Cleaning your pool filter is essential to keep your pool water clear and safe. The type of filter you have will determine how you should clean it. There are three main types of pool filters: sand, cartridge, and diatomaceous earth (DE). Here are some general steps for each type:
Sand filter:
This filter uses sand to trap dirt and debris. To clean it, you need to backwash it regularly, which means reversing the water flow to flush out the accumulated dirt. You also need to chemically clean it once or twice a year, using a filter cleaner that dissolves oils and minerals. To backwash and chemically clean a sand filter, follow these steps:
Turn off the pump and set the valve to “backwash”.
Run the backwash until the water clears, usually for 3 to 5 minutes.
Turn off the pump and set the valve to “rinse”.
Run the rinse for about 30 seconds to settle the sand.
Turn off the pump and set the valve to “filter”.
To chemically clean the filter, add the filter cleaner to the skimmer or the pump basket, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Run the filter for a few hours, then backwash and rinse again
Cartridge filter:
This filter uses pleated polyester cartridges to capture dirt and debris. To clean it, you need to remove the cartridges and rinse them with a hose or soak them in a filter cleaner. You also need to replace the cartridges when they are worn out, usually every 2 to 3 years. To rinse and soak a cartridge filter, follow these steps:
Turn off the pump and open the air relief valve to release the pressure.
Open the filter tank and remove the cartridges.
Rinse the cartridges with a hose, using a nozzle with a jet spray. Avoid using a high-pressure washer, as it can damage the cartridges.
To soak the cartridges, fill a large bucket with water and add the filter cleaner, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Submerge the cartridges in the solution and let them soak for at least 8 hours or overnight.
Rinse the cartridges again and reinstall them in the filter tank.
Close the filter tank and the air relief valve, and turn on the pump.
DE filter:
This filter uses a fine powder made of fossilized algae to coat a grid of fabric-covered plastic. To clean it, you need to backwash it regularly and recharge it with fresh DE powder. You also need to disassemble and soak it once or twice a year, using a filter cleaner that removes oils and algae. To backwash and recharge a DE filter, follow these steps:
Turn off the pump and set the valve to “backwash”.
Run the backwash until the water clears, usually for 2 to 3 minutes.
Turn off the pump and set the valve to “filter”.
Add the DE powder to the skimmer, following the manufacturer’s instructions. The amount of DE powder depends on the size of your filter, but usually it is about 1 pound per 10 square feet of filter area.
To disassemble and soak the filter, open the filter tank and remove the grid assembly.
Rinse the grids with a hose and inspect them for tears or cracks. Replace any damaged grids.
Fill a large bucket with water and add the filter cleaner, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Submerge the grids in the solution and let them soak for at least 8 hours or overnight.
Rinse the grids again and reinstall them in the filter tank.
Close the filter tank and add the DE powder as before