How to Backwash an Above Ground Pool Pump

The ideal swimming pool has clear water that is sufficiently sanitized and healthy for you and your family to enjoy. To achieve that goal, a number of things are required, including a good hard-working pool pump and filter system. The most common system uses silica sand as the filter media, which purifies your pool water of contaminants. Learn how to remove those contaminants from the filtering system and how to perform the function safely.

Things You'll Need

• Filter system

Instructions

1. Remember that when the pressure on your gauge rises to 8 to 10 ppi, it is time to backwash. Turn off the pump motor and wait 5 seconds before moving the valve setting.

2. Push down on the handle of the multi-port valve to change the setting to backwash. Turn the pump back on, which will force a reversal in the direction of the water flow within the canister.

3. Watch the sight glass on your valve and continue the process until the water runs clean within the glass. Expulsion of all the trapped debris and dirt begins at a high rate of speed.

4. Refill the pool with fresh water until the water level has reached the halfway point of the skimmer faceplate.

5. Turn the pump off and change the setting on the multi-port valve to rinse. Run the pump for 15 seconds to settle the sand back down into the sand bed of the canister. Turn off the pump and wait 5 seconds, then change the multi-port setting back to filter and turn the pump on.