Sand in the Pool after replacing sand

[Richardjoslin]

Good morning. I have a good amount of small sand piles throughout my pool after running the filter. Full disclosure, I had small amounts of sand in my pool a few weeks ago and removed all the sand and inspected the laterals. They all looked good, but the bottom of the standpipe appeared to have a slight crack. It was hard to tell if it was a crack or just a line engraved in the pipe. I put FlexSeal tape on, put the laterals on and put the standpipe and laterals back in the filter and put in new sand. But, now I have more sand in the pool.

I bought a new standpipe and lateral that is on the way. Should I add water in the filter before adding sand? Any other tips or recommendations? I’m assuming that engraving was a crack, but honestly not sure.

Thank you all.

 

[Texas Splash]

Should I add water in the filter before adding sand?

Yes, always. Be sure to cover the standpipe opening at the top as well so you don't get sand in there by accident. Pour the sand slowly and be sure to do a very thorough first backwash and rinse. A really good one to help flush out the extremely fine dust and particles so that the good sand will settle.

 

[Richardjoslin]

Yes, always. Be sure to cover the standpipe opening at the top as well so you don't get sand in there by accident. Pour the sand slowly and be sure to do a very thorough first backwash and rinse. A really good one to help flush out the extremely fine dust and particles so that the good sand will settle.

Thank you. About how much water? Also, I can’t see the sand coming out of the return. Is it just not able to be seen by the naked eye …., of a 54 year old - lol?

 

[Texas Splash]

Yeah, don't get me started on my vision. About a foot of water should help protect the laterals as you pour slowly. That should be good enough to allow you to develop a sand based over them. The stuff shooting out of the jets might be the initial new sand sediment that is finer than the #20/0.45 sized grains we like for that can't slip through the lateral slots. That new sand sediment might be hard to see. But if you ever want to see what is shooting out of the jet, see if you can grab a nylon hose and attach it to the jet. Nylons are fine and should be able to capture anything blowing out so you can inspect it.

 

[Richardjoslin]

Yeah, don't get me started on my vision. About a foot of water should help protect the laterals as you pour slowly. That should be good enough to allow you to develop a sand based over them. The stuff shooting out of the jets might be the initial new sand sediment that is finer than the #20/0.45 sized grains we like for that can't slip through the lateral slots. That new sand sediment might be hard to see. But if you ever want to see what is shooting out of the jet, see if you can grab a nylon hose and attach it to the jet. Nylons are fine and should be able to capture anything blowing out so you can inspect it.

Thank you. I’m hoping replacing the laterals and center pipe will do the trick.

 

[Richardjoslin]

I just replaced the old later and standpipe. I think there was a small crack in it, but not 100% sure. Anyway, I took out all the old sand, cleaned out the filter, filled it about a foot with clean water, put the standpipe back in, and put in the sand I had taken out. The sand that I was putting back in was wet. After I finished putting all the sand back in, I put the multi-port valve back on the filter and it needed to be pushed down a little before I added the clamp to the filter to seal it up. I finished putting everything back together, backwashed and rinsed the filter and started it on filter mode. Sand is back in my pool. Is there anything else that could be wrong besides damaged laterals or standpipe? Maybe I damaged the laterals when I was putting the multi-port valve back on. I am just wondering if there is any other possible reason sand is in the pool since the lateral I replaced did not have any noticeable damage. Thanks again.