You’ll want to make yourself a cup of tea for this one. As simple as it sounds (how difficult can changing sand be?), it needs a few steps. Or maybe 11. And you have to do them every 2-3 years.

You’ll know that your filter needs new sand when it becomes more difficult to clean than be-fore. Another sign is when it requires more filtration, backwash, and rinse cycles to get the pool back to crystal clarity.

Here’s how to do it, in (gulp) 11 simple steps!

1. 1. Turn off the filter and pump. You don’t want the pump to roar into life while you’re in the middle of changing the sand in your media.
   2. Once the multiport is off, cover the standpipe with some duct tape or cloth fastened with string to prevent sand from entering it.
   3. Carefully scoop out the sand with a plastic cup. Yes, this can take a long, long, time.
   4. Once you’re able to see the laterals sticking from the standpipe bottom, the sand should be all but gone. Thoroughly rinse to be sure.
   5. Inspect the inside of the filter tank for any cracks and damages. If they’re good, reattach the drain plug and fill the tank about halfway with water.
   6. Once the pool filter tank is half filled with water, you can now start filling it with sand.
   7. Once all of the sand is inside, fill the tank with water and reassemble the connections to your pool filter.
   8. Backwash and rinse the filter to get rid of any excess sand in the system.
   9. Once backwashing is done, run the filter, and check the pressure valve.

That’s it! You’ve successfully changed your pool filter sand. And spent valuable hours doing so.