One of the key components of keeping your pool clean and looking crystal clear is keeping the filter clean.
It isn't enough to simply clean it regularly.
How you clean the filter has as much bearing on how it functions as how often you clean it.
Cleaning your pool's filter can be broken down to a pretty straightforward 3-step process.
The very first thing to do is remove the filter cartridge and gently wash away any grit and other debris that has become trapped in it.
It is very important that you just gently remove this material with slow running water and do not use any sort of pressurized hose or nozzle.
High pressure streams will remove less dirt than it will force deep into the filter.
There is no easier way to completely ruin a filter.
After rinsing away the loose debris, extract the deeper dirt and materials by soaking your filter cartridge in a cleaning solution specifically designed for filters.
These solutions are generally alkaline (a strong base) and are especially efficient at removing the residues from body oils, detergents and even sunscreen or lotions.
Leave the cartridge soaking in the cleaning solution overnight and then gently wash the solution off of the filter.
Finally, now that there are no oils trapping in grit, it is time to do a thorough, deep rinse.
You can use a spray nozzle this time, but use a low pressure setting and do not spray at a 90 degree angle to the filter.
Remember, you goal is to remove the dirt, not embed it deeper into the filter.
If you doubt your ability to use a spray nozzle without ruining your filter then it is best to err on the side of caution and just rinse it in a faucet or swish it around in clean standing water.
Every manufacture recommends a specified schedule for cleaning your filter.
If you don't want to hunt down the insert to your filter or if you have lost it, then you can use this rule of thumb: after you clean your filter following the instructions above, take note of the pressure reading.
Once the pressure increases by 10 psi over that base level it is time to clean your filter again.
Should you neglect to clean your filter then the pressure against the flow of circulation in your filtration system will cause the water to flow back, reducing circulation and leading to a dirty pool.
Of course, too much circulation is also a problem, as it reduces the life of your filter.
Too great of a flow rate will decrease the life of your filter.
Your filter should be marked with the maximum pressure capacity.
Ideally, your pressure reading should be far below that limit.
In general, the maximum water flow through a filter should be (in gallons per minute) one third of the area of the filter.
A clean filter should read at least 10 psi below that and, again, if the pressure rises by 10 psi it is time to clean your filter.
It isn't enough to simply clean it regularly.
How you clean the filter has as much bearing on how it functions as how often you clean it.
Cleaning your pool's filter can be broken down to a pretty straightforward 3-step process.
The very first thing to do is remove the filter cartridge and gently wash away any grit and other debris that has become trapped in it.
It is very important that you just gently remove this material with slow running water and do not use any sort of pressurized hose or nozzle.
High pressure streams will remove less dirt than it will force deep into the filter.
There is no easier way to completely ruin a filter.
After rinsing away the loose debris, extract the deeper dirt and materials by soaking your filter cartridge in a cleaning solution specifically designed for filters.
These solutions are generally alkaline (a strong base) and are especially efficient at removing the residues from body oils, detergents and even sunscreen or lotions.
Leave the cartridge soaking in the cleaning solution overnight and then gently wash the solution off of the filter.
Finally, now that there are no oils trapping in grit, it is time to do a thorough, deep rinse.
You can use a spray nozzle this time, but use a low pressure setting and do not spray at a 90 degree angle to the filter.
Remember, you goal is to remove the dirt, not embed it deeper into the filter.
If you doubt your ability to use a spray nozzle without ruining your filter then it is best to err on the side of caution and just rinse it in a faucet or swish it around in clean standing water.
Every manufacture recommends a specified schedule for cleaning your filter.
If you don't want to hunt down the insert to your filter or if you have lost it, then you can use this rule of thumb: after you clean your filter following the instructions above, take note of the pressure reading.
Once the pressure increases by 10 psi over that base level it is time to clean your filter again.
Should you neglect to clean your filter then the pressure against the flow of circulation in your filtration system will cause the water to flow back, reducing circulation and leading to a dirty pool.
Of course, too much circulation is also a problem, as it reduces the life of your filter.
Too great of a flow rate will decrease the life of your filter.
Your filter should be marked with the maximum pressure capacity.
Ideally, your pressure reading should be far below that limit.
In general, the maximum water flow through a filter should be (in gallons per minute) one third of the area of the filter.
A clean filter should read at least 10 psi below that and, again, if the pressure rises by 10 psi it is time to clean your filter.