New pool owner and have MANY questions. Need help!

[aylad]

Sounds like an air leak--do you notice an air bubble in the pump basket before the pump is turned on? Or obvious water leaking anywhere? What about water standing on the multiport handle?

Janet

[Txboynjgirl]

I did have some water standing on my multiport handle. I purchased a new gasket for it. I was going to install this weekend. The last two days, it's been dry. I'm still going to install it.

I am going to call the pool guy to come out and check my system because of the sand. It has to be a leak. Where's a good place to buy pool sand (lowes?). I read that there is much debate on whether you should change sand or not. I might just add since I have this leak.

Thanks, Janet for all your help.

[aylad]

I know it sounds stupid, but if the gasket in the multiport handle is messed up, enough to have water leaking around it, it can cause sand to blow into the pool when you first turn on the pump. I can't explain why, but I know that it happens in my pool about once per season, and that's when I know it's time to replace the gasket. It stops after the gasket is replaced.

You can get pool sand at Lowe's, Home Depot, wherever--just make sure it's pool sand, because playground sand is not the same stuff.

Janet

[Txboynjgirl]

I have a Hayward s244t sand filter. The multiport valve is spo714T. I can not find the same gasket to replace. I can only find to replace the whole multiport. Do you even replace the gasket on this particular model? The one on the multiport looks to be good.

I have sand leaking into my pool and I thought this might be a first step before calling somebody.

[Txboynjgirl]

Well, Hayward company contacted me about the gasket question. Apparently, for that multiport model...the gasket is molded on and they do not have any replacement gaskets. Mine seems to be fine. I guess it's a lateral or sand pipe problem.

Should I go ahead and replace the sand or just save the few $$ and not worry about it?

[aylad]

Ordinarily I would say don't worry about replacing the sand, because it can go literally years before it needs replacing. However, in your case, since it's a pool you bought and don't really know the history of, and since you're going to have to remove all the sand to check for lateral cracking anyway, it might not be a bad idea to go ahead and replace it. Not only to make sure you don't have residual crud in it from the previous owners, but also to establish your own history with the pool and to make sure that you have the right amount of sand in the filter from the beginning.

Just my $0.02

Janet