How To: Backwash a DE Filter

A Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Filter cleans your pool water by passing the water through a set of normally 8 grids. Each of these grids is covered with a layer of DE powder. If your pools water is not clear and/or your filter's pressure gauge is reading about 10 psi higher than normal, It's time to backwash your filter to strip the current layer of DE power off the grids and replace it with new powder. Although this guide is specific to a Hayward Pro Grid DE Filter, many of its steps are applicable to most DE filters. Note: About once a year you should take the grids out of your DE Filter and clean them more thoroughly. See our guide on "How To Remove and Clean Hayward DE Filter Grids" for more information.

[ADigitalQuest]

I have seen videos where it is mentioned when turning the valve to pick one direction to always turn the valve. Either always to the left or always to the right. That will help save the spider gasket.

[pswish]

Good video. This empties my pool to the point where I cannot finish the process completely. So, I have to refill it as I do it. My pool empties from the skimmer, not the bottom drain apparently.

[rmaldonado]

Hello all, my Hayward valve doesn't have a "Rinse, " option. What should I do?

[chuckredd]

When finished back washing and before you add the DE you need to look on the side of the filter and determine what size it is and how much DE you need to add...3, 4, 5, cups???

[boomskis]

I heard you're never suppose to turn the multiport valve counterclockwise cuz it will break the spider gasket. Is that true?

[Atochabsh]

Is it possible that that backwash outlet port is plumbed into a main water line? I don't see anywhere to attached a backwash hose. But I see the glass view port.

[PaulyV]

How often do you backwash the filter? It’s been a year since I’ve cleaned or backwash and I’ve been noticing algae in pool faster

[jdmrc]

Turning the switch off #1) that isn't the breaker and #2) isn't preventing anything.

[kimballray]

Our filter doesn't have a multiport valve...

[MacGuy]

That's not the circuit breaker...