How Do I Winterize My Sand Filter?

This is my first winter with my Hayward Sand filter with 150 lbs of sand. And I live in a harsh winter climate where snows can accumulate to over 5 feet. I do not intend to empty it of the sand, but how should I best winterize it. (Not the pool, but the filter.) Should I take the head off and cover it with a tarp, and bring the motor indoors? What do you do with yours, if you have one?

I live in MA. In the past I've taken the whole filter into the garage. In doing so I cracked a lateral because of the sand shifting. This year I'm going to bring in the pump and take top off the filter bring that in also and then cover the rest of the filter with a heavy duty trash bag.

I moved this thread to the Fall Prep forum.
On the sand filter you just need to drain it. There should be a drain plug/cap, so just open it and leave the cap off until Spring. By the 'head' I assume you mean the valve assembly. Not necessary to remove it but be sure to take the pressure gauge inside. Freezing destroys them.
Al

It is aslo recomended to put the valve leaver between settings to relieve the presssure on the gasket.

Are you in favor of removing the valve assembly (What I referred to as the 'head'? If so, what's the best way to cover the gaping hole? lol

Depends... If your comfortable that all the water is properly blown out or not. Also depends if your pipes can be easily disconnected without damage. I take mine off and cover the hole with a sheet of plastic. I hold the plastic in place using the ring clamp for the valve head.

George

What does the "winter" setting on the valve really do - close all inputs/outputs or relieve pressure as GHM stated ?

My pool place recommended using a shop vac to suck out remaining water from the lower drain - ?

Also curious as to the motor - is it better to cover it - or just let it sit ?

All the recommendations I've seen on this site is to bring the pump indoors.

with all due respect, there is no more need to bring a pump indoors then a filter if the drain plugs have been pulled and everything is bled..that being said, if you have easy disconnects, it never hurts that's for sure..i'm one to talk i guess..i have a pool shed, that's all nice and closed up, but i built a dummy pipe to put in place of my salt water chlorinator flow switch and power cell manifold for the winter..i'll likely just remove the cell and bring in for the winter when it's all said and done:)

i can't be bothered frankly to pull my pump and bring it inside..i've had the pump for 4 years myself and have never seen any sign of corrosion or had any issues..sure, i'm out of the snow, but it's still in the cold.

the one thing i'd suggest if you do leave outside beyond pulling plugs and blowing air out (which should be done for the whole system anyway) is make sure you don't seal it in something that will create condensation..if it were me,i'd probably use some kind of loose tarp or burlap and securely seal around edges so snow can't get in, but not have it too tight to the pump.

Tribe, the 'winter' setting keeps the gasket inside from 'bonding' to the seal plate, therefore preventing tearing of the gasket when the handle is turned next season. It keeps all the ports open so no freeze damage can occur if it freezes

not to do with winterizing, but is it true that when you move the lever to filter, backwash, rinse etc should you always be rotating it in the same direction.....such as clockwise or counter? I heard you should choose a direction and stick with it????
Sorry to dent the subject, but was reading up on "winterizing" learning as well, and thought of this ?

It shouldn't matter which way you turn the handle, however a bunch of 'pool pros' say to do it only one direction.(I was taught this at the same time I was taught to only use 'pool store chems' and that bleach is bad for a pool :rolleyes: ) A properly lubed and maintained multiport doesn't need that. I think what they're trying to avoid is the 'spider' or 'wagon wheel' gasket unseating or tearing. I've found this to be a 'non issue' as long as the multiport is properly cared for.