When do I Backwash DE or Sand Pool Filter?

Every pool filter has a backwash setting among other multiport valve settings, which is important in cleaning your filter at least once a week for sand filter and after 3 - 4 weeks for DE filters in order to free the filter of dirt and debris it has collected while filtering your pool water.

If you don't backwash your pool filter frequently, your filtering media especially Sand and DE agents will be clogged with dirt and debris and will not filter your water turning pool water dirty or cloudy.

How do I Know my Pool Filter Needs Backwashing?

There are a few signs that will tell you when it's time to backwash your pool filter, however, a good swimming pool cleaning practice is to backwash your pool filter at least once a week especially when your fill-water is not very clean. You will know your filter needs backwashing when:

1. The pool pump is noisy 
2.  Water flow into the pool via return jets is slow
3. The pump pressure gauge rises by 8-10 pounds per square inch (psi) above the clean or startup normal pressure.
4. Persistent cloudy water when FC level is fine

If you notice some of these signs with your pool, chances are high that your filter is clogged and you need to backwash and rinse it a couple of times or so to correct these problems.

We recommend Hayward pool pumps and filters and the following guide will include how to backwash  Hayward DE and Sand filters.

However, the process of backwashing is similar to other filter models like Pantair, apart from pressure gauge levels that may differ from one brand another, and you can follow the guides below to help you backwash filters of different brands.

How to Properly Backwash Hayward DE Filter

Requirements:

First, you will need a DE filtering powder. You will need about 46 pounds for a backwash.

Secondly, since you don't want to backwash DE powder next to your pool, you will need a backwash hose to lead the bad water far away from your pool.

Step 1

Turn off the pump. Don't ever move your filter's multiport valve while the pump is on.

Step 2

Attach backwash hose to the backwash nozzle in your filter to move backwashed water and DE powder far from pool area. 

Step 3

Move your filter's multiport valve from Filter to Backwash setting.

Step 4

 Turn the pump back on and let it backwash for about a minute. Your filter's view glass will tell you when the filter is finally clean.

Step 5

Turn off the pump and move the multiport valve from backwash to rinse. Let it rinse for about a minute. 

Step 6

You may have to alternate your valve between backwash and rinse a couple of times or so until the water in your filter's view glass turns clear. Don't forget to turn off your pump when alternating between different filter settings.

Step 7

Turn off the pump and move the multiport valve to Filter, then turn your pump back on.

Step 8

Add the DE agent as required via the skimmer

If the backwash cycle for your DE filter is below 3 -4 weeks, it's time to clean your DE filter. Cleaning DE filter should be done at least once or twice every year.

How to Properly Backwash Hayward Sand Filter

 Step 1

Turn off your pool pump. Remember to turn off your pump all the time before moving your filter,s multiport valve between the different settings.

Step 2

Attach backwash hose to the backwash nozzle in your filter to move backwashed water and dirt far from pool area.

Step 3

Move your  filter's multivalve from Filter to backwash 

Step 4

Turn on your pump and let it backwash for about a minute, until the view glass is clear.

Step 5 

Turn off your pump and move the valve from backwash to rinse, then put the pump back on. Let it run for about 30 seconds. You can alternate between backwash and rinse a couple of times to be sure your filter is finally clean.

Step 6

Turn the pump off and move the multivalve from rinse to filter, turn the pump back on.