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.
Apparently I have air in the lines because when I turn on the system numerous air bubbles come out of the air ports into the pool. This does not stop until system is turned off. How do I get the air out of the system. Thank you.
Hi Fran
This means that your pump is sucking in air from somewhere,
Please see this page
http://wetheadmedia.com/your-pool-pump-will-suck-air/
If you still need more help let me know,
Joseph
Thanks for the info. Water pours out of the gasket when I turn the system off so this could be my problem. Going to the pool store tomorrow to have my water checked and pick up needed chemicals and wth the information you provided I will be able to explain to them in an intelligent manner what my problem might be. Thanks again, you have been a big help.
Fran
Hi Fran,
Usually its the cover pump gasket, the front suction fitting or a drain plug that is sucking in air.
Joseph
There are several options on the Triton controls.
Reading clockwise they are filter, waste, closed, backwash, recirc. and rinse.
I use filter to run the pool and backwash to remove water when there is too much. Could someone explain to me what I would use waste, recirc. and rinse for? I believe closed is self explanatory. Thank you.
Fran
Hi,
Sand is going in the pool, what’s the problem?
Thanks
I have a s244t sand filter. I am trying to take it apart to change the lower lateral and figured I would change the sand also (good time to do it) Well since the pvc pipes are going in at the top and I am trying to take it off….I was wondering….do I cut all that pvc pipes and replace…or can I unscrew the bolts….then somehow remove the black base so I can get inside the filter. Just trying to find an easy way to get in there….also…the gauge is reading almost 50…is this because the lower lateral needs replaced or is this another problem?
****the black base that the filter stands on….so the unit could be lowered to get the top off without having to cut all the pvc and replace….just wanted to clarify what black base I was referring to.
I’m not sure what the brand is but I have a sand filter pump on my intex pool and i was running it the other day and it got up to almost a hundred psi. I know this is not right for the operating pressure. can you tell me what to check for to find out whats wrong?
Hi
I vacuum the pool and is clean but when i put in a filter mode then i see dust in the deep what i have to do
to resolve this problem?
Thanks
After vaccuming the pool and backwashing, I moved the arm back to filter and it is still expelling water out like I am backwashing or wasting. Does anyone know how to fix this?
Thanks!
I have a sta rite above ground filter and it is working backwards. Can someone tell me how to fix it?
Thanks
Hi,
Do you mean water is pump out of the skimmer and not the return jet?
Please let me know and I can help you further.
Joseph
My pool was always cloudy. After eliminating the other possibilities I came down to the filter. So I am changing the sand but the drain is odd. It is a Pentair Sand Dollar 80. You remove a drain cap which has a hex head like a nut on top of a cap with a hand grip to remove it. But not much water comes out and no sand even after sticking the hose in with a garden jet. In side the drain you can feel an internal hex shape and guess what it matches the hex “nut” on the cap. BUT using that as a tool hoping to remove a larger plug within drain does not work with hand force and the pentair manuel does not give a clue. The vender doesn’t know either. I could put a wrench on the cap with the hex “nut” put that’s not a good idea when you really don’t know how it is supposed to work. It sure would be nice if pentair would say. Wild idea. I looked through all their specs and manuals and brochures and there “more” diagrams and nothing. Does anyone know?
Hi Scott,
You can loosen the soda bottle looking cap before that HEX nut shape and water should come out. If not you can stick a stick in that to unclog the drain tube. You also can turn that HEX on the shaft counter clockwise and then the whole drain shaft will spin out,
Please let me know if you need more help,
Joseph
opened my inground and had good water pressure. however, two days later, i vacuumed and when i went to start it back up, couldn’t get any presssure. tried to close ports and then primed it, then opened the ports, but will not get any pressure.
I have sand coming out when I backwash my filter. No sand is getting in the pool and the filter seems to be working fine but I am concerned about this sand when I backwash and what it could do to the filter. Thank you Karen
Hi Karen,
One of your laterals or the manifold / stand pipe inside of the filter may be starting to crack or go bad. When you have some time, I would recommend shutting the system down and inspecting all the internal parts of the filter.
Please let me know if you need any other help,
Joseph
PS: What brand and make of filter is this?
Joseph,
This is a Hayward filter only about 3 years old. I had to replace the umbrella with center pipe this spring. Do you really mean I will have to take all the new sand out and check everything? Am I damaging anything by running the filter right now? Thank-you Karen
Hi Karen,
Well, since you just said that, I would assume that some sand accidentally got into the stand pipe and laterals while you were changing parts, so this may be just a bit of residual coming out of the tank, if at the end of the season it gets worse or is still happening I personally would look into the tank and see what was up, but no, a small bit of sand being discharged out of the backwash line will not hurt the filter short term, but over time, you will need to add more sand to the filter.
I hope this has helped and let me know if you have any other questions,
Joseph
Joseph, Thank-you very much for your help. Karen
Joseph; You seem to know what you are talking about so here goes. I have trouble with my sand filter the last 3 years and the pool store can not seem to help It constantly leaks out the backwash. I have changed the gaskets, hoses spring and even the whole thing 3 times. it doesn’t matter what i do it strats leaking again. this year when i opened up it ran 5 days perfectly, then it started again I’ve even changed the sand with no results. I do know that when the handle is tight, it works as it should, but whan you tighten it, there is looseness. Any suggestions?
Hi Fred,
Can you tell me what make and model sand filter you have?
Then I can help you further, Thanks so much,
Joseph
Hi Fred,
What type of pump do you have on this filter?
Is it running with flexible hoses or hard PVC?
How often do you backwash?
Is your filter gauge working and if so, what is your PSI on start up with a clean filter?
Sorry for the questions, but if I am not there I need to know these things :)
Thanks and let me know, then I can suggest some things..
Joseph
Hayward model s166t
A,O.Smith 3/4 hp
flexible
every2to3 days
yes 42psi
centurypool/jeted tub motor
Hi Fred,
The “42 PS1” is way way to high, thats your issue, the pressure is blowing everything apart,
That system should run at 20 – 25 PSI max.
Hi Fred,
The “42 PS1″ is way way to high, thats your issue, the pressure is blowing everything apart,
That system should run at 20 – 25 PSI max.
The Solution:
WHAT YOU need to do is to get a “flow restrictor”
Its a little plastic disk that fits inside the “inlet” of the multi-port and will reduce the pressure so the gaskets don’t keep blowing out,
These small disks usually come with those types of filters ….
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Joseph
Don’t know if you received first response or not but the motor is a3/4hp A.O. Smith
century jethed
we have flexible hose
I generly backwash every2to3 days
yes we have a pressure gage and it has been at about 42psi
Hi Fred,
The “42 PS1″ is way way to high, thats your issue, the pressure is blowing everything apart,
That system should run at 20 – 25 PSI max.
The Solution:
WHAT YOU need to do is to get a “flow restrictor”
Its a little plastic disk that fits inside the “inlet” of the multi-port and will reduce the pressure so the gaskets don’t keep blowing out,
These small disks usually come with those types of filters ….
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Joseph
Joseph;
I took the pressure gage out and there si a disk on it. Put it back in the filter, and started it up. It ran fine for a couple of minjutes and started leaking again. The pressure was up to 48lbs. so I uplugged and have not attempted to start. This is the first time that the pressure has ever registered high. any more suggestions?
Hi Fred,
Try back washing the filter for a good 5 minutes, but make sure to add water to the pool as you will loose some while back washing, then “rinse” for 1 minute followed by another 2 minutes of back washing…
When was the last time you changed the sand?
Joseph