How do I backwash my pool?
Owning and upkeeping a pool can be a costly endeavor. Neglecting proper care can cause a plethora of expensive service and replacements. If you’re reading this column, it looks like you’ve taken the steps necessary to avoid the high-priced “pool guy” and perform the work yourself. Thankfully, backwashing is a relatively simple task that will lengthen the life of your pump and keep your pool looking like an oasis rather than a swamp.
Why should you backwash? Because lack of doing so will eventually lead to your pump motor burning out and leaving you with an excessive repair bill. Dirt and debris that enters your pool is filtered out through the pump and caught in the sand of the filter. This causes the pressure within the pump to increase, causing it to work harder to keep things clean. When the PSI gauge reads 15-20PSI, it’s time to backwash.
We should note that these steps are specifically tailored to backwashing a sand filter. Your pool may be a diatomaceous earth filter or use a cartridge. Alternative write-ups and how-to’s should be posted in the near future.
Turn the pool pump on to circulate the water. Let it run for approximately five minutes while cleaning out the skimmer basket and extending your backwash hose. Your backwash hose should end at a place where dirty water can be safely deployed. Make sure the hose doesn’t have any kinks or twists in it prior to water expulsion.
Turn the off the pump and set the backwash valve to the “backwash” position. The backwash valve can be a plunger, rotating cap, or lever assembly.
Turn the pump back on. The water will begin filling the hose and making its way toward the other end. Initially, the water will appear to be clean but slowly fade into the dirty water that was in the filter. Approximately two to three minutes later, the water should be clear. This indicates that the filter is now clear of dirt and debris.
Turn off the pump and reset the backwash valve to the “run” position. Remove the lid from the pre-filter and clean out as necessary. This also introduces additional air into the system.
Re-lubricate the o-ring on the lid of the pre-filter and screw back on tightly. Lack of lubrication will cause air leaks in the plumbing system.
Unscrew the bleeder valve on top of the filter and turn the pump back on. It will begin releasing the air inside the system.
Three to five minutes later, there should be a fairly steady stream of water being expelled from the valve. This indicates that the system is free of air. Close the bleeder valve while the pump is running. Run the pump for an additional 30 minutes.
Siphon the remaining water in the backwash hose by placing it on one of the feet of the Pool Spool. Lift it enough to allow water expulsion while you walk towards the exhaust end, draining the rest of the water.
Use the Pool Spool to roll the hose back up in a compact manner and store next to the pump. Note that you should not detach the hose from the piping on which it’s attached unless replacing the hose completely.