How Do You Properly Backwash A DE Pool Filter?
TRICKS OF THE TRADE FROM A FORMER POOL SERVICE PROFESSIONAL The membranes in a DE filter are coated with a filter powder called Diatomacious Earth. It is the powder that you add to the filter after backwashing that does all the filtering! Turn off the pump. Roll out the backwash hose if required. Turn the valve to backwash. Turn on the pump and backwash out dirty water until it runs clear. Turn off the pump. Turn the control valve to bypass…or filter if there is no bypass valve. Turn on the pump and run for 10-15 seconds. Turn off the pump Turn the valve back to backwash and you’ll see more dirty water. Run the pump until the water turns clear again. Repeat this process three or four times until the water runs clear quickly in between your reversal cycles Once the filter is clean recharge it with THE PROPER AMOUNT of DE powder added slowly to the skimmer. Take note of the clean filter pressure reading. An 8# increase above this means it’s time to backwash!
