The main pool must be backwashed a least once a week or if the pressure gages tell us otherwise. It is important that the below steps are followed to ensure the process if completed correctly. The definition of backwashing is reversing the flow of water through the filter to remove entrapped particles.
| Pressure gauges showing that a back wash is needed as there is differential pressure between the inlet and outlet gauge. |
Pressure gauges after a backwash has been completed showing virtually the same pressure on the inlet and outlet.
The diagram above shows the position of an open and closed valve, when the lever is in line with the pipe the valve is open, when the lever is across the pipe the valve is closed.
Step 1 Turn off the main circulation pump’s using the key switch on the panel. Ensure both pumps are turned off.
Step 2 Close the skimmer baskets, this is done by turning off valve number 1, located near the strainer basket, you will also need to turn off the RED valve as this closes the sump drains at the bottom of the pool near the deep end.
Step 3 Turn off the two valves on the pump inlets, these are labelled valve number 4 and valve number 6
Step 4 Remove the strainer basket to enable cleaning, once you have opened the lid by turning the handle remove the pin and lift the lid, some water will come out of the basket. Remove the inner basket and use a brush and a hose pipe to ensure all the debris and dirt is removed.
Step 5 Replace the strainer basket and tighten the lid, note the basket will only go in one way.
Step 6 Turn back on the RED valve and also turn on the pump valves numbers 4 and 6.
Step 7 Close valves 12 and 13, these are the heat exchange valves that are located towards the back of the plant room. Also fully open valve 15, this is located near the heat exchanger just inside the pit.
Step 8 Open valve 19 and valve 10 on the front of the filter.
Step 9 Close valve 8 and then close valve 73 on the front of the filter.
Step 10 Turn the pump back on – ideally you want to run both pumps to lift the sand bed. When the pumps reach full speed you will be pumping water back through the filter to clear the pollution and pump down the drain. You will see the water in the pool drop – don’t worry this is normal.
Step 11 Watch the sight glass and wait for the water to run clear, once the water has run clear turn the pumps off. The sight glass can be found to the left hand side of the valves on the front of the filter.
Step 12 You now need to rinse the filter and bed the sand back down so to do this you need to close valve 15 fully, this is located near the heat exchange just inside the pit.
Step 13 Close valve 19 on the front of the filter and also close valve 10 on the front, then open valve 8 and valve 73 also on the front of the filter (return to normal operation)
Step 14 You then need to open the rinse valve, this is labelled as Valve A under the electrical board just inside the pit.
Step 15 Turn back on the pump (you will only need to turn on one pump for this) Then run the pump for about 3 minutes. Once 3 minutes has passed, turn off the pump again.
Step 16 Close valve A (rinse valve)
Step 17 You now need to return the system to normal operation, to do this you need to open valves 12 and 13 near the heat exchanger and half open valve 15
Step 18 Turn on the circulation pump (only one pump needs to run) & wait for the automatic top-up to increase the water level. If you need a quicker solution, you can open the two blue valves in the spa plant room, but these must be closed when completed.
Step 19 Once the pool has reached the correct level, which is at the lane rope height you can then open up the skimmers which is valve 1 in the main plant room
