Things You'll Need
Hacksaw or reciprocating saw
1 1/2- or 2-inch PVC pipe (depending on the pump requirements)
1 1/2- or 2-inch PVC fittings (depending on pipe size)
PVC primer
PVC glue
Teflon tape
Pipe wrench large enough to accommodate a 2-inch PVC fitting
When installing a Hayward cartridge pool filter, be sure to give yourself plenty of room to work around, service and repair it later. One of the most common mistakes in swimming pool equipment installation is crowding the components too close together, making it difficult to get to all the parts to maintain and repair them later.
Step 1
Understand the way the water flows through the equipment system. The first component is the pump, which pulls the water in from the pool, then pushes it out into the filter, the second component. Water pressure forces the water into the filter tank and through the outside of the Hayward cartridges to remove all solids down to 5 microns. After passing through the cartridges, the water flows through the central collection manifold inside the filter and out through the outflow pipe. Any other component, such as the heater, always comes after the filter before returning to the pool through the return lines.
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Step 2
Identify the inflow and outflow ports in the base of the filter tank. They are marked "Inflow" and "outflow" or simply "in" and "out." Prime and glue a 90 degree PVC fitting to the stub of pipe rising from the top of the pump. Leave plenty of room to access the pump lid to clean the pump basket when necessary. Make sure you will also have room to work on and remove the motor and electrical fitting at the rear of the pump for later repairs.
Step 3
Take a threaded male adapter and wrap the threads with Teflon tape. Insert the fitting's threaded end into the filter's intake port and hand tighten. Finish tightening with the pipe wrench. Take a second threaded male adapter, and prepare and thread it into the filter's outflow port in the same manner.
Step 4
Lay out the PVC pipe and enough fittings to run from the pump to the filter's inflow port. After carefully measuring and cutting the PVC pipe sections, prime and glue all the sections and fittings together to connect the pump to the filter. Use as few fittings as possible to minimize the number of turns in the line. Each 90-degree fitting reduces the water flow slightly.
Step 5
Loosen the filter tank band and remove top half of the filter tank. Make sure the cartridges are seated securely inside the filter. Inspect the filter tank gasket to insure that it is properly seated to seal the two halves of the tank together. Put the filter back together and tighten the tank band. Install the pressure gauge and air release valve into the threaded fittings on top of the filter tank. Use Teflon tape on the threads to insure a good seal.
Step 6
Insert a section of PVC pipe into the threaded male adapter attached to the filter's outflow port. Determine the lengths of PVC line and the number of fittings necessary to attach the filter to the next component or to the return line pipe if there are no other components after the filter. Measure and cut the sections, then prime, glue and join all the pipe sections and fittings to complete the connections.
Step 7
Allow all the joints to dry completely for several hours or overnight. Start the pump and watch for leaks from the joints or the filter. The last step in the process is to open the air release valve to purge the filter tank of air so the cartridges can filter properly.
Tip
Check the reading on the pressure gauge after purging the air from the tank. A clean filters runs at about 12 pounds of pressure. When the pressure rises to 20 pounds, it's time to clean the filter.
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