How To Backwash & Recharge Your DE Filter

DE Pool Filters are one of the most efficient pool filters on the market. Unlike cartridges, they can be cleaned through backwashing and recharging. They also offer the benefit of filtering down to 4 microns. In comparison, a sand filter only filters down to 30 – 40 microns. That is a significant difference. Improper care is one of the challenges with DE Filters. Watch our “how to” video and follow the process below to clean and recharge your filter like the pros:

STEP 1
Know the size of your filter.

Read the tag on the filter to get the SQ of the filter (see picture). This will tell you the new start amount for DE Recharging.
- You DO NOT want to add this amount when recharging.
- This is the amount required when the filter has been opened and cleaned by a professional or the filter is new.
- You always want to recharge with 1.5 lbs to 2 lbs less than the required new start amount.
- The reason for this is you will never get 100% of the DE off the grids when backwashing and recharging.

Listed below are your common filter sizes and recommended recharge amounts.
36 SQ – 2lbs
48 SQ – 3 lbs
60 SQ – 4 ½ lbs
80 SQ – 6.5 lbs
100 SQ – 8 lbs

STEP 2
Prepare to backwash and rinse your filter

A couple notes before you start the backwash/ rinse cycle:
- You always want to move your multiport handle clockwise and only move when the system is off.
- If you have a backwash hose, make sure it is fully extended.
- Some systems have a ball valve on the backwash pipe that will need to be opened prior to backwashing. Always check for this and open prior to backwashing.
- Once you have extended your backwash line, you can begin the process of cleaning and recharging your de filter.

STEP 3
Now, it is time to properly clean the old DE out of the filter. You do this by using the multiport to backwash and rinse the filter. See attached photo to know the setting you will use on the multiport for this process. (Backwash, Rinse, & Filter)

- First, cut your system off and move the multiport clockwise to the Backwash position.
- Cut system on and begin the backwashing process. This can take anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute.
- Once the site glass goes clear, shut your pump off and move the multiport to the rinse positions.
- Cut this system on and run the system in the rinse setting for 5 to 15 seconds. Cut the system off and move the multiport to the backwash setting.
- Turn system on in backwash again and watch for site glass to go clear. Once clear, cut system off and move multiport back to rinse setting
- Repeat these steps until you are no longer getting DE/ Dirty water coming out of the waste line.
- There is not a set number of times or seconds to do this. You will continue to do this until you are no longer getting DE and debris coming out of the waste line when backwashing.
- Always finish in the rinse process once you are no longer getting DE out the waste line when backwashing

STEP 4
Steps to recharging the filter

- The Multiport should be in the filter setting and pump should be running.
- In a bucket using a 1 lb de scoop, Mix DE and water to create an oatmeal consistency.
- The amount of DE required should be 1 to 2 lbs less than stated on the filter tag. See step 1 for exact amounts.
- Pour DE mixture slowly into pool skimmer as shown in video.
- Watch pool returns to ensure DE is not shooting through the filter.
- If DE is coming back through pool returns, you need to contact a professional to break apart the pool filter.
- Once mixture has been applied to filter, check filter pressure and record what clean/charged filter pressure.
- Once PSI is 10 over clean pressure, it will be time to repeat the process.

[danielcorrado]

That’s the best, concise explanation of anything that I’ve seen on YouTube. Great job.

[jneusbaum]

Godlike! This is the ONLY video anyone needs on backwashing DE from a filter. Perfectly done and explained. You get an "A". Have a great weekend.

[grasssnake]

Thanks brother, I'm getting into the business here in Texas and this helped me understand DE tremendously. May you and your business prosper!

[erichhudson]

By far the best instructional video on this subject. Thank you, this helped A LOT!!!!

[josephmckenzie]

Nicely done video. Your the first guy that says to only move the multi port valve clockwise.

[ChristopherKeune]

Thank you, very straightforward. There are a bunch of DE videos but I feel this is the best.

[DW-tqie]

I found an easy way to reinstall DE filter pads that needs to be shared. I don’t do videos so perhaps you can add this to one of yours. I was one of those who struggled with getting my Hayward filter pads realigned after taking them off the manifold. There was always one or two that would leak DE back into the pool on completion. I thought one or more may have torn but it turned out the filter pads weren’t seated properly to the manifold. I found it by running the pump in the backwash mode (cover off) and seeing water leaking from several of the connections. After disassembling I turned the manifold upside down, started with the short pad and worked clockwise outside to inside making sure all pads were well seated into the manifold and there correct spacers. The hardest part was getting the long bolt back into the manifold hole and it wasn’t that bad. All in all this was a much easier task than working from the normal position and no leaks or DE back into my pool. As a side note, I almost purchased a new filter set at $100 plus.

[andrewpeacock]

Note: I tried to turn my multiport to backwash without a pen between my index and middle fingers and was repeatedly unsuccessful, so I ran in the house and grabbed a pen, held it like this guy, and bam! Went right into the backwash slot. Get a pen and hold it between your index and middle fingers from the get to and save yourself a heap of trouble. Thanks, J&M! Btw who does your background music? 'Cause that s**t is off the hook. My gf was holding her lighter above her head the whole time this video played.

[cdklaw]

When would you recommend this backwash only approach versus taking the filter top off and spraying down manifold and filters with a hose? Under what conditions would you recommend one over the other?

[oanagaris]

I don't have a rinse setting, but I do have a 'waste' setting. I used that instead if rinse, just as per directions in this video, but the dirt or some of it, still went right back into my spa. I will try keeping it on the 'waste' setting longer than 3 to 4 seconds next time!

[zimago]

Thanks for that video. My valve (sp740de) does not have a rinse function…. What do you recommend to do?

[jma]

Thank you for the video. What if there is a separation tank? What do I need to do before backwashing? Thanks.

[wwfera]

What If I only have a backwash valve and not a multiport with a rinse or waste option?

[clootscalhoun]

So you run it on BACKWASH the first time until it gets clear?
Not sure how to know when to switch from BACKWASH to RINSE.

[dmtycn]

The amount of DE always confused me, according to the label on DE bags, 60sqft need 7lbs equal to 12 cups which I found it's too much when I took apart the DE filter to do a totally clean! Now I just add 6 cups when new and 2 cups after backwash. Your amount is reasonable, the label on bags is toooo much!

[Nurecure]

My system has a waste channel that goes... somewhere I don't see. It sounds like there's no way to know how long to backwash without being able to look at the water coming out? What's a good amount of time for doing it blind?

[harleyinred]

can you stir the de with the water with something other than your hand? I don't have a good glove like you do, but want to mix with water, my hayward takes 6DE cups of DE. so 4 1/2C?

[wrathspath]

Great video, should have spent some time showing users the panel and switching between different functions

[corvette]

If I don't put much DE in will that cause my pressure to go high?

[rvpals]

Sounds like we need to wash all of the de powder in the grid out? Did I get that right? Then recharge to replace all the de powder?