Remove sand from your pool using a skimmer net, pool brush, and filter system adjustments

Sand in your pool usually comes from beach toys, windy days, or filter backwash. You can remove it without a vacuum by combining three methods: skimming the surface, brushing debris toward the drain, and running your filter on the right cycle. The fastest approach depends on how much sand is in the water and where it has settled.

Most of the sand will either float near the surface for the first few hours or sink to the bottom. Floating sand is easiest to remove with a net. Sand on the floor requires you to stir it up and let the filter catch it, or push it manually toward the main drain where the pump can pull it out.

Key Takeaways

  • Use a skimmer net to remove sand floating on the surface within the first few hours after it enters the pool.
  • Brush the pool floor and walls toward the main drain to move settled sand into the circulation system.
  • Run your filter on the "Waste" or "Drain" setting to bypass the filter tank and send sand directly out of the pool through the pump.
  • Backwash your filter after removing sand to clear any particles that collected inside the filter media.
  • Check your pool's drain valve and skimmer baskets regularly to prevent sand from clogging the system.

Skim floating sand from the surface when ready

Sand that has not yet sunk will float or suspend near the top of the water for several hours. A skimmer net — the flat net on a long pole that comes with most pools — is the fastest way to remove it. Skim the surface in slow, overlapping passes, working from one end of the pool to the other.

Empty the net into a bucket or onto the deck every few passes. Do this while the pool pump is off so you do not pull sand into the skimmer basket at the same time. Skimming takes 10 to 20 minutes depending on the amount of sand, and it removes the problem before it settles.

Brush sand toward the main drain

Sand that has sunk to the floor needs to be moved to a place where the pump can remove it. Use a pool brush — a wide brush on a pole — to sweep the floor and walls toward the main drain, which is usually located at the deepest point of the pool. Brush in straight lines, not circles, so you push sand in one direction rather than stirring it around.

Work slowly and deliberately. Aggressive brushing stirs up sand and makes it suspend in the water again, which actually makes the job harder. Spend 5 to 10 minutes brushing, then let the water settle for a few minutes before moving to the next step. If your pool has a shallow end and a deep end, brush everything downhill toward the deep end.

Switch your filter to "Waste" or "Drain" mode

Most pool filters have a multiport valve on top with several settings. The "Waste" setting (sometimes labeled "Drain") bypasses the filter tank entirely and sends water directly out of the pool through the pump. This is the key to removing sand without a vacuum, because sand clogs the filter media and the "Waste" setting avoids that problem.

Turn off the pump, locate the multiport valve on your filter tank, and turn the handle to "Waste" or "Drain." Turn the pump back on. You will see water flowing out through the waste line (usually a hose running away from the pool). Sand will flow out with it. Watch the water level in the pool — it will drop as you pump water out. When the level gets too low, turn the pump off, add water with a hose, and turn it back on.

Run the pump on "Waste" for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on how much sand is in the pool. You will notice the water becoming clearer as you go. Once the water looks clean and you see no more sand flowing out the waste line, you are done with this step.

Return the filter to normal operation and backwash

After you have removed the sand, turn off the pump and switch the multiport valve back to "Filter." This is the normal setting that cleans water through the filter media and returns it to the pool. Turn the pump back on and let it run for 5 to 10 minutes.

Then turn the pump off again and switch the valve to "Backwash." This reverses the water flow through the filter to clean out any sand particles that made it into the filter tank during the removal process. Turn the pump on and run it on backwash for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the water flowing out the waste line runs clear. Switch back to "Filter" and run the pump normally.

Clean your skimmer and pump baskets

Sand can collect in the skimmer basket (the net inside the skimmer opening on the pool wall) and the pump basket (inside the pump housing). Check both baskets after you finish removing sand. Turn off the pump, open the skimmer access panel or pump housing, and remove any sand or debris by hand or with a small net.

Rinse the baskets with a hose if they are very sandy. Reinstall them and turn the pump back on. Clogged baskets reduce water flow and make the pump work harder, so this step protects your equipment.

Prevent sand from entering the pool in the first place

Sand usually enters a pool from beach toys, sandy feet, or windy conditions. Keep beach toys and inflatables away from the pool deck, or rinse them with a hose before bringing them into the water. Ask swimmers to rinse their feet at a deck shower or with a hose before entering.

On windy days, cover the pool with a tarp or pool cover when it is not in use. If you live near a beach or in a sandy area, keep the pool cover on longer and check the water more often. A small amount of sand is normal, but catching it early with a skimmer net prevents it from becoming a bigger problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the skimmer basket to catch sand instead of a net?

The skimmer basket catches leaves and large debris, but sand passes through it and into the pump. Use a skimmer net to catch sand before it reaches the skimmer opening. If sand does get into the skimmer basket, empty it by hand after you finish removing sand from the pool.

What if my filter does not have a "Waste" setting?

Older filters or some above-ground pool filters may not have a waste setting. In that case, brush sand toward the main drain and run the filter normally. The sand will go through the filter media, which will catch most of it. Backwash more frequently — every few days for a week — to clear the sand from the filter.

How long does it take to remove sand from a pool?

Skimming floating sand takes 10 to 20 minutes. Brushing and running the filter on waste mode takes another 30 to 45 minutes total. Most sand removal is done within an hour if you catch it early. Settled sand that has been in the pool for days takes longer because more of it has sunk to the floor.

Will sand damage my pool pump or filter?

Sand is abrasive and can wear out pump seals and scratch filter media over time. Removing it quickly and using the waste setting instead of running sand through the filter protects your equipment. Always backwash after removing sand to clear any particles that made it into the filter tank.

Can I use a regular household vacuum to remove sand?

No. A household vacuum is not waterproof and will be damaged by pool water. A pool vacuum is designed for wet use and has a motor that can handle water. If you do not have a pool vacuum, the skimmer net and brush method described here works well for small to moderate amounts of sand.