How often should I clean my pool filter?

As a pool owner, maintaining clean and clear water is essential for an enjoyable swimming experience. One important aspect of pool cleaning service and maintenance is regularly cleaning your pool filter. The pool filter plays a vital role in removing debris, contaminants, and impurities from the water, ensuring it stays crystal clear and safe for swimming. In this blog post, we'll explore the importance of regular pool filter cleaning and provide guidelines on how often you should clean your pool filter for optimal performance and water quality.

General Cleaning Guidelines: While cleaning frequency can vary, a general guideline is to clean your pool filter at least once every 6 months. It is essential to monitor your filter's pressure gauge regularly. If you notice a significant increase in pressure (typically 10 - 15 psi above the starting pressure when it was cleaned last), it is an indication that the filter is becoming dirty and requires immediate cleaning.

 Factors Affecting Cleaning Frequency: Several factors influence how often you should clean your pool filter. These factors include:

• Pool Usage: A heavily used pool will likely require more frequent filter cleaning due to increased debris and contaminants. Along with leaves, pollen, or dirt, things like oils from a swimmers’ skin, or skincare products, and hair from human swimmers or k9 swimmers can make their way to the pool filter and speed up the need for a filter cleaning. If you happen to have the occasional k9 swimmer check out our article on How pets swimming in your pool can effect your water chemistry and equipment.

• Surrounding Environment: Pools located near trees, shrubs, or construction sites may accumulate debris more quickly, necessitating more frequent filter cleaning. If your pool is at the lowest point of your backyard, you should be on the look out for runoff or mud from planters or hillsides getting in the water. Things like excessive rain or a leak from plant irrigation or plumbing can cause this.

• Filter Type: Different filter types (sand, cartridge, or diatomaceous earth) have varying cleaning requirements, and periods of time they can go between cleanings. The size of your filter, along with the size of your pool must also be considered, as you can run into a situation where your pool filter is already undersized for the body of water it is filtering and will require more frequent cleanings regardless of any of the additional influences discussed above. Refer to your filter manufacturer's guidelines for specific recommendations directly from them on your specific model.

 Signs That Your Pool Filter Needs Cleaning: Apart from monitoring pressure, there are other signs that indicate your pool filter needs cleaning:

• Decreased Water Flow: If you notice reduced water flow from the pool returns/ spa jets and spillways, or weak suction from the skimmer, it may indicate a dirty filter. If you have an automatic vacuum, the decreased flow of a dirty pool filter can affect the mobility of these devices as well.

• Cloudy Water: A dirty filter can result in cloudy or murky water due to inadequate filtration. If you see a lot of debris or cloudy water blowing back into your pool or spa mainly from the return jets, this may indicate you have a damaged filter and it should be taken apart for a cleaning and inspection of internal parts like grids, cartridges, manifolds, O-rings, etc.

• Increased Chemical Usage: A poorly maintained filter can make it challenging to maintain proper water chemistry. The poor water circulation can lead to increased chemical consumption which can be costly and make it difficult to manage algae growth. Without proper circulation you will be using an excessive amount of chemicals to keep the water looking clean and even then it can be a losing battle in certain spots of your pool.

 Cleaning Techniques for Different Filter Types: Depending on the type of pool filter you have, there are specific cleaning techniques to follow. Here's a brief overview:

• Sand Filters: Backwashing the filter is the primary cleaning method for sand filters. This process involves reversing the water flow to flush out trapped debris.

• Cartridge Filters: The cartridges inside of your pool filter shell can be removed and cleaned manually. The number of cartridges will vary depending on the make and size of your specific filter. Rinse off debris with a hose and be sure to get deep in-between the individual pleats or creases of each cartridge. Occasionally soak the cartridge in a filter cleaner solution to remove stubborn contaminants. If upon inspection any of the cartridges appear torn, degraded, or damaged it may be time to replace.

• Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Filters: DE filters require a more thorough cleaning process, involving backwashing, rinsing, and full disassembly of the internal grids and manifold to truly clean every inch. Also, be sure to always add the proper amount of DE powder to your filter to ensure proper filtration. Refer to manufacturer guidelines to find correct amount for your specific filter.

  If you are in our South Orange County service area and need help with a pool filter cleaning, weekly pool cleaning service, or any of our services, please give us a call at 949-292-1927, or you can reach out to us through our Contact page