Sand Pool Filter Troubleshooting & Repair Guide
The sand style swimming pool filter can be found on many above ground and in ground swimming pools. There are also many different brands and models of swimming pool filters on the market these days so all the parts will not be interchangeable but many of the things you will need to repair on any sand filter will done basically the same way. The difference between most sand filters is size and brand. Most sand filters these days are equipped with multi-directional flow valves also known as multi-port valves.
Common repairs like replacing the multi-port directional valve, changing the sand inside of the filter, replacing broken laterals and you will need to learn how drain the filter for winterization and for these repairs listed. Knowing how to properly repair and troubleshoot your sand swimming pool filter can save you a lot of money and time in the long run, leaving you to spend that time enjoying the pool rather then working or spending money on it.
The Swimming pools sand filter troubleshooting and repair guide below will help you diagnose and repair the most common problems on almost all brands of sand filters. You can repair your sand filter with a basic socket set and some standard hand tools. Always be sure to only work on your swimming pool filter when the filter system is off. It is also a good idea to shut the pool timer and disconnect the pump from the power source if possible when working on the filter. This will prevent the pump from kicking on when you are working on the filter.
How To Change The Pool Filter Sand
If your sand is getting old in your sand filter you are going to have to replace the sand. To replace the sand in your swimming pool filter you will first have to shut the filter system off. Once the filter is off you will have to either start unbolting the bolts around the center of the filter tank, which is most common on older Hayward S-series sand filters. If you have a newer sand filter or one with the multi-directional valve called the multi-port on top of the filter you will want to remove the band that clamps around the base of the multi-port.
Now that you have the filter tank open and you can see the filter sand, you can remove the sand three different ways. The first way is to take a small plastic scoop and manually scoop all the sand from the filter. If you have a large sized sand filter this took take a while. The second way you could remove the sand from the pool filter is to lay the sand filter on its side and dump the sand out. This will normally only be able to done with smaller sand filters like the Hayward S-160 models since they are smaller.
If you do not find any of the two methods above to be something that you can do then you can use the third way of removing the sand from the sand filter. You can use something called a swimming pool filter sand vacuum. This is a special vacuum that is made to connect to a garden hose and create a Venturi effect and will suck all the sand out of your pool filter. This is by far the best and easiest way to remove sand from pool filters.
How To Drain The Sand Filter Tank
If you need to winterize or change the sand in your swimming pool filter you will need to know how to drain the filter tank correctly. What you will want to do is to look around the base of the sand filter tank for the drain plug or screw. On Hayward S-Series models the drain plug with be a white or black cap that will almost resemble a soda cap. Turn the cap to the left until it screws all the way off the threads and then remove it. Open the air bleed screw on top of the filter dome to allow some air into the filter so it can drain better.
On other models of pool filters the drain plug will be located somewhere on the bottom of the tank. On Sta-rite sand filters you can find the drain plug in the center of the bottom of the filter tank. The drain plug will be white and around 2″ inches in outer diameter size. Oh Pentair Filters you will see the drain plug either underneath or on the side of the tank.
How To Add The New Sand To The Pool Filter
Once you have emptied all of the old sand from your filter you are going to have to add new sand. Before you add the new sand you will want to inspect all the filter laterals to make sure they are not damaged. Sometimes the laterals will crack from age and when then do they can allow sand to bypass them, which will result in you having sand return into your pool. Once you have inspected all the laterals and they all look OK you are going to want to fill the filter tank up with some water. You will want to fill the tank with water to about 4″ above the laterals. This is to protect the laterals when you start to pour the new sand in.
Once you have the water in the tank the last thing you will want to do is to put something over the manifold pipe that will be sticking straight up in the filter tank. A plastic cup or laying an old rag over the opening of the pipe will prevent sand from entering. Once you have done those two things you can now start to pour the amount of sand you need into the filter. Once all the sand is added to the filter tank you will to reassemble the filter.
How To Change Sand Filter Laterals
If you are getting sand back into your swimming pool and you have a sand filter then chances are your laterals are bad. Laterals can be found on the bottom of the filter tank. Their job is to allow water to flow through the sand and the filter but to keep the sand inside of the filter tank at the same time. The laterals are just small tubes that have slits in them that allow the water to pass through. You will find them connected to the bottom of the filter collector or manifold pipe that runs vertically in the center of the filter tank.
From time to time these laterals will break from a number of reasons and you will start to get filter sand back into your pool. To change the laterals you will have to shut the filter system down and drain the filter tank. You then will have to remove the multi-port or unbolt the filter tank so you can then remove all of the sand.
Once you remove all of the sand from the filter tank you can remove the laterals and the manifold assembly from the filter tank. To replace the filter laterals you will either have to replace the entire lateral manifold system unless your laterals unscrew from the manifold. On some model sand filters the laterals will unscrew from the manifold near the base. If you have tried to un-spin the laterals and they do not move you will have to replace the entire lateral assembly.
Once you have changed the laterals and replaced them with new ones you will want to fill the filter tank up at least 1/3 of the way and then pour new pool filter sand into the tank. Once you have the new sand in the tank reassemble the rest of the filter, which will include the multi-port and anything else you removed while working on the filter. Next you will want to run your swimming pool filter when everything is all back together to make sure there is no leaks or sand returning back into your pool.
Testing The Sand Pool Filter After Replacing The Sand
Once you have everything all back together you will want to prime your swimming pool pump and get your filter system going. You will want to make sure that the belly bands and multi-port gaskets are not leaking. You will also want to backwash the new sand for a few minutes as well to wash small debris off of the sand that might have been mixed in while the sand was being added to the filter. After you have back washed the new sand for a few minutes you will want to run the filter for a few minutes to make sure everything is OK while walking to the pool to make sure that you are getting no sand back into the pool. If everything looks good you will want to run your sand filter for 6 – 8 hours a day depending on weather conditions and how much the swimming pool is used. Make sure to always backwash your sand filter once a week.
Joseph:
Water still comes out the jet but much weaker.
I am not sure the answer to the second question. I know that water is still being pulled from the pool and I can see it moving through the pump lid. There is water that comes out of the backwash hose but the pressure is weak and the water stays clear.
When in the backwash position if I push the handle down and hold it then the pressure INCREASES like it should as if I were backwashing. However, no dirty water comes out.
I have had this pool 4 years and EVERY time I have ever backwashed I have had dirty water.
In the filter position it seems to be working fine. I have vaccumed to waste and it works as it used to.
Hi Michelle,
Did you say this was a new multiport?
Joseph
Joseph,
Yes it is a brand new Praher multiport valve on a Cooper Ranger tank.
Hi,
Then ya, If its brand new I would return it for another one, You might have a lemon,
It sure sounds like it,
Joseph
When we are running our filter it is draining the pool. It definitely is in filter mode and not waste mode. We had to replace the impellar on our pump, but that is working great. We have a hayward pro series S-244t. Do you think it somehow got stuck on waste mode?
Thank you.
Hi Molli,
Yes in fact I do. There is something called a “multiport spider gasket” inside of the multiport.
When this wears down or out, it will allow water to drain through the waste / back wash.
A simple solution to fix this until you get the part / and replace it is to plug the backwash port when not in use(while running on filter)
When you backwash you will need to remove this plug.
But yes, I think your muliport has gone bad,
Let me know of you have any other questions, and you’re welcome ;-)
Joseph
I have a system that has been inactive for 2 years. Local pool guy says pump and filter are bad. How do I know the sand filter is bad? It is a 250 lbs, but I do not know how old it is. We bought the house 3 weeks ago.
Any info would be helpful,
Jason
Hi Jason,
Ah yes! The ole “Oh so you just bought the house and you need all new equipment” sales pitch……
Well, I have been a pool guy myself for over 17 years and I sure will help you determine if you are able to just fix up what you have or if you really will need new equipment.
Here is what I need from you.
1) The brand and size of the pump
2) The brand and size of the filter
3) Some pictures of the filter system,
If you provide me the above I can go over everything with you as if I was in your yard and you can see what I say Vs what the local’s say.
See my contact page for my email and send the pictures there.
http://wetheadmedia.com/contact/
Once you send them to me I will upload them and we can go ever what is there and what I think looks good bad etc.
Joseph
Hello – I have a Sand Filter, which I’m taking care of by myself for the first time. Use to be when it was vacuumed, the Filter was set on Waste and wasted to the street, thus using A LOT of water throughout the Pool Season. A couple of neighbors have recommended that I try to vacuum it through the Filter and not waste the water out. Once I got the pool under control I have done so. The problem happening now is what is being vacuumed seems like it’s shooting back into the pool. Both neighbors who recommended vacuuming it this way have said that it should not be doing that!? The sand was changed at the beginning of last Summer, so I’m not sure what might be happening. The output isn’t terribly strong, but they’re working well enough. The house is on the Market to be sold, so I just want to get through this Pool Season. Anywho, any suggestions would be most appreciated? Thanx in advance for your time! Mary
Hi Mary,
Your situation is very common and let me explain how you can get through this, its actually kinda simple ;-)
When vacuuming the pool with the filter being on waste (Vacuuming returning the water to the pool) you will off course fill the filter tank and the skimmer baskets up with debris faster resulting in loss of suction ..yada …yada.
What you should do is the following:
1) Make sure you always vacuum the pool with the skimmer basket in place(most pools have a “vacuum disk” that overlays the skimmer basket.
2) STOP vacuuming every few minutes / certain amount of debris picked up and THEN back wash the filter and empty the skimmer and pump baskets.
All to often are peoples mindsets: “all or none” , “go big or go home” “vacuum on waste or vacuum with bad suction”
An experienced pool owner will stop, back wash and clean the baskets and filter multiple times during a basic pool cleaning or vacuuming.
I hope this helps you and let me know if you have any more questions,
Joseph
i have a sand filter for my above ground pool. Last year it developed a small pin size hole/leak in the side of the housing and now there has been another one to open as well. Can this be patched or re-enforced somehow or am i going to need to get a new filter? i just had to replace the liner so if i can patch it somehow and make it thru this season it would be great. Any suggestions?? Thanks, Randy
Hi Randy,
Yes, you can repair the filter tank and its best to drain and remove the sand if you have too.
You can buy a two part epoxy and you will want to place the epoxy inside and out side of the filter tank.
Take a huge glob of epoxy and stick it over the pinhole on the inside and the outside to be sure that its cover.
You can find the two part epoxy at Home Depot, Lowes, and even Wal-Mart.
If you have any other questions please let me know, Please also stop back and let us know how you made out.
Joseph
Dear Ms,
This is Roget Du from China, we are producing the laminated sand filter and I am in charge of production of this factory, till now I am really annoied about how to repair the filter surface defect, I think you all are experts in this field, you know, in the processing of production, we have to move the filter from one place to other place many times and frequently, then a few the surface of filter have been scratched, the function of these filters are ok, but we aslo have to reject them bacause of the poor appearance.
Normally, we deal with these defects according to following process:
step I:polishing the defective portion
Step II:wiping the gel
Step III:repolishing this portion with 800#,1200# sand paper
But there is a big problem we can’t solve it, it is that there is a motley line between original substrate and new surface.
I am not sure if my description is clear or not, but looking forward to getting your return in any way.
Roget
Hi Roget,
Thats basically how we do it here in USA AS well but with an “epoxy” not a gel,
Maybe someone should make a stronger tank? How about thicker tanks walls so the tanks won’t break?
Ideas ?
Joseph
Hi, Joseph,
I am appreciated to get your feedback so quickly. I amn’t sure if the EPOXY you mentioned is resin or not, resin and fiber(FRP) are used on the filter as base material.
Also, I can’t understand what is your mean for below sentence”Maybe someone should make a stronger tank? How about thicker tanks walls so the tanks won’t break?”, maybe you want to ask me how much thick is our filter, the thick is round 6mm.
Now, my trouble is I don’t how to repair the filter surface to make it shine as samilar as the new one, and I made one excel file with pics FYI(But I can’t submit it).
Thanks a lot.
Roget
Hi Roget,
This sentence: â€ÂÂMaybe someone should make a stronger tank?”. I was being sarcastic meaning that if the tank walls were thicker chances are they would be stronger and not crack.
You can email me the excel file of you like, go to http://wetheadmedia.com/contact and you will see our contact info.
Joseph
help i changed the sand in my filter and now the pipe in the middle is sticking out above the tank and i cant get my valve to go all the way down so i can close my tank please what should i do help
Hi Donna,
You will have to remove all the sand and then reset the laterals and the stand pipe. Then you will have to re-add the sand,
I know you might not want to hear that but that is what has to be done,
Let me know if you have any more questions or need anymore help.
Joseph
Iwas afarid of that. thanks,ill get right on it
i’m in charge of a public pool,and my drains are not sucking water, but i do have the jets working. How can I fix this problem. The pool is running with 4 filters
Hi Enrique,
Are you trying to drain the pool?
Or just trying to get the main drains working on the pool?
I assume that you are currently using the skimmers as the water source?
Let me know the above.
Joseph
Hi, we were told to replace the sand in our filter due to cloudy water. The water coming out of the outake back into the pool is cloudy, the water in the pool is clean. The 500 lbs of sand was replaced, and it is still coming out cloudy. All of this was done by a pool service. We were told by the tech that there is too many chemicals in the water, but the water was tested by the pool company and is fine, good to swim in they say. Any suggestions, this is the 4th service call, and $1400 later.
Hi Jackie,
Have you tested the TDS (Total De solved Solids) in your pool water?
Is the pool water cloudy or the water coming from the return cloudy?
Please let me know the above and I can help you further.
Joseph
Joseph, Thanks for your reply, the return water is cloudy, the pool is clear until you turn the filter on. We have had the water tested by a well known pool service and supply company in Philadelphia and it all came back fine, well within limits. That is why we changed the sand out in the filter.
Joseph the TDS is 350, sorry I forgot to post that.
JAckie
How can i fix a crack in the round filter we tried silicone and that didnt work its spraying every where..
Hi Cheryl,
You will need to drain all the water from the filter and then use a two part epoxy that you can find at Home Depot, Lowes etc.
Next you will want to epoxy both the inside and the outside of the filter tank and then let set for 48 hours followed by adding water to the tank and testing.
If the crack is large this may not work as it only works for smaller cracks. The average pool filter runs between 10 – 25 lbs so the crack must be repaired well so it doesn’t leake under pressure.
Hope this helps and let me know if you need any help.
Joseph
sorry 22 inch round filter for an above ground pool.
HOW ARE WEAR DO YOU GET YOUR TDS TESTED
Hi Donna,
You can buy an all in one test kit that will include a TDS kit with it or you can go to a local pool store and they can test it for you.
Joseph