How Do You Backwash an Above Ground Pool?

Keep your water filtered with a backwashed above ground pool filter.

Pool filters clean water circulating through a pool system. Over time, a pool filter's media, the material used to filter the water, becomes dirty and requires cleaning in order to filter properly. Backwashing a pool's filter cleans the media inside the filter tank using water from the pool, and flushes the dirt and debris out of a waste line or through a backwash hose. Backwashing an above ground pool's filter involves setting the filter to the correct setting and performing a filter rinse.

Things You'll Need

• Backwash hose

Instructions

1. Switch off the above ground pool's filter and pump system. For systems without an external switch box, unplug the pool motor from the wall outlet or breaker.

2. Hold the filter dial valve handle down. Rotate the handle until the dial valve is in the "Backwash" position.

3. Unroll any backwash hose attached to the filter. Ensure the hose sits in an area suitable for water to drain into.

4. Switch on the above ground pool filter and pump system. Plug the motor into the wall outlet if no switch box exists.

5. Run the pool filter on the backwash setting for at least three minutes. Shut off the filter when the water flowing out of the filter runs clear.

6. Rotate the filter's handle until the dial valve sets in the "Rinse" position. Switch on the filter.

7. Run the pool filter on the rinse setting for 30 seconds, then shut off the filter. Rinsing after a backwash prevents the filter sand from running through the pool lines and into the pool.

Tips & Warnings

• Backwash your above ground pool filter weekly to keep the filter clean and filtering correctly.

References

• Pool Center: Sand Pool Filters