Backwashing your swimming pool sand filter is a critical step in maintaining clean water. Proper backwash operation not only effectively cleans sediment in the quartz sand but also extends the life of swimming pool equipment, ensuring the pool’s normal operation. When choosing a backwashing method, consider key factors to ensure a more effective process, providing a healthier and more comfortable water environment for swimmers.
Here are the correct steps for backwashing
Ⅰ. Monitor the Accumulation of Suspended Solids
Throughout the cycle, the sand filter traps suspended particles in the water. When the suspended matter reaches a certain amount, it adversely affects the filtration rate and water quality. This is particularly crucial when using flocculants, making control of backwash time important.
Ⅱ. Understand the Purpose of Backwashing
The main function of backwashing is to remove suspended particles retained in the sand tank, restoring its filtration performance. During backwashing, control the rate and time strictly.
Ⅲ. Determine Frequency Based on Pressure Rise
The backwash frequency depends critically on observing the pressure gauge. By regularly monitoring the pressure gauge readings, especially when the set pressure rise threshold (usually 2.5kg/cm2) is reached, you can detect the accumulation of suspended solids in the sand tank in time.
Predicting the backwash time in advance can prevent a significant reduction in post-filtration effects, clean debris in the sand tank, reduce resistance, and extend equipment service life. Additionally, ensuring filtration effect is a crucial purpose of backwashing.
When the pressure rises to a critical value, starting the backwashing process effectively removes suspended solids in the sand tank, ensuring the high efficiency of the entire filtration system operation for clear and transparent pool water over the long term.
Ⅳ. Avoid Excessively High or Low Pressure Difference
If the pressure difference exceeds the specified range, despite better water quality, the filtered water volume will be reduced, and thrust will be insufficient, affecting the circulation effect. Below the pressure difference range, although water cycles increase and thrust is sufficient, filtered water quality is not ideal. Excessive backwashing can also lead to water waste.
Ⅴ. Cleaning Requirements for Quartz Sand Filters
For quartz sand filters, backwash intensity should be no less than 15L/(S.m2), and backwash time should be 5 to 6 minutes or until backwash water shows no suspended solids.
Ⅵ. Use Appropriate Cleaning Agents for Regular Cleaning
Swimming pool water often contains a large amount of grease brought in by the human body. Over time, these fats will accumulate in the water, forming a thin film on the surface of the quartz sand.
It’s recommended to use a special sand cylinder cleaning agent every six months to remove the grease on the quartz sand surface. This cleaning agent effectively breaks down and removes grease, restoring the filtration performance of quartz sand.
Ⅶ. Replace Quartz Sand When Necessary
Theoretically, quartz sand in the sand tank doesn’t need replacement. However, during backwashing, the filter layer’s volume increases by 1.2-1.3 times, causing up and down movement inside the filter material. Over time, the filter layer gradually reduces, and additional sand layers become a necessary maintenance step every year.
Additionally, long-term operation may cause uneven water flow in the filter layer, with some quartz particles wrapped in colloids, losing their water filtering effect. To ensure normal sand cylinder use, it’s recommended to replace quartz sand every two years.
Through scientific and reasonable backflushing of swimming pool sand tanks, we can maintain clear water quality, reduce maintenance costs, and extend equipment life. In addition to enjoying the cool swimming fun, pay attention to the maintenance and management of swimming pool facilities to ensure the safety and hygiene of the swimming pool. I hope that through the above suggestions, you can better complete the backwashing work of the sand filter in your swimming pool and create a healthier and cleaner water environment for your swimming pool.
