)
Thanks,
Gooserider