How do I backwash my sand filter?

[Kimcoltonterry]

anyone else... so I do more than just this?
thanks.
Kim

[sevver]

That is all that I do, I don't even do the rinse part, which I had never heard of before. All you are trying to do is get the gunk off of the top of the sand, once the water comes out clear, it is done.

[matt4x4]

Step by step:
1. Turn off pump
2. Switch Multiport Valve (MV) to "Backwash"
3. Turn on pump
4. Backwash until water coming out is clear (should have a sightglass otherwise watch waste hose for water color).
5. Turn off Pump
6. Switch MV to "Rinse"
7. Turn on pump
8. Rinse for 10-20 seconds
9. Turn off pump
10. Switch MV to "Filter"
11. Turn on pump

Pressure should return to normal, return valve should have good strong flow coming out of it.

[Kimcoltonterry]

Thanks Matt, what is the normal pressure reading supposed to be, a ballpark figure?
Thanks.
This is only our second year with a pool (as if you couldn't tell!!)

[sevver]

Mine reads 15 psi normally.

[bsbrega]

Mine reads 16. I had a pump for 14 years and it read 18. It all depends. The thing you should make note of is what YOURS reads after you've backwashed it and the water is clear. Then the thing is to keep an eye on it and ensure that it stays pretty much there. When you see it climb (for me, it was never), backwash. If the pressure drops, you could be sucking wind, er, air somewhere. For me, that usually meant the skimmer basket got outta place, and the water was coming in funny. Remember the old (very old) Haley's MO commercial: Normal is what's normal for YOU. Yes I'm old. It takes a big man to admit it!

[Kimcoltonterry]

bsbrega, LOL!!! I kind of had the feeling that someone would say that it differs, but I had to ask because I had just backwashed and had NO idea what normal was!! I am going right now to find NORMAL....wish me luck <very rarely do I see normal around here...>