Sand in the pool after backwashing, normal or problem?

[John Knight]

I backwashed my sand filter yesterday and today I’m noticing a light layer of sand on the pool floor near the returns. Not a huge amount but definitely noticeable. The filter is a few years old but hasn’t given me issues before. Is a little sand after backwashing normal or does this mean something inside the filter is failing?

 

[Joe Smith]

I backwashed my sand filter yesterday and today I’m noticing a light layer of sand on the pool floor near the returns. Not a huge amount but definitely noticeable. The filter is a few years old but hasn’t given me issues before. Is a little sand after backwashing normal or does this mean something inside the filter is failing?

A tiny bit right after backwashing can happen especially if you didn’t run it on rinse long enough before switching back to filter mode. I usually rinse for 20 to 30 seconds to avoid that.

 

[Warren Dale]

I backwashed my sand filter yesterday and today I’m noticing a light layer of sand on the pool floor near the returns. Not a huge amount but definitely noticeable. The filter is a few years old but hasn’t given me issues before. Is a little sand after backwashing normal or does this mean something inside the filter is failing?

If it keeps happening you might have a cracked lateral inside the filter. That’s what happened to me. Sand kept showing up and I eventually had to open it up and replace the damaged part.

 

[Danny Meerman]

Also double check that the multiport valve is locking fully into place. If it’s slightly between settings, it can cause weird flow behavior.

 

[John Knight]

Good to know a small amount isn’t automatically a disaster. I may not have rinsed long enough. I’ll try that next time and keep an eye on it in case it continues.