How To Clean Sand Filter For Pool

How to clean pool cartridge filters

If y'all live in the southern United States, you probably find solace in your puddle during the warmer months of the twelvemonth. Some days, information technology can seem similar the only manner to enjoy time outdoors is to spend the day cooling off in your home's backyard pool.

Still, though, as much equally nosotros utilise our backyard pools, it's piece of cake to take them for granted. Especially during the summer months, we want to assume our pools volition be make clean and ready to use at a moment's notice. While it'south safe to assume the puddle's filter will keep it clean, many homeowners overlook the fact that the filter itself needs to be cleaned periodically.

How To Clean Pool Cartridge Filters

In this post, nosotros'll discuss the types of filters you might be using in your pool, how they function and how and when you should make clean your filters. Read on to learn the dos and don'ts of cleaning your filter and everything you need to know before doing so.

Pool Filter Nuts

Before cleaning your puddle filter, it'southward important to know why information technology's important to practise so, the function it serves and how it works. A pool filter is simply a device that filters out, or separates, the h2o from the dirt and other particles to go on your pool make clean. Think of it like a pasta strainer: water filters through the holes while the larger pasta pieces remain in the strainer.

Most filters are comprised of cartridges made of non-woven, spun-bonded polyester fabric that creates a tight mesh through which water can pass through, but dirt cannot. This keeps your pool h2o make clean. Over time, though, the dirt information technology traps begins to build upwardly on the fabric. Once this starts to occur, the textile loses its ability to properly filter the water, or separate the dirt from the water. When this becomes apparent, it'southward time to clean your filter.

Pool filter cleaner homemade

Types of Pool Filters

At that place are three types of pool filters bachelor: sand, cartridge and Diatomaceous Globe, or D.E. filters. The main differences between the three is the kids of filter media, which can be found inside the tank, each uses. No matter the type of filter y'all have, though, they all need to exist cleaned periodically. Let's hash out each in depth.

Sand Filters

Sand filters are incredibly common among homeowners, as they are typically the easiest filters to use of the three. In a sand filter, pool water is pumped into the filter where the clay and unwanted materials gets trapped in the sand. The sand is tightly compacted, thus, the design makes information technology hard for h2o to travel through only fifty-fifty harder for dirt.

While it might seem counterintuitive, sand filters actually piece of work more efficiently when slightly dingy. That's because pocket-sized particles that are left behind reinforce the tightly packed materials. Because of this, sand filters should only be deep cleaned when the homeowner notices an increase in pressure, or when the filter's pressure judge reads a seven-10 pound increase over normal operating pressure. It should, however, be backwashed a handful of times between deep cleans. A skilful schedule to follow for cleaning sand filters is doing and then at to the lowest degree every season.

Replacing the sand in your sand filter, though, is slightly dissimilar. As such, information technology's best to contact your local pool professional person to best determine the frequency in doing so.

When it comes time to backwash your sand filter, you'll want to begin past cleaning the debris trapped by the sand. Be sure the to turn the pump off earlier changing the position of the main valve. Otherwise, you're likely to break a office of the filter. Once you lot've ensured that the pump is off, move the lever to the "backwash" position to restart the pump. The pump will start running the water through the filter; the water will run clear, then dirty, so clear once again to indicate the cycle is over. Later this procedure, reset the valve dorsum to its normal setting.

Keep in mind that this process does remove h2o from the pool, then be certain to bank check the h2o levels before you brainstorm and don't begin the cleaning procedure if the water is already low.

How to clean pool cartridge filter algae

Cartridge Filters

Of the 3 filters mentioned, the cartridge filters have the highest chapters of all them all. In fact, these can trap twice as much dirt and debris every bit a sand filter. It tin practise and so because it has a larger filtration area that allows the h2o to move through the cartridge hands while still trapping smaller particles. Despite its larger size, a cartridge filter is much easier to maintain. Information technology'south likewise considered the most common and can typically be found behind a flap or screen in the wall of your swimming pool.

To clean a cartridge filter, y'all'll want to set aside aplenty time to exercise so properly. First, turn off the filter organisation and brainstorm to permit the air to bleed slowly from the filter by turning the air relief valve. Side by side, remove the clamp that holds your filter together and remove the top department of your cartridge filter to run across within. Once you've successfully removed anything belongings the cartridge in place, accept out the cartridge elements and inspect them for any damages. If there are whatever cracks or breaks in the plastic, purchasing a new filter cartridge is strongly suggested, every bit small cracks can significantly decrease a filter's effectiveness.

After you lot accept removed the cartridge, coat the parts with a filter cleaner and follow the product directions for how long to let it sit earlier rinsing information technology off. And so, you'll employ a hose with an attachment to remove clay and droppings from between the pleats of the cartridge.

One time it's cleaned, identify the cartridge elements back within and securely identify them where they once were. Be sure all cartridge elements are secured properly before turning on the system. Subsequently your arrangement is running again, release any excess air in the organization past opening up the air relief valve at the peak of the filter tank until water consistently sprays out of the valve.

Cartridge filters are platonic for above-ground pools, and can, unlike the others, exist used in pop-upward pond pools also.

D.E. Filters

Diatomaceous Earth Filters are unlike from the other 2 options in that the D.E. is the filter media itself while the other two filters are made up of various components. D.E. is an extremely fine pulverization or crushed rock that is "composed of chemically inert, fossilized remains of billions of microscopic algae-like organisms, called diatoms." Because D.Due east. filters are more compact and can filter out smaller particles than the other 2 filters, it's considered the best choice for residential pool filters. The downside, though, is that it'south most expensive type of filter available.

Though backwashing is required but one time or twice a yr for D.E. residential pool systems, y'all'll want to keep an eye on the pressure gauge to ensure you clean or alter the system when needed. When the pressure level gauge falls beneath eight pounds, it ways it'southward time to change information technology out.

Changing or adding new D.East. is actually piece of cake to exercise. Simply drop the new D.Eastward. into the skimmer and the pump will suck the D.Due east. into place. Go along in mind that the biggest error people brand when doing so is not adding plenty powder.

Pool cartridge filter cleaning tool

Pool Filter Cleaner: Homemade or Store-Bought?

You lot tin buy pool filter cleaner, but some puddle owners choose to brand their own. I method is to fill a bucket with warm h2o so that it'southward deep enough for the cartridge to be completely submerged. Then, add 1 cup of liquid dish soap or dishwasher detergent for every five gallons of water. Allow the filter to soak anywhere from one to eight hours before you remove it and rinse it off with the hose.

Another way to make your own pool filter cleaner is to mix a cup of trisodium phosphate for every five gallons of warm water. Fill your container enough to submerge your filter. Allow your cartridge to soak for somewhere between ane and eight hours before yous remove the filter and spray information technology off with water from your hose.

Puddle Cartridge Filter Cleaning Tool: What Do I Demand for the Job?

Many pool owners use a garden hose to clean their puddle filter cartridge, but there are too tools available to make it easier. Filter flossers, pool filter wands and water wand cartridge cleaners all attach to your hose to more precisely directly water flow to go your filter even cleaner. Keep in listen that while some water pressure is good, likewise much can damage the fibers of the filter, so avoid using a pressure washer to make clean your cartridge.

If you want to take all of the guesswork out of cleaning your filter, you may want to opt for an automatic filter cleaners. These devices rotate your filter and evangelize sprays of water throughout your cartridge. The pattern allows the dirt and debris to fall out of the filter as information technology is existence sprayed with h2o. Automated filter cleaners come in several sizes and clean most cartridges in just a few minutes.

Can I Clean Pool Filter Cartridge With Bleach?

To remove a stain from a piece of habiliment, you might soak it in bleach, and then does that mean that you tin soak your cartridge in bleach? Companies that sell pool chemicals advise against doing so, since bleach can damage the fibers of your filters and thereby shorten your filter life.

Cartridge manufacturers offer a range of products to help keep your filters clean. Some pool owners brand cleaning solutions out of detergents or vinegar which are more than gentle on your filters over time.

Clean pool filter cartridge with bleach

How to Clean Pool Cartridge Filter With Algae Blanket

In some cases, yous'll disassemble your puddle filter cartridge and realize that your filter is covered with algae. In these cases, you'll want to soak the filter in a solution of one office muriatic acrid to 20 parts water. When the bubbling stops, rinse the filter. If that doesn't resolve the trouble, you might need to soak information technology a commercially-available filter cleaner or a solution of i cup of trisodium phosphate to v gallons of warm water.

Why Are Filters Necessary?

Though it might seem like an obvious chore, cleaning your pool, and realizing the importance of doing and then, is often overlooked by homeowners. For starters, unkept pools and filters can atomic number 82 to more serious backyard problems downward the route, and can ultimately cause more than homeowners more money.

A clean puddle is likewise essential for you and your family'due south health. The cleaner your puddle water, the less likely it is to comprise parasites, waterborne illnesses and bacterias. The same applies to the environment. If your pool becomes dirty or contaminated, you run the risk of letting muddied h2o seep into your neighborhood'southward waterways and environment.

Trust ABC For All Your Puddle Needs

Having a pool on your property is great, specially when you live in warm climates. Every bit with almost additions to your property, however, having a pool adds a responsibility and added job to your routine maintenance list. Luckily, ABC Dwelling & Commercial is here to help.Our team of licensed specialists can fix any puddle-related problem, whether it's a faulty pump or filter or any other mechanical problem. We tin demonstrate how you can properly maintain your domicile's puddle system or take care of your pool maintenance for y'all.Nosotros look forward to helping you keep your pool crystal clear for years to come.