Small leak on filter/pipe connection

[theninjachachi]

Sorry if I don’t really have the terminology correct, just now getting into maintaining a pool myself.

We run the pump at a high speed for a few hours to vacuum the pool and several hours at a lower speed. When the pump is at the higher speed there is a slight leak on the connection between the DE filter and another pipe. I attached a photo because I can’t figure out how to attach a video so you can’t really see the leak. I took a 6 second video and 4 drops of water leaked.

Will this cause any issues? Is there an easy (or not quite as easy) fix? Thanks!

 

[Texas Splash]

That the area where your backwash plunger/slide valve connects to the bulkhead area of your filter. The slide valve nuts screw onto the filter and there should be a couple O-rings in there to help seal. In time, they can begin to wear. I suspect that's your issue, especially with the heat in your area. Really nothing you can do from the outside. You'll have to unscrew the slide valve and inspect the O-rings. You might get lucky applying some fresh pool silicone lube to those O-rings and/or some Teflon tape to the bulkhead fitting threads. That might help. If not, you'll just need some new O-rings.

 

[theninjachachi]

That the area where your backwash plunger/slide valve connects to the bulkhead area of your filter. The slide valve nuts screw onto the filter and there should be a couple O-rings in there to help seal. In time, they can begin to wear. I suspect that's your issue, especially with the heat in your area. Really nothing you can do from the outside. You'll have to unscrew the slide valve and inspect the O-rings. You might get lucky applying some fresh pool silicone lube to those O-rings and/or some Teflon tape to the bulkhead fitting threads. That might help. If not, you'll just need some new O-rings.

Will I have to drain the filter in order to unscrew the valve? I know I’ll have to relieve the pressure, but not sure about having to drain it. I need to backwash it anyways, so im not worried about losing some DE. Thanks for everything you do!

 

[Texas Splash]

You will need to drain about half of the filter water in teh filter either before you loosen those fittings, or the water will just come out on its own while unscrewing them. Either way shouldn't really matter. Just be sure to have your valves closed before the pump and after the filter to isolate the pad.

 

[theninjachachi]

You will need to drain about half of the filter water in teh filter either before you loosen those fittings, or the water will just come out on its own while unscrewing them. Either way shouldn't really matter. Just be sure to have your valves closed before the pump and after the filter to isolate the pad.

Thanks! Two more questions (sorry, it's my first time ever really tinkering with a pool filter)

1. Do I drain the filter from the very bottom, like the drain plug? It's the FNS Plus btw
2. When should I backwash the filter? Before draining it and fixing the leak, or after? And when should I add the DE?

 

[Texas Splash]

You should have a drain plug at the bottom of the filter. That would be perfectly fine. As for backwashing, we typically recommend backwashing when your filter pressure increases by about 25% from the clean pressure. So once you backwash, make note of the new gauge pressure then backwash when you see it climb by about 25%. Another indication you need to backwash is that your return jet flow my be slightly less.

 

[theninjachachi]

You should have a drain plug at the bottom of the filter. That would be perfectly fine. As for backwashing, we typically recommend backwashing when your filter pressure increases by about 25% from the clean pressure. So once you backwash, make note of the new gauge pressure then backwash when you see it climb by about 25%. Another indication you need to backwash is that your return jet flow my be slightly less.

Thanks Texas! Will I have to add DE when I'm just draining it to fix the leak?

 

[Texas Splash]

Will I have to add DE when I'm just draining it to fix the leak?

You might have to add a little as some of the DE tends to settle to the bottom when the pump is off. You'll probably have a good idea when you drain the water. If it comes out milky white you might need to recharge just a little. Not as much as if you truly backwashed since the grids should still be covered fairly well.

 

[theninjachachi]

I really have to idea how to get access to the o ring. I haven’t been able to find a guide anywhere online either. I’ve only been able to unscrew this, but the leak is right at the canister .

 

[Texas Splash]

There should be an O-ring in that nut you unscrewed and also on the bulkhead fitting from the filter. You can see the parts illustration below and HERE. Look at parts 19, 21, 28, 29. You might want to give IntoPools a quick call. I'm sure they can help supply you with those O-rings.