DE filter pressure rises too rapidly

[swim2345]

I am backwashing with increasing frequency because the pressure climbs too soon. One pool store worker suggested that I may not be adding enough DE after each backwash. Does 4#/48 sqft sound right?

[poolman64]

My guess would be that your filter is overdue for a complete servicing. That is where you take it apart and clean "all" of the old DE out of the filter. A backwash only gets rid of about 50% of the DE in the tank. After a period of time the DE accumulates to where it bridges the spaces between the grids, effectively reducing the square footage of the filter. This would cause the rapid pressure increase between backwashes. Most DE filters need an annual complete cleaning.

[swim2345]

I have no documentation on the unit. Do you know of a site displaying information on exactly how to do this, including how to set the valves while the filter is broken down?

[ThatPoolGuy]

I have no documentation on the unit. Do you know of a site displaying information on exactly how to do this, including how to set the valves while the filter is broken down?

No need to mess with the valves. Shut your pump off and release the pressure in the filter. Take the large band off the middle of the filter then take the top off.

The "insides" should just lift out and wash thoughly.

Put the filter back together...bleed the air...add d.e.