First DE Backwash begins with higher pressure -Help please

[waste]

Bell, a couple of things. First you need to insert a "RINSE" cycle between backwash and filter, it cleans out the tank - without it, the debris that you've liberated from the grids but haven't gotten out through the backwash port will imbed itself on the, now uncoated, grids. The Rinse cycle should be 20-30 sec. Also, try backwash/rinse/backwash/rinse/backwash/rinse before inserting the filter cycle, you'll get most of the stuff out before the filter cycle but running the filter cycle will open a few new channels in the remaining de and allow you to get a little more out with another backwash/rinse. After doing this add 6 lbs of de to your 6020 via the skimmer (the label says 7.5, but that's only if you have a completely clean filter).
Too much de, 'overcharged' can obstruct the filter and cause a pressure rise, simmilarly, too little de, 'undercharged', can also cause a pressure rise as the grids weren't sufficiently coated and whatever was being filtered out imbedded itself on the grids (de backwashes off the grids fairly easily, algae, dirt etc tends to stick to them even when backwashing)
The best thing you can do to correct any previous over or under charging is to take the filter appart and clean the grids with a garden hose (it's easier with good pressure, but don't use a pressure washer) - you will get wet doing this, there are a couple of spots inside the grids that are very hard to direct the spray at. The wrench size for the bolts is 9/16, though you probably have the hand knob that came with the filter.
If you need any help with the taking it appart or putting it back together - just ask, I do it hundreds of times a year.

[bell7272]

great.

This is very helpful.

What psi should I look for when it's clean and at what psi should I backwash.


Thanks.

[bell7272]

Also, I have the Hayward Selecta Flow Value.


Settings are:


Filter
Waste
Backwash
Spa & Pool Boost


Is the Waste or the Boost setting the rinse you are referring to?

[waste]

great.

This is very helpful.

What psi should I look for when it's clean and at what psi should I backwash.


Thanks.

Depending on plumbing and pump size the pressure can be anywhere from ~8 - 20+ psi when clean. The way to determine when to backwash is to make note of the starting pressure when you know the unit to be clean and freshly de coated, when you see an 8 psi increase, it's time to backwash (I was going to ask why you'd backwashed @ 13 psi, but forgot to), in the past, I have used a grease pencil to mark the pressure gauge to show the 'backwash psi'. As a note, don't be alarmed if the filter's starting pressure rises 1 -2 psi from year to year, it's just a sign that the grids themselves are getting a little clogged and need a little chemical soaking. Glad to have been able to help!

[Mountain_Man]

My one year old DE6020 has a pointer embedded in the gage that has two arrows a green one for starting pressure and a red one for time to backwash pressure. They are tied together at an 8 psi difference. I don't need to backwash the filter but once or twice a year.