If you have just installed your swimming pool or converted your swimming pool filter into a sand filter, you might still not know how to conduct proper backwash. Each pool filter has a different way of backwash process. 

A sand filter can also encounter problems like any other pool filter. When issues arise, you might need to backwash your sand filter to improve its operation. Here are the steps you should follow to ensure that you are doing the right thing in backwashing your swimming pool.

Process of Backwashing Your Sand Filter

Step 1: 

Shut off your pool pump and filtration system. 

Step 2:

Attach a swimming pool backwash hose into your swimming pool sand filter’s backwash port.

Step 3: 

Position your multiport valve handle to the Backwash setting. 

Step 4:

Once the valve is set to the backwash setting, you can restart the pump. Let the filter backwash for two minutes or until the water on the sight glass becomes clear. 

Step 5:

Once you see that the water on the sight glass is running clear, turn off the pump once more and set the valve into the rinse position. 

Step 6:

Restart the pump again when the valve is already set to rinse. Let the filter rinse for one minute or more. 

Step 7:

After rinsing for a minute, turn off the pump again and set the multiport valve to its original setting, which is the filter position. 

Step 8:

Turn on your pump, and you are done!

As you can see, backwashing a sand filtration system is pretty straightforward. The swimming pool water will be clear and is ready for swimming again. 

When to Backwash Your Sand Filter

Sand filters should be backwashed once every week. It is also advised to clean your filter immediately when it is dirty. It is to ensure that your filter will run correctly and do its job properly. 

As a rule of thumb, you should clean your filter and backwash during your weekly maintenance to ensure that your swimming pool is clean and well-maintained. 

Here are some tell-tale signs that will help you know that your sand filter is dirty and needs to be cleaned and backwashed. 

• When the PSI is increasing, having a pressure gauge on your sand filter is vital as it will help you know if the pressure of the filter is building up. 
• When the flow rate drops, determine your pool filter’s normal flow rate and monitor it regularly. Once you notice a drop, it means your filter needs cleaning. 
• Cloudy water indicates that your pool filter needs to be cleaned. Check your swimming pool water regularly to know whether your filter is still working correctly or not. 

What Is the Purpose of Backwashing?

The process of backwashing reverses the flow of the water on your filtration system. This process aims to dislodge any dirt and debris stuck on the filter and cause it to function poorly. 

Backwashing is crucial, especially if you notice that your pool is still cloudy and dirty even after cleaning your filtration system. 

Backwashing should not only be done on sand filters. It should also be done with other filters such as DE filter and glass filter. 

This process should be included in every pool maintenance as it is a crucial step to ensure that your swimming pool will be clean and safe to use. 

Never Forget to Backwash Your Sand Filter Correctly

That is how you backwash your pool correctly. You also know that backwashing is essential to ensure that your swimming pool health is at its best.