Replacing DE filter grids

[Tristie88]

I am pretty sure one of my DE filter grids has a hole/tear, since I have been getting debris and some DE blowing back into the pool, especially while vacuuming. I found a great suggestion on here about using queen size knee highs in the skimmer basket to catch debris before it goes through the filter. That has worked amazingly, but I know I need to address the problem of the filter.
My question is....when there is a hole in a filter grid, is it going to be obvious when I see it, or could it be a tiny thing that I won't see easily? I have never actually disassembled the grids when I cleaned them, because I've read that getting them back together can be a nightmare. If I am going to have to take it apart to find the tear, would it be best to just replace the grid with the tear, or is it best to replace all of them at the same time.
The filter is a Hayward 3600, and it was here with the house when we bought it, so it is about 11 years old. Will I even be able to find replacement parts for a filter that old, or will we need to look at replacing the whole thing?
Thanks!

[PoolDoc]

Here's a link with a diagram:
http://www.poolcenter.com/parts_filt...icro_clear.htm

I'm going to try to let someone with actual experience with that filter answer your other questions.

Ben

[waste]

Welcome to the Forum!

If my experience working on a couple few hundred of these filters will help, I'm here for you

About the time your filter was made Hayward changed from Pro-Grid to Micro-Clear as the model, it did not effect the filter's internal nest so you can still get new grids.

I'd take the nest apart and inspect every square inch of each grid for signs of wear or rips - replace any that show signs of weakening.

However, before you use 2 1/2" wrenches (one on the top nut and one on the bottom nut) to get the grids out, mark the location of the small grid on the top manifold (i.e. which hole it slides into) also note how the grids fit into the bottom. This will help you get the beast back together with 'less' headaches. If you can take a couple digital pics while you're disassembling it, that would ease putting it back together correctly. It would be helpful, for you, if you made a magic marker line on the bottom plate ("Element Locator") that follows one of the grids [once you get one in correctly, the rest fall into place - but remember to have the short grid in the proper place- the other 7 are interchangeable).

If any of the plastic pieces on the top of the grids are broken or missing, replace that grid also.

The easiest way to make sure the grids are oriented correctly is too install them in the manifold (top) first and then match up the element locator on the bottom - but this causes it's own issues.

Also be sure to check the manifold for cracks/ breaks and the air bleeder tube.

This is woefully incomplete but I'm around most nights, after work, to help.

[Watermom]

.......but I'm around most nights, after work, to help.

And, though we don't say it often enough, we appreciate your help, Ted!

[Tristie88]

Thanks!
So is there a usual life-span for the filter grids? If I am going to have to take it apart to replace one with a tear, would it be best to just replace them all at the same time?

[CarlD]

Ted's the expert on these filters, not me, but I think if the grid shows no sign of wear, there's no reason to replace it. He did say inspect it for tears AND signs of wear.

Carl

[waste]

To paraphrase what Carl said - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. However, I've heard of folks getting a full set of new grids for less than buying 5 grids 'a-la-carte' - if you can find such a deal, you'd have back up grids for the future.

The expected lifetime on them depends on how well they are treated but the worst thing for them is being 'over driven' (running the filter with too much pressure) which is usually the result of not backwashing in a timely manner or of overloading the DE. Have you seen this thread?

(thanks Mom )

[Watermom]

(thanks Mom )

You're welcome!

[PoolDoc]

Thanks, Ted.

[waste]

Thanks, Ted.

Oh, no Ben, it's I who should be thanking you!

Before I stumbled onto this site, I was one of those 'pool dudes' who just trusted what the chem companies told us I found this site and Pool Solutions and learned how to properly take care of a pool - you've helped a large number of folks by sharing your knowledge that won't ever know it's because of you and this forum (I tried to tell customers about this site but the boss made me stop )

It hasn't been said lately but, I'm (we are) sooo VERY happy you are back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!