How To Backwash Hayward Perflex Pool Filters
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If the pressure on your Hayward Perflex D.E. filter, which includes the EC 30, EC40, EC50, and the EC65A, has risen 5 – 10 PSI above the normal operating pressure, you will need to do something called “back washing a Hayward pool filter”. You also might have be noticing the water pressure that comes out of the pool return slow down as well. This also means that you need to back wash your Perflex pool filter. Before you can back wash your pool filter you will need to make sure that you have some D.E. Powder first. Every time you back wash your pool filter you are removing the old D.E. powder that has been trapped inside of the filter and you will need to replace it. So if you do not have a bag of D.E. powder you should get a bag from a local pool supply center before back washing your pool filter.
Shutting Down The Filter & Bumping The Handle
Once you have determined that you need to back wash your filter you will then first need to shut the filter system off. Once the filter system is off you will want to SLOWLY push the handle on top of the filter up and down. At first the handle should be hard to push, but as you move the handle up and down which is referred to as “bumping” you will notice the handle will be come easier to move. If the bump handle moves freely like it is not connected to anything, then your filter may need repair. But generally the handle on your Hayward Perflex Filter will be harder to push or bump in the beginning.
When you move the handle up and down, you are shaking the old D.E. powder from the finger filter elements inside of the filter tank. You will want to bump the handle up and down about 10 – 15 times .
Opening The Valve & Releasing The D.E. Powder
Once you have bumped the filter handle you will now want to open up the valve that is on the lower part of your filter tank. Once you open this valve water will start flowing out. Once the valve is completely open you will want to turn the filter on and let it run for 2 – 3 minutes. This will wash all of the old and dirty, debris and D.E. powder from inside of the filter tank.
Starting The Hayward Perflex Filter System Back Up
Once you have let the filter system run for 2 – 3 minutes you will now want to shut the filter system off. You also will now want to close the back wash valve on the bottom of your filter tank. Once you have shut the valve on the filter tank you can, once again start the Perflex Filter back up. You will now also want to get your bag of D.E. powder and bring it over to the skimmer that is closest to your pool filter.
Adding D.E. Through The Skimmer
Now that the filter system is running you will want to add more D.E. powder back into the filter tank. You can do so by adding new D.E. powder through the skimmer as the filter system is running. Depending on what size Hayward Perflex Pool Filter you have will determine how much or how many LBS of D.E. powder you will have to add. If you have a smaller filter like the Hayward EC30 OR EC40 you will only have to add a small amount of D.E. to the filter, But if you have a larger perflex filter such as the Hayward Perflex EC50 or EC65A you will need to add more D.E. since its a larger filter. Look on the side of your filter and you will see a sticker that will tell you how many LBS of D.E powder you need to add into your filter after back washing.
Every fall I clean out my hayward ec65a de filter. I remove the top, the remaining de media, and hose off the fingers. I then put 6-16 oz of media back in and tighten all of the bolts, ready for the first day the following summer. This year after removing the cover, adding chemicals (my pool was slightly green for some odd reason) I turned on the pump and it worked fine. Later I got a call from my wife, nothing was coming out of the out port. I did notice the start up pressure was 20. Anyway I did the only thing I could think of, turn off turn on, bump the handle which appeared to be initially resistant. Turn back on. Same thing – starts out strong and eventually the flow dies down to zip.
Is the amount of media correct 6-16 oz units of de?
Could there be an obstruction? (I doubt it, I am pretty careful)
Bumping the handle is back washing correct?
Thanks
John
we bought our pool last summer..we hooked it up this year and the 1st ten min. the water flo back into pool was gr8..then it stopped sucking water through 1st basket and no water is returning to pool or if it is very little..the gauge will be running at 18 to 20 and then goes to 25 and thats when water flo stops..we have taken it apart cleaned it 100x checked to leaks nothing!! please help we have a hayward perflex filter EC50..and motor seems (sounds ) like its running fine??
I hope i explained that well.. First ten minutes after backwashing, bumping, cleaning all the above the water shoots across the pool. 10min later no water is pushing through or if it is very little!! we have no idea what to do..We have even sockes the finger things in tide and muratic acid like told by pool place. still nothing
michelle, sounds like a similar problem to mine.
I have a EC40, and when I put the DE in ( the amount of DE your filter uses is ON the grey case…) my ec40 needs 4 lbs of DE–
it comes shooting back out into the pool.
According to hayward the following are the only reasons for de to re-enter the pool
1) broken plate (top or bottom)
2) fingers have a hole in them
3) the rod attached to the bump handle is missing one of the o-rings.
4) the big gasket is damaged.
ANd I’ll be damned…..
I verified no broken or cracked plates, replaced big gasket ,and o-rings
and personally inspected (and changed all 72) fingers from my old ec40 plate to my new ec40 plates and found
a few questionable fingers, but NO specific holes.
Why do I have to turn my pump off and bump the filter every 5 mins then plug the filter back in just to get the water circulating again. what do I need to do to just be able to let it run for hours