Pool Filter Rinse Vs Backwash: Is One Better Than The Other?

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Pool Filter Rinse vs Backwash

Pool sand filters come with a multiport valve featuring seven settings: Filter, Backwash, Rinse, Waste, Recirculate, Winter, and Closed. Are you familiar with all the settings? Have you wondered about the difference between Pool Filter Rinse and Backwash?

There is no choice between Rinse and Backwash; both are essential for maintaining a clean sand filter. The Backwash cycle must always be followed by the Rinse cycle.

Together, Backwash and Rinse keep the filter clean and free-flowing, ensuring your pool water remains clean, clear, and safe for swimming.

To understand the importance of both Backwash and Rinse, it’s essential to know how a pool sand filter works to trap solid contaminants in the water.

How Does A Pool Sand Filter Work?

A pool sand filter is a metal vessel which is 2/3rd filled with sand. A pump draws the contaminated pool water through the skimmer and pushes it through the pool filter. 

The water enters from the top and percolates through the sand medium. The pool water can pass through the sand filter, but the larger solid particles of dust and other contaminants can not. They get trapped in the sand pores.

The clear water from the pool sand filter is directed back to the pool. The cycle continues, as long as the pool pump is running. 

As time passes, more & more dirt & dust collects in the sand and above it. The pool pump has to work harder & harder to push the water through the pool sand filter. 

The pressure gauge reading starts climbing. A point is reached when the pool filter must be cleaned. In the case of Sand Filter (and DE Filter) the process is called Backwashing.

What Does Backwashing a Sand Filter Do?

When the multiport valve is set on the Filter position the dirty pool water enters from the top and percolates to the bottom through the sand medium. 

Due to the pressure, the filtered water is pushed through the laterals, up the standpipe and back into the pool through the return line. 

When the multiport valve position is changed to Backwash, the flow of the water is reversed. The water enters the filter through the standpipe, flows through the laterals, into the sand medium. 

This stirs up the sand and the dirt that was trapped by it earlier and possibly clogging the filter, is dislodged. Especially the one that was sitting on top of the sand. The water and the dirt is ejected from the filter through the waste port.

The sand filter is now clean. Well almost! There is just one small but very important step still left.

Do You Have to Rinse Pool Filter Sand?

Yes! You must Rinse the pool sand filter after the Backwash cycle. Why? Because the backwashing the pool filter stirs up the sand. Rinsing it will allow the sand to settle back so that it will be able to filter effectively.

When the pool filter is in the Rinse mode, the water flows in the same direction as that in the Filter mode. The difference is that the water does not go to the pool. It goes to waste. This way rinsing clears out whatever dirt that may still have been lurking.

Rinse is a very short cycle, typically just 30-60 seconds.

So now you can see that Backwash and Rinse are not opposing alternatives. Rather they are complementary. Rinse must follow Backwash.

Regularly backwashing & rinsing your sand pool filter is very important for keeping your pool clean, crystal clear and free from pathogens.

For more detailed information on all settings check out my post Pool Multiport Valve Settings (The Best Guide With Simple Schematics!).

Recommended Pool Sand Filters

Best Sand Filter

The Hayward Pro Series Sand Filter for in-ground swimming pools will provide you with hassle-free, effective filtration. The weather-proof tank is constructed of a tough, color-fast polymeric material.

Even water distribution over every square inch of sand is ensured by an integral top diffuser, self-cleaning under drain and 360 degree slotted laterals. Advanced full-flow technology reduces energy costs by achieving excellent filtration, so you can run your filter less.

Thorough backwashing allows for crystal-clear water. Filter is complete with tank, 7-way multi-port valve, sight glass and pressure gauge. 7-way Valve Positions: Filter, Waste, Winter, Closed, Backwash, Recirculation, Rinse.

Hayward Pro Series Pool Sand Filter

Thank you very much for reading the post. I do hope you found it informative and helpful.