How Do I Stop Sand Going Back Into The Pool..Pool Keeps Getting Dirty..by Rod
Question 2 Have a sand filter. About 4 years old as is pool. Lately I've noticed that after my automatic pool cleaner completely cleans the bottom and the skimmer has cleaned the surface, the next day the pool has dirt in the bottom. This is without us even using the pool. Seeing a new leaf or bug, or whatever floating in the bottom is normal after the pool sitting overnight, but dirt in the bottom leads me to believe my filter is not working properly. I backwash/rinse and the problem remains. Is it time to change the sand? Thanks for the question Rod This problem faces alot of sand filters. About 95% of the time when dirt/debris returns to the pool it's these: 1. Broken lateral and/or diffuser 2. Channeling 3. New sand 4. Old sand 5. Not doing the RINSE after backwashing A broken lateral means that the dirt is not being captured in the sand. The dirt returns back to the pool through the returns. For a broken lateral you need to scoop out the sand, replace the lateral, then replace the sand. It's manual labor, but if you can screw in a light bulb you can replace a lateral. Channeling is when the sand becomes clogged with debris and oil. Water inside the filter finds its way down the sides of the filter and returns as unfiltered water. An easy way to check this is to unscrew the top of the filter. Obviously turn off the filter first and release the pressure. Feel around the inside sides of the filter for pits, edges, holes, etc... Squeeze the sand together. If it sticks like sandy Crisco, you have have channeling. You'll need to degrease the filter. If you do have this problem you can email back and I'll walk you through an easy way to do this. New sand has alot of finer particles that pass through the filter and back into the pool. This will decrease as the sand settles down. Old sand is when the sand becomes very smooth and smaller. The filtration is not as good and that allow dirt back to the pool. Don't backwash too frequently. You'll waste too much water and a little sand get taken away each time. If you do put new sand in be sure to put the correct number of pounds in and get the correct size sand for your filter. Also check what's called "freeboard". This is the measurement from the top of the tank to the sand. You can call the sand filter manufacturer and get the correct measurements. RINSE setting on the Multiport valve after backwashing. Dirt and sand gets trapped in the lines after a backwash. If you don't RINSE afterwards the dirt goes back into the pool. About 30 seconds is all you need. Hope this helps and have a great swimming season Robert Follow Up Comment: Much Better To Understand By: Philipas Date: May 3, 2011 Hi dear, That is much better to understand what's exactly happening in plant. Thank you. New Question: Why Is Sand Returning To The Pool By: Toni Date: June 5, 2011 This year we changed our sand in the filter. When we first turned on the pump a small amount of sand returned to the pool. We thought this was normal. After vacuuming the the pool today we backwashed then rinsed and when we turned the pump to filter and restarted the pump an enormous amount of sand returned to the pool. This lasted for a few minutes. There was so much sand that we turned off the pump and are afraid to restart it. Hope you can help. Answer By: Robert Date: June 5, 2011 Thanks for the question Toni I have answered this and similar questions on the pool Q&A forum page in the "Sand Filter" category: Swimming Pool Questions and Answers Here are the detailed answered questions: Swimming Pool Sand Going Back Into The Pool Swimming Pool Sand Filter..Pool Seems To Be Manufacturing Small Debris Why Is Sand Going Back Into The Pool After Backwashing? Hope this helps and have a fun and safe swimming season. Robert New Question: What's This Green Stuff On Top Of The Sand By: Nadia Date: June 15, 2011 I need help. All the dirt is going back in the pool when I pass the vacuum. I changed the sand and the dirt the pool water is still not clean. I do not have any laterals, it is a different thing. I did plug everything o.k. but it's still dirty. I have green stuff on top of the new sand I put it and green stuff in the pool. Answer By: Robert Date: June 15, 2011 Thanks for the question Nadia I'd like to have the make and model of your sand filter. This way it would be easier for me to troubleshoot your problem. I know that Media Master Sand Filters by Doughboy have no laterals. I'd also need a complete list of your chemical readings: Chlorine pH Alkalinity Calcium Hardness Cyanuric Acid (CYA) Normally green pool water is the result of a lack of chlorine or sanitizer. Thanks once again and hope to hear from you soon. Robert |
