"Your Local Pool Guy" wrote in message
oups.com...

Most All Sand Filters are the same. They mostly all have what is called
a multi-port valve on the top or on the side. So lets say you are
looking at your sand filter multi-port valve right now. You should have
about 6 settings including:
. . .
Backwash
Runs pool water from your pump through the sand filter and out through
the waste port dispensing water out of your pool. This is what cleans
your dirty sand. You should only backwash when your pressure rises 10
pounds over your normal pressure rate.

Vendors hereabouts recommend backwashing about
once a week. Usually the waste water runs visibly
clean after 30 sec. to 2 min. of backwashing. Small
pumps typically run at about 15 p.s.i. i.e. will never
reach 25 p.s.i.

Rinse
Runs pool water from your pump through the sand filter and out through
the waste port rinsing the sand clear of dirt. You should always rinse
your filter after backwashing ensuring no dirt flies back into your
pool after backwashing.

As described here, this would be exactly the same as
backwashing. Filter manuals may explain the difference
between Backwash and Rinse modes, where a difference exists.
--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)