The best way to determine this is to backwash the filter and see what the pressure is at that time. Then go 7-10 PSI above that and this will be your pressure to watch to tell you when to clean your filter.
There wont be any dirt under the sand. When you vacuum your pool you should do it on filter mode Otherwise you will lose a lot of water for nothing, this would be especially wasteful in the case of a salt water pool. Ofter having vacuumed the pool on filter mode and if the pressure gets too high backwash. after backwash rinse for a minute, then return to filter.
When adding stabilizer to a pool you should not have a backwash valve open. Stabilizer should be added directly into the skimmer basket and you should open the skimmer all the way and close off the main drains for 24 hours.
how do i calculate the volumn of backwash in a pool
Set your filter to Backwash or Waste, but don't leave it. Empty out what you do not want and return filter to Filtration
Backwash first then shock. If you shock and then backwash you will be throwing away the shock you just put.
No absolutely not unless you want to waste a lot of water you backwash a pool when the pressure in front of the filter becomes too high or goes into the red.
29 gallons
No you only backwash your pool when your filter pressure on your filter is high 30psi and above on most pools. If you backwash your pool be sure to add two scoops of de to your skimmer. If the presure is still high the u need to clean the filter
Depending on the size of the pool and the size of the filter and the amount of times you have to backwash, also if you have had a lot of rain then you may need to backwash more than usual. If you put the pool in and the filter and you know how old the sand is, if you are backwashing more than usual,change the sand. Also before you backwash check the pressure of the water going back into the pool, then backwash check the pressure again the pressure should for any size hayward pump push your hand away if it does not then change your sand.
You may have to check the seals in the multyport on top of the sand filter.
If you're talking about your pool filter, it should be set to filter or run. Use the bypass or recirculate setting if you wish to circulate the water without having the water pass through the filter. Use the backwash setting to clean the filter.
Just backwash until it is at the level you would like it to be. Or get a floating swimming pool skimmer ond take advantage of the free water and save on pool salt if you have a saltwater chlorinator.