How often do you change the sand in the filter?

Answer 1

It depends on the type of sanitizer the pool is on. There are 3 main EPA registered sanitizers for pools...chlorine, bromine, and biguanides. I'm going to assume all the answers below the primary sanitizer the customer is using is chlorine. Yes, your sand can last 4 to 5 years, possibly 6 on a chlorine pool without being changed, assuming that you chemically clean it once a year and backwash as needed. Now, if your pool is using a non-chlorine sanitizer (bi-guanide) Baquacil as an example, you MUST change the sand maxium every 2 years and clean it at opening and midseason every year. Baquacil is a VERY filter dependant product. It does not oxidize waste like chlorine does. It actually collects the particles and traps them in the filter and they stay there. Some will be backwashed out during backwashing, but the rest just stay there until chemically cleaned out. It will literally turn into concrete in the filter if not changed out and kept clean. Just wanted to make this clear that it does make a huge difference depending on the sanitizing system of the pool.

About every 4 years. Actually, any pool professional will tell you the sand in your filter does not need to be changed but once every 20 to 25 years if the water has been maintained properly. If you flush your sand and clean it by backwashing and rinsing weekly (backwashing for 2 minutes, rinsing for 1), you should be able to stay away from changing your sand. I like to advise my customers to use a chemical to clean out their sand annually.

I've been in the trade for 30+ years and have never heard that 20 to 25 year time frame for changing the sand in a sand filter. For one, the filter alone will realistically only last 10 to 12 years - sometimes longer. Rule of thumb is to change out the sand about 5 to 6 yrs. At that 5 yr. time frame the sand looses it's ability to hold the contaminents. The shear motion of the water will,in time, round out the sand particle - thus removing the sharp edges that sand naturally has.

Answer 2

A sand filter will generally require a sand bed change once every 7 to 10 years. It may be less depending on various factors. Should the pressure gauge on the filter read 10lbs higher than original start-up pressure (when the filter was first installed), backwash the filter. Should the pressure gauge still read 8-10lbs higher (after backwashing) than the original start-up pressure, this is a good indication that the sand bed requires replacement.

Answer 3

first of all (to be correct), sand is not changed in a pump, it is changed in a filter. Typically after 5 years it is a good time to change filter sand. When the sand is first added to the filter (when it is new) it is rough and coarse . . . as water flows through the filter over time the coarseness of the sand is lost, as in a tumbling rock polisher, thereby affecting its ability to retain debris. Unless there have been a number of times that the pool has had cloudy / dirty water then maybe sooner for a sand change.

Answer 4

i too would like to know, some here say 5-6 years old but pool professional told me 1-2 years im confused. :/




As the Installation and Service Manager at abovegroundpros.com, your sand in your sand filter is expected to last around 4 yrs. There are factors that can lessen the time frame and others that can lengthen the time frame. I recommend all to change out every 3-4 yrs as a rule of thumb. This will help make sure that your filter sand does not get overly filled with debris, causing your filtration system to not work at its peak performance. Remember to always backwash your filter after you have changed your sand, before placing it on filtration. In cases like this its better to be safe then to be sorry.

Answer 5

It depends on many things: How big is the pool the usage, body oils and lotions, size of the filter.... the most often answer is every 5 years. This is for an average pool with an average size filter and use. If you wish you can be more specific to your pool and write down your new clean sand filter back pressure, when that increases after backwashings by 5 PSI, it time to change the sand.

Answer 6

When the pressure rises to a point where if you put your hand over the return the flow into the pool feels much weaker, then you need to backwash and follow by rinse. For the sand itself, you only need to replace the sand every 3-5 years or so.

Answer 7

Change the sand in your sand filter every 8-10 years! :)

Answer 8

Every 3 - 5 years depending on average water quality through the sand's lifespan.

Answer 9

after a year