DE filters, how we love to hate them

[rmeden]

a DE filter you can't backwash? Why not just buy a backwash valuve and install it before the filter?

I don't think the backwash valve came with my filter, I think it was just added during the install.

Robert

[Mr. Ali]

a DE filter you can't backwash? Why not just buy a backwash valuve and install it before the filter?

I don't think the backwash valve came with my filter, I think it was just added during the install.

Robert

It is kind of strange, it doesn't bother me much really because I would want to open the filter up and clean it anyway.

The backwash valve isnt really what this thread is about, its mostly about the DE that is going back into the pool. I just don't understand how DE can be going back into the pool, i have brand new grids and a new maifold. I just dont see how the DE is going past the grids and back into the pool...

[cleancloths]

Don't know if you can do this with your valve (mine can) but try placing the valve in the recirculate mode when you first start up and then after a few minutes valve it back to the pool -- this should solve your problem if it is only happening in the first few minutes of operation.

[mshumack]

You may have a torn membrane allowing some DE to pass. I also read that adding too much DE can result in some getting into the pool - but in your case I would suspect a tear.

[CarlD]

I remember my dad would "backwash" by opening the drain valve on the bottom of the filter, and plugging the return line.

[gitchesum]

If you are getting DE in the pool, you have eihter a improperly installed set of grids or there is a small hole in one or more of them.

I went through the same thing late last year.

Since I'm a true believer in "If you want it done right, do it yourself", I pulled the filter apart and cleaned each grid. Then I went over each and every one of them spending almost 15-20 minutes on each one. I found one small hole near the manifold attachment on one of the grids, and I mean less than 1/2" stiching was coming apart and was causing a major issue for me.

If you don't want to mess with it, I would at least look into getting a new pool service. Sounds like the last guy wasn't very thorough