Hello- New to the group so thanks in advance! Just bought a house with an in ground pool. Working on getting the pool up to speed. My question is: Based on my filter pressure diff. I’m having to backwash about every 30 minutes of my pump running/filtering. Pool water is cloudy but not much for debris. Based on what I’ve read I shouldn’t have to be backwashing even close to this much. Please help!!
Constant Backwashing
- Thread starter Earl74
- Start date
Hey there Earl, conga-rats on the new house! 
Your sand filter may just be dirty- have you opened it up and taken a look inside?? A good sand deep clean is warranted also since you don't know what those *other people* may have done to the pool, amirite?
www.troublefreepool.com
What you need to know is the base filter pressure when clean, then only backwash when the pressure rises 25%. We say that because a "slightly" dirty filter actually helps the filter work.
Now as to your cloudy water- that is a chemistry problem, not a filtering problem. How are you testing you water??
We need to know (from a TFP approved kit) these elements:
FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA
Salt if applicable
Two approved test kits- TF-100/TF-100Pro or Taylor K-2006C www.tftestkits.net for first, Amazon for latter. I prefer the TF-100
How did the *other people* sanitize the pool? We hope they avoided pool store potions and lotions and icky things that mess up a pool more than help one. Any idea what they used? Did they leave anything behind we can see?
How do YOU want to chlorinate your pool?
www.troublefreepool.com
GIve us more info on the pool. Its equipment, size, type of pool, chemicals used, testing, ect. That's gonna help us figure this out.
Thanks.
Maddie
Your sand filter may just be dirty- have you opened it up and taken a look inside?? A good sand deep clean is warranted also since you don't know what those *other people* may have done to the pool, amirite?
Deep Cleaning a Sand Filter
This post will walk you through the anatomy of a sand filter, and then provide a video at the end for how to deep clean your sand filter. The filter used in the photos and videos is a Hayward S180T top mount sand filter. The images are of a similar filter. Obviously not all filters are...
www.troublefreepool.com
What you need to know is the base filter pressure when clean, then only backwash when the pressure rises 25%. We say that because a "slightly" dirty filter actually helps the filter work.
Now as to your cloudy water- that is a chemistry problem, not a filtering problem. How are you testing you water??
We need to know (from a TFP approved kit) these elements:
FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA
Salt if applicable
Two approved test kits- TF-100/TF-100Pro or Taylor K-2006C www.tftestkits.net for first, Amazon for latter. I prefer the TF-100
How did the *other people* sanitize the pool? We hope they avoided pool store potions and lotions and icky things that mess up a pool more than help one. Any idea what they used? Did they leave anything behind we can see?
How do YOU want to chlorinate your pool?
How to Chlorinate Your Pool
Before chlorinating your pool, you should know these simple tips. Learn the best way to add chlorine to your pool.
www.troublefreepool.com
GIve us more info on the pool. Its equipment, size, type of pool, chemicals used, testing, ect. That's gonna help us figure this out.
Thanks.
Maddie
OOps...forgot to ask- does your filter pressure go to Zero when the pump turned off??
Yippee- Thnx for the quick reply. I have a meeting after work but I’ll try to answer most of your questions after that. Yes gauge reads 0 with pump off starts at 10 psi after backwash. I’ve been letting it filter to 20 psi before next backwash or I would only be filtering for 5-10 minutes between backwashes. I’ll get the preferred sampling kit ordered tonight!
sktn77a
Gold Supporter
Every year when the pollen falls, I'm having to backwash my sand filter every 30-60 min. Sounds like you have some pollen or algae so perhaps not unexpected. Post your pool chemistry results when you can. In the meanwhile, you may want to do a preemptive SLAM.
SKTN77A- Keep in mind we’re using strips. Ordering a preferred kit tonight.
FC 1-2
PH 7.8
ALK 240
Hardness 800
CYA 0
Yeah lotta pollen!!
FC 1-2
PH 7.8
ALK 240
Hardness 800
CYA 0
Yeah lotta pollen!!
FC 1-2Hey there Earl, conga-rats on the new house!
Your sand filter may just be dirty- have you opened it up and taken a look inside?? A good sand deep clean is warranted also since you don't know what those *other people* may have done to the pool, amirite?
Deep Cleaning a Sand Filter
This post will walk you through the anatomy of a sand filter, and then provide a video at the end for how to deep clean your sand filter. The filter used in the photos and videos is a Hayward S180T top mount sand filter. The images are of a similar filter. Obviously not all filters are...
What you need to know is the base filter pressure when clean, then only backwash when the pressure rises 25%. We say that because a "slightly" dirty filter actually helps the filter work.
Now as to your cloudy water- that is a chemistry problem, not a filtering problem. How are you testing you water??
We need to know (from a TFP approved kit) these elements:
FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA
Salt if applicable
Two approved test kits- TF-100/TF-100Pro or Taylor K-2006C www.tftestkits.net for first, Amazon for latter. I prefer the TF-100
How did the *other people* sanitize the pool? We hope they avoided pool store potions and lotions and icky things that mess up a pool more than help one. Any idea what they used? Did they leave anything behind we can see?
How do YOU want to chlorinate your pool?
How to Chlorinate Your Pool
Before chlorinating your pool, you should know these simple tips. Learn the best way to add chlorine to your pool.
GIve us more info on the pool. Its equipment, size, type of pool, chemicals used, testing, ect. That's gonna help us figure this out.
Thanks.
Maddie
PH 7.8
ALK 240
Hardness 800
CYA 0
These were our numbers last night using test strips.
Previous owners left clarifier, granular chlorine, and pucks.
We just hope to chlorinate with bleach/shock.
Pool is a 19x40 oval
Main drain and skimmer aren’t standard setups.
. More info later, off to work.
- Jun 22, 2014
- 47,802
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
My bet's on algae. Until your test kit arrives, you might start reviewing the SLAM Process page and finding good sources of chlorine. Don't add anything to the water for now except about 1/2 gallon of liquid chlorine or regular bleach. If there truly is no CYA in the water, the chlorine will go fast (sun UV), but at least its something. Don't try to do too much until you receive the kit, then we'll look for those test results.
Hey there Earl, conga-rats on the new house!
Your sand filter may just be dirty- have you opened it up and taken a look inside?? A good sand deep clean is warranted also since you don't know what those *other people* may have done to the pool, amirite?
Deep Cleaning a Sand Filter
This post will walk you through the anatomy of a sand filter, and then provide a video at the end for how to deep clean your sand filter. The filter used in the photos and videos is a Hayward S180T top mount sand filter. The images are of a similar filter. Obviously not all filters are...
What you need to know is the base filter pressure when clean, then only backwash when the pressure rises 25%. We say that because a "slightly" dirty filter actually helps the filter work.
Now as to your cloudy water- that is a chemistry problem, not a filtering problem. How are you testing you water??
We need to know (from a TFP approved kit) these elements:
FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA
Salt if applicable
Two approved test kits- TF-100/TF-100Pro or Taylor K-2006C www.tftestkits.net for first, Amazon for latter. I prefer the TF-100
How did the *other people* sanitize the pool? We hope they avoided pool store potions and lotions and icky things that mess up a pool more than help one. Any idea what they used? Did they leave anything behind we can see?
How do YOU want to chlorinate your pool?
How to Chlorinate Your Pool
Before chlorinating your pool, you should know these simple tips. Learn the best way to add chlorine to your pool.
GIve us more info on the pool. Its equipment, size, type of pool, chemicals used, testing, ect. That's gonna help us figure this
Opened up my filter and found a lot of this. Does this explain my “constant backwashing”? Channeling in only one spot. Assuming I need to replace my sand.?.?
- Jun 22, 2014
- 47,802
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
As long as no floc or clarifiers were ever added, should be no need to replace, just do a thorough sand deep clean. See below.
www.troublefreepool.com
Deep Cleaning a Sand Filter
This post will walk you through the anatomy of a sand filter, and then provide a video at the end for how to deep clean your sand filter. The filter used in the photos and videos is a Hayward S180T top mount sand filter. The images are of a similar filter. Obviously not all filters are...
www.troublefreepool.com
Not sure about floc but the previous owner’s must of used clarifiers as they left a partial bottle behind. A sand deep clean won’t break up the rock hard chunks will it?As long as no floc or clarifiers were ever added, should be no need to replace, just do a thorough sand deep clean. See below.
Deep Cleaning a Sand Filter
This post will walk you through the anatomy of a sand filter, and then provide a video at the end for how to deep clean your sand filter. The filter used in the photos and videos is a Hayward S180T top mount sand filter. The images are of a similar filter. Obviously not all filters are...
- Jun 22, 2014
- 47,802
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Rats! I'm afraid not Earl. Sorry.
In this case, you would be better served to just dump and start over. After that though, a deep clean every year or two is all you need as sand will never go bad as long as it's not contaminated.That’s what I was afraid of..... OK Thnx!Rats! I'm afraid not Earl. Sorry.
Is the quikrete pool sand OK stuff?? I’m pretty limited because of location. Hayward S244S Filter .45-.55mm
A while back Quickcrete had a problem with using too fine a sand for filter sand. The sand lump you pulled out has the right size sand grains. If you can't see the sand through the bag, you might want to try and find another brand, like HTH. You can look at this thread for reference: My findings on how not all sand is created equal
Here is what the previous owners left me.Hey there Earl, conga-rats on the new house!
Your sand filter may just be dirty- have you opened it up and taken a look inside?? A good sand deep clean is warranted also since you don't know what those *other people* may have done to the pool, amirite?
Deep Cleaning a Sand Filter
This post will walk you through the anatomy of a sand filter, and then provide a video at the end for how to deep clean your sand filter. The filter used in the photos and videos is a Hayward S180T top mount sand filter. The images are of a similar filter. Obviously not all filters are...
What you need to know is the base filter pressure when clean, then only backwash when the pressure rises 25%. We say that because a "slightly" dirty filter actually helps the filter work.
Now as to your cloudy water- that is a chemistry problem, not a filtering problem. How are you testing you water??
We need to know (from a TFP approved kit) these elements:
FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA
Salt if applicable
Two approved test kits- TF-100/TF-100Pro or Taylor K-2006C www.tftestkits.net for first, Amazon for latter. I prefer the TF-100
How did the *other people* sanitize the pool? We hope they avoided pool store potions and lotions and icky things that mess up a pool more than help one. Any idea what they used? Did they leave anything behind we can see?
How do YOU want to chlorinate your pool?
How to Chlorinate Your Pool
Before chlorinating your pool, you should know these simple tips. Learn the best way to add chlorine to your pool.
GIve us more info on the pool. Its equipment, size, type of pool, chemicals used, testing, ect. That's gonna help us figure this out.
Thanks.
Maddie
Attachments
- Jun 22, 2014
- 47,802
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
You won't need the Bioguard or Clarifier. Those are trouble. You can keep the tabs for times when you are away from home for a few days and need to put some in a floater. But don't use tabs on a regular basis. Is that a pipe fitting that broke loose?
Previous owners failed to mention details of the pool. Original floor drain and skimmer piping had apparently failed at some point and this was their fix.
Pipe on the left runs down the wall and ends by the floor drain this acts as the main drain.
Pipe on the right had an in the wall skimmer duct taped, rubber bungeed, & plumber strapped to it. Skimmer was laying in the bottom of the pool when we uncovered it this spring!
Any tricks on changing the sand in a Hayward S244S Filter? Pretty tight getting past the top diffuser!!