How to Backwash your Pool Filter Properly

Due to prolonged use, the efficiency of the sand filter drops noticeably. When should we do backwash? How to do it properly?

If there is pressure built-up in your system, or the water is not flowing well in your pool, it is time to backwash your sand filter. Doing it properly is critical in order to avoid losing the water or damaging your equipment. 

An overview

We can say that the pool will be as clean as the filter is. Backwashing a pool filter means a process which is carried out to remove the contaminants from the filter by reversing the water flow in the filter. Many people think that cleaning the sand filter is a hard job as they are under the impression that all the sand must be taken out of the filter to wash and wash the sand manually. The best part is that you do not have to dismantle the filter and take out the sand to clean it. 

When the pool water is allowed to pass through the filter, all the dirt and debris including oils are collected in the sand. As the water continues to pass only in one direction, the filter medium gets clogged in the long run. This results in a gradual loss in the efficiency of the pool filter. This debris caught in the filter can be easily dislodged by sending the water in the reverse direction. This forces all the dirt to flow out of the filter through the drain port. 

Even though the backwashing works in the same way for all types of pool filters, the procedures are slightly different. 

How to backwash a sand filter?

Sand never leaves a sand filter during the backwash process. Water exits the filter's waste port after passing through the filter sysem in reverse. 

The additional equipment you may require before beginning is just a backwash hose if you do not have one. Please note that a backwash hose is not a mandatory piece of equipment. 

Backwashing using a Multi-port valve

• The waste or backwash port should be connected to the backwash hose. 

• Switch-off the filtering system. 

• The multi-port valve should be set to "Backwash". 

•  Restart the filtering system. 

• Wait until the water is clear before letting it flow out of the backwash port and through the backwash hose. 

• Switch off the filtering system. 

• Turn the multi-port valve to the "Rinse" position. 

• Restart the filtering system. 

• Give the filter a 30-second rinse. 

• Switch off the filtering system. 

• Turn the multi-port valve to the "Filter" position.

Important note: The multiport valve handle should never be turned when the pool filter is on or running. As a result, the rubber diverter gasket inside the valve shall get damaged which in turn allows water to leak out of the incorrect ports while it is operating. 

Backwashing using a Multi-port valve

• The waste or backwa