If You're "thinking" It May Be Time To Change Sand In Filter

[Poconos]

The drains in sand filters usually have something to prevent sand from draining. In my Hayward it's a 'short' lateral. When they assembled the filter at the factory they forgot to put in this short lateral. On the first drain for winterizing a lot of sand came out. I just dealt with it. Siphoned when I removed the valve assembly. When I removed the sand to do some other work I made a lateral of the right size PVC pipe and cut fine slits in it. Yeah...could have gotten one from Hayward but this was less of a hassle. Bottom line, trying to wash sand out the drain won't work. Shop vac like you used is the easiest I think.
Al

[tenax]

hmmm..garbage a bit at a time..maybe i'll put it in all those empty bleach jugs

P, i think you are right..the drain is not simply a straight out opening..it appears to have a top and a gap all the way around in between , but i suspect it's either not big enough to let sand through or would get bunged up anyway.