PVC Projects / Plans

An in-ground or above-ground swimming pool is a great way to stay cool and make memories during the summer. However, while swimming pools are a ton of fun, they're also a lot of work in terms of upkeep and maintenance. One of the most important aspects of swimming pool maintenance is regularly cleaning your pool cartridge filter.

Your pool cartridge filter is what helps you maintain a clean swimming pool. It filters out waste, particles, and debris, and ensures that your water is as clean as possible. Over time, however, the filter will accumulate so much dirt and debris that it gets clogged, resulting in an ineffective, dirty filter. Therefore, you will need to remove and clean it periodically.

If you're curious about how to clean a pool filter cartridge and why it's so important, you've come to the right place. This article will provide a step-by-step guide for how to clean your pool filter, how often to do it, and what you should use to do it. Let's dive in!

How Often Should I Clean My Pool Filter Cartridge?

How often you need to clean your pool filter will depend on where you live and how dirty your swimming pool gets and also what you consider acceptable in terms of function. If you run a tight ship and don't let a lot of junk get into your pool, your filter won't have to work very hard and won't get dirty as quickly.

If, on the other hand, your pool isn't inside a screen or cage and it's open to nature and you clean skimmer baskets less frequently, your filter will be working in overdrive more often and will need to be cleaned more often.

As a general rule, you should check your pool filter every month to see how dirty it is. In most cases, you will only have to clean it every three to four months. However, depending on your circumstances, you may need to clean it as often as every month or as little as every six months. This is a general recommendation as many factors can change filter cleaning length, including the number of cartridges your system has, the maintenance of your pool, etc.

Materials to Use or Avoid While Cleaning Pool Filter Cartridges

A pressure washer is the main thing to avoid when cleaning pool filter cartridges. Pressure washers spray water with too much force and can damage the mesh lining on your filter. Instead, here's what you'll need to properly clean cartridge pool filters.

• Garden hose with a spray nozzle attachment
• Muriatic Acid
• Trisodium Phosphate (TSP)
• Tools to remove the filter from the filter tank

Cleaning Your Pool Filter Cartridge: A Step-by-Step Guide

Once you have everything you need for a proper filter cleaning, you're ready to get started!

Turn off the Pump

The first thing you'll want to do is turn off the pump and ensure there's no electricity running to it.

Open the Air Relief Valve

Next, open the air relief valve to release any built-up pressure inside the pump. You should also open the ball valve outside the filter tank to drain it. You might also have a drain plug on the bottom of the tank, depending on the type of tank you have.

Remove the Cartridge Pool Filter(s)

With the pressure relieved and the tank drained, open the filter tank lid to access the filter(s) and remove it. Depending on the type of filter you have, there will be a lock or latch that you need to release to remove the filter(s). Note, some systems contain a single filter while some contain up to 4 cartridges.

Spray Off the Filter

Use your garden hose to spray off the filter and remove debris. Ensure you take your time and spray between the pleats. This is where all the debris is held. 

Spray Down the Filter Tank

When you're finished cleaning the filter, take a few minutes to spray down the inside of the filter housing.

Inspect the Filter and Tank For Damage

Before reinstalling your clean filter into your clean filter tank, take a minute to inspect both components for any signs of damage. Depending on how old your filter and tank are, you may need to replace them or make minor repairs.

Reinstall the Filter in the Tank

If everything checks out, place the filter back into the tank and lock in place. If you need assistance with any of these steps, consult your filter owner's manual for additional instructions.

Deep Clean Your Filter Cartridges

In addition to doing this every three to four months, you should also give your filter cartridge a deep cleaning once or twice per year. To perform a deeper cartridge clean, start by following steps 1 through 6. However, before reinstalling the filter into the tank, follow these additional steps.

• Depending on the size of your filter, fill up either a five-gallon bucket or a small trash can with a mixture of water and a pool filter cleaner, such as TSP.
• You can also use a TSP substitute, such as Klean Strip.
• Put the filter into the cleaning solution, completely submerge it, and let it soak overnight.
• If necessary, do this a second time, if the filter isn't clean enough.
• After one or two soaks in the TSP solution, follow the same steps, but instead of TSP, submerge the filter in a muriatic acid bath. Ensure you dilute the acid as to not cause damage to the filter.
• This will help remove algae, minerals, and other microscopic contaminants that a spray nozzle can't fix.
(some guides suggest using a stronger % of chlorine bleach as a cleaning alternative as well)

Benefits of Having a Clean Cartridge Filter

Now that you know how to clean your pool's filtration system, let's look at why it's so important.

Nobody Likes a Dirty Pool

Aside from manually sweeping your swimming pool, your filter cartridge is the only thing that helps you keep it clean. Like the air filter in your HVAC system, a filter cartridge removes harmful and disgusting things that you do not want to swim around in. Therefore, it's important to clean your filter system unless you enjoy swimming in nastiness.

A Healthier Swimming Experience

A clean filter will also make your swimming experience cleaner and healthier. Pool filters remove harmful bacteria, algae, and other contaminants that can be dangerous if accidentally ingested.

High Pressure

Dirty filters will cause your pump pressures to run higher because water can't push through your filters properly. Every system is different, but a typical clean filter pressure system will run between 5 psi- 15 psi (again, depending on filter numbers, pump speeds, etc.). It's a good idea to get a baseline of your running PSI when your filters are clean. If this typical PSI is running at 10 - 15 above normal, your filters are plugged.

Crystal Clear Water

Clean filters will pull cloudiness out of your water quicker and more regularly. If your pool seems to maintain a slight cloudiness, especially after heavy use, you will benefit from filter cleaning.

When to Replace Your Pool Filter Cartridge(s)?

While cleaning and maintaining your filter will prolong its lifespan, it will eventually give out. In most cases, a cartridge filter will last two to four years, but regular cleanings can extend its lifespan to five or six years. It all depends on how often and well you clean and maintain your filters. 

Swimming pools are a ton of fun, but they're also a lot of work to clean and maintain. Luckily, thanks to pool pumps and filters, you don't have to do all the work and scrubbing yourself. Pool filter cartridges remove dirt and debris from your pool water as it recirculates through the filter via the pump. 

However, pool filter cartridges see a lot of use and abuse and have limited lifespans. On average, pool filter cartridges last for one to two years, depending on how heavily you use your pool. With proper maintenance, a filter cartridge can even last up to three years!

If you want to know more about pool filter cartridges and how to get the most use out of them, you've come to the right place. This article will examine how different things affect pool filters, maintenance tips, and tricks, and where to get the longest-lasting filters on the market. We'll also explain how to know when it's time to replace your filter with a new one. 

What Exactly Does a Pool Filter Do?

A pool filter works exactly like an air filter on a furnace, fan, or air conditioner. It works together with your pump filter to clean the water in your pool and to keep it that way. Here's what happens: 

• Your pump turns on and draws water towards it.
• Before water reaches the pump, it passes through your filter, which removes debris, dirt, and other particles.
• The pump then pushes the water back into your pool.
• This process repeats for as long as the pump is running, which means your water is constantly recirculating.

Different Types of Pool Filters

While all pool filters work by the same premise, there are different types that filter things differently. 

Cartridge Filters

Cartridge filters are the most common and effective types of pool filters. These filters contain pleated polyester material that traps particles as they pass through them. Cartridge filters are some of the lowest maintenance and longest-lasting filters on the market, as the cartridges themselves can last up to ten years, while each filter lasts two to three. Cartridge filters are also more affordable than their glass and sand alternatives. 

Glass Filters

Glass filters are very similar to sand and cartridge filters in how they operate. Rather than having pleated polyester, however, glass filters have a glass media. They can last for up to five years and are some of the most effective but expensive filters on the market. 

Sand Filters

Finally, you can also choose sand filters for your pool. Sand filters use a layer of sand to trap and remove debris and other unwanted particles from water. Sand filters can last up to ten years, while the tank that holds the sand can last up to 15 or 20 years. 

Things That Put Your Pool Filter at Risk

There are a number of things that can put your pool filter at risk and speed up its demise. In most cases, these risks are chemicals that you use to clean the pool, or that accidentally spill into it. 

• Using too much chlorine during cleanings
• Oil and petroleum products
• Suntan or body lotion
• Perfume
• Using the wrong type of chlorine or impure chlorine

Signs You Need to Replace Your Pool Filter

The number of years a pool filter can last is simply an average and a rough estimate. Therefore, it's important to know what signs to watch out for that indicate your filter is nearing the end of its lifespan. 

Frays and Tears

Frays and tears in your filter cartridge are the most obvious signs that you should replace your filter. Frays and tears happen from repeated use when objects are constantly passing through the filtration material. 

Crushed Pleats

In addition to frays and tears, crushed or flattened pleats are another common sign of filter wear. 

An Obviously Dirty Pool

Your pool filters one and only job is to clean your pool water. Therefore, if your water is obviously dirty or discolored, your filter isn't doing its job. As such, you should replace it with a new one so that you can once again have clean pool water. 

High Filter Pressure

As water gets pumped through your filter cartridge, its exit velocity shouldn't be too different than when it entered. However, if your filter is dirty, water will have a difficult time passing through it and come out more forcefully than it should. Therefore, you can check your water's exit velocity from the filter to see if your filter is dirty or not. 

Pool Filter Maintenance Best Practices

If you want to get the most life out of your filter, proper maintenance is essential. Here are some things to remember. 

Clean Your Filter Regularly

In the same way that your filter is responsible for cleaning your pool, you're responsible for cleaning your filter. Remove and check your filter every other week for debris and buildup, and use a garden hose to wash it when necessary. It's also good to soak the filter in a cleaning solution made specifically for cartridge filters periodically. 

Don't Run the Filter Non-Stop

Most people mistakenly believe that you should run your filter non-stop. However, running your filter around the clock for no reason will only speed up its demise. Instead, hire a pool technician to help you understand when you should run your filter, how long you should run it, and at what speed. That way, your pool filter will do the maximum amount of good with the minimum amount of effort. 

Don't Make Your Filter Do All the Work

While your pool filter is the main agent when it comes to keeping your pool clean, it isn't the only one. You can ease the stress and strain on your filter by using your skimmer and chlorine correctly. Better yet, hire a pool cleaning professional to clean your pool every week or every other week. 

Choose a High-Quality Cartridge Filter

In addition to pool filter maintenance, you can get the most life out of your filter by purchasing high-quality ones. Unicell pool filters from PVC Fittings Online are some of the best and longest-lasting on the market. Rather than base their longevity on years, Unicell filters last for twelve to fifteen cleanings, which can be up to three years. 

Birdhouses are more than just quaint additions to your garden. They provide essential shelter for birds and offer a unique opportunity to observe wildlife up close. Read this step-by-step guide on how to create your own birdhouse using PVC pipe and other material from around your home!

Designing the Birdhouse

We took the time to create a birdhouse of our own design, but bird enthusiasts may notice one major feature that was intentionally excluded. Our birdhouse does not contain a perch. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game encourages people to avoid adding perches as they allow predators “better access to the eggs and young in the nest box”. This is not a guide on how to take care of birds, but we want to do our part to encourage safe wildlife practices. 

Supplies

Tools

• Drill
• Hacksaw
• Cross cut Saw
• Measuring tape
• Pencil/Pen/Marker
• Hole Saw bit

Materials

• 1 - 8 inches of 4" PVC Pipe (4" diameter)
• 3 - 8” x 8” Wood squares
• 1 - Epoxy
• 1 - Exterior/Outdoor use Spray Paint
• 1 - Clear Gloss Spray
• 1 - File
• 1 - Medium grit sandpaper
• 1 - Eye Hook (screw or bolt)

Step by Step Guide

Preparing the Body 

Step 1: Prepare the PVC Pipe

Measure and cut 4” PVC pipe to roughly 8 inches in length with a hacksaw. We did most of the cutting with a hacksaw, which worked well, and finished with a crosscut saw. A circular saw will also work fine. 
Tip: We suggest getting a longer PVC pipe and cutting it down to the appropriate length. This lets you have more room for errors and potentially enough PVC pipe left over for another project!

Step 2: Roof Cuts on the PVC Pipe 

 For our gable roof, which looks like an upside down “v” shape,  2 mirrored cuts are made at 45° angle. Measure and mark your intended cut path on the PVC pipe using a pencil or marker. Then use a hacksaw to make your cut(s). Next, use a file to shave down any areas that may not be even.

We encourage beginners to instead do a shed roof. This only requires 1 wood square and 1 angled cut on the PVC body  between 30° and 50°. 

Step 3:  Add an Entrance Hole

A standard size of an entrance hole for small birds is 1 1⁄2 inches in diameter. The hole size is dependent upon the type of bird you want to attract. Mark the entrance hole on the PVC pipe just below the roof. Use a hole saw bit and drill to cut out the entrance hole.
Tip: Check the edges after cutting the hole. Use a file to smooth any sharp edges! Also, use resources such as this Birdhouse Size Requirements resource from the Ogden Nature Center to decide the entrance hole size you will need.

Step 4: Sand the PVC Pipe.

First, use a file to remove any sharp edges on areas cut in previous steps. Next, sand the entire outside of the PVC pipe. Scuffing the exterior will help with the adhesion of the paint. Use medium grit sandpaper during this process.

Step 5: Paint and Protect the PVC Pipe 

Paint the PVC pipe with your chosen color, and sure whatever paint you use is meant for outdoor use. Allow some time for it to dry. Next, add clear gloss for protection. Let the gloss dry completely before moving on!

Preparing the Roof and Base

Step 6: Cut Wood Squares for Roof and Base

For the gable roof and base, cut 3 wood squares:

• One 6’’ square piece for the base
• Two 5” x  8’’ pieces for the roof

The roof must extend over the entrance hole by roughly 2 inches to provide proper cover. Each piece of wood used for the gable roof should have 1 side cut at a 45° angle. That will be important to get the “v” shape. After adhering the wood pieces together at the 45° sides, it should be close to ~90°.

Going the beginner route with a shed roof? No angle cuts needed! You just need one 10’’ square piece of wood for the roof and one 6” wood square for the base.

Tip: Test the edges of all your angle cuts by placing the wood roof squares on top of the PVC body. The sides of the cut pipe should be relatively flat but do not need to be completely perfect. A few minor bumps and gaps will be good for ventilation but feel free to use your file to create a more perfect fit. 

Step 7: Epoxy Roof Squares Together

Use a quick setting epoxy to adhere the cut wood squares together to form the roof. We added a light coat of epoxy to the 45° angled edges and firmly held the pieces together. Once the epoxy is set, allow it to cure for the recommended amount of time.

Tip: Epoxy should be used outside or in a well-ventilated area. We also recommend using a face mask to avoid inhalation of fumes. 

(Optional) Step 8: Paint and Coat Wood

Lightly sand the wood, paint/stain with a color of your choice, let it dry, then add a coat of clear gloss, then let it dry.

Step 9: Place the Eye Hook

Find the center of the roof ridge. File a small area until flat. Drill a pilot hole, then place or screw in an eye hook. If using an eye hook bolt, screw a nut on the underside of the roof to secure it.

Assembly - Putting it all together  

Step 10: Adhere Base and Roof

Spread epoxy to the base where you intend to place the bottom of the PVC body. Then, place the PVC pipe on the wooden base and apply pressure until it sets. Adhere the roof similarly by spreading epoxy along the cut edges of the PVC pipe and placing the roof centered on the epoxied areas. Apply pressure until it sets and allow for the appropriate amount of time for the epoxy to cure.

Tip: You only have a few moments to recenter the roof if it looks off so double check and move fast! 

Step 11: Add String/Wire and Find a Good Branch

Loop a string or wire through the eye hook and find a good place to hang your new birdhouse!

Create Your Own

Viola, you’re done! Not only do you get the satisfaction of building with your hands, but you have created a potential safe haven for the birds in your community. This project showcases how simple materials like PVC pipe, with a touch of creativity, can result in a functional habitat. Looking for more outdoor DIY projects? Check out our guide on how to build your own functional hydroponic garden to pair nicely with your new birdhouse! 

***follow our blog to learn more about our next project: DIY Bird Feeder! 

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