I have one of these on a DE filter that I had installed. I'm due to do a backwash. I don't see how to connect the backwash hose. The picture shows a 90 degree white plastic fitting and a clear plastic fitting that I don't have. I'm thinking maybe the pool guy "forgot" to leave those for me. Are those what I need? Or, am I missing something else?

Turn off the pump.Ensure a hose is connected to drainage on the waste outlet of the valve assembly. Make sure there are no kinks in the hose.Turn the valve to "backwash" (usually opposite of filter).Turn the pump on and run for 2 min.Turn off the pump and run on rinse for 15 seconds.Repeat until the glass jar on the waste line runs clear during backwash.Return to filter. (If you have a sand filter, your done. If you have a DE filter, add the correct amount of DE to your skimmer return while the pump operates. An 18X34 pool takes about 5-7lbs.)

Pumps don't need to be backwashed, some filters do. Sand and DE filters need to be backwashed when the filter pressure has increased to 10 or 11 psi. depending on the manufacturers recommendation. The cartridge filter cannot be backwashed but instead it is removed and a hose sprayer is used to clean out the dirty outside. Your pump does need to be primed so it is not trying to pump mostly air. Each time the pump basket area is low in water then it needs to be primed. You will know how low it can go before it needs to be priming by turning it on when it is low and if it cannot start pumping water at full rate then at that level of water it needs to priming. If it is pumping water at full flow and you turn it off it should not need re-priming because there is enough water in it to force the air through the system. I hope this helps.

When you vacuum the pool you pick up alot of dirt, etc and this is caught by the filter. The more dirt that goes into the filter the more plugged it becomes until flow slows down. For this reason you need to clean the filter. If the filter is a DE filter it needs to be backwashed and new DE needs to be added to the skimmer basket. If the filter is a cartridge then the cartridge should be removed and washed with a spray jet on a hose. If the filter is a sand filter it should be backwashed. I hope this helps.

If you have a sand filter you just backwash it. If you have a DE filter you need to backwash then recharge with the correct amount of DE.If you have a cartridge filter you will need to break it down pull the cartridge and hose it down. Check to be sure your baskets are clean also and check the impeller on the pump also. Clogs in your suction line can cause this problem also.

This is a DE (Diatomaceous earth) IT doesn't have sand and doesn't backwash. You use the bump handle (with pump off and valves closed and vent open and drain dirty water/earth out) Here is a link to the manual for your filter If isn't the exact model they are all on their web site: http://www.haywardnet.com/products/Manuals/pdfs/manual9.pdf

Thank you for posting your question here on Fixya.com.

You do not backwash a DE pump and the valves it refers to are only there if the plumber/installer designed the pipe run to allow you to regenerate the filter in such a way. Otherwise you should have a valve at the port near the bottom (Like the one shown in pictures in the lower right corner of page 1) of the filter tank that is used to drain the tank to allow it to be cleaned and then recoated with new earth. The directions for such are found on page 3 of the manual the link below leads to.

http://www.haywardnet.com/products/manuals/pdfs/manual9.pdf

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John

backwash the filter from main drain until sight glass is clear-this will reduce filter pressure. After backwashing return gate valve to filter position, then filter from main drain only. check water chemistry. add a clarifier to water

For instructions on backwashing and other trouble shooting, you need an Owner's Manual. You can find one online at the following link:

http://www.pentairpool.com/pdfs/FNSPlusVerticalGridDEFilterOM.pdf

The way you backwash this filter is easy once you get the hang of it!

The first thing you will do is turn off the system, change the valve position to the Backwash position. If you have a Multiport Valve, you will press down on the handle and spin it so that the knotch is pointed to BACKWASH. If you have a Slide Valve, only has two positions, up and down, you turn the handle so that the metal pin is out of the holder and move the handle in the opposite direction. You will need to turn the handle to lock the pin into position.

Once this is done, you will turn on your pump. Pentair recommends that you backwash for 1 minute, then turn off the pump.

If you have the Slide Valve, you will put it back into the FILTER position and then turn the pump back on for 1 minute. If you have the Multiport Valve, you will put it in the RINSE position and then turn the pump back on for 1 minute.

Pentair recommends that you do this cycle a total of three times, backwash/rinse, backwash/rinse, backwash/rinse. AFTER the third time, you will need to open the Air Release Valve at the top of the filter while the pump is OFF and the valve position in back on FILTER. Once this is done, turn on the pump. When you have a steady stream of water coming out of the Air Release Valve, close that up. This way you have no air in the system.

Now, you will mix your DE "Slurry" in a bucket. Depending on your model of filter, you will measure out your DE and mix with water to the consistancy of milk. **IF it is just a backwash, you will only add 80% of the original amount of DE. You only add the total 100% of DE when you completely take the filter apart and clean it out.**

You will slowly pour the slurry into the skimmer that is closest to the pump. This will allow the DE to evenly coat the grids in the filter. Wait about 5 minutes and then check the pressure gauge on the filter. Once the PSI reaches 8 to 10 PSI above this number, it is time to backwash.