How To Change The SAND In Your POOL FILTER | Swim University

[@SwimUniversity]

Hope this video is helpful on how to change the sand in your pool sand filter! I know it can save you a ton of money if you do this yourself. If you'd like to learn more about pool cleaning and pool maintenance, be sure to subscribe to our channel and leave us a comment below to suggest a pool care topic you'd like us to cover in future videos. And don't forget to visit www.SwimUniversity.com/pool to get the Pool Care Handbook and Video Course (Use The Promo Code VIDEO for 10% Off!)

[@dannykellner4611]

Swim University How many bags of sand went into this they never said

[@joshuaviele622]

What do you do with the old sand?

[@DanOKC]

Hello Thanks for all the videos - On this one how ever how did you get the stem pipe out of the way to vacuum the sand out. On my Pentair SD80 the stem is right at the top and only about 1.5 inch space on the sides. How about the pear gravel as the bottom layer?

[@charlie138x]

I have the same question as a previous post. What can you do with the old sand? I'd rather not take it to the dump site if I can repurpose or just dispose of it in the trash

[@TOMMY-WANT-WINGY]

@@dannykellner4611 350lbs so 7 50lb bags. If your using 25lb itd be 14 bags.

[@thecasualfly]

Great vudeo ..if worried about the upright staying in place what I did is add a little sand water and then add some more sand. And I open the bags of sand and use 4 cup measuring cup to fill it up slowly but surely. That way I can keep my hand on the upright and make sure it stayed and by the time I got one bag in with some water in it that thing was locked in the place no problems. Hope this helps someone especially if you're limited mobility and don't have the strength.

[@mrstigastylez]

This video was very helpful. One difference is that after removing and washing everything, we put about half a bag of sand at the bottom of the tank. (Don't forget there was also water at the bottom of tank with the half bag of sand. Don't just put the sand in without the water lol). By doing this the lateral were not moving side to side and it enabled us to fill a lot easier. The filter works great now!

[@lynneparker757]

Hi Matt,Your video on changing the sand in your filter was brilliant. I am in Australia, I am female and 64 years young and I did the lot from start to finish on my own. It took me longer than you guys but I did it. and it works great. Thank you so much for making things so easy to understand and follow. Lynne

[@janphifer7033]

This was so very helpful and really saved us in waiting for the pool repair shop to get here. I won't lie - it was a LOT of work, but we followed your steps and everything is up and running again. Thank you so much!

[@johnholbrook9323]

Thanks guys. Used your instructions to change the filter in my pool today. Way cheaper than paying somebody to do it. Appreciate the video!

[@circle2land]

I followed this video, and successfully changed the sand. Vacuuming the sand took a wile though. (new pool owner). Thanks for making this video

[@larreetheexhortationist8878]

Sweet gentlemen! I'm going to do this tomorrow as the temp here in So Cal is predicted to be between 105 and 109 degrees over the next three days! What I needed to know, you guys covered it, thanks!

[@rabbitphilly1196]

2018 and still a to the point tutorial with great humor! Thanks guys 😘

[@mtario16]

Important advice: do NOT fill the filter with water before pouring the sand. Here is why. I followed your procedure because it was the first time I was changing the sand and ran into this trouble: By putting water in the filter, the lateral and the vertical pipe was raised just a little bit (about half an inch, without noticing it) since it was “floating” because of the water. After filling the filter with the sand, since the internal mechanism was raised by just half an inch, I was UNABLE to put the head assembly!! I had to redo the whole procedure a second time from scratch (remove the sand completely). Just put the sand and after a few inches of sand in the filter, check if you can successfully put your head assembly. Keep in mind I know NOTHING about filter but avoid this mistake, I learned it the hard way. P.S: my filter is an old Jacuzzi Laser 250.

[@chamcao]

Side mounted filter has no this issue.

[@adamv6753]

you are suppose to add a little water then sand then a little water, adjust laterals. Its easier to do wtih two people. everytime I am installing a new filter I always have someone else hold the lateral in place.

[@sdoublait]

OMG thank you for this!!! I am very tempted to try it myself bc I live in France and no one wants to do this.

[@katieshane234]

we are doing this on mothers day. thanks for the video

[@SwimUniversity]

Hope you had a great Mother's Day!

[@keithguay7523]

I never thought of backwashing once the sand is changed. Good idea. ✌️

[@Suntan38]

I totally showed this video to my parents. They used to yell at me for not changing my sand EVERY year!!

[@ronparsons6759]

OK I need to have the sand changed in our sand filter and this just showed me how to do that. Thanks

[@saraadair5446]

Thank you both for all the help . These videos have literally saved me hundreds of dollars 😩 I think your both GREAT ❣️ God bless y’all 🙏

[@georgegetzjr4168]

Thanks boys that was very informative and useful info...It's a lot easier than i thought it be...Just got a new liner after 10 years ... Figured I should change the sand also should have only been done about 5 -6 years ago... Thanks again...

[@stevepools5374]

good video. One thing I did notice is it can be done a little faster. instead of waiting for the filter to drain, just put the shop vac over the top of the stand pipe and turn it on. This will suckered all the water out in 5 min or less. then you just suck the sand out. boom at least 20 min shaved off.

[@steverea7578]

Good video. Changed the sand this weekend after watching this. Took the laterals out and cleaned them also.

[@solomonmatamba1253]

Steve Rea .hie .how often do i have to keep the pump running or clean the pool in a week ?.

[@kimcoleman7060]

Loved video. Have you ever used filter balls? Do you have any videos about filter balls? Would you recommend them?

[@codyharris5730]

great video i had to change my cousins 500 pound sand filter and it took over an hour just to get the sand out but other than that it was pretty straight forward

[@janwainright8437]

what do you guys think about zeosand instead of regular sand too? thanks

[@robertrummy6930]

Yup very helpful wish I watched sooner.So I watched the entire Ad.

[@umiami80]

I just did this! Super easy and everything you said was true and easy to follow thanks guys!!!!!

[@lindamccarley-schiro7063]

Glad I got to see this one...but the sand is expensive. My sand has been in the filter for 10 yrs pl..think I need to change is cause the bottom of the pool seems to be getting sand in the it. Now I know what maybe the problem...

[@adamv6753]

As a pool servicer, its about $7 a bag of 50# so its pretty cheap given the life of the sand. I find it curious when people replace teh sand every 5 years, I have customers with old pools 30+ years old that have never replaced their sand and it stays sparkling clean with just the same amount of backwashing as newer filters.

[@mustang0708]

Everyone should look into the benefits of glass media! Works almost as good as DE and lasts 3 times as long!!

[@StevieLee2114]

Thank you for this video....helped me figure out how to properly take the sand out of my filter which helped me figure out that there was a big crack down my center pipe. I replaced that and it was easy to put the new sand. Plus you showed me how to restart my whole system. THANK YOU!!!

[@Geordo1960]

First X-rated pool filter cleaning video I've ever seen. All this talk about lube, sucking, handy tool, and being easy seems pretty suggestive, I laughed throughout the whole video. LOL

[@steve43ohio]

also, use foam filter only on shop vac and clean it off when you empty shop vac! LOL I ruined by paper cartridge filter with the wet sand oops

[@derekjp6043]

So nice of them to get the home owner to help out. ;P

[@katcrumbaker]

Hi there, were planning on changing the sand in our sand filter. the question is we want to replace the bottom support stand as well. Can you give me any tips or lead me to a video? BTW.. Love your videos!

[@noelsnyder9272]

I'm used too diatomaceous earth filters so us recently changing to a sand filter is a whole different ballgame for me... thanks

[@MrBlister1972]

Just wanted to say, "Thanks." I was so irritated with all the sand in the bottom of the pool, so I picked up my 150 lbs. of #20 (.45-.55mm) pool sand. 1/2mm is TINY! LOL. Closed of skimmer and return, drained it overnight and went at it this morning, before it hit 95 degrees. 3 hours of sucking sand, some still wet and clogging my shop vac hose...repeatedly. Dumped it from vac to bin like you guys, and began filling. Daughter held the pipe as I cut and poured. Backwash/ rinse...good to go! Thnx!

[@martyonthebeach]

Oh yes, question. Here in Quebec we use pool only juin-August. When we know it's time to change sand from the filter?

[@briangeiser5861]

Nice vid. replaced my whole filter system this week. after sufferin from a broken lateral pipe, I decided to check the allignment with the multiport after each bag of sand was added. made things go alot smoother. And of course when I finished i had to grab my beer as well

[@TOMMY-WANT-WINGY]

Tha k you so much for taking the time to share with us. God Bless!

[@martyonthebeach]

I did! Tx! Take a shop vac, life is to beautiful to spend time to do this without this. My problem was the quantity of sand. I was not sure...

[@FLjock01]

Nice video guys, entertaining too. I followed your guide and it worked like a champ. I appreciated the tip of adding some water before adding the sand. Now... tell me about procuring and installing one of those water fall features (visible at 6:02)! LOL.

[@luisegallegos8120]

Nice work guys and clean congratulations 👏 👏 👏,saludos desde Michoacán Mex

[@acepharmer]

I put a plastic cup over the stand pipe when putting the sand in.

[@SwimUniversity]

Great idea! Better than duct tape IMO.

[@strebis6]

I'm going to remove the multi-port valve and plug the pipe. #2 I'm going to gently tip the filter over and use a water hose to wash out the sand.

[@tomcirucci1516]

My pool is closed. I am opening it this weekend. I just removed my old sand and put the new sand in. Should I still backwash first? Great video. Gina at Danzis referred me to your page.

[@jenfreeman8642]

Thanks so much. We did exactly what you said & it went smoothly.

[@goodhorsekeeping]

You left out one part. You have to make sure that the pipe and laterals are at the correct hight to line up and connect wit the multiport valve. you have to put sand in first and get it at the same level to connect.

[@janwainright8437]

SwimUniversity how do you do this?

[@maxfeasey2151]

This is true! the only reason I watched the video, was to find out how to get the height of the pipe to match up with the multiport valve. I did quite enjoy the video though, despite not getting the info I was looking for.

[@ROMEYYOUROCK]

To Matt, I have seen seeing sand in my pool and thought maybe a baffle was cracked. Upon remove the sand and stem it appears the baffles look fine. Is it common for the sand to break down enough to fit through a perfect lateral? We've had this house for 8 years without replacing the sand. Who knows how long it was before that. What do you think brochacho?

[@dustinmayo4720]

I just bought a house with a pool, this video helped me thank you!

[@LatinoTropico]

Awesome video guys! Cheers from Australia. ps... extra kudos for drinking Coronas!

[@maevic11]

How long we should replace the sand filter?

[@Tiver7]

More specifically, pool filter sand is all between 45-55mm in diameter. The holes in the laterals are typically then 40mm. This way the sand it too coarse to fit in the laterals, but fine enough to still filter well. If you use other sand, then everything under 40mm will go through those holes and into your pool, and what's left won't filter as well as real filter sand as much of it might be coarser.

[@gusvec]

My laterals pipe is jammed into the valve, any reasons for this to happen and what do I do to fix it? thanks.

[@margaretlomore5891]

Thanks for the great information.

[@SwimUniversity]

Glad it was helpful!

[@hendrohadi]

got it, it was a faulty gauge, thank you guys.

[@blorgst21]

Love the video guys! Very helpful and you made me laugh. I need a beer now that I’m done 😁

[@jpvintage]

Awesome, straight forward video! Seems easy enough. Thanks guys!! 🍻

[@jamestaylor3820]

So weird, it’s Father’s Day 2019 and I watched this...

[@secretface70]

Great video except when adding new sand the inside crept up so now i cannot get the top back on!

[@Coheeba737]

I just changed the sand in my Hayward S244T and because of the locaction of the center pipe with laterals it is almost impossible to remove the sand manually. I thought you might be able to flush the sand out of the drain, that wont work because the drain has a screen on it. I bought a shop vac and it worked fine.

[@shawnconrad9292]

Do you have to block the flow of water coming from the pool? Obviously the filter needs to be off, but will water continue to move though it?

[@ray.a7343]

Mine is 3xs the size of that filter also my multiport valve is on the side I have a filter that 2 pieces with bolts

[@johnwiechel]

Ok I just put a sand filter system on my pool haven't used it yet since I'm re filling pool. I didn't out water in the canister do I need to add some water? Mine holds 75lbs and I need to go through these.steps as well? This was a used system from friend. Thanks

[@recon1071]

how did you get the remaining sand out? did you vaccum? Drain it thru the plug, or backflush? thanks.

[@kristimodlin4511]

The FIRST step is turn off the pump!

[@richardnone5644]

i had sand in my filter for 10 years with no issues i was able to back flush out all the crap

[@flex_007]

Great vid. Informative and entertaining 👍

[@bobbrady4278]

what does the inside of the filter look like. How delicate are the laterals. What holds them up

[@aquafirst2872]

Depending on the brand of filter the laterals can be delicate. Think of it like x8 evenly spaced 6 inch long, 1/2 inch pipe with slit cuts all over them. Over time the slits can expand allowing sand to go back into the pool, or the sand breaks down so much that it is small enough to pass straight through. As for what holds them up - there is a hub at the bottom of the pipe that the 8 laterals screw into. If you Google 'Inside sand filter' you'll see what I mean.

[@flossie653]

Some people that dont know but you should tell about shutting the valves off first....from the pool

[@cutrara7]

Art By Flossie not necessary if the equipment is above the waterline

[@LindaPartridge-c5c]

Just inside the top of the filter is a black plate that seems to be screwed in but the bottom of the screw is underneath it can’t be reached . Any help taking it off?

[@terrellma]

Looks like you put the hose clamp on the back wash filter too far back and not close enough to the end where the barb like part is.

[@stephenyoungblood3683]

Ever used anthracite for top 2 or 3 inches?

[@mwald5194]

Shop vac i had to use a screw driver to break up the sand and scoop it out

[@noreenwilliams7566]

You guys are GREAT

[@The_mystery_titan]

How can we push the laterals down in the sand without removing the sand if it has risen to high?

[@adamdavis785]

Found out the hard way that you should pour probably a third or half the sand first then do water than the rest sand otherwise if you do I’ll water and then sand if you’re doing this project by yourself the sand piper will rise up and you’ll be unable to screw the top on due to sand getting underneath. The sand completely waiting it down on top will hold it down better. It’s always more frustrating it harder than it looks

[@azbogivediglagoli4759]

We moved into the house with pool, have never had one. Due to some pool water issues we were recommended to do partial water replacement. First what I should do was the backwash. But I forgot to switch to the drain mode. I realized it only after ad hour of draining. Did I do any damage to the filter or its components? Scared to go any further...

[@user-fx1ky1uw4z]

This was helpful except for what I would call the most important part... How do you make the center pipe the exact correct height? How does it connect to the lever part on top? The most crucial step to assembly and it was just glossed over like... then you just do it... BUT HOW?!?!

[@andrewbrown784]

"Dave" is a good alias. I know Ben Roethlisberger when I see him 😉

[@jordanschwarz700]

Great video, thanks!

[@f1mercury]

Thank you gentlemen.

[@jaleesaparker3258]

Great video thank you so much!

[@Hmmd816]

Question, hello, first thank you, I learned so much from you. what do you think of glass media? Can you use pool clarifier with it? Thank you!

[@mickypal4734]

simple enough, thanks

[@emmamousaw6603]

Where does the sand go as it is sucked up by the shop vac? Is there any preperation that has to be done internal to the shop vac? JB

[@CUEBALL424]

Emma Mousaw The sand just gets trashed and the only prep needed for your shop vac is to remove the bag and filter internal to the vac. Unless you want to vac the sand into bags and take longer and be more expensive.

[@semsticks]

Sweet job, Thank you

[@donaldfamilyadventures2795]

Looking to do this as the start up for the season. Would you recommend changing sand before cleaning or clean the pool then replace sand?

[@rosariogarcia6465]

I changed the sand. pool was looking clear for a few weeks. backwashed it when I put it in filter position and ran it I noticed a green color being pushed from returns then ran clear, Next couple weeks did it again. does this mean I have broken laterals ? please respond

[@brucecourtis4377]

Rosario Garcia nothing to worry about, when the filter was cleaned there was most probably a little bit of gunk still sticking around that came through the system.. and sorry about the late reply, I know it's almost a year later, but I'm currently changing my sand in the filter and was scrolling through comments..

[@xtoferstarnes]

They neglect to mention that the shop vac step takes several hours

[@mdavis717]

Xtofer Starnes our took just a few minutes.

[@adamv6753]

@@mdavis717 they neglected to mention you need a powerful shop vac, not the one people usually have. A regular one will get the sand clogged in the pipe and prove to be a slow processs.

[@nickel216]

When vacuuming wet sand with Shop Vac do I need a foam or paper filter on the vac? I hope not cuz I don't wanna go out for more supplies but love my vac & don't want it damaged. I bought it used & it came without filters & I use the paper bags made for the vac so I'm not breathing dust out the exhaust as is common. However, I can't use paper bag with wet sand. (My vac is 16 gallon Contractor model.) Thanks.

[@fdamien80]

Take filter off when vacuuming sand out.

[@Ju-Sayin]

What do we do instead of “rinse”? We don’t have a “rinse”.

[@thomasdressler9939]

come to Jackson nj....change my sand last changed about 6 years ago.....ill supply the beers

[@libbyford93]

We have a problem with tons of sand in the bottom of the pool. We will be changing the sand tomorrow & also look at the laterals to make sure they are not broken. My question is how do we clean all that sand off the bottom of the pool? Will it clog up the filter? Thanks for the video - very helpful. Libby

[@steve43ohio]

thank you. helped me tremendously

[@TheSavvyCouple]

How much sand should be used?

[@titan2270]

Funny dudes. Nice video production

[@Ivan-nd6qy]

LMM brought me here!

[@BrideOfYahshua3333]

What happens when you take the multiport valve off and the latrerals come up above the sand? How do you get sand out that way the multiport valve would not come off. Can you pour it out I have a 14" tank its not that big

[@MrBlister1972]

You guys were pretty awesome...LOL! I think it's time to change mine, but ugh it seems like a pain even with a shop vac.

[@borjastick]

I need advice please. I look after a house with a pool. The house had a fire and the house and pool were shut down for 18 months. Now the sand filter seems sluggish to kick into life. My feeling is the sand has partially solidified or gone into a lump at the bottom after not being used for the period. Now I feel I should replace it and check the inside of the filter at the same time. I'm a Brit living in France and the pool equipment at this pool is all decent quality.

[@abdulazizshenaibir7035]

can i use gravel with sand

[@DanOKC]

Hello Thanks for all the videos - On this one how ever how did you get the stem pipe out of the way to vacuum the sand out. On my Pentair SD80 the stem is right at the top and only about 1.5 inch space on the sides. How about the pear gravel as the bottom layer?

[@daveguy7892]

Thanks a lot for the info