Short answer
FILTER for normal running and regular vacuuming. BACKWASH to clean the sand (water flows up and out to waste). RINSE after backwash to resettle the bed. WASTE to send water straight out, skipping the sand, for heavy debris or lowering the water. RECIRCULATE to move water without filtering. CLOSED shuts off flow. Always turn the pump off before moving the handle.
Each position, explained
| Position | Water path | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| FILTER | Pump, down through the sand, back to the pool | Normal running and regular vacuuming |
| BACKWASH | Pump, up through the sand, out to waste | Cleaning the sand when pressure is 6 to 8 psi over clean |
| RINSE | Pump, down through the sand, out to waste | About 30 seconds to a minute after backwash |
| WASTE | Pump straight out to waste, skips the sand | Vacuuming heavy debris, lowering the water level |
| RECIRCULATE | Pump straight back to the pool, skips the sand | Moving water when the filter is bypassed |
| CLOSED | No flow to the pool | Servicing the pump basket on some setups; never run the pump on closed |
| WINTER (some valves) | Holds the internal seal off its seat | Storage, so the gasket is not compressed all winter |
FILTER, BACKWASH and RINSE are described in Hayward’s S200 manual, which says to use FILTER for regular vacuuming. Exact labels and positions vary by maker; check yours.
The one rule
Common jobs, which setting
- Daily running: FILTER.
- Gauge up 6 to 8 psi: BACKWASH, then RINSE, then FILTER. Steps in how to backwash a sand filter.
- Vacuuming normal dirt: FILTER. Heavy debris or algae: WASTE. See how to vacuum with a sand filter.
- After changing the sand: BACKWASH first, then RINSE: how to change pool filter sand.
- Too much water after rain: WASTE until the level is right.
When the valve itself is the problem
Water trickling from the waste line while on FILTER, or sand and dirt returning to the pool, can point to a worn spider gasket inside the valve. Leslie’s lists a faulty backwash valve as one cause of sand in the pool. Gaskets and whole valves are sold by filter model.
What you need
Questions people ask
What setting should my sand filter be on to vacuum?
FILTER for routine vacuuming, which Hayward lists as a use of the filter position. Use WASTE when you are vacuuming heavy dirt, algae or a big debris load that would clog the sand right away, and top the pool up afterward.
What is the waste setting on a sand filter for?
It sends water from the pump straight out the waste port without passing through the sand. Use it to vacuum heavy debris, to lower the water level, or to drain water after a big rain.
When should I use recirculate?
When the filter needs to be bypassed but you still want water moving, for example while dispersing chemicals, or when the filter is out of action. The water is not filtered on recirculate.
Can I turn the valve with the pump running?
No. Turning the handle under pressure can damage the spider gasket inside the valve, which then leaks water to waste or lets dirty water bypass the sand. Hayward’s manual says to always shut off the pump before switching positions.
Sources
Last reviewed October 12, 2026. Sand amounts and listings change; check your filter’s label or manual before you buy, and follow the maker’s instructions.