I am not totally new to the pool community, since I got my in-ground pool last summer, but have never backwashed my filter. My pool is a 10,000 gal with a Quad DE 100 filter (oversized, I know but I wanted it so!) and after nine months of operation my pressure has increased by 3 lbs. This is still well below the limit of 8 (I believe) for backwashing but I wanted to do it anyway.

My valve has different settings, filter, backwash, rinse, waste and from what I understand I switch the valve to "backwash" then "rinse" and run the pump until the water looks clear. But what about the valves for skimmer, drain and return, do they stay open?

Are there some good instructions out there somewhere?

Thanks and sorry for those "dumb" questions