Tag Archive for: pool filter cleaning

How to Clean Your Pool Filter

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You may not have cleaned your pool filter in a while. A lot more practice will help if you have trouble remembering. Keeping your pool clean is an essential element of pool care, and it can save you money in the long run.

Even if you don’t own a pool, you should know how important it is to keep the water free of debris. Cleaning your pool will protect against disease-causing germs and bacteria and extend the life of the pool. Swimming pool filters come into play here.

How to Clean Your Pool Filter

Pool filters trap debris, bugs, small particles, and other pollutants, removing them from your pool water. They also serve as a deterrent to the growth of bacteria and algae. Even though cleaning your pool filter isn’t the most fun thing, it’s necessary.

No matter what kind of filter you have, the steps for cleaning it are the same.

Pool filters come in three categories:

  • Diatomaceous earth (D.E.) filters
  • Cartridge filters
  • Sand filters

Each filter type has a somewhat different method of cleaning. It’s easy to include pool filter cleaning in your annual spring maintenance checklist so that your pool is ready to use come summer.

Is it necessary to clean your pool filter in the pool?

As with any other piece of equipment, a pool filter will eventually fail. For example, poor cleaning can hasten this process and shorten its usefulness.

The filter becomes clogged with chemicals and debris over time. Filters in swimming pools can often clog and are less effective if you do not clean them regularly. Poor water quality and bacterial growth are the end outcomes.

Circulation of pool water is impossible without filters. To keep the swimming area clear, they spread the chemicals you put in the pool and help spread them out.

The pool pump may malfunction if the filters are clogged. It’s possible that it will overflow and flood, resulting in significant property damage. Pool filters need cleaning to avoid costly repairs and the spread of contagious diseases.

How to clean your pool filter.

Cartridge Filters

It’s good to hose down your cartridge filters every 2 to 3 weeks to prevent them from deteriorating and clogging. To do this, just remove the cartridge filter housing and clean it with a hose to remove any debris and dirt that has accumulated on it. It’s a simple process that normally takes a few minutes to complete.

If you’ve hosed down and soaked the cartridge filter and it does not improve your pool’s filtration, it might be time to replace the filter. If you have a stained cartridge, squishy to the touch, has small tears and holes, or generally looks unkempt, it’s probably time to replace it. It’s easy to swap out cartridge filters; just remove the old ones and insert the new ones.

Sand Filters

It’s time to backwash your sand filter once you’ve concluded that it needs a good cleaning. Backwashing is the technical term for cleaning a sand filter. You’ll find a 6-setting multi-port system on your sand filter. Circulate, rinse, backwash, and filter. Closed and waste are the final steps in the filtration process.

The technique of backwashing is quite straightforward. You should turn off the pump and leave the multiport valve handle set to “backwash” (or until you can clearly see the filter’s glass viewport). Set the multiport valve handle to rinse and allow it to run for a few minutes before shutting off the pump. Turn the pool pump back on after resetting the multiport to filter mode.

Based on the kind of media you’re using in your pool, you need to replace sand pool filters every 5 years.

How to Clean Your Pool Filter

Diatomaceous Earth Filter

A diatomaceous earth filter needs backwashing in the same manner as a standard sand filter. As a result of the high loss of diatomaceous earth media during backwashing, these filters are more expensive to maintain than sand filters. This necessitates frequent replacement of the DE media.

Additionally, DE filters have to undergo annual cleaning and degreasing to ensure good operation. On the other hand, DE is ultra-fine, necessitating the use of protective gear. Since diatomaceous earth can be harmful to human health, certain regions require particular permits and training for its use.

Conclusion

If you’re uncomfortable or have less time to enjoy your backyard pool, Fox Pools is here to help. We understand that the few moments of peace you have to yourself in today’s fast-paced world are priceless. Because of this, we have a team of professionals ready to inspect and clean your pool filter. Contact us today for your pool filter cleaning, inspection, leak detection, etc.

A Guide to Filter Cleaning

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Typically, pool filters are responsible for keeping your swimming pool clean at all times. Subsequently, pool filters are prone to clogging since they are responsible for getting rid of all dirt particles in the pool. Therefore, always take time to clean your pool filters regularly. Hiring a professional pool service company would be best to conduct pool filter cleaning.

A Guide to Filter Cleaning

How do you clean a pool filter?

At present, there are different types of filters. The technique you use to clean a pool filter varies depending on its configuration. So, let’s look at a detailed procedure for cleaning different pool filters.

Cartridge pool filter cleaning

Cartridge pool filters are popular among a majority of pool owners. These filters are relatively simple to clean since you have to pull out the cartridge to clean it. If you have a cartridge pool filter, follow the below steps when cleaning it.

  1. Before you start cleaning a cartridge pool filter, you need to switch off the pool’s circulatory system for safety.
  2. Then, switch on the air relief valve to get rid of excess air from the system.
  3. Disintegrate the filter by removing all temporary fittings.
  4. Pull out the cartridge from the filter and place it in a safe space. Carefully examine the cartridge to check whether it has any cracks or abnormalities. If you have a worn-out cartridge, replace it with a new one. More often than not, you’ll have to replace the cartridge after every six months.
  5. If your cartridge is in good condition, clean it using clean water. Use a nozzle to spray water across the cartridge for thorough cleaning. Ensure you follow all the manufacturer’s instructions when cleaning the cartridge. If the cartridge is too dirty, soak it in a pool filter cleaning solution for at least 12 hours.
  6. The next thing to do is to rinse the cartridge using clean water.
  7. Ensure the O-ring on the filter tank is in good condition. Then, layer it with lubricant.
  8. Once the filter is dry, insert it into the filter and connect all the temporary fittings.
  9. Switch on the system and let it run normally.

Cleaning sand pool filters

Sand pool filters consume more effort and time when cleaning. Even so, ensure you clean your sand pool filter regularly to keep your swimming pool in good shape. Follow the steps below if you wish to clean your sand filter.

  1. The first step is to start by backwashing the filter. Backwashing facilitates a reverse flow of water in the pool to remove dirt particles tangling around the filter.
  2. Afterward, switch off the circulatory system.
  3. Remove excess air by turning on the air relief valve on top of the filter.
  4. Pull out the strainer lid of the pump.
  5. Put sand filter cleaner in the strainer basket and replace the lid.
  6. Switch on the pump for 15 to 30 seconds to facilitate the transfer of the sand filter cleaner to the filter.
  7. Once you switch off the pump, let the solution work on the filter for approximately 12 hours. It would be best to conduct this procedure overnight.
  8. The next thing to do is to backwash the filter once again. Doing this helps you get rid of all dirt particles deposited on the filter by the filter cleaner.
  9. Switch on the circulatory system after you finish backwashing the pool.

Why should you clean your pool filter?

Maintain a clean, healthy water environment:

When you clean your pool filter, you are able to maintain a healthy water environment. Typically, cleaning your filter improves its functionality. As a result, your filter will be able to keep your pool water clean at all times. Therefore, it will be much safer to swim in a pool with a clean filter.

A Guide to Filter Cleaning

Prevent clogging:

Pool filter cleaning prevents clogging. Pool filters encounter dirt from time to time. Cleaning a pool filter removes all debris and dirt particles entangled on the pool filter. Therefore, it reduces any blockage. Through pool filter cleaning, you are able to cut down on pool equipment repair costs.

Extended life on your pool filtration system:

Keeping your pool filter in good condition improves its longevity. Pool filter cleaning improves the equipment’s efficiency. Subsequently, you are less likely to encounter problems with your pool filtration system.

Are you looking for pool filter cleaning services?

At Fox Pools, we offer the best pool filter cleaning services. Our pool experts are highly experienced in cleaning different types of pool filters. Consequently, you can count on us to deliver quality pool filter cleaning services. On your first consultation, we take the time to listen to all your requirements. From there, we come onsite to examine and clean your pool filter. Moreover, we take good care of any replacements and repairs needed by your pool filter.

What Does a Pool Filter Do To Clean The Pool?

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Usually, pool filters get rid of all dirt particles present in the pool. They filter debris out of the pool; thus, they help you achieve crystal clear pool water. Generally, there are different filter settings on a multiport valve. They include the rinse, waste, closed, backwash, and recirculate setting. All these settings work towards helping you achieve crystal clear pool water.

What Does a Pool Filter Do To Clean The Pool?

Filter Setting

More often than not, pool owners use these setting during vacuuming. The setting helps you get rid of all types of debris in the pool. When the filter is under this setting, water from the pool goes into the filter. Then it passes through a filter basket. Here, all dirt gets trapped before the water goes to the pump. Keep in mind that if these dirt particles get into the pump, they will damage it. As the water passes through the sand, all debris gets removed. Then, the filtered water goes back into the pool without any impurities.

Backwash setting on the pool pump

Occasionally, pool professionals advise conducting a pool backwash. If you want to backwash your pool, the filter has to be under a backwash setting. Basically, backwashing means reversing the flow of water in the filter. Doing this prevents the accumulation of dirt particles on the cartridge. Through backwashing, the pressure of water removes all dirt tangling around the cartridge. Once you complete vacuuming the pool, turn the backwash setting on the filter. The water will start flowing in reverse to dislodge all the dirt stuck on the filter when you do this. The dirt removed by the backwash setting often goes out of the pool through the waste pipe. Thus, backwashing boosts the efficiency of the pool filter. In turn, you maintain clear pool water.

Waste setting on the pool filter

Another way to clean the pool is to put your filter on the waste setting. How does the waste setting work? Below are some of the reasons you should consider using the waste setting on your filter.

  • The waste setting on your filter helps you lower the pool water. Therefore, it comes in handy when draining the pool. Also, consider using this setting to reduce the amount of water in the pool after heavy rains.
  • The waste setting is ideal for filthy swimming pools. If your backyard oasis seems to have a high percentage of dirt and debris, turning on the waste setting will prevent a build-up of dirt on the filter. This is because the dirt particles would go directly out of the pool without passing through the filter.
  • Suppose your pool has large algae breeding grounds; consider using the waste setting. In the waste setting, dirt goes out of the pool through the waste pipe without passing through the filter. Therefore, there will be fewer chances of the algae going back to the pool.

Rinse setting on the pool pump

The rinse setting on your pool filter also helps you maintain clean water. Normally, the rinse setting is ideal after backwashing. This setting cleans the sand in a sand filter or the respective filter medium.

The rinse setting on a filter is responsible for getting rid of all the remaining dirt particles in the filter. Also, it helps the sand in a sand filter settle down. Hence, it prepares it for the next function. Pool professionals recommend that you run the pool filter for approximately one minute on the rinse setting. Water used in this setting does not go back into the pool.

Closed setting on the pool filter

Pool filters have a closed setting that is responsible for turning off all water flow. Usually, pool experts advise turning on the closed setting if you plan to leave your pool unused for a certain period. Also, if you want to empty your strainer baskets, consider turning on the closed setting. Turn off the closed setting immediately your pool is back in use. The closed setting helps keep your pool water in good condition even when the pool is not in use.

What Does a Pool Filter Do To Clean The Pool?

Are pool filters necessary?

Pool filters are essential for the proper functioning of the pool. This pool equipment gets rid of all dirt and debris from the pool. A pool filter uses various settings to maintain crystal clear water. Some of these settings include the backwash setting, closed setting, filter setting, and waste setting. All these filter settings work in conjunction with each other to keep your oasis in good shape.

Do you need help cleaning your pool filter? Contact Fox Pools today

Although pool filters clean the pool, you need to take good care of them. It is always advisable to hire a pool professional to help you with this. We, Fox Pools, have the best pool service technicians who help you prolong the durability of the filter. We provide the best pool filter cleaning services in the United States. So, do not hesitate to contact us if you need any pool filter cleaning services. Furthermore, we advise you on the best ways to operate the filter.