Sand Getting in Pool - Possible Broken Lateral

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C

crokett

Well-known member
Jul 17, 2007
685
Hillsborough, NC
I took the pool cover off today. I started the pump and I'm confident I'm getting sand coming out of the return, so I've either got a broken lateral or something wrong with the valve on the filter. I'm going to try and get the filter open tonight so I can look at it and maybe get parts tomorrow. Some questions I have

Is there any reason I can't save the sand?
Will running the pump with the filter in bypass mode help to circulate the water for balancing - chlorine, pH, etc? the water is green right now. I'd like to at least try to start treating it so I dont have a bigger mess.

Is there an easy way to get the sand out, other than dumping it?

I assume I didn't get the filter drained properly last fall and it froze and cracked something. Can I blow it out with a shop vac or similar in the fall?
 
Gut feeling: some water froze inside and expanded, and the standpipe is a lot weaker than the tank and got crushed by the ice. It doesn't take much of a crack. That being said...

Certainly you can save the sand. If you have a wet-n-dry shop vacuum, just clean it out well and suk the sand out. Spread a plastic tarp to dump the vacuum out onto so the sand stays clean.

Running the pump with the multiport on recirculate will let you start adding chemicals despite the filter not filtering. If it's green and cloudy, it may get white and cloudy without filtration, but that's still an improvement. I'd say go for it.
 
The center pipe was cracked off. I resorted to a quart size cup and dipping to get most of the sand out. It's sitting in some 5 gallon buckets. I got enough sand out that I can put a new set of laterals and center pipe in.
The center pipe is indeed cracked. Im going to make some calls tomorrow and see if I can find a replacement locally before I order one. I'd like to get the pump running as soon as I can.

I assume for assembly I will need to put the laterals and center pipe assembly in, then fill with sand, then set the valve on the center pipe. Is there a way to guarantee getting the center pipe centered? I didn't check to see if theres a centering ring or somesuch molded into the filter casing.

How much sand is too much vs not enough? I lost a little that is sitting in the bottom of the pool that will have to be vacuumed to waste. Do I need to get more sand?
 
crokett said:
The center pipe was cracked off. I resorted to a quart size cup and dipping to get most of the sand out. It's sitting in some 5 gallon buckets. I got enough sand out that I can put a new set of laterals and center pipe in.
The center pipe is indeed cracked. Im going to make some calls tomorrow and see if I can find a replacement locally before I order one. I'd like to get the pump running as soon as I can.

I assume for assembly I will need to put the laterals and center pipe assembly in, then fill with sand, then set the valve on the center pipe. Is there a way to guarantee getting the center pipe centered? I didn't check to see if theres a centering ring or somesuch molded into the filter casing.

How much sand is too much vs not enough? I lost a little that is sitting in the bottom of the pool that will have to be vacuumed to waste. Do I need to get more sand?
Click to expand...
I can't help with that - I've only ever dealt with DE filters personally. I'm willing to bet there are videos on youtube. Maybe even some with your exact filter.
 
I found a couple videos. it looks like it's possible to put the lateral assembly in and fill it with sand then add the valve.

I also see where a guy replaced the center tube. I'm going to call around and if I can't find it locally will order a new lateral assembly, then will attempt to replace the center tube. If it works I can replace the one I ordered. I've done similar in the past with house plumbing and separating glued sections of pipe, so the concept is the same.
 
crokett said:
How much sand is too much vs not enough? I lost a little that is sitting in the bottom of the pool that will have to be vacuumed to waste. Do I need to get more sand?
Click to expand...
You don't have to vacuum to waste. Personal preference :) (and depends on how dirty the pool is)

Do you have exact model/style? (to asset in hunting down parts)
 
splashpad said:
You don't have to vacuum to waste. Personal preference :) (and depends on how dirty the pool is)
Click to expand...

the pool is pretty dirty. the cover leaked over the winter. although you're right. the sand will pass through the laterals... and get caught by the sand already in the filter.... I was thinking it would get back into the pool. ;)

I wish I'd re-read this thread before refilling with sand again. I hope I didn't wack a lateral dumping the sand back in, but I guess we'll know when I connect the plumbing later.

I found the part locally. I paid about 20 bucks more than ordering it, but the pool will be up and running today instead of next week. A rush on shipping would cost at least that much.
 
crokett said:
the pool is pretty dirty. the cover leaked over the winter. although you're right. the sand will pass through the laterals... and get caught by the sand already in the filter.... I was thinking it would get back into the pool. ;)
I wish I'd re-read this thread before refilling with sand again. I hope I didn't wack a lateral dumping the sand back in, but I guess we'll know when I connect the plumbing later.
I found the part locally. I paid about 20 bucks more than ordering it, but the pool will be up and running today instead of next week. A rush on shipping would cost at least that much.
Click to expand...

In this case time really is money ;)

I think a sand filter dumps the water on top of the sand, then gravity & suction pull the water through the laterals (which keeps the sand if they aren't broken/cracked) out of the pool. (obviously your filter might look slightly different, but same concept)

MicronFibreglssInstruction_big_top.jpg
 

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I just changed my laterals yesterday, along with putting new sand in. I bought my new lateral from Amazon, came as one unit with standpipe.
Be sure to cover the top of the standpipe prior to adding sand.
Hayward manual says. first thing is be sure laterals are fully down, add water until filter is half full. Have someone hold the standpipe in the center and then add sand. After all the required sand is in, reinstall the MPV and all connections. Turn MPV handle to backwash, turn on pump, and run until clear water exits the backwash line. Shut off, turn handle to rinse, start pump again and run for about a minute. Shut off, turn MPV to filter, and go.
 
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