How To BACKWASH A POOL FILTER (The Right Way) | Swim University

If there’s pressure built up in your filter or the water’s not flowing well in your pool, it's time to backwash. Backwashing is a necessary part of sand filter and D.E. filter maintenance. And doing it the right way will save you from losing water or damaging your equipment. So here’s a quick tutorial on how to backwash your pool filter.

⏰ Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to How To Backwash A Pool Filter
00:43 - What Is Backwashing?
01:19 - When Should You Backwash?
02:05 - How To Backwash a Sand Filter (Multiport Valve)
03:31 - How To Backwash a D.E. Filter (Multiport or Push-Pull Valve)

Swim University has made swimming pool and hot tub care easy for more than 10 million homeowners. And each year, we continue to help more people with water chemistry, cleaning, and troubleshooting. We know taking care of a swimming pool or spa can be difficult. And it’s hard to find a trusted source of information. We get it! This is the reason we created Swim University.

[SwimUniversity]

We hope this helps you backwash your filter! Sand Filter backwashing starts at 02:05 and D.E. Filter starts at 03:31. And if you need more help with pool care maintenance, be sure to grab the free Pool Care Cheat Sheet 👍

[colinmumma]

In one day this became one of the most important channels I've ever subbed to. Thank you so much for the quality content. It's already saved me so much time, money, and heartache.

[billhrsn]

Ha! No one mentioned the blue hose would whip around like a mad cobra, and in 30 seconds the yard would be flooded! As the kids say, it's all good. Sight glass clear, return jet pumping strong, water level back down from the huge rainstorm. Thanks for the advice!

[scpc]

I have found that cleaning skimmer, strainer before backwashing has better flow. Also cycle between backwash/rinse x2 gets more debris out of the filter.

[dms]

Thanks, man. You are my pool video guy, not sure why I never subscribed earlier. Subscribed.

[atribecalledpete]

I've watched this video so many times lol

[CesarSanchez-jkcw]

This very helpful as we are new above ground pool owners 😆 and my pool is building up algae….so yeah I needed the tips thanks a lot!!!

[airgunner]

Thank you for the video it did answer my questions

[adamschwass]

I highly recommend purchasing Swim University package. It's always updated and it's been so helpful. These free youtube clips are how I got educated on pools 101, but now I'm learning so much more. Good stuff!

[ianmoberg]

I just got new plaster in my pool and was wondering if u have a video explaining step by step what to do to get it started up? Acid was already added by the plaster guys but now they don’t want to come back to get the water ready

[BelieverStarcraft]

1 minute back wash, 30 second recurrulate 15-45 seconds rinse. Done.

[JustinGriswold]

Nice overview but a little over-simplified on the DE backwashing. In many systems running backwash for two minutes straight will dump clear water in your backyard. Run the backwash until the water coming out is cloudy/grey/green then stop when it starts running clear again. Then rinse for 10-15 seconds, then repeat and repeat again if necessary. If you can't see the water coming out of the hose, many multivalves have a small section of clear pipe on the waste end to view the water flow, or run over to the end of the hose and watch it.

[azbeast]

I thought you had to take apart the DE filter and all that like you do for a single filter system lol I started as a pool tech 2 weeks ago and haven’t backwashed yet cause I thought it was a ton of work. This is a huge relief for me!!

[nelsonjimenez]

How long to backwash new glass media? Im afraid glass will get in the pool and those tiny glass shards sure hurt in the toes. Thanks!

[Shadozzy]

I have a DE filter. How do I know where to attach the backwash hose?

[benitoramirez]

During backwashing should we see any pressure or should the PSI be at 0?

[upgixnf]

Do you have to choose which return to use? Drain or skimmer?

[markcole]

What was the rubber tube connected to the backwash port? I need one to connect because that port leaks on mine.

[ramrods]

I rebuilt my de haywood ec-30 and I get de in the pool that I have to then vacuum, what givess. Just replaced the top o ring seal on the top and put new fingers in it last season and did not wash with muric acid as they were in new shape.

[paulsaunders]

Is it necessary to turn off return valve when vacuuming to waste?