swimming pool sand filter - change of sand

[oneillbox]

Dear All

I have been informed by my pool company that my sand needs changing 'urgently'.

having researched the subject, there are 3 ways to know if your sand needs changing.

1. look inside the filter (pipes need to be sawn to do this) and notice that the sand dips down at the edges and the water flows down the side therefore bypassing the sand.

2. loss of pool clarity

3. residue being 'fired' back into the pool by the pump without being filtered (sand, insects, leaves etc)

only number 3 relates to my pool as occasionally light bits of sand can be seen on the steps, so my pool companies diagnosis may well be correct. i dont understand the 'urgently' however as ive had the sand issues since last year.

Anyone any idea what price I should be charged to have this done? my pool is 8m x 4m, the sand filter is quite a small one. I live in the kucukerenkoy area.

Regards

[Groucho]

Get a second opinion...

You ought to be able to inspect the filtration medium by loosening the top... why not post a photo on here so we can see the issues re pipework.

[thornaby]

Really strange post!
Water enters the top pipe of the sand filter, permeates through the sand bed from a tundish. At the bottom of the filter it enters the filter latererals and returns back to the pool via the lower of the two pipes on the sand filter body.
As mentioned , you should be able to open up the top of the sand filter by a locking plate or the like and see the top of the sand level which should be just below the tundish. As for "sawing pipes" that should never be necessary, unless there has been some dreadful installation. If the sand filter has suffered a long time without a backwash the sand can become almost solid. I would at that point open up the top and "stir" the sand. Alternatively empty the sand and start again. Plenty of info on youtube!

[PapaBravo]

As thornaby said, switch everything off, close all valves, take the top of the filter off and check to see if the sand has 'lumped'. If it has, take it out and replace it remembering that the bottom layer of sand in the filter is 'coarse sand' whereas the rest is normal fine sand. I did mine myself and it was tedious but not difficult! You might consider replacing the sand with glass granules from Pooltech - they have a significantly longer life.

[RAZR63]

If you have a friend you can do it yourself? It is relatively easy to do. I would recommend using glass instead of sand available from PoolTech. It's a little more expensive than sand but in the long run will work out cheaper. (no I'm not on a commission)

[Keithcaley]

I seem to remember TRNCVaughan waffling on about 'Diatomaceous Earth' (or something )

I suppose that I could Google it, 'cept I'm feeling lazy...

[RAZR63]

20 Uses For Diatomaceous Earth - wow - an all round good substance. Where can i buy it?

https://www.mommypotamus.com/diatomaceous-earth-uses/

[Groucho]

Snake oil...

[paul90]

On a serious note, forget snake oil and diatomaceous earth.
Consider Quartz as the filter media.
It is available in the necessary particle sizes and the pool companies here will say that it last for up to twenty years without needing to be replaced.
See: http://all-about-water-filters.com/pool ... -answered/
http://fairmountsantrol.com/products/in ... lter-sand/
and http://all-about-water-filters.com/how- ... and-guide/

[Tracy]

Hi our company can do this with sand or glass your choice sand is much cheaper. We will also clean up after ourselves not leave the old sand in the corner.
I would suggest that you do it March or April next year before the swimming season starts, I'm sure you wont be in swimming soon so a little sand on the bottom till then wont hurt. Sand normally needs changing after 4 to 5 years.
Get a quote off your cleaning company then ring me I will do my best to beat the quote.
We can come to look anytime.
Pipework alterations etc not a problem.
We are based in Esentepe so local aswell.
Easyway Services 0533 823 7329

[Keithcaley]

...Get a quote off your cleaning company then ring me I will do my best to beat the quote.

Why not quote your best price clearly now, on this forum?

[oneillbox]

Hi our company can do this with sand or glass your choice sand is much cheaper. We will also clean up after ourselves not leave the old sand in the corner.
I would suggest that you do it March or April next year before the swimming season starts, I'm sure you wont be in swimming soon so a little sand on the bottom till then wont hurt. Sand normally needs changing after 4 to 5 years.
Get a quote off your cleaning company then ring me I will do my best to beat the quote.
We can come to look anytime.
Pipework alterations etc not a problem.
We are based in Esentepe so local aswell.
Easyway Services 0533 823 7329

hiya
tell me what your best price is now and ill tell you if you have the job. its a small filter for a 8x4m lined skimmer pool. the sand filter is in a hut at ground level. over to you.

[oneillbox]

Really strange post!
Water enters the top pipe of the sand filter, permeates through the sand bed from a tundish. At the bottom of the filter it enters the filter latererals and returns back to the pool via the lower of the two pipes on the sand filter body.
As mentioned , you should be able to open up the top of the sand filter by a locking plate or the like and see the top of the sand level which should be just below the tundish. As for "sawing pipes" that should never be necessary, unless there has been some dreadful installation. If the sand filter has suffered a long time without a backwash the sand can become almost solid. I would at that point open up the top and "stir" the sand. Alternatively empty the sand and start again. Plenty of info on youtube!

with respect why is it a strange post. Im new to this swimming pool game and am looking for advice. thats all. no hidden agenda.

a question....how much sand should be in the filter? how full should it be?

[carrierbag]

Change the sand yourself. We did for a 9x5 pool. Took a while but we did it.

[Groucho]

Really strange post!
Water enters the top pipe of the sand filter, permeates through the sand bed from a tundish. At the bottom of the filter it enters the filter latererals and returns back to the pool via the lower of the two pipes on the sand filter body.
As mentioned , you should be able to open up the top of the sand filter by a locking plate or the like and see the top of the sand level which should be just below the tundish. As for "sawing pipes" that should never be necessary, unless there has been some dreadful installation. If the sand filter has suffered a long time without a backwash the sand can become almost solid. I would at that point open up the top and "stir" the sand. Alternatively empty the sand and start again. Plenty of info on youtube!

with respect why is it a strange post. Im new to this swimming pool game and am looking for advice. thats all. no hidden agenda.

a question....how much sand should be in the filter? how full should it be?

There should a min/max marker in body of the filter... like a kettle.

[RAZR63]

What's the size, type and make of Filter? If you tell me I can tell you how much sand or glass you need and approx cost.

[Tracy]

If he wants us to look I can then quote accordingly.
He said there was a pipework issue ? pipes need to be sawn to get into sand filter,
So impossible to quote without seeing the job.
I was just trying to help. And advised him to save his money till next season.
0533 823 7329

[oneillbox]

thanks all for all of the advice. im in uk at moment but will be over TRNC latter part of december. Ill get the required info then, post it on here and be ready for a quote. many thanks.

[Soner]

I was charged £100 to add 3 bags of sand. £20 per bag of sand and £40 for 10 minutes work.
Make sure you get a price first.

[Groucho]

I was charged £100 to add 3 bags of sand. £20 per bag of sand and £40 for 10 minutes work.
Make sure you get a price first.

You were mugged!

If only topping up definitely do it yourself....

[oneillbox]

i have been quoted £175 by my pool cleaning company!!

[RAZR63]

i have been quoted £175 by my pool cleaning company!!

seems excessive.......

[PapaBravo]

As I said in msg 4, 'it is tedious but not difficult to do it yourself'. You will then have only the cost of the glass/sand.

[snd1966]

quote 'seems excessive', but generally pool companies are registered so not doing it for a hobby, yes labour may still be the same in sterling as it was in 2004 but their taxes to remain legal aren't!

do it yourself is always going to be the cheapest but you have to have the time, strength and dedication

actual complete changing is hard work, topping up is fairly easy but one still has to go to the shop, purchase, take to the pump room and then lower it down and fill.

remove the sand, very labour intensive,
Open the filter without breaking the top
the sand then has to be removed from a small hole, it will probably cut and irrate your skin if it comes in touch with it. Old sand has to be placed in buckets / bags and removed from the pump room to probably a vehicle parked some distance from the pool area
the bottom part of the filter sand is often in clumps so it may have to be broken up to remove
clean the filter, check all pipework is good leading to it
drive to the shop to purchase the sand and place in the vehicle
remove sand from vehicle and carry bags to the pool area
lower into the pump room and fill the filter correctly
then ensure the pool is running correctly and all concerned are happy

It was so long ago we had a pool i may of missed some of the procedure but as i said then never again!

[Keithcaley]

I agree with snd1966, topping up with a couple of bags of sand is a relatively easy straightforward job.

Removing and replacing all of the sand, particularly if it has been in place for 5 years or more is an entirely different proposition. I'm not saying that it is beyond the ability of a dedicated DIY'er, but it can pose difficulties - as snd1966 mentioned, the sand may have turned into hard clumps (almost like concrete!) which have to be chipped out. When doing this, there is a danger of damaging the fragile 'spider' network of plastic pipework inside the filter, so you have to work very carefully, paying attention to what you're doing - and all the while, you are bent over the filter tank, with one arm inserted through the top, and curled around the inner workings, unable to see what you are doing!

I've done it once, and I won't be doing it again

[RAZR63]

Yes also agree with snd1966 and Keith - worst case scenarios, hopefully it won't be that difficult. Just ensure that they do take the sand away with them