How to Backwash Paddock Pools

Keep your pool water clear with proper filtration using clean sand.

Paddock swimming pools are constructed with sand filters. Sand filters are used to clean pool water by eliminating any free floating debris in the water. Due to the large amount of debris that is filtered from the water, the sand in the filter becomes dirty and less effective over time. The sand in a sand filter is cleaned via backwashing. Backwashing runs water through the filter that stirs up the sand and removes debris. The debris cleaned off the sand is pushed out of the filter through a backwash hose or waste line.

Things You'll Need

• Sand filter with dial valve

Instructions

1. Rotate the pool filter's dial valve handle to the "Backwash" setting. Turn your pool pump off by flipping the switch on the pump's control box to the "Off" position. Firmly press down on the dial valve handle found on top of the sand filter and rotate it to the "Backwash" setting.

2. Turn the pool pump on and backwash the sand filter. Turn your pool pump back on. Watch the sight glass near the filter's dial valve handle. Run the pump until the water flowing through the sight glass is no longer murky and cloudy. A typical backwash lasts 5 minutes.

3. Set the filter to the "Rinse" setting and rinse the filter. Turn the pool equipment off, and rotate the dial valve handle to the "Rinse" setting. Turn the pool equipment back on. Let the filter rinse for at least 30 seconds. Rinsing the filter pushes the cleaned sand down into the bottom of the filter and stops any from returning into the pool through the return lines. Turn the pool pump off and set the filter's dial valve back to the "Filter" setting before running the pool pump like normal.

Tips & Warnings

• Long and regular backwashes keep the sand in your filter clean and filtering at optimum levels.

References

• Pool Center: Pool Filter Info