How Long Do Pool Filters Last
Your swimming pool pump system can expect to pump 60-70,000 gallons of water every 8 hours. Thats a lot of work!
Like all things, swimming pool filters become less effective with age! When the filter has passed its prime, it will get clogged, dirty, and become ineffective.
How long your pool filter will last ultimately comes down to how much dirt it needs to clean. Assuming you properly maintain your swimming pool, you should expect the below timescales on average:
- – Filter Cartridge approximately 2,000 working hours, usually around 2-4 years.
- – Sand Filter Media around 3-7 years
- – Glass Filter Media about 7-15 years
How Often You Should Replace Your Pool Filter
- Written by Benjamin Roussey on Dec 12, 2010To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience.Reviewed by Paige Butterfield on May 25, 2021
Pool-filter cartridges are used to keep home swimming pools and spas clean. They can be used for pools with a capacity of 30,000 gallons or less volume of water. The filter cartridge is generally made of polyester cloth or corrugated paper that acts as a filter. When the filter is dirty and clogged, the water in the entire pool can become dirty. Check out these guidelines below to know how often you should replace your pool filter to keep your water safe and clean.
General Filter Life
Pool-filter cartridges can run for about 2,000 hours in a filter pump. Usually, filter cartridges have to be replaced once every one to two years. The filter, however, will not last as long if you enter the pool with suntan lotion, deodorants, hair-care products, and other chemicals.
To know when to replace it, you should observe the filters condition. If the cloth looks loose, or if the cartridge looks cracked, its time to replace it with a new one.
Usage and Size
Maintenance
Step 1 – Remove Filter and Rinse
First, remove the filter from the cartridge and rinse it off with a brush and hose, spraying it with regular water. You should repeat this process at least once per week.
Step 2 – Replace Filter if Needed
How Often Should Pool Filters Be Cleaned
The recommended cleaning interval is 1 to 3 weeks, but generally speaking, you should clean a sand filter when needed, there is no set time. The best way to tell if it needs to be cleaned is to use your eyes to check the clarity, flow and pressure. If the water is cloudy, hazy or green, you need to clean your filter. Also, if you dont see any obvious visual signs, check the pressure gauge.
Each pool filter has a different threshold for how long it can go between cleanings and maintain the proper chemical balance of your pool water. The quality of your pool water is a big determinant, and that depends on how often you use your pool and its surrounding environment. However, you can always use the pressure gauge as a benchmark for when you need to clean, regardless of the type of pool filter. If the pressure is 8-10 PSI over its startup level, its time to clean it.
Use the same backwashing technique for DE filters as you would for sand filters. There is no set time for how often you need to backwash a DE filter. The best rule of thumb is to do this when your pool needs it. Pressure is the best marker to determine when to backwash your filter.
Cartridge filters can go up to six months without cleaning but most likely will need to be rinsed sometime after the three-month mark, depending on pool balance and clarity.
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How To Clean Every Type Of Pool Filter
Its only logical. Your filter is one of the main components in keeping your pool clean, so it also needs to be kept clean. But maybe youre new to pool maintenance. Or maybe you just got a new type of filter. Whatever the case, knowing how to clean a pool filter is an essential part of owning a pool.
But as long as you have the right equipment, enough time, and the desire to swim in a clean, clear pool , cleaning your pool filter will be a snap.
How Often Should You Clean Your De Pool Filter
Try to clean your DE filter at least once a month. Of all the filters, they remove the most grime and organics from your pool. The longer you wait to clean your DE filter, the less effective it becomes. Along with a monthly cleaning, always check your pressure gauge to confirm the pressure is no higher than 8 to 10 over the pressure level for a freshly cleaned filter.
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How Do I Know If My Sand Filter Is Bad
Its important to inspect your sand filter to know when it may need to be replaced. Look for these signs:
- Cloudy waterthis could be a sign that your sand needs to be replaced, your sand filter is clogged or sand bed is contaminated
- Dripping multiport valvesleaky valves arent a sand filter problem per se, but they do impact your filters effectiveness
- Sand in your Poolif you have a damaged lateral, they will allow sand to pass through and into the pool in the return lines. Look for sand beneath your return fitting. Sand will come out of the fitting and fall right to the floor
- Broken valvesvalve failure renders your sand filter virtually useless
- Split tanka ruptured tank will need to be replaced. If you see any signs of fracture, turn your filter off immediately
- The pressure is too highIf your filter isnt functioning properly, it most likely needs cleaning. Low pressure means less restrictiontoo low could indicate your return fittings are missing. Low pressure isnt a problem as long as the flow is there
Cleaning Pumps And Skimmers
Keep your pumps clean on an ongoing basis by watching the pressure levels. When the pressure is high , backwash them right away. Twice each season, you should clean the pumps thoroughly. Open them up and clean them out completely. This task requires daily, weekly and seasonal attention!
When people ask, How often should you clean a pool? they often dont realize that many factors go into determining this. Clean your skimmers daily if your pool is near trees. If there are no trees around, once a week may be alright.
Youll only know if your schedule is adequate by the number of times you need to backwash the pumps, and whether or not your skimmers and plumbing are becoming clogged with leaves, hair and other debris.
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How Often Should I Clean My Pool Filter Cartridge
This is a question that we get a lot through our social media channels as well as our email channels and we usually tell people that as a rule of thumb, its best to give your pool filter cartridge a good rinsing once a month to ensure longevity of the cartridge. Again, this is just an estimate as the actual cleaning interval will depend on a lot of factors which we will be talking about today. But before that, heres Tom to give you a quick overview of your pool filter cartridges.
How Often Should I Clean My Cartridge Filter
DarthChicha said:Hi, I have a 10,000 gallon, cement pool in Texas. I bought a new pentair 160340 filter that has cartridges. How often should I clean it? I had read that they should be cleaned every 6 months but the pool guy told me that its every month. :-|Thanks
For your filter, mine has a gauge on top of it. It really depends on your conditions, and how much junk it’s filtering out. My filters gauge was initially setup running at 14 psi, when it gets up around 20 psi, the gauge has a reading that it’s time to clean.
Jeremy — Do not use the dial markings to determine when to clean. Use 25% above clean pressure. Thank you.
Lilypad said:When you have cleaned and reassembled your filter, start it up and note the new “clean” pressure. When it goes 25% above that number it is time to clean. I’ve gone through two of those gauges and am now going to switch to a glycerin one sold by TFTestkits. That black one isn’t very accurate IMO.
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When To Clean The Filter
The answer to this question can vary depending on the type of filter, but generally, you should clean it once every six months. This should be sufficient as long as you are using the right kind of filter and there arent extenuating circumstances. For example, you may need to clean sooner if there were a lot more people in the swimming pool than usual or if there was a bad algae bloom.
Watch for signs like a noticeable change in the water quality. This usually means its time to clean the filter. You can also figure out if its time to clean the filter by checking the filter pressure gauge. Look at the indicator when you know the filter is clean. When that number rises by about 10 psi, the filter must be cleaned again. The lower the pressure is, the better your pool will be.
Is It Time To Clean The Pool Filter
As one of the important pool components, cleaning your filter regularly is mandatory. You will not have an enjoyable pool if the filter is dirty obviously. Keep in mind to always include the filter cleaning to your regular swimming pool maintenance. You need to clean it at least once every six weeks just like the tutorial above shows you.
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Pool Filter Replacement: How Often What Kind And More
The average pool in the USA is about 13,500 gallons of chlorinated water. That’s a lot of water â and body oils, sun tan lotion, dirt, food, leaves, and anything else that falls in.
That means a filter system the right size for the average pool filters a little over 28 gallons per minute of water. If only we all worked so hard!
But even our hard-working pool filters need a good cleaning from time to time. At some point, you’ll also need pool filter replacement, no matter the type. So how often should you clean or replace them?
If you want the answers to that and more, keep reading to find out.
Changing Your Pool Filter
Now that weve touched on when to change your pool filter, we need to talk about how. After all, knowing when to replace the filter doesnt do any good if you cant change it yourself.
Luckily, changing the pool filter is extremely easy.
Removing the Filter
Before you can remove the pool filter, youll need to turn off the pump system. If you dont, youll spray water everywhere. Its a mistake most people only make once.
Next, shut off the valves leading into and out of the filter. This stops any extra water from entering the filter while you work. Remove the tubing that connects to both sides of the filter, and youre ready to remove the cartridge itself.
The actual cartridge should unscrew from the housing and drain water. Look inside where the filter was and ensure nothing seems broken.
Replacing the Filter
The actual replacement process involves screwing the new filter into place. Check with both your pool and filter manuals to make sure youre installing the filter in the correct orientation.
Once youve reviewed the manual, you can plug in the new filter and ensure its securely in place.
Reconnecting and Restarting Your Pump
Now that the new filter is installed, you can begin reconnecting the pipes to the filter assembly. First, dry-fit the pipes to make sure they all fit back in place. Next, prime the pipe threads, cover them in Teflon tape or pipe sealant and reconnect all the connections.
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Is Pool Filter Cleaning Really Necessary
Like everything else, pool filters are subject to wear and tear. Certain factors, such as poor maintenance, can accelerate this process and reduce their lifespan.
Over time, debris and chemicals build up in the filter. Without proper cleaning, pool filters get clogged and become less effective. This results in cloudy water, bacteria growth, and poor water quality.
Filters also play a crucial role in pool water circulation. They help spread the chemicals you add to your pool and ensure a clear swimming area.
If the filters are clogged, you may experience problems with the pool pump too. It could back up and flood, causing a lot of damage. Regular pool filter cleaning can prevent costly repairs and infectious diseases.
How Do I Know If My Pool Filter Is Bad
There are ways to tell if the swimming pool filter is bad. If the water turns cloudy, then you know that your filter is not functioning properly. Leaking multi-port valves, broken or bad laterals, valve failure, tank failure, and pressure issues are some of the other indicators that the pool filter is bad.
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Video Answer: How To Clean A Pool Filter Cartridge
A commonly asked question amongst our customers is, when should we clean our pool’s filter cartridge? Typically, we recommend that your cartridges inside your filter be cleaned every 3 months for longevity of your cartridges, as well as for better pool filtration and water flow.
Can You backwash a cartridge filter?
- Cartridge pool filters cannot be backwashed and must be cleaned by hand. Cut the power to the filter, shut the valve from the filter outlet that goes to the pool inlet, and shut the valve that goes from the skimmer to the pump inlet.
How often should you backwash?
- Industry standards generally hold that you should backwash about once a week, or when the filter gauge reads 10 pounds per square inch higher than clean pressure, according to Recreation Management. Some experts believe this 10 psi rule of thumb is due for an update.
What Do I Use To Clean My Pool
Knowing what to use to clean your pool is important if you want it done correctly. From the equipment to the chemicals, you need to have the right stuff on hand.
You may be surprised to discover the amount of pool cleaning equipment youll need if you want your pool cleaned thoroughly. Heres a list of some of the most important items:
- Pool Filter
- Your filter should run for a minimum of eight hours a day. You should set a timer so that it runs at night when the sun is down and no one is using it. When your filter is running properly, it will eliminate much of the debris thats in the water.
- Telescoping Pole: This pole can be used for skimming, brushing, and vacuuming because you can switch the attachments at the end of it. They come in different lengths and materials. The most durable ones are made from fiberglass, although youll find many made from aluminum. Most poles have two small holes at the attachment end for different pieces of cleaning equipment.
- Vacuum Heads & Hoses: Theres no getting around vacuuming your pool. It needs to be done to ensure your pool is clean and the bottom and walls are algae-free. The vacuum head attaches to the pole and the hoses attach to the head.
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Can I Run Pool Filter Without Cartridge
You can run your pool pump without a filter cartridge. You can do this to maintain the circulation when the cartridge is dried up. However, you will have to ensure that you have removed the internal parts and the tank is properly reassembled. Also, you can remove the cartridge while cleaning the filter.
Swimming Pool Filter Cleaning
We probably dont need to tell you this, but there is a lot of dust and debris circulating through the air in Phoenix & Scottsdale, Arizona. Unfortunately, a lot of it ends up in your swimming pool. Arizona is one of the worst places in the country when it comes to these particles falling into your swimming pool and clogging your filter. Its a good thing Emerald Pools and Spas is nearby to keep your pool pristine and safe. One way we do this is with our pool & spa filter cleaning services.
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How Often Should You Change Your Pool Filter Cartridges
Do you think your pool is clean? According to CDC data, its probably full of poop . During a routine inspection in 2013, nearly 80 percent of 48,632 public water venues were found to have at least one safety violation.Whats more, a similar study found that 58 percent of tested pool filter samples were positive for E. coli, and 59 percent contained Pseudomonas aeruginosa. E. coli are bacteria found in the human intestines, and you guessed it, poop.Unless you enjoy swimming in excrement, changing your pool filter is essential to enjoying a clean swimming experience. But do you know how often to change your filter and what your filter does besides filter?
To help keep your pool clean, were breaking down the whys, whens, and hows of changing your pool filter cartridges. Lets get started.
