Pool was not closed this winter and now my sand filter is leaking. Options?

[Crepes]

I will preface this by saying that I have no pool experience whatsoever, and am only going by what the pool people we hired told my wife.

We recently purchased foreclosed home with an inground pool. It is 36x18x4, so approximately 20K gallons. The home was vacated in September, with the pool unclosed and untouched all winter. Somehow the pump survived, but the filter now leaks water from some of the plumbing, and sand into the pool. This is an older sand filter, an Astralpool Cantabric Top Mount. I am not sure as to the size, as the label is nearly gone, but we could see the make and model at least. I would estimate a 24" based solely on what people here have recommended for a pool of this size. The pump is this 1.5 HP Hayward Super Pump (I believe the single speed sp2610x15)

Now, I see that I can order parts online for the filter and I feel like I should be able to replace everything by looking at the filter, finding the leaks, and simply replacing gaskets and parts as needed. That may very well be false because, again, I don't really know what I'm doing.

Alternatively, it might be better to just buy a new filter because this one is kind of old. If I'm trying to do this myself, I imagine just buying and installing a new filter would be easier than trying to identify and replace broken parts on an old filter. I'm not sure how much plumbing work is involved, but it's all PVC so I imagine it can't be super difficult.

I see that I can get a Hayward S244T for $340~ on Amazon. There are probably cheaper alternatives (and cheaper is good, because I wasn't expecting to have to buy this at all), but I see Hayward mentioned here a lot, so I thought that might be correct. Regardless, the pool guys estimated $500 for a new filter plus the cost of labor for installation and any new plumbing. I think self-install would end up being much cheaper, even if I do get a higher quality filter.

I guess my question boils down to: Is it worth it to try to fix my old filter? If not, would a novice like me be able to replace the filter? If I can replace it, is a 24" the correct size and is the S244T recommended or is there a cheaper comparable alternative?

Thank you!

 

[azide999]

Hmm, I am not sure, but if the filter is leaking, it may just need a new o-ring/gasket between the multi-valve and sand bottle. The cost would be $20. However, since you say there is sand in the pool, the standpipe might be cracked as well as some of the tines, estimate ~$200 for that size sand filter. If the latter is the case, you will also need new sand, about $150 for 300 lb.

Generally, and I have been there, if the system was not winterized, it is possible that the tines and standpipe have cracked and the o-rings have failed. So you are looking at $200 (standpipe and tines) plus $20 (o-ring) and $150 (sand; unless you can capture the sand). I am glad the pump is ok, mine cracked and therefore needed to be replaced.

$500 is a good price if the filter is of similar size and quality, if they include the sand.

 

[Teald024]

Hello and Welcome to TFP!!
You can do a simple cost analysis and see if it is cost effective to fix an existing old filter vs buying and installing a new filter. Spare parts aren't cheap, but you didn't mention which parts are broke. If it's just the laterals or standpipe and some external pvc, then it will be cheaper to fix. If the housing or main valve are leaking then it could go the other way.

The Hayward S244T will be large enough for your 19k gallon pool. It is a good, big filter. You could price out the S210T, S220T and compare pricing. We usually recommend to get the biggest filter in your budget. For your old filter, you could measure the circumference with a tape measure and divide by 3.14 to get the diameter.

Changing out a filter is a fairly easy DIY process if you are handy and are comfortable with pvc gluing. Only you can decide if you are comfortable doing this.

 

[Crepes]

@azide999 I think that since so much could have gone wrong with it, and because the filter is pretty old, it sounds like it would be better for me to just get a new one. They quoted $509 for filter, sand, and PVC, plus another $99 for installation.

@Teald024 We have ordered the S244T. Better to spend the extra $80 vs the 210 I think for the better filtration and fewer backwashes. Part of me wishes I had attempted the repair, but also I don't know enough of what I'm looking for and don't really have the money to experiment with buying parts and then still not having a working filter afterwards. Might as well just be sure the first time I guess. Plus I get to learn more about how everything works

 

[azide999]

I agree. Sometimes it is better to replace than repair and agree on the decision to get the S244T. There is nothing more frustrating than repairing and having to go back and forth as you discover additional problems.