The best way to make sure that your pool stays clean, clear and beautiful is to make sure that your filter system is functioning properly and is properly maintained. The best way to quickly determine if your filter is operating properly is the quality of your water. If your water looks cloudy, grey or has debris in it, it’s probably time for filter maintenanvce. Another effective way to determine the quality of your filter is the filter pressure indicator. This is usually a gauge or meter that is on the outside of your filter housing. As your cartridge begins to accumulate dirt and debris it becomes more difficult for the pump to circulate water through the filter. As a result, the pressure on your filter system increases and less water is circulated through your system. Not only does this increase the workload on your pump, it also reduces the quantity of water that is filtered. This leaves more dirt and debris in your pool. When the pressure of your filter rises 8 to 10 psi above the level it was at when your filter cartridge was new it is time to either replace you cartridge or clean it. The first concern in replacing or cleaning your filter should be safety. This is especially true if your filter is fitted with a pressure-clamp. Pressure-clamps can sometimes “blow" under certain circumstances. This can cause property damage, severe injuries and sometimes even death. You should ALWAYS refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines before performing maintenance on your swimming pool filter. The first step is to turn of the electricity to the pool and pump. After you have verified that all of the power has been cut you should open the pressure release valve until the hissing sound stops. You are then ready to move to the next step. After you have turned off the electricity to the pump and swimming pool, and released the pressure valve you should remove the retaining band and lift the lid. There are three types of swimming pool filters: sand, DE (diatomaceous earth), and cartridge. Pool filters usually fall into one of two categories, pressure or vacuum pool filters. We will cover the third type, cartridge filters. Swimming pool filter cartridge filters work by allowing water to pass through a very fine filter surface. This filter surface captures any impurities that attempt to pass through and hold them until you clean the filter cartridge or replace it.
Cartridge filters have more surface area than other options. This allows for fewer clogs and much easier maintenance. Cartridge filters also operate at a much lower pressure than sand. This causes less backpressure on the pump so you have a greater flow of water through the system.
The swimming pool filter cartridges can filter out anything down to 5 to 10 microns in size. To put this in perspective, a single grain of table salt is about 90 microns in size. Anything below 35 microns is invisible to the naked eye. After you remove the lid the cartridge will be exposed. Remove the old cartridge and make careful note of how it was seated in the housing. Replace it with the new cartridge. After the new cartridge is installed, replace the lid and retaining band and close the pressure release valve. You can then turn the power back on and check your filter. Also make note of the system pressure as this will be your baseline reading for future maintenance. The whole process usually takes under 10 minutes and leaves you with a pool that is clean, clear and healthy.
Keeping your swimming pool filters properly serviced is the key to having clean, healthy, sparkling water in your pool or spa. The best way to determine that your filter needs service is to watch the pressure. When the pressure rises 8 to 10 psi above the baseline it is time for pool maintenance. Cloudy water is another sure sign that your filter needs maintenance.
Safety should always be the first consideration when replacing or cleaning your swimming pool filter, especially those filters that are fitted with pressure-clamps. These pressure-clamps can "blow" under certain circumstances, causing property damage, severe injuries and in the worst cases, death. Always consult the manufacturer's guidelines before performing maintenance on your filter.
The first thing to do when replacing or performing maintenance on your filter is to turn off the electricity to the swimming pool and pump; after the pump has been turned off, open the pressure release valve and when there hissing sound stops you are ready to proceed.
There are three types of filters: sand, DE (diatomaceous earth), and cartridge and they can be either pressure or vacuum pool filters. Depending upon the type of filter you have, there are several ways to perform the required pool maintenance.
First check to see what brand of swimming pool filter you have. Some of the more popular brands are Sherlok, Pentair, Jacuzzi, Super-flo, Jandy and Sta-Rite. It is always wise to spend the few extra dollars and buy the brand-name filter that matches your pump. This ensures that your warranty will not be compromised should you run into trouble with the replacement filter while performing normal pool maintenance.
Sand filter: with proper pool maintenance a sand filter can give you years of trouble-free service. Backwashing is the correct method for cleaning a sand swimming pool filter. This is done by reversing the water flow through the filter and redirecting the waste water to the sewer or waste water line. Most manufacturers recommend a 2-3 minute backwash. It is important not to restart the pump right away as the sand needs time to settle. Check you manufacturer's instruction manual for the step-by-step procedure before beginning maintenance on your filter.
DE filter: DE swimming pool filters require an in-depth cleaning once a year and periodic back-washes throughout the season to perform satisfactory pool maintenance. See manufacturer's directions.
Cartridge Filter: After turning off the electricity to the pump and swimming pool, and releasing the pressure valve, you simply remove the retaining band, lift the lid and remove the cartridge. Hose off the cartridge, examine the pleats and hose off any debris stuck between them. If extensive dirt and oil have accumulated you should soak the cartridge for an hour or two in a solution of trisodium phosphate (1 cup to 5 gallons water) and muriatic acid (1 cup to 5 gallons water). After soaking remove the cartridge from the cleaning solution and scrub. Hose off well before reassembling your swimming pool filter.
Both Shamoil Karachiwala & Rob Traugott are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Shamoil Karachiwala has sinced written about articles on various topics from Fitness, Spa and Swimming Pool. Shamoil Karachiwala is the CEO of . Poolfilters.biz is a manufacturer and supplier of all types of pool and spa filters, filter cartridges, replacement filters of all top brands. For more. Shamoil Karachiwala's top article generates over 4400 views. to your Favourites.
Rob Traugott has sinced written about articles on various topics from Swimming Pool, Home Improvement and Swimming Pool. Rob Traugott serves as President of Laguna Pools, a premier pool and spa builder located in Katy, Texas. Laguna Pools has designed and built custom swimming pools, in the greater Houston area for over 30 years. Contact Rob Traugott at 281-392-8833 or vis. Rob Traugott's top article generates over 4400 views. to your Favourites.