Sand in pool

[Jonmichael10]

So we’ve came home to sand in pool various times. Vacuumed with robot and confirmed it’s sand and not algae. Vacuumed out the filter and removed laterals. Standpipe and laterals appeared normal. No breaks or cracks/gaps noted. Had a new standpipe/laterals delivered anyways and it’s here. Also have a new spider gasket here as well. But old spider gasket looks normal. Only thing I did notice was a little sand accumulation around where the standpipe goes into the filter head and scratching on the standpipe where it goes inside the filter head and looks like sand entered around the pipe and into the head. Pool builder says this is normal. So confused as to what this could be.

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to TFP! Is this a new pool? Has sand been getting into the pool for a while, or did this just start happening out of the blue?

 

[Jonmichael10]

It was installed last year and closed shortly after install. It’s probably been happening ever since install but just noticed maybe an issue as of recently. But we vacuum frequently so it may not have been enough to notice

 

[Jonmichael10]

It was installed last year and closed shortly after install. It’s probably been happening ever since install but just noticed maybe an issue as of recently. But we vacuum frequently so it may not have been enough to notice

Maybe since it’s slowly accumulating over time could be one of the gaps around the lateral joints? I’m about to add new sand in and install new filter head key with a new gasket on it

 

[Texas Splash]

If we assume your inspection of the lateral, center pipe, and hub were all good inside, I would first go to the type of sand that was installed. Some brands have been a bit troublesome slipping through the lateral slots. Do you recall what name brand of sand was used in your filter?

 

[Jonmichael10]

I don’t but I just changed It to aquarite #20 sand. So as of now here’s what I’ve done after noticing sand in the pool.
Drained and vacuumed sand out of filter
Removed laterals and standpipe
Installed new laterals and standpipe
Added 1/3 water to filter
Covered stand pipe hole and added in the new aquarite sand. Level was about 12-14” below the hole opening
Installed new spider gasket and all new key. Lubed the orings. Reinstalled head
Primed the system and just did a 2 minute backwash and a 1 minute rinse and still have sand in the sight glass

 

[Texas Splash]

still have sand in the sight glass

Are you talking a lot of sand, or just a few residual grains?

 

[Jonmichael10]

Quite a bit. More than what a normal backwash should be. I don’t feel like I got the sand level too high

 

[Texas Splash]

Got it. I should've asked this earlier, after everything you did in Post #6, is sand still shooting out of the jets into the pool, or is it just the sight glass right now?

 

[Jonmichael10]

unable to see it actually coming out. I would have to go without vacuuming for a few days to see it accumulate and the other day it wasnt just under the jets but all over the pool. Not a terrible amount but enough to probably fill a gallon jug. This has happened about 2-3 times since install. But like I said we probably would’ve noticed it more had we not vacuumed so often. Also I figure you may have a little sand after a sand change but we will just have to see I guess. If what I did today doesn’t fix it then I will be getting a whole new filter I guess.

 

[Texas Splash]

You could try attaching some nylons to the return jets. It would be good to see if you catch anything form those jets to confirm it's coming from the filter.