pool keeps pumping in dirt when skimmers on.

[jjames+mel]

hello just wondered if someone can help?
its driving us mad...
we have a big blue sand filter,sorry dont know make/model
evertime we vac it clean,
when the skimmer comes on auto/manual,it keeps pumping dirt/sand back into the pool we vac it out back wash/rinse then the same thing happens again,again,again.........
we have a basket in the skimmer all clean and not broken
we also have a basket in by the pump all clean and not broken
i have read a few times on here about a filter???
where would we put one of these?(in where the pump basket is?)
thanks for any help james......

[beerandchips]

hello just wondered if someone can help?
its driving us mad...
we have a big blue sand filter,sorry dont know make/model
evertime we vac it clean,
when the skimmer comes on auto/manual,it keeps pumping dirt/sand back into the pool we vac it out back wash/rinse then the same thing happens again,again,again.........
we have a basket in the skimmer all clean and not broken
we also have a basket in by the pump all clean and not broken
i have read a few times on here about a filter???
where would we put one of these?(in where the pump basket is?)
thanks for any help james......

possible things are:
1.) sand is old, needs changed
2.) broken lateral in sand filter
3.) too much sand in filter

I am new to pools, but, everything thing I have read leads to these three things. Good luck.

sn

[Guest]

hello just wondered if someone can help?
its driving us mad...
we have a big blue sand filter,sorry dont know make/model
evertime we vac it clean,
when the skimmer comes on auto/manual,it keeps pumping dirt/sand back into the pool we vac it out back wash/rinse then the same thing happens again,again,again.........
we have a basket in the skimmer all clean and not broken
we also have a basket in by the pump all clean and not broken
i have read a few times on here about a filter???
where would we put one of these?(in where the pump basket is?)
thanks for any help james......

possible things are:
1.) sand is old, needs changed
2.) broken lateral in sand filter
3.) too much sand in filter


I am new to pools, but, everything thing I have read leads to these three things. Good luck.

sn

thanks for advice i will be awaiting more clues,but thankyou for your time in posting...

[muss08]

Chances are you have a broken lateral at the bottom of the sand filter. even if the sand is really old it shouldnt be getting back into the pool. you can try a sand filter cleaner/degreaser which will basically make the sand almost brand new again. sand is coarse and this allows it to catch debris. after along time the sand begins to smooth out from getting greased up and forming calcium deposits. the cleaner gets rid of this.

[jdlloyd1183]

Check to see if its dirt, or sand. sand will be whitish tan color in the bottom of the pool, dirt is obviously not that color. From what you have stated, one of two things are possible. If its sand, and only sand, you lucky. It just old worn out sand or a broken lateral, broken stand pipe, or misaligned stand pipe in your filter. If its dirt and sand, i would need to know if your filter has been cleaned/ sand changed. IF its just dirt you could have cracked skimmer or return line, which the latter would be more likely to blow dirt only in the pool. Also, make sure to backwash and rinse after your filter pressure rises 8 to 10 psi.

[jjames+mel]

well guys i had the profesional pool guys come out and all the y did was take off the top of the filter and put 2 bags of sand in ontop of what was there.,.,.,.,.,,.low and behold,..,.,its still pumping in.,.,.,any ideas guys,as the pool so called pro said that it was dirt in the filter and there was not enough sand in the filter,,,hence the 2 bags,,,,i feel as if im being ripped off???
any help welcome james,,,

[Guest]

I see two people posted about broken laterals.

Try that.

[jdlloyd1183]

You are getting ripped off, i work at a pool store and thats the nature of the buisness this time of year, get it done with as little work time as possible and go to the next one. I would suggest a full sand change, NOT just dump another bag or two in. Its really easy and I can tell you how to do it just ask. At that point you can tell me if anything is broken in the filter or not, which is the only way sand will get in the pool. Do NOT let the pool pro's in your area change the sand for you, from what you said they did I can tell they dont care or arent too smart. Also, make ABSOLUTLEY CERTAIN what you have blowing out of the returns into the pool is SAND. Whatever you have to do, dive in and grab a handful or whatever. Just post back and I will be checking on this thread to help you fix this porblem

[DaKeith]

this question has not been asked and was wondering if this could be the problem, is the pump and filter hooked up right. coming from the pool to the pump then into the filter and then back to the pool. I feel very sure thats how it goes and i am tired from working on my ground for my new pool. but are u sure its hooked up right??

[njshorepools]

vac your pool with the multiport on the "waste" or drain position... all the sand/dirt will go out your backwash line so your going to need to fill the pool up nice and huigh before u do this... if the sand DOES NOT come back into the pool u know the filter is broken...


Its time to shop vac out the old sand... check the stand pipe and laterals.. replace if broken and now it a good time to add new sand.. We have great feed back with "zeo sand" or "zeo Brite" If u have a 300lb sand filer u only need 150lbs of zeo sand... ( 50%)

good luck