How to Clean a Sand Pool Filterįor regular cleaning of a sand pool filter, all you need to do is backwash the system. Be sure to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions, because specific brands may vary a bit. Here are the easiest ways to clean a pool filter, no matter what kind of pool filter you have. You will also want to check the filter if you notice pool water that is cloudy or tinted in color. So if you notice an increase of 5-10 psi in pressure, or if your circulation drops, it’s probably time to clean the filter. You should always check your filter if the back pressure in your filter system rises, or if your circulation flow rate decreases. The reason is because, for all pool filters, as they fill up, they become clogged. While regular cleaning and maintenance scheduling depends on the kind of pool filter you have, there are some clear signs that a pool filter needs to be cleaned, no matter what type you have. DE pool filters should be backwashed every 1-3 months, and dismantled and deep cleaned twice a year.Cartridge pool filters should be cleaned every 2-6 weeks, with a deep cleaning once a year.Sand pool filters should be backwashed every 1-4 weeks, and cleaned once a year.They can be backwashed, which simply flushes debris out of the filter and removes clogging so they can operate normally, or they can be cleaned, which means removing the filter and manually cleaning it.īackwashing simply means running the pool pump in reverse for a short time, and is recommended for a quick flush of these two types of filters.Īs a general rule, filters should be cleaned in approximately these time frames: Sand and DE pool filters have two levels of “cleaning”.
How Often Should a Pool Filter be Cleaned? DE has microscopic openings, and can filter out particles as small as 3 microns.
The filter has a fabric manifold, that gets coated in the DE powder. Usually called DE pool filters, diatomaceous earth is a porous powder, that comes in a canister a bit like a sand filter. Water flows from the outside to the inside of the filter, trapping particles as small as 5 microns along the way. Pool cartridge filters have a pleated design that looks a lot like the air filter in a car.
The sand traps dirt and debris, and can filter out particles as small as 20 microns in size. There are three main types of filter: Sand Pool FilterĪs you may have guessed, with a sand filter, the water is filtered through a canister of fine sand. How and when you clean a pool filter depends on what kind of pool filter you have. Without regular cleaning, the water filter in your pool will clog just like the air filter on a vacuum cleaner, and simply not work as well. Of course, since your pool filter ends up holding all that dirt and debris, you have to clean it regularly, to get those contaminants not just trapped, but out of your pool altogether. A pool filter traps and holds all those particles, keeping them out of the water.Īs part of the pumping system, the filter also plays a role in the even distribution of chemicals in pool water, so that your pool water is healthier and more consistent. Whatever kind of filter system you have, it removes larger particles like dirt, hair, and insects from the pool water, as well as finer particles like bacteria and other contaminants. The pool filter is crucial for keeping a pool clean and healthy.