How To BACKWASH A POOL FILTER (The Right Way)

[@SwimUniversity]

The Pool Care Cheat Sheet (Free): swimu.com/cheatsheet The Pool Care Handbook: swimu.com/book The Pool Care Video Course: swimu.com/poolcourse

[@kevinabela3911]

Hi, during vacuuming I find myself having to backwash at least 2 times with pressure still stable at 10psi, but flow from the return points very very low…. Any idea what the cause might be? Btw, mine is a brand new pool and system.

[@SwimUniversity]

@@kevinabela3911 Is it a smaller filter, like Intex? They can sometimes need 3 rounds of backwashing. Otherwise you might have issues somewhere else (we have some other videos about priming the pump and air leaks).

[@kevinabela3911]

@@SwimUniversity It is a Hayward but nit very big.

[@bobhughes1465]

you never said when to put the filter basket back in. keep it out while you back wash? rinse? i assume you put it back before you run filter as normal

[@colinmumma]

In one day this became one of the most important channels I've ever subbed to. Thank you so much for the quality content. It's already saved me so much time, money, and heartache.

[@SwimUniversity]

Wow, that's so great to hear!

[@billhrsn]

Ha! No one mentioned the blue hose would whip around like a mad cobra, and in 30 seconds the yard would be flooded! As the kids say, it's all good. Sight glass clear, return jet pumping strong, water level back down from the huge rainstorm. Thanks for the advice!

[@minaa1982]

It happened to me , I had to get a stronger one

[@vegassuzi]

🤣 I feel your pain

[@adamschwass8050]

I highly recommend purchasing Swim University package. It's always updated and it's been so helpful. These free youtube clips are how I got educated on pools 101, but now I'm learning so much more. Good stuff!

[@SwimUniversity]

Thank you for that endorsement! So glad it's helpful.

[@scpc2006]

I have found that cleaning skimmer, strainer before backwashing has better flow. Also cycle between backwash/rinse x2 gets more debris out of the filter.

[@BelieverStarcraft]

1 minute back wash, 30 second recurrulate 15-45 seconds rinse. Done.

[@katrinweise8595]

During backwashing what should be the valves' position? Floor valve open? Wall valve open? Balancing Tank valve open?

[@papaalan1765]

good video but hopefully i can get a question answered. our DE tank filters are 3 months old, pressure went over time up to 21 psi, backwashed and a day later pressure went back up from 10psi to 16psi. removed filter track from tank and cleaned all DE off, cleaned out tank residue. reinstalled filter rack and did startup without DE for testing. a day later pressure had gone from 10psi at start to 16psi again without any DE. did backwash, pressure went back to 10psi at startup again and a day later back to 16psi or so. Any clue why this would keep happening on almost new filters in system and not even using DE?? Help!!

[@tennisdad5]

This is my 6th week of being a pool store manager and I’ve been abusing your videos to better understand pool chemistry and chemicals.

[@SwimUniversity]

Thanks for watching! Let me know if you have any questions we can make a future video on.

[@JustinGriswold]

Nice overview but a little over-simplified on the DE backwashing. In many systems running backwash for two minutes straight will dump clear water in your backyard. Run the backwash until the water coming out is cloudy/grey/green then stop when it starts running clear again. Then rinse for 10-15 seconds, then repeat and repeat again if necessary. If you can't see the water coming out of the hose, many multivalves have a small section of clear pipe on the waste end to view the water flow, or run over to the end of the hose and watch it.

[@lisaruggiero1767]

Question- if you have a multi speed filter what is the correct setting to use when backwashing? High? Because it will change the normal pressure reading I think thank you!

[@mike_mishelle]

So if I have a DE filter and a push/pull valve, I don’t need to rinse?

[@scotthathaway447]

Correct.

[@ramrods11]

I rebuilt my de haywood ec-30 and I get de in the pool that I have to then vacuum, what givess. Just replaced the top o ring seal on the top and put new fingers in it last season and did not wash with muric acid as they were in new shape.

[@elfistro6717]

Yay, it worked perfectly, I am new to pool ownership and always had used community pools previously. Thank you, this was a great help and so easy to follow even for me!

[@Followmikecold]

Very helpful I like the step by step and visual but most important was the name of the products

[@theshadows4563]

May you please explain the extension of the D.E filter ???? Dust ...what ?

[@officiallistengreatmuzik]

I Googled abour backwash and it said to shut the main drain and skimmer valve off as well but when i do this, no water flushes out

[@SwimUniversity]

I wouldn't do that. You won't be able to pull any water from the pool

[@officiallistengreatmuzik]

@@SwimUniversity ok thank you

[@azbeast1]

I thought you had to take apart the DE filter and all that like you do for a single filter system lol I started as a pool tech 2 weeks ago and haven’t backwashed yet cause I thought it was a ton of work. This is a huge relief for me!!

[@kfx450r1]

I have a question. I have a new sand filter. When I backwash it works fine, when i set it to rinse, nothing come out of the outlet drain. Also, when I put it on waste, it starts dumping the sand from my filter out of the outlet drain. I don't know what to do😊

[@benitoramirez4631]

During backwashing should we see any pressure or should the PSI be at 0?

[@markcole883]

What was the rubber tube connected to the backwash port? I need one to connect because that port leaks on mine.

[@LubaLuba1]

What's the difference between backwash and waste and on either what should be my setting prior to

[@adriannealusha3421]

Helpful, thanks!

[@tinogonzalez6877]

Is this the same or similar for cartridge filter systems?

[@leeskenderi7344]

What do you do when you sand filter doesn’t have rinse as an option? I have a dough it filter it doesn’t have rinse. I have Pump to waste Filter to waste Backwash Recirculate

[@angelaNallen]

Me too! I've been trying to figure out which option I'm supposed to pick instead of rinse.

[@xJK24x]

In changing the lever does it have to be clock wise all the time or either way is fine?

[@DG-mi2mc]

Either way is fine

[@levialston518]

I couldn't figure out what the other outlet was for seeing we didn't get a backwash hose with the pool and I didn't read the instructions

[@vegassuzi]

My house and Im sure filter is old. I have maintained it for 7 years. Today I go out to clean pump basket and turn on filter. It gurgles and I stopped it. Put my hand inside filter basket and water is extremely warm. What is that about????? Help

[@DG-mi2mc]

Is there supposed to be water coming out on rinse or not?

[@Shadozzy24]

I have a DE filter. How do I know where to attach the backwash hose?

[@volpswagen_marco]

What position should the skimmer setting be at?

[@vanessarp4284]

Nice video but my hayward filter has no signs on handle... how I know where is backwash, rinse...?

[@rickj6048]

Look at the valve figure in this video or if yours is different check website of pool equipment dealer if you need to find a different valve. Then test it out carefully and watch what happens. The only real danger would be if you try to run the pump at full pressure with the valve closed.

[@CesarSanchez-jk8cw]

This very helpful as we are new above ground pool owners 😆 and my pool is building up algae….so yeah I needed the tips thanks a lot!!!

[@GregoryWebb-p9z]

Do you have to choose which return to use? Drain or skimmer?

[@paulsaunders6635]

Is it necessary to turn off return valve when vacuuming to waste?

[@apple-guy9394]

What about for us with cartridge filters??

[@pilinke11]

You just need to clean your filter or replace it if it is very dirty and can't be clean, I use to clean it every 3 days to keep my pool clean I highly recommend switch to sand filter way easier and cheap at the long time

[@jamespetersen7214]

I dont have any of these you mentioned in your video. I have a filter cartridge. I also have a lever by my filter that will release water. Should I hook up a hose to it and let the water go for 30seconds to a minute? I take the filter out and spray it out when the pressure gets high.

[@SwimUniversity]

You actually do not need to backwash a cartridge filter. That's why it's not mentioned! Taking the cartridge out and rinsing it often and replacing it when its wearing out is all you need to do.

[@jamespetersen7214]

@@SwimUniversity Thank you

[@vanessarp4284]

Rinse often the cartridges is what?? Once a month or once a year??? It is a lot of work

[@jamespetersen7214]

@@vanessarp4284 In the summer I have been rinsing the filter once a month, come fall it might be a little longer.

[@ianmoberg374]

I just got new plaster in my pool and was wondering if u have a video explaining step by step what to do to get it started up? Acid was already added by the plaster guys but now they don’t want to come back to get the water ready

[@thend4427]

The push pull level on my filter is stuck idk what to do to fix it

[@itiswatitis2760]

losing sand while backwashing do i have to refill everytime i back wash

[@johnmichaelkarma]

Since when is it ok to turn the multi-port handle both ways and not just clockwise ?

[@DG-mi2mc]

It is ok to turn it both ways, what do you mean

[@walshysworld245]

Never seen a single direction multi port. I'm sure if they exist, they'd have an arrow.

[@johnmichaelkarma]

@@walshysworld245 Good point about the arrow. Except for this vid every vid or writing I've seen says turn in one direction only to reduce chance of pinching gasket or damaging o-ring.

[@iasonasrigas7531]

GUYS HELP ASAP the skimmers that flows the water in the pool needs to be open, half way or closed?

[@SwimUniversity]

Open! The water flow needs to be completely unblocked from the pool to the filter when backwashing

[@SabrinaSingh-d2e]

Do I have to turn off the pump before backwashing?

[@snufbox]

Yes. Very important to do so.

[@jerry4012]

I bought a house with an in ground pool but I don't see one of those valves to backwash. My filter pressure is at 40psi, it says maximum working pressure of 50psi. I'm not sure of the filter model, because the sun scorched most of the sticker off.

[@SwimUniversity]

What kind of filter is it?

[@jerry4012]

@@SwimUniversity it was an old pentair cartridge filter, I've since graduated the KZbin and reddit pool university and got a quad cartridge along with a new vs pump.

[@GiovanniP-ql6wl]

Why does my pressure not go down after backwashing? I have poor return flow back into my pool. The sand is about 8 years old.

[@zackablett2918]

I'd imagine you need new sand

[@patrickkrajewski8591]

What is considered a small filter? I have a 100lb sand filter 19inch diameter. Is this small and should do the process 2-3x?

[@nlanwebb]

what if your rinse pressure is higher than your filter pressure after backwashing? my normal filter pressure is around 9 psi I backwashed at 15 psi I rinsed for 60 seconds water In sight glass was clear. Filter pressure is back to 9 psi but it’s 15 psi on rince this doesn’t seem normal to me?!?

[@nelsonjimenez983]

How long to backwash new glass media? Im afraid glass will get in the pool and those tiny glass shards sure hurt in the toes. Thanks!

[@atribecalledpete]

I've watched this video so many times lol

[@thom7557]

I get a "low flow" alarm during the rinse process of an Intex Saltwater filter. Can't figure out why.

[@luisgrivera9395]

What do you sugest for a leak in an inground pool.

[@jonadam5392]

Won't the backwash water kill the yard. I was thinking draining into a sewer trap or draining out the front down the street. Or is it no big deal?

[@SwimUniversity]

If you have a sewer or plumbing clean out port, use that

[@emiliemichellady9516]

Can we leave the blue hose on the filter all season round ?

[@grandpamoyer4743]

Don't forget to make sure you put the lid on right on the pool filter holder. I cleaned mine and I must not of put back on it right. I check everything for leaks... then I said what else could it be.... maybe I didn't put the lid on right. took it off put it back on and bam the pump started filling up.

[@hofx666]

My filter doesn’t have any of these controls or pull handle.

[@moanasawyer8893]

Awesome tutorial

[@Ightbet123]

What is happening if the backwash ain’t doing anything? No water coming out. No movement

[@abomarymm4851]

Hey thanks so much for helping, but I have issue in my swimming pool I always see sand in the pool

[@rickj6048]

Is your pool inground with concrete deck surrounding it? if I pressure wash my concrete, even after rinsing it thoroughly, the wind and the foot traffic deposit sand into the pool.

[@sunnygirl87]

Are you sure it is sand and not mustard algae?

[@justindanatos9159]

Do you leave the valve open when you are rinsing? Like leave the backwash hose hooked up and let it flow out to rinse

[@snufbox]

Yes, leave the valve open to waste whilst rinsing.

[@sa-iq8no]

Dear sir I have a index sand filter , I use salty water for my pool , the sand in the filter after a year became very hard and stony, I cannot take it off the filter , how to change this stony hard sand from my filter

[@dms0505]

Thanks, man. You are my pool video guy, not sure why I never subscribed earlier. Subscribed.

[@OldguyinBelize]

i think i read that you should only turn the handle of the multiport vale in one direction. do you recommend this as well?

[@SwimUniversity]

I'm sure that would help with the longevity, but I haven't noticed that as a huge problem in my experience. The bigger issue is turning it when the system is on. But always follow the manufacturer's directions.

[@jeffwolfe4058]

@@SwimUniversity I have a sand filter as in your 1st example and for years I just been doing back wash to back on and not rinse. Is that important step? maybe that's why at open my pool takes forever to clear.

[@randyfisher6509]

All my searches for backwashing turn up is for sand or DE, what about for regular Hayward filters? And my pool doesn't have all these valves everyone talks about. If it was so simple, I wouldn't be searching for how to do it! And the link doesn't lead to a "cheat sheet" but to your course to buy.

[@Backlashed]

2:40 I thought those handles should only be turned clockwise

[@jbuch987]

Silly question - we have a sand filter and when backwashing we have to open the dump drain J valve for the backwash line to open. After I backwash, do I rinse with the dump drain open or closed? I always forget - opening our pool in a few weeks!

[@SwimUniversity]

Keep it set to waste or in this case the dump drain. When you rinse, the water is flowing through your sand filter in the normal direction (vs. backwashing) so it can collect lose sand. But you want that sent out the waste pipe rather than sending it back to the pool.

[@jbuch987]

@@SwimUniversity thank you!

[@christiev1129]

How much de do I add back?

[@NedaAsadi-w7l]

Helpful ❤ thanks

[@awahabia4530]

My pool system is more complicated than this. I really wish I can talk with you one to one and show you everything about the pool.

[@airgunner0335]

Thank you for the video it did answer my questions

[@leonardosolis4133]

When he says “turn off your filter system first,” does he just mean turn off the pump?

[@SuperPinhead123]

Yes

[@leonardosolis4133]

@@SuperPinhead123 thanks

[@matoko123]

You dont show where rinse water comes out or how its done?

[@russellkeith3193]

My push pull valve will not pull up what wrong

[@aslo4812]

How much is 1 Pound of DE in Cups?

[@SwimUniversity]

4 cups

[@aslo4812]

Thank you ​@@SwimUniversity

[@jojenjazzjanessacaso3804]

Watching this 2024 all the way from the phillipines..thanks

[@Bdavie69]

I just bought some DE to clean my filter today. I’m breaking the filter down, not just a backwash. The DE I got is a different brand than the 5 pounds I already have. Will it matter to mix?

[@SwimUniversity]

Double check the label. Some powders are actually made up of other things, like Perlite or Cellulose. And there's a difference between food grade D.E. and filter grade D.E.

[@HelenBorn-n2l]

Thank you

[@chewmonkey89]

0:58 False. When your filter gets clogged, it will filter BETTER! But: waiting tot long wil 'crack' the sand and makes canals. The canals wil reduce the working of the filter. So, rinsing the filter to often, will work just as bad as waiting far to long.

[@SwimUniversity]

Yup! A little build up is a good thing. We have a video on when to backwash that talks about this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpelnpmLl5adr7s

[@SUUCommPersuasiveSpeeches]

I need some HELP! I had to fire our pool company because they didn't know what they were doing. When they "backwashed" my DE Filter, they just let all the water flood my equipment instead of attaching a hose. They also failed to add DE powder when they were done and I never received an email back telling me what to do- so I watched a lot of KZbin videos. The DE powder I added into my skimmer backwashed into my pool and now it's completely cloudy. I don't know what to do at this point. Thank you for your time!!

[@fabianrojas205]

Sounds like you have a torn grid. Time to get that replaced so it holds the d.e and not spit it back in the pool

[@madeirarealestate9121]

Where are you dumping it ? On grass? Rocks? Does this damage grass?

[@powertothesheeple5422]

Dump it on the street down the sewer drain if you can. It wont kill anything, it will actually make your grass green. But if there is a lot of algae or debris in the water it can make your yard smell like a dirty fish tank so get it as far away from the pool and gathering areas as you can. I know this from experience battling algae most of the summer and backwashing 3-5 times per week.

[@bonniemoss8149]

Where can I buy a backwash hose?

[@ddtuss2585]

Pool supply store or Amazon

[@lordgarth1]

I think i read that you need to turn that hayward multiport switch clockwise only. Any truth to that?

[@Mascot1991]

Stick to one direction only; clockwise or anti-clockwise, that way you limit the wear and tear of the multi-port valve.

[@AlexM24-7]

awesome thanks!

[@SwimUniversity]

You bet!

[@chevyguychevelle7890]

Matt, thanks for the videos and tips! I converted my Above Ground Intex pool to saltwater this season. Should I still Shock every 1 -2 weeks like it states on the Pool Care Cheat Sheet?

[@SwimUniversity]

Yes! Regular shocking is really helpful for any pool. But pay attention to the type of shock you use in as saltwater system. Cal-hypo shock can cause calcium build up in your generator over time if the calcium levels get too high. If you have a super chlorinate setting on your saltwater generator, you can use that. Or use dichlor or liquid chlorine. Just watch your CYA levels with dichlor.

[@MasterIntubator]

How about glass media?

[@wudgee]

Same 😀

[@renooggooner]

Thanks!!!

[@SwimUniversity]

You're welcome!

[@masonp1186]

My sand filter doesnt even turn on wth!!!

[@tankerboysabot]

I don't have a multi port or a push pull .....

[@jerryhu7]

Thanks for the info!

[@anniesshenanigans3815]

I don't have a pressure gauge.

[@fleghel]

Well, it’s like hooking up with a prostitute in Vegas without protection- way more than just “risky”…

[@USAFreedom4Ever]

Looks like he turned the multiport valve counterclockwise, which is wrong

[@alisongilroy5304]

Ty

[@davidm.casstevens4965]

Pool cheat sheets graphics not linking to actual cheat sheets. Nothing happens when I click on them; can't get free cheat sheets.

[@luigi3286]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼😃

[@JeanHuestis]

❤