A pool filter is an essential part of your pool. The pool filter is vital in removing dirt, debris, and invisible particles, which helps keep your swimming pool needs to be clean and safe. Since it performs a crucial function, you must include pool filter maintenance in your regular pool upkeep.
A swimming pool is a place of fun and relaxation. Both adults and children can enjoy this amenity, where they can cool down during warmer days. However, it can be a source of health problems if not maintained properly and regularly. For instance, if the pool filter is not working as intended, it can lead to cloudy water and poor water circulation.
Clean the Pool Filter Regularly
One pool filter maintenance activity that homeowners can do is clean or backwash their pool filters. A new and clean filter can easily pass through water. Over time, debris accumulates and builds up on the filter. As the filter gets clogged, the filter’s pressure increases. To keep the filter’s pressure in its normal range, you need to clean them regularly. How often you perform cleaning depends on the size of the swimming pool and the capacity of the filter. Even if the filter pressure is not increasing, it is good practice to clean the filter at least once a month and deep clean it once a year.
How you clean your pool filter’s media and your pool filter maintenance activities will also depend on what type of filter you have.
Cleaning a Sand Pool Filter
Your pool sand filter will come with an input and output pressure gauge. The inlet pressure should always be lower than the outlet pressure.
An increase in the filter’s differential pressure means the sand filter is clogged. Always check the filter’s pressure to know if a cleaning is necessary. Sand filters usually need to be cleaned every one to four weeks.
To backwash your sand pool filter:
- Make sure that the water is ¾ above the skimmer’s mouth to make up for any water loss.
- Switch the multiport to the backwash position after shutting down the system. If there is a backwash/separation tank valve, open it.
- If you have a backwash hose, extend it to a drain area to prevent flooding.
- Run the pump, and when the sight glass clears, turn it off.
- Rinse, filter, then restart the pump.
Of course, calling your trusted pool repair and maintenance service provider will be your best bet when cleaning or backwashing your sand filter. A technician will also be in a better position to check the filter for possible problems.
Cleaning a Cartridge Filter
A cartridge filter, installed inside a filter housing system, removes debris using corrugated paper or polyester cloth. With a cartridge filter, maintenance is simple, and there is less back pressure. In contrast to other filters, it is less effective in filtering hard water.
If your pool uses a cartridge filter, you need to clean it every two to six weeks. The life of the cartridge and filter efficiency can significantly decrease due to excessive flow. Debris passes through the filter and returns to the pool.
Your cartridge filter does not need backwashing. Simply remove the cartridge from the filter and hose it down with water. Do not use power washers when cleaning your cartridge filter. Filter materials can break down due to pressure, lowering the filter’s life. Deep clean your cartridge filter once a year by soaking it in a cleaning solution. This can help remove the build-up in the filter.
It is important to note that your filter will not be as white as it used to be, even after cleaning.
Cleaning a DE Filter
A diatomaceous earth (DE) filter is considered the most effective filtering agent of the three. It is made by pulverizing fossilized algae-like organisms known as diatoms. It is also the most expensive of the three types of pool filters.
Your pool filter maintenance checklist for your DE filter also involves checking the pressure gauge regularly. Once the pressure reading is 8 psi higher than the pressure at start-up, you will need to backwash your filter. DE filters need to be backwashed every one to three months of use.
Backwashing your DE filter involves the same steps as backwashing a sand filter. You just need to add new DE powder into the skimmer after the last step.
It is still recommended to call a trusted pool maintenance technician to backwash your DE filter.
Call a Pool Professional or Technician
If you are not confident in cleaning or backwashing your pool’s filter, contact a pool repair and maintenance professional. An experienced pool professional will do more comprehensive pool filter maintenance. Aside from cleaning, he can check other components of your pool’s filtration system, such as the gaskets and O-rings. He can also identify damaged filter components and replace them.
Contact Cherry Pool Services for your Pool Repair and Maintenance Needs in San Diego, CA.
Cherry Pool Services is a full-service pool company serving San Diego County and the surrounding areas. We build, repair, and maintain swimming pools, providing our customers personalized services that fit their needs. Call us now at (858) 999-1004.
