Vacuuming the pool filter or drain?

[johnw100]

Hi All

I`ve always used the filter setting on our sand filter when vacuuming the bottom of the pool , but now we`ve just employed someone to clean the pool and he always cleans to the drain and then refills the pool a few inches when finished. Anyone come across this method, it does seem to keep the pool cleaner. We live in a dusty area so it might be the reason?

Thanks

 

[JasonLion]

Vacuuming to waste/drain is typically only done when there is some specific reason why the debris you are vacuuming up shouldn't go into the filter. For example, if you floc the pool everything will settle to the bottom, however floc can sometimes clog up the filter, so you want to vacuum it directly to waste. For normal vacuuming there isn't normally any reason to vacuum to waste. There will also occasionally be reasons why you want to replace water gradually, for example keeping high CH or CYA levels under control, in which case it might make sense to vacuum to waste to take care of two unrelated issues at the same time.

 

[johnw100]

ok thanks. its pretty much just a fine dust thats in the pool. If I vacuum through the filter it seems to deposit the dust in front of the jets. Going to drain removes it all completely and keeps the pool cleaner for longer.

 

[JasonLion]

That suggests there is something wrong with the filter. Dust fine enough to go through the filter should not be visible to the naked eye.

 

[johnw100]

so basically i need to call the pool store to check out the filter?

 

[JasonLion]

Perhaps, but not if you don't mind opening up the filter and resettling the sand bed, instructions are in this post.

 

[Divin Dave]

http://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/73192-Deep-Cleaning-a-Sand-Filter

Sometimes the sand can get channels in it, like a small river, and the water can flow through them without very much filtering actually happening. Deep Cleaning the sand can remedy this.
Above is another link to a post with fotos and also a video for how to Deep Clean the sand.

Also, a broken lateral in the filter can result in debris being blown back into the pool.

Hope this helps,

 

[johnw100]

Thanks for that. Will have a look. Also, i normally backwash for around 3-4 minutes and rinse for about 30seconds. Is it worth trying a longer time period for these to see if it solves the problem?

 

[Divin Dave]

I guess to answer the question properly, is to advise you to monitor the filter pressure gauge.
We recommend to backwash when the filter pressure rises about 20% above "clean filter pressure".

After backwashing, the pressure gauge should again be at a Clean Filter pressure.

So, its not really a time based activity. You backwash however long is required to achieve a clean filter. (but, usually 3 or 4 minutes is enough).

you should continue to rinse until the water in the sight glass is running clear. If it is not clear, continue to rinse until it is. (again however, 30 seconds rinse time seems about normal. More than 1 minute and I would say something is wrong).