Every swimming pool needs to have a properly maintained pool filter. The pool filter is responsible for keeping your water clear and beautiful. It is one vital piece of pool equipment!
One thing that every swimming pool needs to have is a swimming pool filter. A swimming pool filter is the key to having clear water. How and when you clean a pool filter depends on what kind of pool filter you have. There are three main types of filters:
Sand Pool Filter
As you may have guessed, with a sand filter, the water is filtered through a canister of fine sand. The sand traps dirt and debris, and can filter out particles as small as 20 microns in size.
Cartridge Pool Filter
Pool cartridge filters have a pleated design that looks a lot like the air filter in a car. Water flows from the outside to the inside of the filter, trapping particles as small as 5 microns along the way.
Diatomaceous Earth Pool Filter
Usually called DE pool filters, diatomaceous earth is a porous powder, that comes in a canister a bit like a sand filter. The filter has a fabric manifold, that gets coated in the DE powder. DE has microscopic openings, and can filter out particles as small as 3 microns.
As a general rule, filters should be cleaned in approximately these time frames:
Sand pool filters should be backwashed every 1-4 weeks, and cleaned once a year.
Cartridge pool filters should be cleaned every 2-6 weeks, with a deep cleaning once a year.
DE pool filters should be backwashed every 1-3 months, and dismantled and deep cleaned twice a year.
There are different processes for cleaning different filters. It is important to soak the filter in water for a 2-3 hours (consult your manual for how long). Depending on the type of filter you have you’ll have one of 2 options.
1. Simply wipe it down / hose it off. This is what your usual cleaning will require because you’ll be able to get almost everything off. However, you don’t want it squeaky clean – you’ll actually just want to do a partial clean.
Eventually most filters will require cleaning method #2 at some point. 2. Use chemicals - sometimes your filter will get mineral deposits like calcium on it which greatly reduces the effectiveness of the pump. Research what kind of filter you have to find the appropriate chemicals, then soak it in them overnight. After they are soaked you just rinse them in water, wipe them off and voila! You have a sparking clean pool filter. Keep in mind this step (#2) is not what you do most of the time. If you find yourself needing to clean the filter about 1-2 times a month because of the pressure build up then you should use chemicals to get rid of the mineral deposits. Also, always make sure you check for leaks before walking away.
If you feel you want help with your pool filter change and are located in the Charlotte area, please call Pink Flamingo Pool Company. We will ensure that your filter is up to par in no time and is making your oasis sparkling and healthy!
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Call Pink Flamingo Pool Company at 704-957-0038.
Offering pool service in the Charlotte NC area, including:
Ballantyne, Belmont, Charlotte, Clover, Huntersville, Indian Land, Indian Trail, Lake Norman, Lake Wylie, Matthews, Monroe, Mount Holly, Pineville, Southpark, Steele Creek, Weddington, Waxhaw,
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