Deep clean sand filter

[mrm1682]

Getting ready to open the pool this year myself and I’m thinking I should clean out the sand filter. Pool was built in 2021 and during that time we had all the usual gunk fall into the pool including surrounding dirt/sand, release powder from stamped concrete, etc. Last year was a first full season and all was good but towards the end I wanted to give the sand filter a deep clean but things came up and never got around to it before closing. Now I’d like to have a fresh start to this year but not sure when I should clean out the sand. Should I do it before opening? Should I let the pool run for a couple of weeks then deep clean it? Does it even matter one way or another?

I’m planning on following this process…

Deep Cleaning a Sand Filter

This post will walk you through the anatomy of a sand filter, and then provide a video at the end for how to deep clean your sand filter. The filter used in the photos and videos is a Hayward S180T top mount sand filter. The images are of a similar filter. Obviously not all filters are...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Mdragger88]

It doesn’t matter but I would think it would be easier while you’re not depending on the pool to be running incase you run into trouble like needing a little sand or a part. I know it easier for me as I have an above ground pool & while winterized all the lines are unhooked already.
Here’s the guide link incase you need it

Deep Cleaning a Sand Filter

This post will walk you through the anatomy of a sand filter, and then provide a video at the end for how to deep clean your sand filter. The filter used in the photos and videos is a Hayward S180T top mount sand filter. The images are of a similar filter. Obviously not all filters are...

www.google.com

 

[Newdude]

No matter when you do it, you'll be better off than having not done it.


I like @Mdragger88 's risk assessment of doing it early before it matters. Things breaking is a part of life, even if they're fairly new. That said, I'd deep clean it after the pollen was done falling.

 

[mrm1682]

That’s kind of what I was thinking but also wasn’t sure how “solid” the sand would be after sitting in the winter for a few months. Probably would need to agitate the sand a bit once filled but carefully so I don’t break the laterals.

 

[mrm1682]

Got it done today because I had another repair I wanted to take care of before opening the pool. There was a decent amount of gunk that washed. Is the water supposed to run clear? I pushed the hose up and down in different areas of the filter for about 30 min and no matter what the water wouldn’t run completely clear. I’m sure it’s better than before but I’m second guessing if I should’ve done it longer.

 

[Mdragger88]

It’s probably fine, sand is kinda always dirty. I doubt you could get it to run crystal clear.
Be sure to backwash until clear in the sight glass after getting everything back together & then rinse until there’s no sand in the sight glass.

 

[woodyp]

It takes seemingly forever to get most of the gu nk out of one.

 

[sidschaefer]

looking forward to performing this deep clean.
i worked with a sand filter (old fiberglass bottle) for 20 years, had no problems. when doing a back flush the sight glass would run very dirty for 15-30 seconds and then clear up. while out of state for 10 yrs, the pool was being maintained professionally during rental, and at some point (2018) they replaced my filter with a Pentair SD60, seems like a nice unit. however does not seem to be filtering very well, and one thing i notice is that during a backflush i seldom notice dirty water. Backflush does bring the pressure down from 17 to 14 psi. So i am hoping this deep clean procedure will restore efficiency. Pool sat idle/closed/covered for the last couple years, and was/is pretty dirty.

 

[Mdragger88]

looking forward to performing this deep clean.
i worked with a sand filter (old fiberglass bottle) for 20 years, had no problems. when doing a back flush the sight glass would run very dirty for 15-30 seconds and then clear up. while out of state for 10 yrs, the pool was being maintained professionally during rental, and at some point (2018) they replaced my filter with a Pentair SD60, seems like a nice unit. however does not seem to be filtering very well, and one thing i notice is that during a backflush i seldom notice dirty water. Backflush does bring the pressure down from 17 to 14 psi. So i am hoping this deep clean procedure will restore efficiency. Pool sat idle/closed/covered for the last couple years, and was/is pretty dirty.

Based on the history (pool service) be prepared to change the sand if it is really clumpy & you can’t break that up with the hose.
There’s no telling what they used (floc/clarifiers) along with it sitting so long afterwards.
That’s really the only reason to ever change sand - otherwise it’s pretty hard to ruin it.