higher pressure noted this year and dont know why

i have a hayward s240 sand filter and it has always run around 14 psi if backwashing not needed - well this year i crank things up and backwash but my pressure is 20 in filter setting - backwash and all other settings are around 14 like normal but i cant figure out why my pressure is up - i replaced sand year before last and i even tried the sand cleaner stuff yesterday - i am afraid to leave it running since its higher and was thinking if its something with the sand - i plan to vacuum out the sand and replace with that zeosand stuff but its pricy - anyone have any suggestions - i dont think its the gauge - anyone know if the zeosand will run lower pressures ? than the sand maybe and have just as good of flow and filtration - i may have put too much sand in it when i replaced the sand but still i have never had a 20 pressure except when it needed backwashing really bad - where is the cheapest place for this zeosand ? thanks

When you turn off your filter does the pressure gauge drop down to 0? If it does then your gauge is not broke.

I switched to Zeosand last year also. Can't remember how much I paid for it though. Found it at a local pool store, lots cheaper than any place online. PSI dropped from about 18 to 15. Don't see much difference in the pool water so I think it was a waste of money.

I think I should have just stuck with the regular sand with a little bit of DE added.

Bail the zeosand plan and get a 5# bag of DE. Search here for the many posts about adding SMALL amounts of DE to sand filters, and then see if that’s a way you want to go. There are as many pro arguments as there are cons against DE, so weigh your options beforehand. Be warned, this does cause an increase in pressure, but only 1-2 psi increase.

Silly question, but did you change the size of the pressure-side 'eyes' in the pool? This restriction in flow could increase pressure. Are all of the output side valves fully open? Is there a way to open your air release in the filter to make sure there is no air trapped in there? You could try to turn off the pump, slowly rotate the multi-port to each stop, then back to filter then turn the pump on again. Just a wild swag there. Lastly, and most troublesome, there could be physical restriction in the pressure side plumbing, perhaps some collapsed flex-pvc...again, wild arse guess.

I noted slightly higher pressure this year as well, but since it's well under the limits of the filter, pump, and plumbing, I am not too concerned about it.

Hope this helps
Peace,
J