Absolute Blue Services

Sand Change

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Sand filter is a filtration system employing a bed of silica sand to filter out contaminants of foreign material that is not wanted in swimming water. When new this sand is very rough with a lot of jagged edges. As the sand ages the edges get rounded off and are unable to capture foreign materials. This allows for the sand to get compacted not allowing water to flow through properly. When the sand get compacted it allows for "channels" to be born where water passes through without going through the sand which means no filtering.

My pool chemicals are fine, why is my pool cloudy?

When the sand looses its "edge" it can not properly remove UDS (undissolved solids) from the water or small materials. This means you have to increase chemical usage substantially to compensate and this will have negative side effects. Best solution is to change the sand.

My cleaning system doesn't seem to working properly anymore, why?

As sand gets older and compacted water is unable to flow through properly. This means that suction based cleaners do not have enough water flow to operate and return based (in floor pop-ups and most Polaris* cleaners) are lacking the needed pressure to operate. If this is the case, changing the sand or filter is the only option.

Sand and larger debris is coming out of my pool returns, what happened?

When this happens it is always due to broken laterals. When a lateral gets broken you need a sand change to get to the laterals to replace them. Replacing laterals is not included with standard sand change.

What happens during a sand change?

There are two things different approaches depending on the back wash valve location. If the back wash valve is on top of the filter the technician will have to cut pipes and re plumb the connection when done (extra cost) other wise...

1. Removes top cap of filter and carefully twists the sprayer out of the way.
2. Using a vacuum the technician will vacuum out the sand. Old sand is spread out where ever client wishes (with in reason) or hauled away (extra charge) and disposed of properly.
3. If filter has a bed of gravel it is left alone unless a lateral is broken then rocks are replaced along with all laterals.
4. Filter is filled half way with water (to prevent the weight of the sand from braking laterals) and new sand is installed.
5. Cap "O" ring is lubricated and reinstalled (If top mounted backwash valve, valve is reinstalled and re plumbed at this point).
6. Back wash valve is lubricated (unless multi-port valve).
7. Filter is back washed for about 5 minutes to get all the sand dust out of the filter (and not in pool).
8. Filter is turned back to filter mode and inspected for leaks.

Is the sand the same as what my kids play in?

No, play sand is too smooth and will not properly filter foreign materials from the water.

* Polaris is a registered trademark of Zodiac Pool Systems, Inc