High pressure, low flow

[Lindyhop88]

New pool owner still foguring out my system. Slammed after going green. Pool wouldnt clear for weeks… found out DE filter with fiber cant really be backwashed and I needed to open and clean. Unfortunately I didn't have all the tools to fully remove the components and cleaned off as much as possible and put the parts back in place.

Now vaccumed all the junk out and everything is clear. I run the filter and pressure goes up 5psi over the next few hours and return is very weak. I turn off and on the system and psi is back down and jets are strong then the cycle repeats.

Could I have broken something? What is possible cause?

 

[HermanTX]

Welcome to TFP.
Tell us what type of filter and pump you have. Mfg. and Model.
Did you recharge the filter with DE after you vacuumed all the junk out?
It appears you did not completely remove all the grids from the filter body but please clarify.

 

[Lindyhop88]

Thank you!
40k pool
Heyward pro grid DE3620
Pump single speed century ust1153 1.5 hp 3450rpm

My pressure was 18 pre”clean now starts at 20 and creeps up to 25.

Was unable to remove the grids entirely but loosened shifted somewhat to scrub inbetween and loosen up some of the caked on fiber and reset before closing.

Then recharged with 80% of indicated fiber for recharge.

 

[Lake Placid]

I’ve got the exact same filter. You would be surprised how much accumulated DE will get jammed in the grids when it looks empty and the array is still installed. Why can’t you remove the assembly? It slides out as a unit then you can unbolt the single nut and threaded rod that holds the array together to separate the grids. Your clean pressure seems high IMO for it to be really clean of DE pre-charge.

 

[HermanTX]

The 18psi pre-clean sounds about right since you have a single speed pump. That is about what I had on my Pentair DE filter with a single speed pump. It appears there is still a lot of crud in that grid and although you loosen it, it just goes right back up against the grids with flow and then you did more with recharging it. It should be completely removed and cleaned thoroughly.

 

[wireform]

Without removing the filter as a unit it would be hard to get it done properly. One more thing, did you remove the drain cap on the bottom and flush out the crud as that can contribute to the elevated pressure.

 

[Lindyhop88]

Without removing the filter as a unit it would be hard to get it done properly. One more thing, did you remove the drain cap on the bottom and flush out the crud as that can contribute to the elevated pressure.

I let the water drain out yes perhaps not sufficient with my partial cleaning method.

 

[Lindyhop88]

I’ve got the exact same filter. You would be surprised how much accumulated DE will get jammed in the grids when it looks empty and the array is still installed. Why can’t you remove the assembly? It slides out as a unit then you can unbolt the single nut and threaded rod that holds the array together to separate the grids. Your clean pressure seems high IMO for it to be really clean of DE pre-charge.

I didnt have a wrench to detach the pipes. Ill attach a pic from when i first opened. Or is that not a problem i should still be able to remove? Didnt want to push too hard for fear of breaking something.

 

[wireform]

What you have in the picture will lift out in one piece albeit very heavy.

 

[Lindyhop88]

What you have in the picture will lift out in one piece albeit very heavy.

Without disconnecting plumbing from exterior? Sounds like a me problem not a system problem . Thank you!

 

[wireform]

It will look like this when removed

 

[HermanTX]

Without disconnecting plumbing from exterior? Sounds like a me problem not a system problem . Thank you!

 

[Lake Placid]

Wireform and Herman covered it. The only thing I would add is when you get the assembly out it can be a little fiddly, especially when working with only two hands . TAKE YOUR TIME, it can be frustrating lol….As you’re getting ready to pull the top apart, note the position of the large down pipe that mates with the filter housing. It will go back the in the same clocked position when you reassemble. When you're disassembling, just like was mentioned in the video, only pull of 1 grid at a time to rinse and clean and put back in place, it’s much easier to keep everything assembled correctly this way. When putting the top of the array on, pay attention to how the grids slide into the alignment grooves, this can be a fiddly part. Be gentle when tightening the nut, the plastic top and bottom can get brittle over time.

 

[Lindyhop88]

Wireform and Herman covered it. The only thing I would add is when you get the assembly out it can be a little fiddly, especially when working with only two hands . TAKE YOUR TIME, it can be frustrating lol….As you’re getting ready to pull the top apart, note the position of the large down pipe that mates with the filter housing. It will go back the in the same clocked position when you reassemble. When you're disassembling, just like was mentioned in the video, only pull of 1 grid at a time to rinse and clean and put back in place, it’s much easier to keep everything assembled correctly this way. When putting the top of the array on, pay attention to how the grids slide into the alignment grooves, this can be a fiddly part. Be gentle when tightening the nut, the plastic top and bottom can get brittle over time.

Great tip thanks all so much

 

[Lindyhop88]

Hello all! An update! Thanks for the advice and direction. I was able to disassemble the whole system and blast it real well with the hose to clean all the parts. Reassembled and recharged. Pressure is 15 and return jet flow is great!

 

[1poolman1]

Hello all! An update! Thanks for the advice and direction. I was able to disassemble the whole system and blast it real well with the hose to clean all the parts. Reassembled and recharged. Pressure is 15 and return jet flow is great!

As you found out, if you switch from DE to cellulose fiber, the first cleaning will come very soon afterward. There is a lot of oils that build up on grids after they have been in use a while. The cellulose actually soaks the oils off, but in the process becomes a very sticky mess that is hard to remove the first time. It may prove to be difficult a second time as well. Generally, after that, you won't need to disassemble the array every time, just a good spray. Those filters should be torn down at least once a year for a thorough cleaning.