DE filter plumbed backwards by PB?

[Melnic]

Ok
Had multivalve leak at opening. Pool company installed new multi port valve. Then I had DE leak and they put new screens in. Then I could not get a backwash. Nothin came out. I was going to open it up but they sent pool guy over and said the vent tube popped off. Well, I tried to backwash again 2 days ago and nothing came out. It rained heavily so I just put it back to filter .
So I said it’s about time I learn this myself. Well, I popped the lid off and first indication was the screens were swelled up. I did not do a backwash today so I knew from all the videos I watched that something was wrong.

I looked at it and the DE is all on the inside of the filter screens!

I ran the pump for a short time on filter with the lid off and sure enough. Water was going from the inside of the screens out.

I need to look at the valve part number but my first thought is they installed a MPV for a sand filter. My DE filter has the output on the Top.

Correct me if I am wrong but Sand filters exit out the bottom when filtering

 

[Melnic]

ok, I looked at the part # 261055 and sure enough, its a sand filter multiport valve.

Before I give the Pool Operations manager a toung lashing, is there some wack thing pool people do where they hook up DE filters backwards?
I would have to backwash a ton of water to get that DE out of there. Each screen would have to be popped off and lifted up.
The valve would work only if I ran it in backwash for filter mode and filter for backwash mode, but I wonder if those screens are toast?

 

[jblizzle]

I would make the builder put the correct multi-port valve on and then give you a new set of grids because it is going to be a pain to get those cleaned out and they may be damaged.

 

[Richard320]

I would make the builder put the correct multi-port valve on and then give you a new set of grids because it is going to be a pain to get those cleaned out and they may be damaged.

Exactly

And I'd be tempted to shake him down for something else to repay you for your trouble and having to diagnose it yourself, but he'd probably offer you a jug of Phosfree or a bucket of pucks.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Mel,

I agree with Jason..

They put different P/N's on the multiport valves for a reason...

Jim R.

 

[Melnic]

ok, so I have the green light to give him a tongue lashing?
I just wanted to make sure there was no special secret method of making this set up work.

I will go easy though, I switched to him cause he was not raping people on chemicals or fees. I also play beer league ice hockey with him and our kids have played together.
I will however push him to make things right.

 

[JamesW]

It's the wrong multiport. What might have tripped them up is that the valve does say for quad de filters.

A Quad DE filter uses the same multiport as a sand filter.

So, the multiport does say DE and not sand.

Also, if someone says that you can just reverse the top, you can't.

 

[Melnic]

Op manager (friend) replied and I'll get new valve and new screens.
He's obviously embarrassed cause the first time I called and questioned if they had put any DE in when nothing came out of the backwash he went on about how this guy was experianced.
I know from my cameras, that 2 guys showed up. I'm wondering if his guy delegated to an underling who did not know any better.

Now that I think about it, yea, I can't use the valve as is. backwash will just spit the water out.

 

[Melnic]

So, Op manager scheduled them to come today and the guy showed up and swapped the valve and put in new screens. He apologized and owned up to making the mistakes.
I have not pulled the cover off the filter to double check the screens. but I plan to do just that this weekend.

 

[jblizzle]

Good to hear they got you squared away without too much fuss