Swimming Pool Filter Maintenance

A crucial aspect of pool hygiene is the filter system you have installed. Regular swimming pool filter maintenance is the best service you can do to your pool and to yourself during the pool season. The purpose of a filter system is to keep your pool water usable at all times by filtering out all kinds of contaminants such as dirt, debris, scum, pollen etc. Any filter system you buy is designed to do just that by trapping the undesirable materials from where you can get rid of them. However, the efficiency of pool filters, their filtering capacity, and requirement schedule for maintenance are some of the parameters that determine their cost. In general, unlike the pool pump, the larger the filter system, the better!

If your pool filter seems to be working overtime and the level of cleanliness of your pool water is not what you would want it to be, it might be that you are saddled with a filter system that is ill-matched in terms of size and capacity to your pool. Though it might be a leading brand, if the pool filter capacity is at odds with the pool size, not even the best brand can make the slightest difference. You would be putting a lot of strain in the filter system and are likely to damage it.

Though the sand filter system requires little attention, you do however need to resort to regular backwashing. How do you know that the filter is in need of a backwash? When the pressure gauge on the filter registers a reading that is 7 to 10 PSI higher than the reading you began the season with, you know it is having to work harder to move the water through the sand bed because the latter is getting clogged with dirt. So, if the filter pressure gauge has a normal reading of 14 PSI, then you would have to be ready for backwashing as soon as you note a reading of 24 PSI on it. While doing your regular swimming pool filter maintenance check, ensure that you replace depleted sand in the filter system with the proper grade of sand.

DE filters also need regular backwashing as they are extremely effective in catching the tiniest bit of dirt and even bacteria, so they would tend to get clogged more often. With the pressure registering 8 to 10 PSI more than normal, it is time for a backwash. DE powder has to be replenished after every backwash. After you have done a backwash and the pressure gauge still records an increase of around 5 PSI within a week, it means your filter needs a more thorough cleaning.

Cartridge filters only require cleaning 2 to 3 times a season when the pressure gauge registers 8 to 10 PSI more than normal. To clean a cartridge filter, you remove the cartridge, give it a good hosing, dip it for a couple of hours in a container with a cartridge cleaning solution, take it out, give it a final rinse with water and replace it. No backwashing, no replacing sand or DE!

In all cases, no matter which type of pool filter you are using, swimming pool filter maintenance requires you to monitor the filter’s PSI. The readings you note will tell you when a cleaning is needed.

Swimming Pool Maintenance
A guide on maintaining your pool.