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How To Remove and Clean Hayward DE Filter Grids

WRITTEN BY: Inyo Pools

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Periodically you have to clean the debris and contaminants out of your Hayward DE Filter. This process can be done at three levels: 1- by backwashing the filter; 2- by extracting and cleaning the grid assembly; or 3- by extracting and cleaning each grid in the assembly. For more information on Backwashing, see our guide on "How To Backwash a Hayward DE Filter."

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Step by Step

Top

Step 1

GATHER TOOLS - Pull together the tools you will need: a socket wrench, a large open ended wrench, two small open ended wrenches, silicon or Teflon based lubricant, a rubber mallet, a face mask and a cleaning cloth.

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Step 2

TURN OFF POWER - If your pump is on, turn it off at the power switch or ideally at the circuit breaker box.

Step 3

OPEN AIR RELIEF VALVE - Release the pressure in the filter tank by opening the air pressure relief valve at the rear of the pressure gauge.

Step 4

REMOVE DRAIN PLUG - Remove the drain plug to drain the filter. Insert a screwdriver into the slot of the plug to work as a lever if the plug cannot be removed by hand.

Step 5

VIEW CLAMP ASSEMBLY - The tank of this Hayward DE Filter is split between an upper and a lower section held together in the middle by a Clamp Assembly. To open up the tank, you will have to remove the Clamp Assembly.

Step 6

UNSCREW HEX NUT AND BOLT - The Clamp Assembly is secured with a nut and bolt. Put a socket wrench on the head of the bolt and an open end wrench on the nut and unscrew the bolt. - counter clockwise.

Step 7

REMOVE HEX NUT AND BOLT - With the nut off, remove the bolt from the Clamp Assembly.

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Step 8

LOOSEN CLAMP - The Clamp Assembly is pressed on tight. Tap one end of the Clamp with a rubber mallet to loosen the Clamp Assembly.

Step 9

REMOVE CLAMP - Take the Clamp Assembly off of the tank. Note there are two pivots or hinges on the clamp to help to remove or replace the clamp.

Step 10

LOOSEN TANK HALVES - The two halves of the filter tank may still be stuck together. Take a rubber mallet and gently tap the top sides of the upper tank.

Step 11

LIFT OFF TOP HALF - Lift the upper tank section straight up off the grid assembly.

Step 12

VIEW GRID ASSEMBLY - This is a picture of the top half of the grid assembly. Note the 8 grids covered with DE Powder.

Step 13

HOSE DOWN GRID ASSEMBLY - To reduce the weight of the grid, hose down the grid assembly to strip off most of the DE Powder.

Step 14

REMOVE GRID ASSEMBLY - Lift the Grid Assembly straight up out of the Filter Tank. As you lift it off, the Manifold Pipe on the side of the Grid Assembly should separate from the bottom pipe on the tank. Note how they line up so you can connect them when you replace the Grid Assembly.

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Step 15

HOSE DOWN GRID ASSEMBLY AGAIN - Place the Grid Assembly on the ground and hose it down again. Spray down inside the Assembly as well and outside to remove as much of the old DE Powder as possible.

Step 16

REMOVE LOCKING NUT AND WASHERS - The Top Manifold is secured with a single nut on a bolt that goes through the center of the Grid Assembly. You will have to hold the bolt on the bottom of the Grid Assembly to remove the top nut and washers.

Step 17

SECURE BOTTOM BOLT - Turn the Grid Assembly on its side and secure the bottom bolt while you remove the top one. Remove top nut and washers.

Step 18

LOCATE PARTIAL GRID - This Grid Assembly has 8 grids, a partial or short grid and 7 full grids. The Partial Grid has been shortened to accommodate the Manifold Pipe that fits into the side of the Grid Assembly. Before removing the Top Manifold, locate where the partial grid is placed. It will be under the arm of the Top Manifold that is labeled "Short Element Here". When you replace the Top Manifold, it has to go together in this same configuration.

Step 19

REMOVE TOP MANIFOLD - Pull the Top Manifold up off of the 8 grids. The Top Manifold has 8 ports that line up with the ports on top of each of the Grids. Note: in this picture the Partial Grid is still attached to the Top Manifold and will have to be gently dropped off.

Step 20

CHECK MANIFOLD FOR DAMAGE - Check the Top Manifold for cracks around the ports and the Manifold Pipe Connection. Replace the Top Manifold if damaged.

Step 21

CHECK MANIFOLD PIPE FOR DAMAGE - Check the Manifold Pipe that comes up from the side of the tank and connects to the Top Manifold. Replace if damaged. Also check the O-ring at the top of the pipe for cracks and wear.

Click Here for Our Full Selection of Replacement DE Grid Packages

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Step 22

REMOVE PARTIAL GRID - To avoid confusion on where each grid goes, many people take the grids out one at a time to clean them. With the Top Manifold off, you may need another person to hold the grids in place as you are pulling them out one at a time. We have started with the Partial Grid but you can pick any other starting point. Pull the Partial Grip straight up out of the bottom guide. Note how the grid fits into the bottom so you can replace it the same way.

Step 23

CLEAN PARTIAL GRID - Hose down the Partial Grid with a garden hose. Hose down the Partial Grid with a garden hose.

Step 24

INSPECT PARTIAL GRID - Look at the grid of signs of tears or a breakdown of the plastic core that has poked a hole in the fiber. Replace the grid with a new one if required.

Step 25

REPLACE PARTIAL GRID - Replace the cleaned or new grid back into its slot. Make sure the Partial Grid is seated properly in the base.

Step 26

REMOVE FULL GRID - Remove the Full Grid on one side of the Partial Grid by pulling it straight up out of the Grid Assembly. Note how the grid fits into the bottom so you can replace it the same way.

Step 27

CLEAN FULL GRID - Hose down the Full Grid with a garden hose.

Step 28

INSPECT FULL GRID - Look at the grid of signs of tears or a breakdown of the plastic core that has poked a hole in the fiber. Replace the grid with a new one if required.

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Step 29

REPLACE FULL GRID - Replace the cleaned or new grid back into its slot.. Make sure the Partial Grid is seated properly in the base.

Step 30

REPEAT FOR REMAINING 6 GRIDS - Taking the grids out one at a time, repeat the last four steps for each of the remaining 6 Full Grids.

Step 31

RE-SET TOP MANIFOLD - Place the Top Manifold on top of the grids. Make sure that each of the grids is firmly engaged with one of the 8 Manifold ports. Make sure the Manifold port labeled "Short Element Here" is lined up with the Partial Grid.

Step 32

REBOLT MANIFOLD HOLDING NUT - Place the Grid Assembly on its side and while holding the bottom bolt, screw on the top nut and washers to secure the Top Manifold.

Step 33

HOSE OUT TANK BOTTOM - Hose out the bottom of the tank. The water and debris should flow out of the drain.

Step 34

REMOVE AND INSPECT TANK O-RING - Pull out the Tank O-ring laying on the edge of the bottom section of the Tank. Inspect to for cracks and wear. Replace if the Tank O-ring necessary

Step 35

CLEAN O-RING SLOT - Clean off the slot where the Tank O-ring lays.

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Step 36

REPLACE TANK O-RING - Replace the Tank O-ring.

Step 37

LUBRICATE TANK 0-RING - Lubricate the top of the Tank O-ring with a silicon or Teflon based lubricant.

Step 38

REPLACE GRID ASSEMBLY - Drop the Grid Assembly back into the bottom section of the Tank. Make sure the sections of the Manifold Pipe line up.

Step 39

HOSE OUT TANK TOP - Clean out the top section of the Tank

Step 40

REPLACE TANK TOP - Place the top section of the Tank back on top of the Bottom section. Make sure the Pressure Gauge is lined up so you can see it.

Step 41

SEAT TANK TOP - Push down on the top of the Tank with a rocking motion to help seat the Tank top.

Step 42

REPLACE CAMP ASSEMBLY - Replace the Camp Assembly starting with the back third and folding the two sides to the meet at the front. Make sure the clamp is positioned over both lips of the upper and lower tank sections.

Click Here for Our Full Selection of Replacement DE Grid Packages

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Step 43

REPLACE CLAMP BOLT AND NUT - Insert the bolt and begin screwing the nut on the end of the bolt. Stop to adjust the Clamp Assembly when the nut becomes hard to turn.

Step 44

ADJUST CLAMP ASSEMBLY - Gently hit the Clamp Assembly around its circumference to seat the Clamp further. Retighten the bolt assembly. Do this adjustment a couple of times. Make sure the final twists are snug but do not overtighten the bolt assembly.

Step 45

REPLACE DRAIN PLUG - Replace the Drain Plug at the bottom of the Filter Tank.

Step 46

CHECK MPV IN FILTER POSITION - Ensure that your filter's Multiport Valve (MPV) is set on FILTER mode.

Step 47

TURN ON PUMP -Turn the pool pump ON and let it reach prime.

Step 48

CLOSE RELIEF VALVE - The Air Relief Valve should be open to initially let air out of the top of the filter. Close this valve when a steady stream of water shoots out the end of the valve.

Step 49

ADD DE POWDER - Go to our guide on "How To Add DE Filter Powder"

Click Here for Our Full Selection of Replacement DE Grid Packages

Click Here to Find Your Filter Parts (Body O-Rings, Air Reliefs, Manifolds & More)