1. Home
  2. How To Guides
  3. How To Replace a Lateral in a Pool Sand Filter

How To Replace a Lateral in a Pool Sand Filter

WRITTEN BY: 

  3.42 out of 5 stars on 47 ratings
(Click on a star to add your rating)

If you are having sand flush back into your pool during normal filtering operation of your sand filter, you may have a broken lateral at the bottom of your filter's standpipe. This guide shows you how to remove and replace a broken lateral. You will note that this procedure is the same as what you have to do to replace the sand in your filter so in this process you may as well replace your sand also.



Comments

Email

Print

Steps

Things You'll Need

Pool Filter Parts

Zeobest Sand Alternative

Video

Step by Step

Top

Step 1

The laterals are attached to the bottom of the standpipe within your pool sand filter. To replace a broken lateral in your sand filter you will have to remove the Multiport Valve on the top of your filter. If your filter was not installed with union connections, you will have to cut the piping to your filter. When you reinstall the filter after replacing lateral, this would be a good time to add unions.

Step 2

Before you start to replace the lateral and change the sand in your filter, be sure to purchase any material or equipment you will need ahead of time. This might include a lateral or two, sand, the O-ring between the valve and the tank, Teflon tape, lubricant, and unions. For the sand use only high rate No. 20 Silica Sand. An example is pictured at left. Check the manufacturer to determine the amount required. This unit (Hayward S180T) uses 3 50 lb bags of sand - 150 lbs total. You can also purchase our superior to sand Click here for our Sand Alternative.

Step 3

Before you start to remove the filter valve, make sure you TURN OFF THE POOL PUMP. For maximum safety turn off the power at the circuit breaker to the pump.

Step 4

Next release the pressure in the filter tank by turning the drain cap at the bottom of the tank a half a turn counter-clockwise. Then remove the cap completely to drain the water out of the tank.

Step 5

Disconnect the waste hose that is attached to the "WASTE" line coming off the Multiport Valve.

Step 6

To remove the Multiport Valve unscrew unions that connect the piping to the "PUMP" and "RETURN" ports. If your filter does not have unions, cut the piping that connects these two ports. Be sure to leave enough room to attach unions later and stagger the cuts so that one union will not be installed on top of the other.

Step 7

Next take off the Multiport Valve flange clamp that holds the filter onto the tank. Screw off both bolts to separate the clamp. Keep track of the vinyl protector caps that are placed over the ends of the screws.

Step 8

With a gentle twisting motion, lift the valve off the pipe inside the tank. If you pull too fast or hard, you risk breaking the lateral pipes at the bottom of the tank.

Step 9

Tape the top of the pipe to prevent sand from entering and clogging the laterals.

Step 10

Remove sand carefully with a plastic cup until you can see the tops of the laterals at the bottom of the tank.

Step 11

Gently pull the pipe and lateral assembly out of the rest of the sand. Then before you pull the assembly out of the tank, carefully rotate the 10 laterals up to the side of the pipe so that they will clear the hole.

Step 12

Lift the pipe and lateral assembly out of the tank.

Step 13

Check each of the laterals for breaks and locate any damaged lateral. If the laterals are badly clogged you may want to soak them in a bucket of cleaning solution.

Step 14

For this model of sand filter, the laterals are clamped together between two plates secured with 5 screws. To take out the damaged lateral(s), remove the 5 screws. Note: In other models, the individual laterals are screwed into the base. These can be removed by gently twisting the lateral counter-clockwise.

Step 15

Work the top plate apart from the bottom plate. You may have to gently pry them apart with a flat screwdriver. Apply easy pressure at each of the gaps around the assembly to work it apart.

Step 16

Pull the top section off the bottom section to free the 10 laterals

Step 17

Lift the broken lateral(s) off of the bottom section.

Step 18

Replace the damaged lateral with a good one. Reseat the lateral with the tab pointing down.

Step 19

Replace the top section and press the two section together

Step 20

Check each of the laterals to make sure that they rotate up and down freely.

Step 21

Replace the 5 screws

Step 22

Check each of the laterals again to make sure that they rotate up and down freely.

Step 23

Wash out the tank with a garden hose.

Step 24

Check the drain cap for cracks and replace it securely.

Step 25

Fill tank about 1/2 way full with water to provide a cushion when the sand is poured in. This will help protect the laterals.

Step 26

Next you will be replacing the pipe and lateral assembly back inside the tank. Make sure the 10 laterals are rotated up. Place the pipe and lateral assembly inside the tank.

Step 27

After the lateral assembly is inside, carefully rotate the 10 laterals 90 degrees in their down position.

Step 28

Make sure the pipe is centered in the opening. Tape the top of the pipe to prevent sand from entering and clogging the laterals.

Step 29

The sand filter package came with a cardboard sand shield. If you still have this shield, place this over the pipe and within the opening. If not, you will have to take more care that the pipe remains centered when you pour in the sand.

Step 30

Pour sand carefully into the pool sand filter until laterals are fully covered. For this unit 3 bags should leave at least 6" space between the top of the sand and the top of the filter. Level sand as you pour and make sure the center pipe remains centered in the opening. Be careful when leveling the sand that you do not lift the pipe and lateral assemble up off the bottom of the tank. You will not be able to push the pipe back down without causing the laterals to rotate up.

Step 31

Remove the O-rind on the bottom of the Multiport valve and check it for wear. Since you only do this every 5-7 years, it's probably a good idea to replace this O-ring now. Lightly lubricate the O-ring with a silicon lubricant and place it on the underside of the valve.

Step 32

Remove tape from top of pipe. Slip the Multiport control valve onto the central pipe - check the O-ring to ensure it is positioned correctly.

Step 33

Install clamp around the tank and valve flange. Tighten multiport valve flange clamp with a screwdriver. Tap around the clamp with the screwdriver handle as you are tightening the clamp to help seat the clamp properly. Place vinyl protector caps over the ends of the screws.

Step 34

Reconnect the two unions to the "PUMP" and "RETURN" ports. If you did not have unions, add unions now or glue the pipes back together with straight couplers.

Step 35

With the pump OFF, depress the multiport valve handle fully and turn it to the "BACKWASH" position. Make sure that your waste line is rolled out to where you want to dump the pool waste water.

Step 36

Prime and turn ON the pool pump. Be sure that you have at least one suction and all discharge lines open.

Step 37

Run the pool pump for 2 minutes after you have a steady flow of water out the waste line (after the pump is fully primed). This will flush all the impurities or fine sand particles out of the sand media.

Step 38

Turn the pool pump OFF and turn the valve handle to "RINSE".

Step 39

Turn the pump back ON and run until the water in the sight glass is clear. This should take no more than 1 minute.

Step 40

Turn the pool pump OFF and turn the valve handle to "FILTER".

Step 41

Turn the pool pump ON. This is the normal operating mode for your filter. Note the pressure gauge reading. This is your clean sand filter pressure. When it increases to an additional 10 psi, it's time to backwash your filter.

Comments

Top
Add a Comment
(41 to 60 of 60)

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 10/21/2013 

moyer02 - Thank you. We appreciate your feedback. And you are correct. We meant to say "it's time to backwash your filter". We made the correction.
 Reply

 Posted: 10/20/2013 

Excellent step-by-step instructions. However, on the last step you say it's time to replace your sand when pressure goes up by 10. Didn't you mean that it's time to backwash when the pressure goes up?
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 10/5/2013 

this pages are very helpful for me
 Reply

 Posted: 7/25/2013 

I replaced the laterals in my sand filter as I was getting sand in the bottom of my pool. This didn't fix the problem. What would be my next step to solve this problem? Thanks in advance.
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 7/16/2013 

Awesome directions....very easy to follow...thanks!
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 6/20/2013 

these instructions are detailed and step by step with pictures and is extremely helpful. Thank you.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 6/4/2013 

Lowflyer - Most of these smaller AG pool sand filters do not have laterals. They generally only have a plate that separates the filtered water chamber from the sand filter chamber. Make sure this plate is placed correctly. Also check that the large O-ring between the top cover and the bottom tank, is placed correctly.
 Reply

 Posted: 6/2/2013 

I have an Intex 14" sand filter. I have had it a year. I always get sand in the pool. Is it.a broken lateral? Do these filters have lateral lines?
 Reply

 Posted: 5/7/2013 

Very useful! Once the sand is replace, Can I pick up the sand in the pool with the vacuum with filter to "drain" ? I have a Jacuzzi filter.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 4/8/2013 

jamie kay - Unfortunately, it sounds like you are going to have to take the whole lateral assembly out of the filter tank to disassemble the lateral hub.
 Reply

 Posted: 4/7/2013 

I have a hayward sand filter. one of the laterals is broken. I have taken it apart and located the broken lateral. the problem is the top of the lateral is broken off jnto the part that it fits unto. I have been unable to get it out myself. any suggestions on how to get it out without taking the whole lateral assembley out of the pump?
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 8/17/2012 

Mike - The Intex sand filters that I have seen don't have laterals; they only have a filter screen at the bottom. Unfortunately, if you don't rinse the dust and small sand out of the new sand initially, it will just continue to circulate through your filter back into the pool. You may be able to get some of it out by vacuuming the bottom and top surfaces.
 Reply

 Posted: 8/16/2012 

I am getting dust in my pool. I backwash several times but it dosen't help. I have an intex 14" sand filter in my small 12' pool
Water is crystal clear. Could it be a broken latersl? Thanks, Mike
 Reply

 Posted: 8/13/2012 

Very good information, well explained
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/28/2012 

sgsigman - See our guide for replacing a pressure gauge on a cartridge filter. The process should be close enough.
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 5/27/2012 

any instructions on how to replace a pressure gauge on a sand filter? Thanks!
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/25/2012 

Cathy - We are working on this. As a workaround, I have copied the whole guide to Word and printed it from there.
 Reply

 Posted: 5/24/2012 

I tried printing the instruction, it will not print all of the instruction just up to step 3,
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 5/22/2012 

This is a VERY thorough and detailed piece of information...that WORKED!!!
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 2/4/2012 

excelent!
 Reply