Hi please tell me how long to backwash ?

[sierrasmom]

How long do I backwash ?

[KurtV]

Do you have a sight glass on the bachwash line (bubble looking thing)? If so, backwash until the water in the sight glass is clear. If not, backwash for about 2 minutes, go back to filter mode, check your pressure to see if it has returned to the "clean" level, and repeat as necessary (though 2 minutes of backwashing will usually suffice).

Make sure that you shut down the pump each time before moving the handle on the multiport valve.

[PatL34]

Sierrasmom,

We need to know some details of your pool setup, ie. pool size, pump size, filter, solar panels if any to answer that question.

Pat

[sierrasmom]

27 round above ground pool 1.5 for the pump jacuzzi sand filter

[matt4x4]

Hi Sierrasmom,
it really doesn't matter how big/small or indifferent your pool is, whether your filter is black green red or blue, you backwash until your water coming out is clean/clear. Like Kurt mentioned, if you have a sight glass, it will tell you when to stop by the color (or lkack thereof)of the water, after stopping the pump, switch to rinse for about 10-20 seconds to clear out any debris still floating in the top of the filter.
If you do not have a sightglass, look at what's coming out the end of the hose - same deal there.
If your filter was extremely dirty, it may take 2 minutes or more to get it clean, if it was just somewhat dirty, a minute may do the job - see how pool size doesn't come into effect.

[sierrasmom]

ok thanks but someone asked how big my pool was and pump was .sorry i asked a question from now on i will just read and not ask ..i just need some questions answered we bought this pool from an individual it didnt come with anything i am just trying to get it clear so my daughter can enjoy it this summer ..

[Brock]

My routine is switch to backwash, watch the sight glass and watch for clear water, usually about a minute, then rinse, then back to filter, shutting off the pump between any filter position changes.

I have never really thought of this before but should you typically backwash in high speed on a two speed pump, would it matter, just take more time on low speed? I have always backwashed in high speed.

[Poolidiot]

Sierrasmom,
Keep asking questions, it is the best wau to learn. I dont think Matt was saying anything bad about your question he was just leting you know that the size of pool doesnt matter as far as backwashing. ( seeing how you were asked that question earlier) Sometimes on this here internet box it is hard to tell when someone is typing if they are being a smart ass or not and knowing the post Matt has posted before , he was not beng smart, and welcome to the pool learning center.

[hrsdennis]

diddo the pool idiot. Sierrasmom, Matt had the correct answer. He was not in any way putting you down for answering the question about size, ect. He would not do that. It is just that size does not matter. Your question was a good one, people new to pools need to know this.

You may have more questions before you are a pool expert, we are all here to help.

Later, Dennis

[sierrasmom]

ok thanks i have a filteration problem i think .i can backwash and i have good pressure and then there is hardly any pressure .i just dont understand what is wrong i believe this is my trouble ...thanks for all your help

[hrsdennis]

Hi again, The first thing I would check would be an air leak in the hair and lint pot. By looking through the clear lid you should be able to tell if it is full of air or water. If it is full of air try greasing the o ring. If it is full of water how long does the filter run at full pressure after backwashing, before loosing pressure?

Let us know, Dennis

[matt4x4]

Hi Sierrasmom,
As posted above, yes, I was not trying to be a smarta__ with you, I understand that you are new to the pool thing, I was really just trying to make a point that some people (especially those with some knowledge of this stuff) should not ask irrelevant questions especially directed to newbies who could get easily confused - the KISS principle still works well in most cases.
My point was that backwashing is directly related to the amount of dirt the filter has collected and nothing else - well, maybe the flow rate of the pump, but I think you know what I mean....
I don't know if you've allready checked this, but some people forget to check teh lint basket in teh pump and only ever check the skimmer basket - sometimes crud in teh pump basket can make your system act up too, aside form that, yes, a suction side air leak could be the problem - suction side means before ot at the pump - many times the gasket for the pump lid or a low water level can be to blame, if you're within about 1" of the bottom of the skimmer with your pool water level, that can be to blame.

[sierrasmom]

ok thanks it has water in it no air that i can see ..it runs 30 ,minutes then it loses pressure .could this be a hose stopped up thanks for all your help and thanks Matt for your help to ...

[hrsdennis]

Hi, it appears an air leak is not your problem. My second choice is the filter is trying to clean dirty water. It could be the algae that is clogging the filter. In this case you would need to get the right chemicals into your pool to kill the algae and backwash the filter often until it clears up.

If the water is clean, I’m stumped.

Dennis

[sierrasmom]

ok my husband changed sand yesterday because someone told him that was whats wrong .but that is not it it still will not keep good pressure when you hook the vaccumm up to it ...I dont know what else to do other than scream ..it has new sand but is still acting up when i hook my aqua bug up sorry all the questions

[fullhouse]

are you only having trouble when you try to vaccum? do you remove the skimmer basket when you vaccum so that you get a better seal?:confused:

[sierrasmom]

yes i do i dont know what else it can be

[matt4x4]

When it stops sucking, does teh pump have air in it?
How much above the bottom of the skimmer is your water level?
Have you checked for a leak in teh aquabug hose?
Do you have a 2 speed pump and have you tried vacuuming on high?
This may help narrow it down....

[sierrasmom]

ok the pool store we got the pump from said it was a seal and the propeller broke .but i dont know if this will work or not i guess we are going to buy a 2 speed pump no aqua bug is new i got it for mothers day

[matt4x4]

if the impeller broke you should not have much of any pressure ever, it should not start fine and stop after a while. A bad seal will allow air into the pump housing and you should see that right away.

[sierrasmom]

I know i believe that they just told me that i dont know .i dont know if i need to buy another pump or just try and use this one ..