Why is sand getting in my pool?

Question

Ok we have been having nothing but probs with our pool. 30x18x4ft pool. It is finally clear. The hose from the filter sprung a leak so we have not ran it for 2 days. In those 2 days the pool went from blue and cloudy to crystal clear. We fix the hose and turn the pump on and it pumped sand into the bottom of the pool. Now the water is cloudy again. What's the deal? What do we do? Change the sand or what would cause this? We have now figured that is the reason we couldn't get the water clear cuz something is wrong with the filter. It is a Jacuzzi Laser sand filter model #190L. HELP

Answer 1

I had the same problem. I thought that a jacuzzi was the best, but soon learned it is not very good. Try cleaning the filter. Go to a pool chemical store and ask if they can give you advise. Go online to the pump/filter maker and see if they can shed some light.

I wound up buying a new pump and filter after 8 years- a Hayward which is the best and works very well.

Living in Florida we use the pool all year and the Hayward made a big difference.

Good luck- pools are a pain and if I had do do it all over, would never had had one built.

Answer 2

I know the Laser's they're an ok residential filter. Couple things. Make sure it's actually sand on the bottom and not dead algae. They look similar, but when brushed, the algae is like silt, staying up in the water column. Sand falls immediately.
If it's algae, vac to waste (drain) and backwash the filter. Make sure you're pool is full enough for this.
If it's sand, there are four possible reasons for sand to come back into the pool
1/ You just did some re plumbing. Check to see if Hubby accidentally put the hose from the pump return to the nipple on the filter marked "return". If he did, it's little wonder you have sand blowing back, your filter got replumbed backwards.It should be put on the outlet marked "pump". Don't laugh, I've actually seen this and given you're situation, the very first thing I would check .If all is ok in that department, see if this is a one time deal. Sometimes a sand filter will belch sand if it's been moved around a bit. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen. Vac up the pool to waste and check the next day. If that sand is back read on.
2/ The keystem gasket or the keystem itself, in the mutiport (valve at top of tank) is warped , nicked or broken. This is a job for a tech to inspect. A homeowner wouldn't know what to look for. This is the second most likely cause. I'm still betting on #1.
3/ That filter is over 8 years old and the sand hasn't been changed. Generally, sand gets worn down by erosion in the tank and will become a small enough grain to slip past the laterals in the tank. Change the sand in any sand filter at least every 8 years. A handy homeowner can do this, but it's a little back breaking. More on it following.
4/ The filter has sustained damage to the lateral assembly, in the bottom of the tank. Imagine a wagon wheel on it's side in there. The spokes are the laterals. They have slits in them that allow water to pass through, but not big enough for sand to pass through. If they are cracked or broken (palstic), then you get sand back at the pool. The repair can be done by the homeowner with some effort (2 hours , wet dry shopvac, new lateral assembly and while you're at it, new sand) and some knoledge of the interior layout of the tank. It's cheaper than buying a new filter. This last reason, I doubt very much, but it's still possible if the tank was moved around, during the plumbing job. It's also the last thing to want to repair as it's the most expensive and labour intensive.

Answer 3

Your astounding funding must be to get a DE filter out, that is the great filter out you may get. yet in case you want to adhere to sand... Leslie's or perhaps objective. yet you want to get Silica Sand. They promote them in 50 lbs luggage, get 2 (you want sufficient to refill the tank). go away about a 12" hollow between the proper of the filter out and the mattress of the sand. desire this helps.

Answer 4

Where is the sand trap that is supposed to block the sand from leaving he filter case!? Who serviced the system? Didn't they know ANYTHING?

Sheesh! Reason #79 to service my own!

Answer 5

Im sorry I didn't mean to, but isn't it better that it's sand than pee