how to clean pool filter sand

Author: Poolking - Swimming Pool Equipment Manufacturer

How to Clean Pool Filter Sand

Pool filter sand is an essential element that helps to keep your pool clean, clear, and hygienic for a long time. The sand traps dirt, debris, and other particulate contaminants that enter the pool, ensuring that the water is crystal clear and free from any impurities. However, over time, the sand filter becomes clogged with dirt and other impurities, which can affect its filtration capacity. Therefore, it's essential to clean the pool filter sand regularly to ensure that it functions optimally.

In this article, we'll tell you everything you need to know about cleaning your pool filter sand, including tips, tricks, and essential things to keep in mind.

What is Pool Filter Sand?

Before we delve into the cleaning of pool filter sand, let's first understand what it is. Pool filter sand is a specially designed filtration media that is made from crushed silica quartz. The sand comes in various sizes, and it's graded based on particle size to ensure that it filters out unwanted contaminants from your pool water effectively. The sand is placed in the filtration unit, where it acts as a barrier for trapping impurities from the water that passes through it.

Why is Pool Filter Sand Important?

Pool filter sand is essential as it helps to keep your pool water clean and clear by capturing all the dirt and debris that enters the pool. A pool filter that's functioning optimally ensures that there are no bacteria or algae growth in the water, making it safe for swimming. A clogged or dirty filter sand can negatively impact the water quality, making it cloudy and dirty, and potentially harmful to your health. Therefore, it's crucial to keep your pool filter sand clean and free from contaminants.

How to Clean Pool Filter Sand?

Cleaning your pool filter sand isn't a complicated process, and it's something that you can easily do on your own. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Shut Off the Pump

Before you begin cleaning the filter sand, you need to turn off the pump to prevent water from flowing through it. This step is essential as it ensures that you're safe while cleaning the sand, and it also prevents any damage to the filtration unit.

Step 2: Backwash the Filter

Once you've turned off the pump, it's time to backwash the filter. This step helps to remove any debris, dirt, or contaminants that may have accumulated in the sand. To backwash, turn on the pump, and wait for the filter to fill up with water. Once the filter is full, set the valve on the control panel to "backwash." Let the water flow for a duration of about 2-3 minutes or until the water coming out of the backwash hose is clear.

Step 3: Rinse the Filter

Once you've completed the backwash, it's time to rinse the filter. Set the valve on the control panel to "rinse," and let the water flow for 1-2 minutes. This step helps to remove any excess debris or dirt that may still be in the filter.

Step 4: Clean the Sand

Now it's time to clean the sand. To do this, set the valve on the control panel to "filter" and let the pump run for a few minutes to allow the sand to settle. Once the sand has settled, use a hose to spray water onto the sand at the top of the filter. Continue this process until the water in the filter looks clean.

Step 5: Replace the Sand

After cleaning the sand, it's time to replace it in the filter. Pour the clean sand back into the filter, ensuring that it's distributed evenly and isn't too full or too empty. Once you've added the sand back in, turn on the pump and let it run for a few minutes to ensure that water passes through the filter correctly.

Conclusion

Cleaning your pool filter sand is a task that requires a little effort but delivers significant results. By keeping your pool filter sand clean, you ensure that your pool water remains healthy, clean, and safe for swimming. Regular cleaning of the sand will not only ensure that it functions optimally but will also save you money by reducing the need for pool maintenance services. Keep the steps above in mind, and you'll be able to clean your pool filter sand like a pro in no time!