Can't Open Waste

[sbcpool]

My filter is a Pentair SMBW 2048 and I'm trying to backwash, but I can't get the handle of the rotary valve to move at all. I even put a small length of pipe on the handle to get more leverage and it still won't budge. Is there some trick to moving the lever that I might not know? I checked the manual, but it just says to move the lever and doesn't mention any tricks.

 

[Azgirl71]

If you are depressing the valve handle and it still is not moving then I have no idea.

 

[sbcpool]

Is the valve handle something separate from the lever? The lever can't be moved up and down because it's through a metal slot in the filter body that would prevent any such movement.

 

[Azgirl71]

I don't have your filter, but to turn mine I push down on handle/lever on top of multi port and then turn to desired location.

 

[sbcpool]

This thing is just a metal lever that sticks out from the bottom of the filter. All you can do is move it back and forth between waste and pool. I suspect it hasn't been cleaned in so long that it's jammed inside. The pump basket was so crammed with leaves and debris that is was like a solid chunk when I took it out.

The sad part is that the previous owner was a really old man who reported having a pool boy. It's clear to me that this pool boy never performed any maintenance on the filter, the pump, or the pool. The skimmer didn't even have a basket in it and the weir is missing. By some freak miracle the water parameters are almost perfect for TFP.

 

[Azgirl71]

You may end up having to get a new filter. Sad the pool boy did not do his job. Maybe someone else has this filter and can chime in.

 

[Smykowski]

Can you post pictures? It may be a matter of taking it apart to clean out any debris jammed inside.