skimmer socks & backwashing

I tried these out for the first time this season and they work great. It's done such a good job that I've only backwashed once this season (30" sand filter). Typically, I would backwash when the pressure would go up 5-10 psi or if I noticed the water flow out of the returns dropped considerably. With the skim sock, the pressure hasn't varied other than a pound or two all season.

Here's my question...am I not backwashing enough? Other than blowing the collected debris out of the sand filter, is there another reason to backwash regularly? My hunch is that I should be doing it occasionally, but that might be another TEKTAT--things everybody knows that aren't true.
If I don't have to, I'd rather not waste the water.

Thanks,
Bill

I think most of us here only backwash when the pressure rises. I usually backwash when my pressure goes up about 5-6 psi. Others I think wait until it raises about 10.

I don’t get too excited about the pressure as much as flow. I watch the flow and when it drops I back wash. I know it’s a subjective thing but it works for me. I don’t back wash as often using skimmer socks.
Steve

I'm the same way--I'm the Apostle of Skimmer Socks! :D

When the skimmer doesn't seem to be pulling hard, I check the pressure and if it's up, I backwash. Till then, I don't bother. I just FINALLY am on my third skimmer sock of the season...It's a used one because I don't know where I put the new ones!:confused:

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Originally Posted by CarlD

I'm the same way--I'm the Apostle of Skimmer Socks! :D

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I can't believe the difference they make especially in the spring when those fluffy things from the cotton wood trees come to swim in the pool. I'm on #4 out of the 5 pack.

My only concern about using a sock would be that if the sock cloggs up you restrict (or block) the water flow to the pump. This could damage the pump if you run all skimmer and little main drain. I suppose you just need to check the skimmer/sock often if you choose to use one.

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Originally Posted by mshumack

My only concern about using a sock would be that if the sock cloggs up you restrict (or block) the water flow to the pump. This could damage the pump if you run all skimmer and little main drain. I suppose you just need to check the skimmer/sock often if you choose to use one.

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Um, yeah, that's generally a good idea. I try to check it at least every day.

Are you able to wash the skimmer socks and reuse them or once they get dirty do you throw them out?

What justifies dirty? Bugs on it or dirt all over the sock?

What's a skimmer sock?

Imagine a cross between a Mr.Coffee filter and a piece of panty-hose. You put it in your skimmer as a first filter. It catches an AMAZING amount of junk, finer than you'd expect.

I use them repeatedly, rinsing them out until they don't rinse (and start holding water) or they rip. I'm on my third so far this summer--just bin'd the 2nd this morning. They aren't expensive.

Thanks CarlD!!

I have read about them on this site and was thinking about giving them a shot. I just wasn't sure how they held up or when it would be time to replace.

Great product. First year and I am still on my first set. Amazing the amount of "stuff" they catch. I just dump the basket and hose off the sock as it hangs inverted... then pop the basket/sock back into the skimmer. Anybody try washing them?

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Originally Posted by Longgrove

Great product. First year and I am still on my first set. Amazing the amount of "stuff" they catch. I just dump the basket and hose off the sock as it hangs inverted... then pop the basket/sock back into the skimmer. Anybody try washing them?

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I do the exact same thing. I usually do this in the evenings before adding bleach. About an hour later, the pump shuts off for the night with a clean skimmer. This helps keep the nasties out of my filter for when the pump kicks back on in the morning.

I'm still on my first sock, it's been used about a month now and has only been rinsed off daily, no washing yet. Perhaps I'll throw it in the washer with the next load of whites and see what happens. :)

Now if I could only find a decent weight to keep the basket from floating away...

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Originally Posted by The Raddish

... Now if I could only find a decent weight to keep the basket from floating away...

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Is there something wrong with your rock :) I have a river rock about the size of tennis ball that goes right in my skimmer (usually inside the sock, but sometimes between the sock and the basket. I use a rock with some curve to it so it doesn't block much of the basket.

I have 5 that I wash and reuse. Rotate each day and when 4 are dirty I cary in and wash with a little dish washing liquid making sure I rinse very well. I do my pool in the am when I get off work and change socks each day.
Steve