Hayward - Pool Filters

Question 1
My sand filter is running at high pressures.

Question 2
My sand filter is running in short cycles.

Question 3
There is sand at the bottom of the pool.

Question 4
My cartridge filter will not clear algae from the pool.

Question 5
My DE filter is running at high pressures and has a slow flow of water returning back to the pool.

Question 6
My DE filter short cycles even after I backwash or regenerate and recharge.

Question 7
My DE filter is leaking back into the pool.

Question 8
My DE filter has short cycles when vacuuming.

Question 9
Will backwashing or regenerating my DE filter thoroughly clean my filter.

Question 10
How often do I need to change the DE.

Question 11
The pool will not stay clear.

Question 12
My filter is noisy.

Question 13
My Vari-Flo valve leaks to waste.

Answer 1

• Follow the backwashing instructions in your Owner's Manual. The sand bed may be clogged with mineral deposits that will not backwash away. Some calcium based chlorines and other alternative sanitizers will build up in your sand bed, and will require more frequent backwashing and changing of the sand.
• Before you replace all the sand in your filter, try removing approximately 1" of the top layer of the sand, replace with the exact amount of sand you removed. Normal life span of the sand is about 4 - 5 years.
• You may have to clean your filter system with a special filter cleaner, check with your pool dealer for proper procedures.
• Check to see if there is a closed or partially closed valve along your return piping, open the valve.
• Your pump may be too small to provide sufficient flow for proper backwashing. Your filter will function, but a lower design flow rate will cause your system to backwash improperly. Check the output of the pump to be sure that it equals your filter's design flow rate. Replace the pump if it is too small.

Answer 2

• Improper backwashing could be the reason. Always backwash until the water runs clear in the valve's sight glass, usually about two minutes.
• You may have live algae causing the filter to clog. By testing the water balance with a test kit and super chlorinating, you should solve this problem.

NOTE: Some test kits may provide inaccurate results, we suggest taking a water sample to your pool dealer for evaluation. Be sure to take a water sample before shocking the pool.

Answer 3

• The sand you are using could be too small, which will go through the filter system, then back into the pool. Remove the sand and replace it with the proper grade of sand - #20 Silica or 45-55mm pool sand, which can be found at your local pool dealer.
• Your pump may be too big for your filter. During backwashing the pressure can cause the sand to rise high enough to overflow into the standpipe, allowing sand to flow back into the pool. Refer to your Owner's Manual for the correct amount of sand for your filter (Owner's Manuals are available online under the product page for your filter).
• There could be a loose lateral located at the bottom of your filter. Tighten any loose laterals, replace if broken.
• Most calcium based chlorine, both powder or tablets, contain from 30 - 35% of what is called inert materials. This is calcium residue or dust, which many pool owners mistake for sand. You can confirm this by following these steps: During vacuuming, use a hand vac and pole. As the vac head approaches, , the sand will lay on the bottom, and will allow itself to be picked up. Most calcium residue will scatter away from the vac head as you try to pick it up.
• If you have this problem, we recommend that you put extra water in your pool and vacuum to the waste line. If you vacuum to the filter, some of it will be trapped on the sand surface, allowing dust to get back into your pool.

Answer 4
The three filter types will clear up algae, provided it is not in a live state. Consult your local pool dealer for the proper chemicals to help rid the algae. Most cartridge filter problems are caused by dirty, clogged or abused elements. Either clean the elements, or replace if torn or damaged.

Answer 5
The DE filter is loaded with too much debris or algae and needs backwashing or regeneration. If this problem persists and you notice the filter gauge pressure rising from 7 - 10 psi above your beginning pressure, you need to regenerate your filter. Refer to your Owner's Guide for further instructions or consult your pool dealer for service.
Your pump output might exceed the design flow rate of the filter. Make sure the pump is correctly sized for your filter.
If there is algae in the pool, super chlorinate, backwash or bump/drain and recharge as needed. Make sure you are properly backwashing on your vertical grid filter. Refer to your Owner's Manuals for instructions (Owner's Manuals are available online under the product page for your filter).

Answer 6

• The filter elements may be clogged because of an accumulation of chemical deposits. Clogging is accelerated if chemicals are fed through the skimmer, operating your filter too long without DE after starting the pump, or operating the filter without DE. DE must be added as soon as the filter is full of water, and the pump is putting out a steady stream of water. Refer to your Owner's Guide for the amount of DE your filter requires.
• Biguanide based sanitizers (i.e. Baquacil, SoftSwim) can cause short cycling.

Answer 7

• Be sure that the suspected material on the pool floor is actually DE. Pollen, chemical residue and plaster dust often look like DE.
• You may have a tear in your filter elements, replace if necessary. Make sure that you assemble the internal parts properly!
• Check for air leaks, as this will cause the system to leak DE back into the pool. If there are air leaks, install a check valve between the pump and the filter valve.

Answer 8
This is normal if the pool contains very dirty water. Backwash or regenerate and recharge more often. If there is a presence of live algae, add enough chlorine sanitizer to control this growth, then vacuum. The presence of alum or flocing agents will clog the filter. Vacuum so as to bypass the filter. Do not use flocing agents with DE filters.

Answer 9
No, you must thoroughly clean the elements at least once a year. You can clean your filter elements using automatic dishwasher detergent. Remove the elements from the filter, according to the instructions in your Owner's Guide, and hose them off with a forceful stream of water from your garden hose. Fill a large plastic container with the detergent, using about a 1/2 cup and warm water. Soak the elements for approximately 3 - 4 hours. After soaking, rinse off the elements again. Re-assemble your filter according to the instructions in your Owner's Guide. Note: do not soak elements in muriatic if the pool uses Biguanide products. This will damage the filter.
You may choose to clean the elements with muriatic acid or other commercial filter element cleaners, mix according to the package instructions. Use extreme caution when handling any cleaning agents, as they can be harmful to the eyes, skin and clothing. After cleaning, thoroughly rinse all elements with cold water.

Answer 10
Whenever you backwash your DE filter allowing the dirt and DE out the waste line or when you regenerate and drain your Perflex or ReGenX filter.

Answer 11

• Your pool chemistry may be out of balance, allowing algae to multiply.
• The flow rate through the filter may be low due to clogged or undersized piping. Cleaning the lines or changing to larger pipes will correct this problem.
• Your filter operation time may not be long enough to compensate for heavy use or hot weather. Try running your filter for 24 hours to clear the water, then adjust to less running time.
• Your pump may be hooked up to the wrong port on the multiport valve. If incorrectly installed, the filter will be flowing in reverse. Be sure the pump is connected to the port marked "pump" on the valve.
• You could be backwashing too often. Backwash only when the pressure rises 7 - 10 psi over the starting pressure, or when the return flow back into the pool becomes low.

Answer 12
An oversized pump may cause noise in your filter valve due to excessive flow. To test, hold your hand partially in front of any returns at the pool wall. If the noise subsides, this will confirm that the problem is excessive flow. It can be remedied by by installing smaller eyeball fittings in the return(s), changing the pump impeller size in the pump, or change to a 2-inch control valve.

Answer 13
The valve seat gasket inside the valve has become worn or loose. You may choose to do this yourself or contact your local pool dealer for service. How do you replace the gasket? You will need a new gasket, obtained from your local dealer, some Krazy Glue, and a sharp 1/8-inch wide flat bladed screwdriver. NOTE: Mark the top and bottom of the valve with a marking pen. It's very important that you do not change the location of the cover when re-assembling. Remove the cover, usually six screws. Using the screwdriver, scrape out every last part of the gasket and cement, in order to get back to a clean flat surface. Put a fair amount of crazy glue on the flat side of the gasket. Place the gasket, flat side down, back into place - let dry for one hour minimum.