How to Clean a Sand Filter
Sand filters should be cleaned at least once per season, preferably in the fall before closing. You must clean your sand filter after encountering bouts of algae.
- Backwash the filter for 3-5 minutes to ensure large organic debris is out of the sand.
- Turn off the pool pump. If there is a valve in front of the pump, make sure it is closed.
- Remove the lid and basket of the pump.
- Empty contents of Filter Cleaner into pump pot and fill to top with water if needed. If pump pot is full place the Filter Cleaner bottle into the pump pot as this will remove enough water to allow you to add the Filter Cleaner.
- Put the pump lid back on and turn the pump on. The pump will push water into the filter but it will not pull water from the pool.
- Turn off the pump once the filter cleaner and the clean water have entered the filter (approximately 5 seconds).
- Let the filter cleaner soak in the filter for 8 - 12 hours. Open the valve at the front of the pump, if applicable. If you have a timer on the pool make sure it's turned off and does not come on during the cleaning process.
- After the appropriate time has elapsed, turn the filter dial to 'backwash' and backwash for 5 minutes. If the filter is not backwashed for the proper amount of time, there may be cleaner residue left in the sand. If it gets into the pool water, it can cause balancing and clouding issues.
- After the filter has been backwashed, turn pump off and switch filter dial to the rinse position. Rinse the filter for 30 seconds.
- Turn off the pump and switch the filter dial back to the filter position.
- Turn pump back on.
It is much easier to clean your filter media at the end of the season rather than waiting until the beginning of the season. If all the dirt and oil has had time to settle over the winter it can cause calcification resulting in the need to change the media. Cleaning the sand should be done at least 24 hours before closing the pool.
Sand should be changed in the filter every 3-5 years. However, if the sand is not cleaned once per season the sand may need to be changed much more often than that.
How to Change the Filter Media
Sand should be changed in the filter every 3-5 years. However, if the sand is not cleaned once per season the sand may need to be changed much more often than that.
- Turn off the pump.
- Take the drain plug off the bottom of the filter. If you remove the drain plug the night before it will allow the sand to dry making removal easier.
- Remove the clamp or bolts holding the filter head to the filter body.
- Scoop or shop vac the old media out of the filter.
- Once the media is out of the filter, remove the standpipe assembly, clean it and inspect it for any cracks or other damages.
- If everything looks fine, put the standpipe assembly back in the filter.
- Inspect the gasket on the drain plug to be sure it doesn't need replacing and put the drain plug back on the bottom of the filter.
- Add water to the filter until the laterals are covered. This will prevent damage to the laterals once the sand is added to the filter.
- Cover the standpipe opening with duct tape to ensure that no sand gets into the standpipe. If sand gets into the standpipe, it will end up in the pool. Ensure the standpipe is straight before adding the sand to the filter.
- Cut one corner of the sand bag so the sand can be poured into the filter.
- The filter should be approximately ¾ full or filled with the required amount as per the filter manual.
- Reinstall the filter head using silicone lube on the o-ring and turn the pump on.
- It may take a while for the sand filter to completely fill with water so the pressure may be low at first.
- The filter must be backwashed before normal filtering resumes.
Sand/Zeobrite is an extremely important part of keeping your pool clean and clear. Remember to clean your filter media once per season to extend the life of your media, and to keep the pool looking clear and beautiful.
NEED SOME HELP MAINTAINING YOUR POOL?
RELATED GUIDES & RESOURCES
How to Treat and Prevent Metals and Staining
How to treat and prevent metals and staining Metals can be introduced into the water through foreign object or equipment, such as copper piping and fittings, heat exchanger, using copper sulphate and other copper-based algaecides, or source water. The presence of metals in pool water may cause staining to the liner, fiberglass, or concrete as…
Above Ground Pool Closing Instructions
How to close your above ground pool Pool Closing Steps One week prior to closing, bring a pool water sample to the store so your pool can be properly balanced. It is natural for sitting water to become acidic on its own so balancing the water is very important prior to closing your pool One…
The Benefits of Borate to Treat Your Pool
Why Your Should Use Borate In Your Pool What is Borate? Borate prevents pH drifting, which results in calcium scaling, metal stains, cloudy water, algae, and hard pool water. When you use borate, the water will remain clear for a long period since chloramine (or combined chlorine) does not form quickly as compared to a…
How to Reduce Phosphates in Your Pool
How to Reduce Pool Phosphates What are phosphates? Phosphates are food for algae. Although they are present in all water, once they reach a certain level they can cause issues in your pool. Phosphates can consume chlorine causing a consistently low level in your pool. When you have an extremely low chlorine reading, your pool…
Spring Set-up for Pool UV Systems
How To Open Your Pool’s UV System SET-UP INSTRUCTIONS When spring arrives, it’s time to pull out your UV system and get it ready for the summer pool season. Below is a checklist that will help in getting the most out of your system. If your UV system is still installed on your pool equipment,…
How to Treat Pool Algae
How to Treat and Prevent Algae How to Treat and Prevent Algae – Spring Opening Green pools are often caused by algae growth in the water. This could take on the form of patches of green, yellow or black substances that fluffs into the water when touched or stirred. The water may have discoloration, usually…
How to Change & Clean the Filter Media
How to Clean & Change a sand filter How to Clean a Sand Filter Sand filters should be cleaned at least once per season, preferably in the fall before closing. You must clean your sand filter after encountering bouts of algae. Backwash the filter for 3-5 minutes to ensure large organic debris is out of…
How to Clean a Pool Salt Cell
How to Clean a Salt Cell Why Clean My Salt Cell? It is important to maintain a clean salt cell so chlorine can be continuously produced. Salt cells that have a lot of scale or calcium build up can not effectively produce sanitizer and often create flow issues within the pool system. You should check…
How to Treat and Prevent Cloudy or Foggy Pool Water
How to Treat and Prevent Cloudy or Foggy Water What Causes Cloudy Water? Foggy/Cloudy pools may occur due to a number of reasons. Cloudy water largely occurs because of poor water balance, lack of circulation, poor filtration or the depletion of chlorine/bromine. It can also occur due to dead algae, dirty or old filter sand,…
Pool Filter Cartridge Cleaning Instructions
How To Clean A Pool Filter Cartridge When should a cartridge element be cleaned? For swimming pools, clean the cartridge when filter canister pressure reaches 10-12 PSI above the initial system or new cartridge starting pressure. Cartridges should be rinsed at least once every 2 weeks. Cartridges should be chemically cleaned in Filter Cleaner at…
Maintenance for Saltwater Pools
Saltwater pool maintenance HELPFUL TIPS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN MAINTAINING YOUR POOL NEW POOL OR NEW LINER CUSTOMERS:PLEASE BRING IN A WATER SAMPLE (IN THE SAMPLE BOTTLE PROVIDED) TO BUDS SPAS AND POOLS BEFORE ADDING ANY CHEMICALS AND/OR BEFORE ENTERING YOUR POOL FOR THE FIRST TIME. Pool maintenance steps 1. Test kits or strips…
Maintenance for Non-Saltwater Pools
Non-saltwater pool maintenance HELPFUL TIPS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN MAINTAINING YOUR POOL NEW POOL OR NEW LINER CUSTOMERS:PLEASE BRING IN A WATER SAMPLE (IN THE SAMPLE BOTTLE PROVIDED) TO BUDS SPAS AND POOLS BEFORE ADDING ANY CHEMICALS AND/OR BEFORE ENTERING YOUR POOL FOR THE FIRST TIME. Filtration To maintain proper filtration the pump should…
Inground Pool Closing Instructions
Pool Closing Instructions Follow these steps to properly close your pool this year One week prior to closing, bring in a pool water sample so that your pool can be properly balanced for the winter months. 24 hours prior to closing the pool, add a dose of Fix to increase the sanitizer in your pool.…
Pool Opening Instructions
Pool Opening Instructions Follow these steps to properly open your pool this year Remove any leaves or debris from the top of your winter cover (this should not go in the pool). Remove the water off of your pool cover by either using a submersible pump or siphon method. When using a submersible pump please…