For routine vacuuming, the filter valve is left in the normal “Filter” position. This directs dirty vacuum water through the pool filter to remove the contaminants, then conveys filtered water through return lines back to the pool. The "Filter" setting is used for light to moderate levels of pool sediment.
8. Vacuuming pool with filter valve in "backwash" position. When a pool is vacuumed with the sand filter valve in the "filter" position, the dirt and debris that passes through the pump ends up inside the filter on top of the bed of sand which is where you want it.
If dirt is reappearing at the bottom of your swimming pool after you've vacuumed it your pool's filter may be working poorly. Pool filters often work poorly because they're in need of cleaning. If you have a sand filter for your pool you need to make sure that the sand is sharp and freshened up.
Insert the open end of the hose into the vacuum plate (also known as a skimmer plate or skimmer disk), and place the plate into your pool wall skimmer, directly atop the suction vent. This will initiate the vacuuming process. Slowly sway the vacuum head in straight lines along the bottom of your pool until it's clean.
If there is air in the pump basket, that might indicate a suction side blockage. This could occur anywhere between the pump and the skimmer. This is also indicated by a drop in filter pressure from the normal condition.
Backwashing is a pool term used to describe a filter cleaning method which reverses the flow of water through your filter system.
During backwashing, the water flows in reverse, from bottom to top, out of the laterals and up thru the sand, to flush out the trapped dirt from the sand bed, and send it out the waste line. Sand filters can have either a push-pull valve (also known as a slide valve) or a multiport valve.
After the hose fills with water, backwash your sand filter for 2 - 3 minutes, or until water runs clear.
Typically, you should backwash a pool if the pressure gauge on your filter is at 8-10PSI at the starting level. So, to answer the question of how often should you backwash your pool, check your PSI. If the filter runs well at 16PSI and then goes up to 25PSI, your pool needs a backwash.
Rule out the obvious causes of poor vacuum first. Make sure the water level in the pool is sufficient and air is not being sucked in through skimmer inlets. Add water to the pool to submerge the skimmers if necessary. Verify that the pump strainer basket and the skimmers are free of debris that may obstruct water flow.
Generally speaking, a pressure reading between 10 – 25 psi can be considered normal. Once you have installed a new filter, turn everything on and take a baseline reading. Each time that you change your pool filter take a new baseline reading.
Most pool filter systems should have a pressure of 50-75Kpa (kilopascal) or 10 – 25 psi.
Connecting the vacuum system to the pump.
Now, here answers the question earlier: do you leave skimmer basket in when vacuuming pool? YES, you need to remove the skimmer or strainer basket before attaching the open end of the hose to the inlet. Finally, plug the open vacuum hose into the suction port.
Add diatomaceous earth (DE) to your pool skimmer, stick to around a scoop or two – no more than the size of a 1lb coffee cup. The moment you do this, go to the pool jets to see if it is returning DE into the pool, or if the water suddenly looks cloudy. If it is, you likely have an issue with your filter.
In most high-rate sand filters, it's time to backwash when the pressure differential reaches 18 to 20 psi. But if the system has only an inlet pressure gauge, you should backwash when the pressure increases by 8- to 10 psi from initial post-backwash readings.
High swimming pool filter pressure is usually the result of a lot of particles being filtered out of the swimming pool water. When pressure rises it is time to backwash the filter if you have that option with a sand or diatomacesous earth (DE) filter.
The suction hose for the vacuum has holes, or it isn't fully connected. Verify that the vacuum hose is firmly inserted into the inlet port at the skimmer; then inspect the hose for cracks or holes. The skimmer filter is dirty.
When the pressure is lower than normal, this usually indicates a flow problem, and usually something is blocking or restricting water flow into the pool pump. It's never a problem after the pool pump, because after the impeller, the pool water is under pressure, and obstructions result in higher than normal pressure.
Rinse runs water in the same direction that normal filtering does. Backwash runs it through the sand in the opposite direction. Rinse is to clear any dirt out of the clean side of the sand before you start sending it back to the pool.
Low flow = poor circulation which will lead to algae in the pool. Bottom line, the filter must be backwashed on a regular basis to ensure that your pool water is clear. "When do we need to backwash?" - It is recommended to backwash your filter once every 4-6 weeks of regular use.
You can set a predefined time when the water filter can perform the backwashing task. In most cases, the cleaning time is set in the early morning when everyone is asleep. Every 4 to 7 days, the backwashing system gets activated and completes the cleaning process by itself.