Understanding Waste Lines and Backwashing

[ankur496]

Hi,

I'm new to taking care of a pool and have been loving TFP and refreshing my high school chemistry.
I attached a picture of my current setup. Right now, I have two lines coming from the pool: one is the skimmer and the other is the vacuum. There is a line from the backwash that drains into a sewer line on the other side of my backyard.

I'm curious if there is a way I can manually vacuum to waste without a multi port valve. I might be missing something, but I'd love to be able to create a connection where the vacuum output connects to that line that dumps to the sewer, without having to go through the filter / pump.

I don't even know if what I'm asking makes complete sense so feel free to call me out on my newbie ignorance.

Thanks!

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

You have a cartridge filter. A cartridge filter does not have a backwash pipe.

What pipe are you calling the backwash pipe.

Why do you want to vacuum to waste?

Your pump will rapidly lower the water level below the skimmer and you risk damaging the pump if it runs dry.

You would need to plumb a 3-way diverter valve between the pump and filter to divert water to a waste line.