Most pool owners believe that backwashing their pool, is one of the safest ways to get rid of dirt and debris build-ups that have been clogging the pool’s filter system thereby, making it less efficient.
You should backwash your pool as soon as you notice that your filter is in trouble. But then, what if your filter stops functioning before you recognize its need for a backwash? In this article, we outlined how often a pool should be backwashed and how it should be done.
Table of Contents
What Does It Mean to backwash a pool?
Backwashing is another process of getting your pool cleaned through the filter. The filter system is set in such a way that it reverses the flow of pool water.
By doing this, the filter now removes organic material by directing the water into a permeable medium thereby filtering the sand and other debris from the water.
This buildup of debris and sand has been clogging the filter thus, making it inefficient to run thereby causing eventual damage.
In total, backwashing your pool will help to push out any contaminants like debris, and sand into the pool pump or waste area leaving a crystal clear pool free of contaminants.
How Often Should You Backwash Your Pool?
This is one of the frequently asked questions by pool owners when it has to do with backwashing their pool. And since you aren’t exempted, you need to know how often your pool should be backwashed.
Even if you haven’t thought about this, it will still arise during your pool maintenance section. Although backwashing your pool often depends on the kind of filtration system you have, and how frequently you use your pool.
However, generally, backwashing your pool depends on the pressure gauge on your filter. There is a place to check the pressure gauge level. Automatically, your pressure gauge should be between 8-10PSI but when you check your PSI, and the filter goes up to be above 16 PSI and to around 25PSI, then your pool needs a quick backwash!
Generally, your pool should be backwashed at least once in every week or at most, twice in a month. But it is better to get it backwashed once every week. But then, how long should you backwash your pool? You can backwash your pool for as long as you want but it all depends on the amount of debris in the filter system, or dirt in your pool.
Meanwhile, you can always rely on the services of a pool expert to get the job done for you that is if you can’t backwash your pool even after following the due process involved.
Read: Why Do You Backwash A Swimming Pool?
What if you have a Diatomaceous Earth filter system? How often should you backwash your sand filter?
This kind of filter contains some kind of filter element which is flex tubes. They are usually covered with some form of fabric, and the DE acts as a kind of filter by filtering the water that comes through it. Thus, leaving the impurities out.
If you own this kind of filter system, then you should bear in mind that it needs to be cleaned about seven or more times each year. So if you have a sand filter, there’s no need to get worried about the number of times to get it backwashed.
You can simply backwash it once every month. But, always backwash your sand filter and never leave it unattended.
Will Backwashing Thoroughly Clean Your DE Filter?
When the DE filter has been thoroughly backwashed, about 90% of the DE will be removed. And the remaining DE will be clumped in some parts of the filter. But after backwashing, after the old DE has been removed, a new DE should be added to the filter. Meanwhile remember, that your DE filter should be cleaned at least once a year.
When Can You Not Backwash Your Pool?
Backwashing from the above is to unclog your filters and empty your pool of debris and dirt. As much as it is important, there are sometimes when it is not necessary.
For instance, if you have an algae problem you don’t need to backwash your pool. Simply get an algaecide to tackle the problem on your behalf or better still use chlorine to tackle the algae issue or you vacuum the pool to get the debris and algae out into the drain.
Only backwash your pool after you’ve checked the PSI.
Read: How Long Should You Backwash A Sand Filter?
How Do You Backwash Your Pool?
Pool owners find it impossible to backwash their pool but that is because their heart is not set on achieving that very purpose. How then, do you backwash your pool without the help of a pool expert?
Step 1
After you have checked the PSI and it is around 25, then you need to turn off the pump and filtration system. You don’t need it working at this rate.
Step 2
Then try to clamp the hose that will be used for the backwash. Clamp the hose to your outlet and set the filter to the ‘Backwash’ feature.
Step 3
After you have set the filter to the backwash feature, then you need to wait until the water is crystal clear! When you notice that the water is now clear, you can now stop backwashing by turning off the pump.
Step 4
Then try to re-check the filter handle to be sure that the locks are still in place. Then, set the valve to “rinse” and allow the water to clear for about a minute or more.
Step 5
After rinsing, turn off the pump and shut the skimmer valve. The skimmer valve should be shut to ensure that pool water can’t get into the filter.
Step 6
Now wash the skimmer basket, and put them all back in place. Arrange the skimmer valve and set the filter valve to ‘filter’. Then lock the handles and turn on the pump.
How Do You Backwash a Diatomaceous Earth Filter System?
Turn off the filter system and pool pump. Then set the filter system to ‘backwash’ and turn on the pump. Ensure that the pool water turns crystal clear. Then change the filter system to ‘rinse’, and then ‘backwash’ a few more times.
Ensure that the pump is turned off while switching between ‘rinse’ and ‘backwash’. Now drain the filter after opening the filter valve while the pump is turned off.
Major Tips in Backwashing
Never forget to turn off the pump whenever you want to reset the filter valve to rinse or backwash. This is because, if the pump is left on, it is likely to cause permanent damage to the entire system and this can be quite exorbitant to replace.
Always keep a check on the pool water for the color of the water so that you can reduce water loss. And as soon as the water turns crystal clear, stop the backwash immediately to avoid loss of water.
Check for the ‘backwash’ valve and lubricate it as often as it is used. This is because the valve can sometimes be difficult to turn on and off. so leave it lubricated to avoid stiffness and corrosion.
Never forget to run the ‘rinse’ feature after backwashing. The rinse feature will give your pool water a clearer and clearer view after the entire process has been carried out.
Reassemble the filter system as carefully as you can because the filter system may leak if any part of the filter is left out. so while you are removing some parts of the filter, take some time to note how things were before it was disassembled by you. And arrange everything back.
What Is The Difference Between Rinse and Backwashing?
Sometimes the rinse and backwash are used interchangeably. But they do not mean the same thing.
Backwashing only reverses the water through the sand in an opposite way into a permeable or porous system while rinsing only helps to clear off the dirt that is located at the side of the sand before it is sent back into the pool.
So technically, the two words, are used to perform two different commands when it comes to filtration.
Final Thoughts
Backwashing your pool is one of the very important things you should always do for your pool. However, it shouldn’t be done daily. Backwashing your pool is a process of reversing the pool water with the aid of a filter system.
This will help to filter the dirt and debris into the drain and transform the pool water into a clear and clean form. It should only be done at least once a week and it all depends on the kind of filtrations system that you have.
You can swim after you have backwashed your pool. You do not need a pool expert to get your pool backwashed.
It is something that you can easily get done for yourself. You can also save costs by getting it done as well! Also, you need to watch out to sure that your pool needs a backwash otherwise, try to use other means to vacuum your pool instead.
