Sand In The Pool – How To Remove The Sand ?

Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 08:52 pm

In your pool you actually want to feel undisturbed and enjoy the cool water. At the same time, no impurities should spoil the fun of swimming. If you feel the small grains of sand, this can cause astonishment. After all, you are actually not on the beach, but at your own pool, far from the sea.

How can it be that sand gets into the pool and how do you remove it again? Learn how to deal with this contamination of the pool in this guide.

Why does the sand get into the pool?

The main reason why the sand gets into the pool is due to the sand filtration system. This system is actually responsible for keeping the water clean and prevents larger particles from entering the pool. Around twice a day, the water passes through the sand filtration system, which filters out most of the coarse impurities.

In principle, the sand filter system works quite simply. The water is pumped into the system via a pump at the pool. Due to the pressure, the water passes through the large boiler, which is filled with sand. The quartz sand is placed in the fine lamellas and the dirt particles stick to the sand.

The equipment is made in such a way that it should withstand the pressure and the sand should not leak out. However, there may be damage or operator error that causes the sand to escape. Below you will learn some reasons related to the sand filter system, which lead to the sand in the pool.

Crack of a lateral pipe

The sand filter system is sturdily built and actually made to run for a long time and withstand the load. One weak point is the side pipes. These are much thinner than the sturdy standpipe and over time, cracks can cause the sand to leak out. The sand gets into the water and thus into the pool via the side pipes.

Cracks are most common in older installations. The slight damage is a clear sign that it is time to replace the sand filter system with a new one.

Cracks can also occur when the sand filter system is moved. If the unit was filled with sand and moved slightly sideways, the added weight could have caused damage to the tube. Be especially careful when moving the unit and placing it in a different location.

Unsuitable sand

Aside from cracking a pipe, there are other reasons that are responsible for sand in the pool. One of them is that you have filled the facility with the wrong sand.

The plant is designed so that the sand needs a certain size. The slats are kept open so that the water passes through, but dirt particles as well as the sand are retained. If the sand is too fine, it will pass through the openings and into the pool water.

The grain size you need for your pool depends on the particular sand filtration system. Usually sizes from 0.4 to 1.2mm are used. In any case, choose the appropriate grain size of sand and do not compromise on this point. Otherwise, you will have to live with the sand in the pool.

Mishap during refilling

When refilling, you should be especially careful. It could happen that the sand gets into the standpipe and from there finds its way into the pool. To prevent this, it is advisable to use a filling aid. This makes it easier to handle the heavy sand and it gets to where it is needed.

Filter overfilled

If you are too good at cleaning the water and have filled the filter with too much sand, this can cause problems. While backwashing the water, the sand can get into the standpipe or enter the pool through another valve.

Confusion with mustard algae

Sometimes perception can be deceiving and what you think is sand turns out to be mustard algae, which causes discoloration of the water. Mustard algae enter the pool when chlorine levels are too low or pH levels are too high. Then the cleaning power is not sufficient to kill all microorganisms.

Rarely, mustard algae can also be mixed among the contaminants. If these have multiplied in the pool in larger numbers, they make the water appear turbid. In comparison, these algae in the pool prove to be very stubborn. Removing them requires more effort.

So, check very carefully whether it is really sand in the pool or there is a confusion with the algae. You should not only look at the color of the water as a clue, but also check the walls and the bottom of the pool. The largest amounts of algae can be found on these, so you will quickly notice here if it is these organisms.

Remove the sand from the pool

Once you have confirmed that it is sand in the pool, you want to get rid of it as soon as possible. So how can you rid the water of sand?

Eliminate the cause

First, you should find the cause why the sand could get into the pool water. The sand filter system is considered the first place to start here. Find out why the sand is coming out and make sure that the filter is working properly. Otherwise, you would have to keep repeating the cleaning process, making it a hassle to operate the pool.

Use a pool brush

The first step is to use a pool brush to collect the sand. This way, it will no longer be in the entire pool and the further procedure will be easier. It is important that you use a suitable pool brush. For delicate materials, a brush with soft nylon bristles is more suitable.

Use pool vacuum cleaner

With the brush, you have collected the sand in a certain place. Now the pool vacuum cleaner comes into use, which transports the water together with the sand out of the pool.

For this action, it is necessary to set the sand filter system to the “backwash” setting. This will prevent the contaminated water from re-entering the pool through the filter.

You should refill the removed water so that the pool reaches its desired level. Otherwise, you will have to perform an initial refill again and more work will be waiting for you.

Drain the water

If the sand has not collected at the bottom, but permeates the entire pool, you should replace the water. You can do this by again setting the filter to “backwash”. Now drain the water and refill with new, clean water at the same time. Keep doing this until you are satisfied with the result.

Clean the pool from sand

The pool water constantly comes into contact with sand during operation. This happens through the filter system, which removes coarse dirt particles from the water. If the sand filter system is damaged, however, the filling material gets into the water circuit and clouds the swimming fun. Therefore, be sure to handle the system properly so that no sand escapes and contaminates the pool.