Cloudy Water from Jets after Backwash

[Mike n Sue]

We just backwashed our in ground pool (17X33, 22,000 gal approx) and the jets squirted cloudy water for about 30 minutes, until we returned the water level to the correct level. This summer is the first time this has ever happened in the 5 years we've had the pool. Water was about an inch low when this happened. We have a salt system pool with a sand filtration system. Any help??

Mike n Sue
Clarksville, TN

[PoolDoc]

It's common for sand filters to eject cloudy water for a couple of minutes after being backwashed -- the "RINSE" position is used to avoid this. But I've never seen or heard of a filter ejecting dirty water for 30 minutes.

Could it have been air, ejected because your water level got low? Under certain conditions, air will become dissolved in the water, and then appear cloudy once it returns to the pool. Usually when this happens, there will be a fine layer of bubbles on every surface it the pool. If you are in the pool, it will make your skin feel slick, but if you run your hand over your skin, you'll see tiny bubbles being released and floating to the surface.

[Mike n Sue]

We always do rinse after backwashing. Could we not be rinsing long enough?

[PoolDoc]

Rinsing shouldn't take more than 5 minutes.

Simple test: make sure your water level is OK next time you backwash. If you have no further problem, consider it solved.

[Watermom]

5 minute to rinse??? I usually rinse for 30 seconds.

[PoolDoc]

5 minutes is a maximum, not the minimum.