Hayward sand filter questions

[jlt19]

We just finished winterizing and that included removing most of the sand into 5 gal buckets with plans to deep clean in the spring before putting it back in. We felt most comfortable moving everything inside so it had to be emptied out.

First, my sand looks VASTLY different than the sand in the deep clean video. His looks like west coast FL (white and fine) sand while mine looks like upper east coast FL (gritty with ground up shells) sand. What's the preference/difference?

Also, when cleaning the sand out, I noticed the black lateral thing isn't attached at all. Is that normal? Do I just set it back in the middle (can't be removed) next spring and arrange it as the sand is poured back in?

Since we took the sand out, would you just buy new or take the time to clean it? Depending on type it doesn't seem too expensive.

 

[jlt19]

Hmm, after doing some searching it looks like the pipe standing up should have stayed in the filter when I removed the lid. It just came up with it and I didn't even think twice. Need to write that in my notes for next year!

 

[Texas Splash]

Are you the original owners of the pool who added the sand, or was the sand added by someone in the past? If it was added by someone in the past and you have no real knowlege of its history or the chemicals used by others, replacing is tempting. Since you have most of it out, the deep clean concept may suffice. If you do repace it, just make sure to get pool sand (#20 silica) and not some generic sand from a big box store.

The "black lateral thing" ... are you referring to the center standpipe? If so, it should be mated to the center hub at the bottom with the laterals. It may have pulled out when you opened the filter.

 

[sktn77a]

Just put new sand back in. "Sand" lasts forever but it may be difficult to completely clean off all the gunk that's been put into over the years

 

[Pool_Medic]

Why in heavens name are you removing the sand each year? The literal standing pipe is always going to be wiggly with no sand holding it in place. The spigot of the multiport fits over the top of it.

That filter is designed to stay outside, just unscrew the cap at the bottom to drain all the water from it,

 

[jlt19]

To answer some questions:
The pool/sand was brand new this year. But the installer put it in so I didn't know what kind it should be.

We removed the sand/moved filter inside because our LPS recommended it. She said sand is so cheap that it's just an easy/cheap way to ensure no issues because of it being dirty. Also said that bringing in the filter just makes sure it doesn't crack with the variable temps we get.

The lateral stand came out attached to the multiport. I just set it off to the side not realizing they're 2 separate pieces.
The piece I was talking about is the circle piece with the little arms shooting out of it like a sun. That was the only piece left in the filter after taking off the multiport.

So I'm now guessing the stand goes down through that. I sure hope they're made to come apart...

 

[Pool_Medic]

Confirm you have. 2-3’ piece of pipe extending out of the bottom laterals section?

 

[wireform]

I would have just drained the filter and hoses and leave good enough alone. Cover it well and forget about it till the spring. Just more work for no reason, more things to break and more to worry about...did i do it right.... again just speaking my mind.

 

[sktn77a]

You have to take out the old sand to get the standpipe back in. I would replace it. Filter sand isn't cheap (its not regular building sand) but I'd still start fresh. Next time you winterize your pool, drain the filter (the little screw-on plug at the bottom), turn the MPV lever to the "Winter" position and leave it at that.

 

[jlt19]

Confirm you have. 2-3’ piece of pipe extending out of the bottom laterals section?

So the black laterals do have a circle piece connecting them. It's about 2 inches I'd say. I still have to rinse them well but it's 40 and cloudy/windy so not today.

As long as the white stand pipe is supposed to be separate from the lateral pieces, I think everything's ok. Just panicked me for a minute.

.

 

[Pool_Medic]

It appears you pulled the stand pipe out of the lateral assembly, you need to clean all the sand out of that and glue it back in. The top of that stand pipe is meant to pull free of the multiport spigot. That spigot fits over the stand pipe and shouldn’t be glued in place.

 

[jlt19]

It appears you pulled the stand pipe out of the lateral assembly, you need to clean all the sand out of that and glue it back in. The top of that stand pipe is meant to pull free of the multiport spigot. That spigot fits over the stand pipe and shouldn’t be glued in place.

Well that's just awesome. I didn't even use any real force when taking off the multiport. Thanks for the tips!