Filter cleaning

[Hkdman]

Hi! I read TFP's excellent article on DE grid filter cleaning. I had just a couple of questions as this will be my first time.
1. Do most people remove the drain plug? Just wondering if that will make a swampy mess and whether it is vital to do so.
2. Do most people take apart the grids or would it be ok to just leave the grids assembled and spray as Best you can. I know it would not be as good as if you disassemble everything but wondering if it is good enough?
3. The article said to clean once per year. When I had the so called professionals taking care of my pool they always stressed twice per year. Just wondering if that was to get more business or if I should really clean twice per year.

Thanks!

 

[ajw22]

With a DE filter you can backwash the filter during the year as needed. As long as the backwash restores your filter PSI back to its clean pressure there is no reason to open the filter and clean the grids. Once a year can be enough unless backwashing is not restoring the clean filter PSI.

It is best to drain the dirty DE out the bottom of the filter. If you don't it would still be okay.

I don't disassemble the grids just hose them off well and clean them as an assembly. Taking the grids apart can damage them and create more problems in reassembly.

Clean it all the best you can. Your filter PSI will tell you if your did a good enough cleaning.

 

[Hkdman]

Thanks!

 

[reggiehammond]

I take my filter down at start and end of season. I generally only do it when it's warm as you can get splashed a bit with a Filter Flosser.
It's about a 1/2 hour process to drain, remove grids, wash off, replace and fill back up.
I do not backwash, ever.

 

[Hkdman]

Ok. So when I was cleaning the filter, I managed to somehow break the multiport valve handle. The handle does push down any further and i cannot rotate to the different settings. Any ideas?

 

[ajw22]

Ok. So when I was cleaning the filter, I managed to somehow break the multiport valve handle. The handle does push down any further and i cannot rotate to the different settings. Any ideas?

Post pictures of the MPV.

Did something physically crack or are you saying you can push down on the handle and it does not rotate?

 

[Hkdman]

Post pictures of the MPV.

Did something physically crack or are you saying you can push down on the handle and it does not rotate?

I didn't hear anything crack. See pic. The handle is basically in the down position. I can't push it any further down. Also - I cannot turn the handle to go to the different functions.

 

[ajw22]

You need to remove the cover screws and see what is going on inside.

The manual is attached to this post.

 

[Hkdman]

Thanks!

 

[reggiehammond]

If you're willing to just break down and clean the filter a couple of times per year, you can eliminate the MPV completely.
I prefer my plumbing to be dead-simple.