Nov
9
It can be challenging to pin down the exact cause of pool problems, but one thing is for sure: well maintained swimming pool filters are key to keeping swimming a clean, healthy, and fun activity. Failing to follow a regular maintenance routine in fact could make the difference between a mosquito-laden cesspool of bacteria and a crystal blue summer. Let’s take a look at what we can do to properly clean a filter and reduce a few common problems.
When to Clean Your Filter
Cleaning the pool filter is the most obvious maintenance task of all, but many people are unaware about when to do so. By the time pool water turns cloudy (or worse, green), the time to clean a filter’s cartridge is long past due. So in addition to scheduled filter cleaning, you should also clean based on your pool’s activity. Frequent swimming calls for more frequent cleaning, and so does a large volume of swimmers.
One way to detect when a pool’s filter needs cleaning is to check the pool pressure gauge and the flow meter. The first is located on the water line coming into the filter and the second on the water line out of it. Once the pressure differential gets to 10-15 psi (pounds pre square inch), then you’ll need clean your filter. Simply follow the cleaning procedure that fits your filter’s type.
Cleaning Cartridge Filters
Cartridge filters are most common for private residential pools. Under normal use the cartridge should be cleaned once every 3-4 months. To clean a pool filter cartridge, turn the pump off, remove the filter, and hose it off to eliminate the dirt. Then soak it in detergent, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, to remove oily substances.
Cleaning Sand Pool Filters
Sand pool filters don’t use cartridges but they can get dirty over time as well. To clean a sand pool filter, simply backwash it (reverse the water’s circulation direction) for ten minutes. You should typically do this once a month. The need for backwashing is the major disadvantage of sand filters, as it uses large quantities of water.
Cleaning Diatomaceous Earth Filters
Diatomaceous earth filters also require backwashing. After the backwash is done, add D.E. to the pool’s skimmers as needed. The water flow will then take the D.E. to the filter and recoat it. The standard cleaning period for D.E. filters is once every 3-4 months.
Cleaning the Filter Unit Itself
The entire filter unit should be monitored for cleanliness as well, especially when its cartridge isn’t changed it isn’t backwashed as frequently as it should be. Dead algae, skin cells, hair, lint, and anything else that a filter fails to catch could latch onto a filter’s parts and clog the entire system. Inspecting the unit at least once a month is a good practice and will indicate if it needs to be disassembled and cleaned with a light cleansing solution.
The Filter’s Plumbing
The plumbing system is probably the most important system in the filter because it’s responsible for water flow - a critical deterrent against water stagnation and algae build up. Therefore in this part of your maintenance routine, you’ll want to make sure that nothing prevents proper water suction or water propulsion. Even something as simple as an air bubble can prevent a filter’s plumbing system from functioning and in many cases can damage its mechanics. Swimming pool filters are designed to move water, not air!
Proper Installation
Where filters are placed can impact performance as well. The general rule is to place them close to the pool because a close proximity reduces the time and work required to recycle water. It also reduces the pressure and weight that water can put on a filter’s tubing, thus lengthening both the filter’s lifetime and cleanliness. Filters that are placed too far from a pool create opportunities for water to stagnate right in their piping.
To prevent the warping and molding that can occur with wooden foundations, install your filter onto a level brick or concrete foundation. You don’t want to create a situation where an imbalance or fungus compromises the filter’s processes. An imbalance will wear out a filter’s bearings before their time, whereas fungus can creep into a filter and enter the water that you’re trying to clean!
Shielding and Protection
If your filter doesn’t already sit behind a barrier of some sort, you can prolong its lifetime by shielding it from pets, tree debris, and the curiosities of small children. A small fence or lightweight cage made with strong netting material could be all that’s needed to prevent inadvertent damage. Just make sure that the apparatus is easily accessible for repairs and cartridge changes. Protection is especially important during non-swimming months.
