Pentair Triton TR140 Sand in Pool

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josephny

Well-known member
Jun 4, 2009
138
Sullivan County, NY
This season I'm noticing that after a few days there is sand in my pool.

Googling around I see that the most likely cause is broken laterals.

I have no experience with emptying a sand filter or replacing laterals.

And, I have suspected an air leak at the top lid for some time.

My pool is pushing 60,000 gallons.

My questions are:

1) How confident should I be that the problem is one (or more) broken laterals?

2) How difficult is it to remove the sand and replace laterals?

3) How silly is it of me to consider replacing the entire filter instead of undertaking to remove the sand (which I understand would need to be done anyway in order to remove the existing filter) and hoping to find a broken lateral (or 2) and replace them?

Thank you!
 
josephny said:
How confident should I be that the problem is one (or more) broken laterals?
Click to expand...
The odds are in that direction - laterals or connecting hub assembly.

josephny said:
How difficult is it to remove the sand and replace laterals?
Click to expand...
Ideally just tedious and a bit of labor. Hand scooping and ShopVac to remove the sand. Place sand on a tarp for reuse. I believe your filter has a side-mount MPV, so that shouldn't be an issue (sometimes MPVs can be stuck to the top of the center standpipe which can be frustrating). With a side mount, you just have to remove the top cover and be careful of the parts inside as you go deeper to remove the sand.
 
josephny said:
How silly is it of me to consider replacing the entire filter instead of undertaking to remove the sand (which I understand would need to be done anyway in order to remove the existing filter) and hoping to find a broken lateral (or 2) and replace them?
Click to expand...
Significant price difference. Safe to say most people would probably go the repair route first unless the filter vessel itself was so old it was starting to show signs of structural wear or compromise.
 
Texas Splash said:
The odds are in that direction - laterals or connecting hub assembly.


Ideally just tedious and a bit of labor. Hand scooping and ShopVac to remove the sand. Place sand on a tarp for reuse. Sometimes the MPV can be stuck to the top of the center standpipe which can be frustrating.
Click to expand...

Thanks so much for the quick response.

Very high odds?

I don't understand the MPV being stick to the center of the standpipe. My very limited understanding is that the MPV is external to the filter. Do I need to disconnect the 2" in and out connections to the filter to remove the sand and replace the laterals?

As far as the sand, I've read a bunch of threads discussing the possible unlimited lifespan of pool sand, but I wonder if replacing the sand would be a prudent thing to do while I've got it out (pool sand is about 6 years old and probably has lots of dirt in it)?

Thanks.
 
josephny said:
I don't understand the MPV being stick to the center of the standpipe.
Click to expand...
Sorry, I removed that comment after I posted. I believe you have a side mount so the MPV being on top is not an issue for you. The MPV would stay attached on the side. Once in the filter you'll see the top and bottom elbows that protrude "IN" from the MPV bulkhead areas into the filter. You may have to just be careful with those as you explore the filter.

A damaged or separated lateral is quite common for pools that see sand on the floor. On some occasions it's something locally that blew into the pool. To be sure, try attaching a nylon to the return jet(s) where you see sand. If sand spits out of the jets, you know it's from the filter.

While sand doesn't wear out or go bad, some owners elect to change it anyway, especially if someone else lived there before and it is unknown if bad pool store products (i.e. floc, clarifier, etc) were added that could compromise the sand. If you open it up to inspect, you might see right away if the sand looks like good beach sand, or if its hard as a rock or clumpy/gummy.
 
Texas Splash said:
Sorry, I removed that comment after I posted. I believe you have a side mount so the MPV being on top is not an issue for you. The MPV would stay attached on the side. Once in the filter you'll see the top and bottom elbows that protrude "IN" from the MPV bulkhead areas into the filter. You may have to just be careful with those as you explore the filter.

A damaged or separated lateral is quite common for pools that see sand on the floor. On some occasions it's something locally that blew into the pool. To be sure, try attaching a nylon to the return jet(s) where you see sand. If sand spits out of the jets, you know it's from the filter.

While sand doesn't wear out or go bad, some owners elect to change it anyway, especially if someone else lived there before and it is unknown if bad pool store products (i.e. floc, clarifier, etc) were added that could compromise the sand. If you open it up to inspect, you might see right away if the sand looks like good beach sand, or if its hard as a rock or clumpy/gummy.
Click to expand...

Great, I'll go that route. 8 laterals plus a hub is about $250 vs. almost $2k for a new filters.

Can I just use a shop vac to suck the sand out?
 
Make sure in the replacement stage you are careful and ask away if not sure. The first bit of sand while stabilizing the center tube is the key to a successful sand filter fix. More sand then is called for is not good. Pool filter sand ONLY. Water at the bottom before refilling with sand is crucial for not breaking laterals.
 
wireform said:
Make sure in the replacement stage you are careful and ask away if not sure. The first bit of sand while stabilizing the center tube is the key to a successful sand filter fix. More sand then is called for is not good. Pool filter sand ONLY. Water at the bottom before refilling with sand is crucial for not breaking laterals.
Click to expand...

Fantastic advice.

How do I physically get to the bottom of the filter to unscrew the old and screw in the new laterals? Do I just stick my upper body into the top and reach around the interal filter piping?
 

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josephny said:
How do I physically get to the bottom of the filter to unscrew the old and screw in the new laterals? Do I just stick my upper body into the top and reach around the interal filter piping?
Click to expand...
Take a look at the diagram I have lined below. I believe your laterals either unscrew or twist to be removed from the hub. Once all the sand is out, you'll carefully disconnect the upper pipe which has the diffuser on top. Then you'll separate the lower pipe assembly that comes in from the MPV. They should just pull apart I believe. Then you'll carefully lift up the lower pipe assembly with the laterals and hub assembly. Once you get it close to the top of the filter opening, that's when you'll remove each lateral to get the hub completely out of the filter body.

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Texas Splash said:
Take a look at the diagram I have lined below. I believe your laterals either unscrew or twist to be removed from the hub. Once all the sand is out, you'll carefully disconnect the upper pipe which has the diffuser on top. Then you'll separate the lower pipe assembly that comes in from the MPV. They should just pull apart I believe. Then you'll carefully lift up the lower pipe assembly with the laterals and hub assembly. Once you get it close to the top of the filter opening, that's when you'll remove each lateral to get the hub completely out of the filter body.

www.poolzoom.com

PoolZoom - Pool Supplies & Parts

Shop the best pool parts and supplies at PoolZoom. Quick shipping and huge in-stock inventory!
www.poolzoom.com www.poolzoom.com
Click to expand...

Got it!

I ordered all new laterals and the base hub, and 20 grade sand.

But now I'm wondering if I caused the problem myself because I backwashed and skipped the rinse portion of the instructions (just saw those instructions on how to backwash).
 
josephny said:
But now I'm wondering if I caused the problem myself because I backwashed and skipped the rinse portion of the instructions (just saw those instructions on how to backwash).
Click to expand...
Oh no! Geez, sand filter 101 and we never even discussed that earlier. :( Well, that could be the culprit. If you learn that the failure to rinse was the problem, you should be able to return those parts. Let us know how it goes.
 

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