deep cleaning a sand filter

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Chaya

Bronze Supporter
Jul 28, 2019
97
Lakewood, New Jersey
i read and watched the videos about how to deep clean sand in a sand filter

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 www.troublefreepool.com
there was one comment that there was really no explanation about how to remove the top. it said clearly that the filter has to be disconnected from all plumbing. i am totally not handy and waaay too scared - and have no idea - how to cut lines or even to disconnect lines. AND i do not understand at all why i can't remove the top/multiport with all the connected pipes. if i detach the top/multiport, the base of the sand filter which holds the sand is not connected to anything at all - not to return lines or suction lines... so why can't i go ahead and clean and then reattach the top with the 2 screws at the collar. that does not seem so intimidating to me.

also, the video shows a winterized system. if i'd open my system that is already up and running, it will be fill with water. why would i drain it? wouldn't i WANT water in the filter anyway?

the reason i'm trying to clean the sand is because my pump is making a crazy sound. i called the pool company down multiple times. it has been making this noise since they installed a new motor on my pump. they don't seem to have any idea what is causing the sound. yesterday, they said it was not a broken impeller, nothing is clogged, so i must need to change the sand (for $450!). but my sand is almost new! and they seem to suggest changing the sand all the time... in trying to read up, i found this thread which says at most, i should deep clean. So i'd really like to see if this will improve the noise my pump is making.
 
Chaya said:
i read and watched the videos about how to deep clean sand in a sand filter

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 www.troublefreepool.com
there was one comment that there was really no explanation about how to remove the top. it said clearly that the filter has to be disconnected from all plumbing. i am totally not handy and waaay too scared - and have no idea - how to cut lines or even to disconnect lines. AND i do not understand at all why i can't remove the top/multiport with all the connected pipes. if i detach the top/multiport, the base of the sand filter which holds the sand is not connected to anything at all - not to return lines or suction lines... so why can't i go ahead and clean and then reattach the top with the 2 screws at the collar. that does not seem so intimidating to me.

also, the video shows a winterized system. if i'd open my system that is already up and running, it will be fill with water. why would i drain it? wouldn't i WANT water in the filter anyway?

the reason i'm trying to clean the sand is because my pump is making a crazy sound. i called the pool company down multiple times. it has been making this noise since they installed a new motor on my pump. they don't seem to have any idea what is causing the sound. yesterday, they said it was not a broken impeller, nothing is clogged, so i must need to change the sand (for $450!). but my sand is almost new! and they seem to suggest changing the sand all the time... in trying to read up, i found this thread which says at most, i should deep clean. So i'd really like to see if this will improve the noise my pump is making.
Click to expand...
Theres no need to change the sand. Does the noise occur when the multiport valve is set to “recirculate”? If the noise is still there when the filter is bypassed then the issue is not with the filter.
 
wow! didnt think of testing that way. well, i just tried it and indeed the noise is NOT there on recirculate. Pool guy is claiming the built up pressure or something is causing the shaking or noise like something is stuck in the housing... or something like that.
 
Chaya said:
wow! didnt think of testing that way. well, i just tried it and indeed the noise is NOT there on recirculate. Pool guy is claiming the built up pressure or something is causing the shaking or noise like something is stuck in the housing... or something like that.
Click to expand...
I assume the intake and return valves are open? Ie it runs fine and skims ok when in recirculate?
 
Chaya said:
i just turned it on recirculate for a minute to see that its runs without the noise. it seems to be working fine and all valves are open. i didnt go to the pool to check anything.
Click to expand...
Might be a good idea to make sure the pump is actually moving water.
 
thank you, i guess i'll look in daylight tomorrow.
but what about the plumbing questions? even before i start up the pool after its been winterized, my pipes are attached to my multiport. i can never do this sand deep cleaning? i can't understand why i can separate the filter from all the plumbing.
 
Chaya said:
thank you, i guess i'll look in daylight tomorrow.
but what about the plumbing questions? even before i start up the pool after its been winterized, my pipes are attached to my multiport. i can never do this sand deep cleaning? i can't understand why i can separate the filter from all the plumbing.
Click to expand...
Why do you want to remove all the pipes? You just open the top and hose it out. Is your MPV on top or the side? The goal is to shut off valves or remove pipes so the dirty water doesnt get into the plumbing and then into the pool.
 
i dont want to remove the pipes but it seems from multiple things i've read that you are supposed to, but i can't figure out why. they say if there is no union to cut the plumbing???? oh, no, i'm not a plumber. i can hardly use a screw driver. my mpv is on top. if my son can help me take off the 2 screws on the collar i think i can remove the multi port which has all pipes connected. then nothing i do with the filter will get into the pool pluming.

i did test recirculate and its fine - no noise and suction and return lines are fine. so it does indeed seem like problem is with the filter.
 

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Got pics from multiple angles showing everything ? I was helping someone else who had no unions at the MPV/filter, but the pipes ultimately had unions at the pump and filter so it could still be removed.

Screenshot_20240606_064445_Chrome.jpg
 
i also watched a you tube video on changing the sand in a sand filter and it also stressed that he was working on a filter that was winterized, otherwise he'd have to cut the pipes. he showed removing a mutiport which was NOT connected to either suction or return line and which he just placed on the grass. i really dont understand this because when my pool is winterized, no one disconnects these pipes.
 
Chaya said:
but WHY should i remove the unions?
Click to expand...
Because otherwise the rigid PVC holds the MPV in place and you can't remove it to deep clean the filter.
Chaya said:
i really dont understand this because when my pool is winterized, no one disconnects these pipes.
Click to expand...
There's many ways to winterize. Some leave everything connected, some bring most/all of it inside for the winter. I'm one of them and all I have left is the pipes to the pool.

Screenshot_20240606_071631_Chrome.jpg

Deep cleaning would be less work with everything disassembled anyway, versus taking the filter/MPV apart just for the cleaning.
 
newdude said:
Because otherwise the rigid PVC holds the MPV in place and you can't remove it to deep clean the filter.

There's many ways to winterize. Some leave everything connected, some bring most/all of it inside for the winter. I'm one of them and all I have left is the pipes to the pool.

View attachment 581902

Deep cleaning would be less work with everything disassembled anyway, versus taking the filter/MPV apart just for the cleaning.
Click to expand...
 
bottom line, you are saying without disconnecting the unions i can't lift off the Multiport. ok, i finally understand what is going...
i'm just pretty intimidated now b/c what if i disconnect everything and can't get it back together again...
 
Ok yeah. The pipes will hold it firmly in place after you remove the collar.

But the pipes may have unions at the other end like the pic I posted.
 
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