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.
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