northerner

I’m after some advice from those with pools – and specifically those who know something about the filters! Ours has just developed a problem where it continually filters some water to waste – even when in normal filter mode. It’s no where near as much as when you are actually filtering to waste but enough. Probably equivalent to a hosepipe on full in terms of water loss.

I’ve tried all sorts in terms of trying different settings etc. Next step is to call someone out, or possibly take the top off myself and have a look – might be that something’s in there keeping the valve from fully closing?

It’s a sand filter with the lever on top to switch between the different modes if that helps at all??

Cheers,

Graham

ABCDiamond

If you can, take the top of the switch valve first, and check it.
It does sound like something has gone wrong inside that bit.

That lever is supposed to be a very simple water direction switch.
You might just have a bit of something that has caught in the valve.

northerner

That's what I'm thinking. Hopefully I won't wreck it if I take it apart tonight!

Graham

ABCDiamond

If yours is anything like mine, the top just screws off.

I have just read that a gasket may have broken down. That can happen if you turn the valve handle without turning off the water pump first.

If you know the brand, call your local pool shop, and ask how easy they are to open and repair, and if they carry the spares for them.

bridie

could be a broken o-ring, we had a similar problem, lost water and found the o-ring had corroded. simple fix and not many $$$

steveyp

Tis your spider gasket gone.. let me know make model and approximate age and I will get you a price on one... on certain models it's just as well to replace the whole multi-port-valve as repairs just don't work.
Consider changing the media too if it's old.

the plumber

cheap fix.....put a shut off valve on the backwash and keep in the closed position.........only open when backwashing.


all the best plumb

ABCDiamond

I like a plumber who comes up with cheap options

Are you anywhere near me ?

the plumber

no GODS country........Kingscliff.....

mindblower

?[/QUOTE]

Hi Northerner.

the plumber

hi.....

northerner

Hi all - thanks for the replies/advice. Took the top off this morning and the o-ring (spider gasket?) had been dislodged so there was no proper seal. Took it out, cleaned it up and put it back in - seems to be fine now. Although may need to replace the seal at some point as it didn't look too clever.

Cheers,

Graham

bridie

nice one

steveyp

It's a work around alright... but worth remembering if your spider gasket is gone then adding a two way valve to the backwash will not stop the valve leaking between the other chambers when running. i.e. some of the water may be passing straight through the valve and back to the pool without passing through the sand and filtering at all.
Better to fix it proper!

BadgeIsBack

We put the isolation valve on our waste pipe too a few years ago.

Our switch handle is snug under the deck and is now barely reachable since the bloke we had around during MrsB's pregnancy 'renovated' it and I often wondered if it was engaging properly. I suspect that our gasket is on the way out too but it is hard to access to fix.

We are considering getting a cartridge filter next, but just as I am about to part with the cash, the filter is doing a good job.