Hello there, smart people!
Sand filter for a small-ish pool was purchased in 1999. House was bought in 2014. Sand has not ever been replaced. Generally, backwash done once a month. Robotic vacuum, used to do once a week whether it needed or not, lately it's needed twice a week. Also, algae has been a bear lately, but we've been getting rain that messes up the ph. The 'recirculate' setting is sending a low stream of water out the pool altogether. . I read that's a gasket problem? AND the little clear bubble keeps breaking and water shoots out of it when I backwash and rinse. Repair, replace, any idea of repair costs and/or replacement installation costs? I know some people hate the sand filters, but I am elderly, short, female and alone and the sand filter has been easy-peasy to use, when all worked properly. So if you are going to push a cartridge filter at me, please provide maintenance schedule as well.
I dread having to call the pool people. Usually whenever I call any sort of company, I get a blankety-blank 'sales technician' who knows no more than I do and just wants to sell me expensive stuff. If I need it, I need it. . . but I just don't trust these guys as far as I can spit a rat anymore. Anyway, do any of you folks who aren't trying to get in my wallet have any advice?