I just had a new Hayward s244s sand filter put in and now am having problems draining water from my pool. For some reason I can't get it to drain past the skimmer level. Suggestions?

There is usually a setting on the handle that says "Drain" but if not you can always use the Backwash setting to get all the water out of the pool or at least most of it.

Rod
US Parts Center

Typically, the cracking of internal filter tank components is due to freezing temperatures over the Winter season. You should always COMPLETELY drain all water from your filter and store it inside during the winter.


Another reason is over chlorination of your pool water and/or adding chemicals directly to your water thru the wall skimmer.

this usually happens when the gasket inside the dial valve has been compromised and ruined. It allows water to drain out and sometime the sand to go into the pool.
you will need a repair kit for the dial valve and that should solve your problem

US Parts Center

Here is how I do it. Open the top. Open the drain on the bottom to allow the water out. Remove the plastic water difusser on the top. With a small can, scoop out the sand. When you get to the laterals, remove them for inspection. The sand below the laterals if fine, it does not need to be removed. Put the plug back in. Replace any laterals that may be broken (probably none) Fill the filter with water to about 6 inches above the laterals ... maybe more. The water will protect the laterals from the new sand as you fill the filter. It will also help the sand to pack in around the laterals. Continue filling until you are about 3 inches below the difusser that will go on the top. Make sure you don't bury the little black hose. The purpose of the little black hose is to remove the air from the filter during operation. The hose should ultimately stick up into the inside of the top (cover). I think your filter takes about 300 # of sand. Double check with your professional pool supplier where you purchase your sand. I normally will fill the filter with water before I replace the top. You may want to put on a new "O" ring too ...

This new sand should last you at least 4 to 5 years in non commercial use. After that time, you may want to replace the top 4 inches with new sand.

Thanks for your question @ FixYa.com

Backwash is meant to clean the sand and remove dirt from the filter.
Waste simply pumps the pool water to the drain line and doesn't clean the sand.
If the filter has its distributors, the sand should be held in the canister.
Gary

You will have to remove the sand so you might as well buy new sand. Remove drain cap and allow to drain. Remove multi port valve from top of filter. This model should have a clamp holding the valve onto the filter. You will have to disconnect the piping from valve for removal, so if it's piped solid, cut piping, and buy PVC unions to glue back in place so you can open in the future. If it's hose, then no problem. OK so once you remove the valve, you can see inside and see the sand. Take a shop vacuum and vacuum the sand from the filter. Take your time and empty vac, before it gets too heavy. Once empty, you'll see the laterals in the bottom. They if you rinse them off with a hose, to remove sand to keep from binding. The laterals should fold up to the center. Once folded you can remove assembly. After installing new laterals, partially fill the filter with water before adding sand. Cover the down pipe so no sand can enter. Add sand gently so you don't break new laterals (water helps cushion the adding of sand) You can download a manual here :
http://www.haywardnet.com/products/Manuals/pdfs/Manual145.pdf

This indicates that one or more of the laterals are cracked or broken. You will need to open the tank, remove all the sand, inspect the laterals(tubes that come off the center 'stand pipe'). replace any that have cracks or are broken. If you can't tell, replace them all. Fill tank back up with the right amount of sand and close it all back up.
www.cpo2go.com

you do need to set the filter valve to waste but you need to make sure the valve on the suction side of the pump is pulling water from the pool instead of the spa. Also, if you have a separate skimmer and main drain valve on the pool suction, make sure the skimmer valve is turned off. Otherwise, you will keep losing suction. If you don't have a separate skimmer and main drain valve, you may not be able to drain the pool with your equipment.