I have a Pentair Sand Dollar (SD80) sand filter. It is approximately 6 years old. I noticed in the spring that it was leaking around the top where the valve is clamped on. I was able to tighten up the clamp and stop the leak. A few weeks ago I notice a pin hole leak in the seam where the filter is molded together. It obviously can't be clamped. I have tried to repair the leak with silicone and marine epoxy. With the epoxy I even took the valve off and epoxied both the inside and outside of the pin hole. The pressure overcame the epoxy and weakened the seal rendering it useless.
In order to use the filter, I have to account for the water loss and add some every couple of days. Obviously, I need to find a new option for repairing it or buy a new one. I am ok getting a new one, but it does seem like a waste if there's a way to repair it. I'm curious if anyone else has seen something like this and if there is a product or remedy that I don't know about.
Also, I would like to know if there is something I'm possibly doing wrong. We had this pool installed in 2014, so this is our 10th season. In 2017 this exact same issue occurred and I just bought a new one and replaced the sand and filter. I could possibly be causing this, but I wouldn't know and thought I'd ask. I don't have any reason to believe that, but I do find it odd that it's happened to me twice now. It is possible that they're just prone to this malfunction or maybe it's just another piece of junk from Pentair (I have a lot of bad words I usually use when talking about their products).
Anyway... is there a way to repair it? Should I just replace it? If replacing, should I go with another manufacturer? Am I possibly causing the problem?
For info.... I'm in Central Ohio and usually have the pool opened from April to mid-October. The pump runs in 4 hour cycles every day. I manage the sanitation of the pool with liquid chlorine (and a testing kit) and try to adhere to the procedures I've learned here. I backwash the filter maybe once a month.
In order to use the filter, I have to account for the water loss and add some every couple of days. Obviously, I need to find a new option for repairing it or buy a new one. I am ok getting a new one, but it does seem like a waste if there's a way to repair it. I'm curious if anyone else has seen something like this and if there is a product or remedy that I don't know about.
Also, I would like to know if there is something I'm possibly doing wrong. We had this pool installed in 2014, so this is our 10th season. In 2017 this exact same issue occurred and I just bought a new one and replaced the sand and filter. I could possibly be causing this, but I wouldn't know and thought I'd ask. I don't have any reason to believe that, but I do find it odd that it's happened to me twice now. It is possible that they're just prone to this malfunction or maybe it's just another piece of junk from Pentair (I have a lot of bad words I usually use when talking about their products).
Anyway... is there a way to repair it? Should I just replace it? If replacing, should I go with another manufacturer? Am I possibly causing the problem?
For info.... I'm in Central Ohio and usually have the pool opened from April to mid-October. The pump runs in 4 hour cycles every day. I manage the sanitation of the pool with liquid chlorine (and a testing kit) and try to adhere to the procedures I've learned here. I backwash the filter maybe once a month.