what is backwash on a pool filter

Author: Poolking - Swimming Pool Equipment Manufacturer

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Backwash is an essential process to ensure that your pool water is clean and healthy for swimming. It's a term that is commonly used when talking about pool filters, and it has a lot to do with your pool's overall maintenance. If you're a new pool owner, you may not be familiar with the term backwash, but it's a process that you'll need to carry out regularly if you want to keep your pool water sparkling clean.

In this article, we'll explore what backwash is and how it works, why you need to backwash your pool filter, and how often you should carry out the process. We'll also look at how to backwash correctly and provide you with some top tips for ensuring your pool remains in top condition.

1. What is Backwash?

Backwash is a process used to clean your pool's filter by reversing the flow of water. During regular use, a pool filter will collect debris and dirt from the water, trapping it within the filter's medium. Over time, this can cause the filter to become clogged and less effective at filtering. Backwashing flushes out this collected debris and allows the filter to perform optimally once more.

2. Why is Backwashing Important?

Backwashing is important for maintaining your pool's water quality. When your pool filter becomes clogged, it can no longer filter out dirt and debris effectively, causing your water to become cloudy, unhygienic, and potentially dangerous for swimmers. By backwashing, you can ensure that your pool filter is functioning correctly, and that the water is safe for swimming.

3. How Often Should You Backwash Your Pool?

There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the frequency of backwashing will depend on several factors, including how often the pool is used, the size of the pool, and the type of filter your pool uses. As a general rule, you should backwash your pool when the filter pressure gauge reads 8-10 psi higher than the normal operating pressure. This is usually once every one to two weeks.

4. How to Backwash Your Pool?

The process of backwashing your pool is straightforward, and the steps are as follows:

Step 1: Turn off the pool pump and set the multiport valve to "backwash."

Step 2: Turn on the pool pump and allow it to run for a few minutes, or until the water in the sight glass is clear.

Step 3: Turn off the pool pump and set the multiport valve to "rinse."

Step 4: Turn on the pool pump and allow it to run for a minute or two.

Step 5: Turn off the pool pump and set the multiport valve to "filter."

Step 6: Turn on the pool pump and resume normal pool operation.

5. Top Tips for Backwashing Your Pool

To ensure that you backwash your pool correctly and safely, we've provided some top tips below:

● Always turn off the pool pump before adjusting the multiport valve.

● Before backwashing, ensure that the skimmer basket and pump basket are clear of debris.

● Only backwash for the recommended time period, as over-backwashing can damage the filter's medium.

● When backwashing, ensure that the pool water runs to a suitable area and doesn't cause flooding or damage to structures.

In conclusion, backwashing is an essential process for maintaining your pool's water quality and ensuring that the filter functions correctly. By backwashing regularly and correctly, you can help to keep your pool clean, healthy, and safe for swimming. Remember to follow the steps above and use our top tips to make sure that you backwash your pool safely and effectively.