1 is waste 3 is backwash 4 is normal
Filter, winter, closed, backwash, rinse, waste
If the pool is really dirty then it is best to set the filter to waste.
No, not if the filter is set to backwash or waste.
Your sand filter multihead is either in the backwash, rinse, or waste position. Move it to the filtration position.
Set your filter to Backwash or Waste, but don't leave it. Empty out what you do not want and return filter to Filtration
Typically you only need to backwash when your filter's PSI is double its starting PSI level. For example, mine starting PSI is between 7 and 12, so when it gets to between 15 and 20 PSI I'll backwash.
It should be on filter and don't forget to backwash at least once a week.
The purpose of the backwash function is just to flush out the filter itself when you see the pressure gauge reading 8-10 lbs higher than the just-cleaned reading. The waste rinse function bypasses the filter and is used to vaccuum debris from the pool straight out into the yard. Use it when the debris is too fine for the filter to remove such as with dead algae.
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.
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.
Filter setting intakes pool water through the skimmer, sends it through the filter (then heater, if any) and back into the pool. Backwash sends pool water through the filter in reverse and dumps the water out for cleaning purposes. In my experience if pool servicing is overdue you may need to backwash several times, running the filter setting a minute or two (without adding DE) in between each backwash. The filter is not really clean until the water runs clear. Recirculate is a round robin water voyage from skimmer to return port bypassing the filter if the pool is piped for this feature. Waste dumps water from the skimmer without going through the filter. Closed prevents water from entering the filter tank and should not be used with the pump running. It is for winterizing and servicing only. Some pools are piped so that the closed setting is used when vacumming the pool (with pump running). Most pools are piped so that the closing off of water from the filter is accomplished by turning a valve on one of the water lines. Rinse: Runs water through the filter in the normal direction and out the waste hose. This helps the sand to compact back down or the DE to settle back into the mesh before you start cycling back into the pool.