Sand in pool after backwash/rinse

[wizzardz]

Decided to pull the top off the filter and check the laterals/sand/etc since the pool refused to clear up. Valve assembly pretty much lifted out easy enough...almost too easy.



Besides the tube being broken, I pulled the rest of the old laterals and they were just crusted over and one was missing. Fortunately I had decided to get new laterals and sand. The filter is draining very slowly so I'll have to wait overnight before I start pulling the old sand.

Whats the best couplings to use on the PVC to allow easy disconnections in the future?

[CarlD]

I like to use quick connect unions or union ball-valves if I need to isolate it. So my low-drain and skimmer have union ball valves. But between my pump and filter is just unions, and between the filter and the salt cell are unions. Between the cell and the return is a union ball valve. And so on...

[PoolDoc]

Carl's right -- I'm working on a HOW-TO on that topic for you.

Meanwhile, this detail from the picture above answers the, "what's happended to my sand?" question, and perfectly illustrates what happens when pool dudes over-size pumps and under-size filters:

[CarlD]

Yipes! That's about 10x as much as you should see!

Since I have an AG, I pull ALL the plumbing off to close and the way to do that is have quick-connect unions everywhere. Also, to isolate a section without having to plug returns, drains and the skimmer, ball valve unions make it faster and easier, say, for example, when you need to clean the pump's strainer basket, or clear SWCG protective screen. Or pull out your multi-valve!

[dcarlton]

Was going to chime in as this was actually the same problem I had today. Was getting sand in the pool after replacing XL valve and it working great for 12 hours. Went to backwash and really had no backwash pressure and really no rinse AND it was leaking out the waste port.

Thought is was the spider gasket (no), then a broken lateral (no) but like you discovered my pipe snapped at the lateral assembly. Replaced and back in business for now.