When it comes to swimming pool filters, there are two options to choose from: Sand filters and Cartridge filters. Let’s discuss how sand filters work.
Water flows from the pool, entering the filter from the top. The water filters down through the filter media and then returns to the pool. There are two types of filter media to choose from: Silica sand and Clinobrite. Silica sand is a long-standing trusted filter media, however, Clinobrite is newer on the market with many benefits. Learn more here about the different types of filter media.
Maintenance & Replacing parts
There are certain parts of a sand filter that can easily be replaced by yourself. However, there are also more technical parts that we highly recommend are replaced by a professional so as to not damage the filter.
Below are the parts that can be easily replaced by yourself:
The filter lid and O-ring can develop hairline cracks over time. This results in the filter lid not sealing properly which ultimately leads to a loss of water as it leaks out the top of the filter.
The filter media has a coarse texture which helps trap debris and bacteria as the water passes through the filter. We recommend replacing the filter media every 18 to 24 months as the coarse texture wears away and becomes less effective over time. This results in a slower flow rate, as well as additional chemicals needed in order to maintain the water’s sanitation.
Below are the parts which we recommend are replaced by a professional:
- Filter fingers – The filter fingers can crack over time, allowing sand to enter the pool.
- Breather pipe – The breather pipe can get blocked. This results in a build-up of pressure in filter which leads to backpressure through the pump, to the weir when the system is switched off. This can result in damage to the pool pump.
- Multiport valve – This is the heart of the filter. The Multiport valve directs the pool water through one of 5 different pipes, depending on the setting chosen on the Multiport top.
The abovementioned parts can potentially be damaged in the process of replacing them. This would ultimately result in a costly repair and we therefore do not recommend replacing these parts yourself.
Functions of the Multiport Valve
The multiport valve has 6 settings:
- Filter – Water enters through the top of the filter, flows through the filter media and exits at the bottom of the filter, returning back to the pool.
- Waste – Water enters the multiport valve and exits through the backwash pipe, bypassing the filter media.
- Closed – This setting blocks off all entrances to the filter. No water can enter or exit the filter. This setting is used when changing the filter media.
- Backwash – Water enters at bottom of the filter through the filter fingers, disrupting the filter media so as to remove the dirt and debris, and exits through the backwash pipe.
- Bypass/circulate – Water enters and exists the multiport valve, flowing back into the pool without going through filter media.
- Rinse – Water enters at the top of the filter, flows through the sand, exits through the filter fingers at the bottom and out through the waste pipe.
How to change the Multiport Top
Follow these steps to easily change the multiport top. You will need two × no.10 spanners.
- Loosen the bolts and nuts with the spanners and set them aside.
- Lift the multiport top off and place the new one in position. Always make sure the filter setting on the multiport top is facing towards the filter.
- Place the lever on the side in between the settings in order to easily replace and tighten the bolts and nuts.
- Screw in the bolts and nuts and tighten them with the spanners. Make sure not to overtighten.
Contact a professional at any of The Pool Team stores for further advice on your personal sand filter solution.
