How often and how long do you backwash a sand filter

[AnnaK]

When you backwash have a white plastic pitcher handy. At first, the water coming out of the backwash hose will be brownish with lots of tiny bits and particles. After 15 - 20 seconds catch some of the water in the white pitcher and see how it looks. If it's still cloudy, keep it running. Backwashing my filter on a 12,000 gal pool takes about 45 seconds and a lot of water.

Rinsing packs the sand back down so it doesn't come shooting out of your return when you go back to the filter setting. I rinse for 30 seconds. Be sure you have plenty of water in the pool when you do this.

[missparker205]

It doesn't really have enough pressure to backwash. When I tried backwashing it the water in the clear viewing tube was clear, but the water was coming out very slow. It seems like my filter isn't working. I don't know what is going on.

[AnnaK]

Does your pool have a skimmer basket? It may be full of leaves. And is there a pot with a domed lid attached to your pump? If so, it may also have leaves and will need to be cleaned out.