Cleaning Vertical De Grids
1. Open air bleeder and remove filter drain plug to drain water from the tank.2. With the proper wrench or socket, loosen the bolt and remove the clamp.3. Loosen the lid and pull it straight off. A flat tool may be needed to pry it off.4. Spray grids with a hose, to remove most of the heavy DE powder.5. Lift up on sides of top manifold, with a slight twisting motion, to free the grids from the standpipe. Two people may be needed, to lift the grid assembly out.6. Place grids on a stable area, being careful not to let the assembly fall over, which can crack the top manifold.7. Do not take the grid assembly apart, but spray water fully in-between the grids, to completely clean grids on both sides.8. Replace grids carefully back into tank, applying a small amount of lube to the standpipe o-ring, found on Pentair and Hayward filters.
How To Clean A De Filter
To clean your DE filter correctly, turn off the pool pump and open the filters air relief valve. This will relieve any air pressure trapped inside the filter and create a safe working environment. Remove the drain plug to begin draining the tank. Youll want to have a bucket handy to catch the drainage. The DE filter can make a mess all over the equipment pad if you dont have anywhere for the drainage to go. Next, locate the clamp and use a wrench to remove the nut thats holding it in place. Then you can remove the lid and open the tank.
Take the manifold out and remove each of the grids from the tray. Rinse each grid individually with a hose, until theyre free of DE and any debris or dirt they collected. Place the grid back on the tray. Its easier if you start with the single, small grid. Then put the manifold back on and close the tank. Replace the lid, and dont forget to also replace the clamp and tighten the nut.
Manually Cleaning A De Filter
TOOLS/SUPPLIES NEEDED
Diatomaceous earth filters should be manually cleaned at leasttwice a year. The quickest, easiest method is to use D.E. filter cleaner.Heres how to get started:
You May Like: Does Costco Sell Pool Chlorine
How To Clean Pool Filter Cartridge
Cartridge filters, like Hayward, are the most widely used type of pool filter because theyre efficient and straightforward to maintain. Theyre also more eco-friendly because they require less water use during the cleaning process.
A cartridge filter works by pumping the pool water through a cylindrical filter cartridge made of pleated polyester fabric. The fabric traps particles in the water and catches smaller particles than other pool filters.
When it comes to how to clean pool filter cartridge fabric, there are various approaches. Choosing one depends on how dirty the filter is and the supplies you have available.
- Filter cleaning solution
Turn off the pool pump at the breaker, then drain the air from the system using the pumps air relief valve, normally at the top of the filter.
Remove the top of the filter. Consult your owners manual to ensure that you dont accidentally damage the filter housing.
After removing the pool filter cartridge, closely inspect it for any signs of cracking, tears, or other damage. If the filter is damaged, it needs replacing.
Check the o-ring on the filter tank, too. Replace it if you notice any cracks, dry rot, or warping. Otherwise, apply a non-petroleum-based lubricant to keep it from drying out before your next cleaning.
Why Clean A Pool Filter
The pool filter is crucial for keeping a pool clean and healthy. Whatever kind of filter system you have, it removes larger particles like dirt, hair, and insects from the pool water, as well as finer particles like bacteria and other contaminants. A pool filter traps and holds all those particles, keeping them out of the water.
As part of the pumping system, the filter also plays a role in the even distribution of chemicals in pool water, so that your pool water is healthier and more consistent.
Of course, since your pool filter ends up holding all that dirt and debris, you have to clean it regularly, to get those contaminants not just trapped, but out of your pool altogether. Without regular cleaning, the water filter in your pool will clog just like the air filter on a vacuum cleaner, and simply not work as well.
Also Check: How To Remove Algae Stains From Pool Walls
How To Clean Any De Pool Filter
The D.E. swimming pool filter can be one of the most effective types of swimming pool filters to keep your pool water looking and feeling its best all season long. Many popular brands like Hayward, Pentair, and Sta-Rite have been making quality D.E. swimming pool filters for many years. The average D.E. pool filter can last up to 25 years if it is taken care of properly.
Some ways to take care of your swimming pool filter properly are to make sure that your swimming pool is maintained though tout the year. Even things like not covering the pool over the winter can make the pool filter work harder during the season which will ultimately result in a shorter lifespan for the filter. Properly back washing your swimming pool filter at least once a week is also another way to keep the life of the filter long. After a while however there will come a time where you will have to take apart your D.E. pool filter and clean all excess D.E. from the grids, fingers and manifolds. You will also want to inspect all the internal parts like o-rings, filter grids, filter fingers to make sure they do not need to be replace from normal wear and tear.
Replace De Filter Tank Lid
This step can be tricky because in many cases you need to ensure the lid is properly aligned, and you need a tremendous amount of pressure to pull the lid back into place.
Some keys to remember are to ensure your pool filter tanks o-ring is clean and adequately lubricated with a silicone ointment. If the O-ring is cracking or damaged in any way, be sure to replace it.
Heres the trick on how to get the filter lid back on: Set your lid evenly on the top of the tank. Ensure that your manual air-relief valve is closed. Since it many cases, its impossible to just press or push the lid back down, we need to create the pressure to suck it down.
We do this by turning on the pump to your pool system and letting the tank fill up with water up until the level is about an inch from the brim. Youll need to lift the lidslightlyto check this.
As quickly as possible, turn off your pump and ensure the lid is resting evenly on top.
As the water in the tank starts to drain back into the pool it will create a vacuum near the top of the tank. This vacuums force will literally suck the lid down, over the o-ring and down into place.
Dont worry if it takes a couple tries to get this just right. When youre successful, reconnect your tanks collar/clamp and tighten it down. Youre done!
Be sure to add back in the appropriate amount of D.E. filter powder since your filters have been completely cleaned of it.
Also Check: Where To Buy Sustain Pool Chemicals
How To Clean A Pool Cartridge Filter System
In this comprehensive DIY we’re going to go over how to clean a pool cartridge filter. This How-To will work for virtually any pleated cartridge pool filter on the market. It will also work for jacuzzis and hot tubs with the same type of filter. We will go over which is the best and cheapest off-the-shelf product for filter cleaning. Keep reading to find out how to keep your pool in the best working condition without having to spend a fortune on new filters! Also, this guide might get updates over time. To see the latest version, click here.
Difficulty: EasyTime: Between an afternoon and a weekendCost:< 20$
This Leslies Swimming Pool Supplies Video Will Teach You How To Clean A De Filter
- When your pressure gauge is 8 10 psi above normal, it is time to clean your filter
- Clean your DE Filter once every month
- The three main steps for cleaning your filter are to backwash it, clean the manifolds and grids, and add new DE
If you have any other questions about filters, visit Pool Equipment, or go to lesliespool.com
Hi I’m Lauren Here at Leslies we’ve been serving the needs of do it yourself pool owners since 1963. we believe that all pool owners can care for and maintain their own pool with help from the experts at Leslies.
Today I’ll be showing you step-by-step how to backwash and clean your DE Filter.
The essential parts of your DE Filter are: the Pressure Gauge, Air Relief Valve, Backwash valve, Filter Tank Lid, Manifold and Grids.
The pressure gauge is actually one of the most important pieces of your DE Filter. The pressure gauge will tell you when it’s time to clean your filter. When the gauge reads 8 to 10 pounds per square inch over the normal starting pressure, your filter should be clean.
Your Air Relief Valve is used to let air and water out of the filter tank simply by turning the valve in one direction both water and air will pass through the opening.
The function of the filter grids is to hold the DE. They act as a screen to capture dirt, debris and other particles. The amount of grids, shape and style vary by Manufacturer.
1. Backwash your filter
Recommended Reading: How To Lower Cya In Pool
What Is A De Pool Filter
DE stands for diatomaceous earth, which is a soft, crumbly sedimentary rock composed of chemically inert, fossilized remains of billions of microscopic algae-like organisms, called diatoms. Chemically, diatomaceous earth consists mostly of silica , one of the most abundant compounds on earth. Silica makes up about 26 percent of the earth’s crust by weight and is found in many natural substances, including sand, emerald, quartz, feldspar, mica, clay, asbestos, and glass. The silica in DE is in fairly raw form, however, not yet transformed in any way by heat or pressure.
Diatomaceous earth is mined from various places in the world where sediments from former seas are found. Deposits have been found on dry land, under stream beds and lakes, or beneath the muck of wetland areas. Scattered deposits have been found in many U.S. states, including California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Maryland, and Virginia. DE deposits sometimes form chalky layers that crumble upon digging, but it sometimes is found in a compressed rocky form known as diatomite. The composition of diatomaceous earth varies, depending on the species of diatoms that compose it and where it is mined.
When the soft diatomite stone is ground into a white or grayish powder, the resulting diatomaceous earth is a fine abrasive powder that has many practical uses. It is the principal ingredient in one form of filter used to purify water for swimming pools and spas but also has many other uses.
Test Out The De Filter
After the filter is re-assembled and the main band clamp is tightened, turn the pump on and check for any leaking around the main band clamp. If there is leakage, you will need to remove the clamp and re-inspect the O-ring making sure the top half of the filter is seated properly onto the bottom half with no twists in the O-ring.
If all is well, add your DE through the skimmer and ensure that no DE powder is returning into the pool. If any DE returns to the pool, this is a serious indication that a grid is torn or the manifold is cracked.
This article is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.
Also Check: How Do You Build An Inground Swimming Pool
Replace Clean De Filter Grids
When youre ready , bring them back to your filter tank.
You do not need to let them dry. Before placing them back into the tank though, itll be a good idea to rinse out your filter tank.
This is done by putting it in Backwash mode and running your hose down into the tank until it is clean of all mucky water and other debris.
Now, simply pop each of your clean DE filters back into their positions, then replace the manifold as it was when you removed it.
What Is A De Filter
A diatomaceous earth filter is composed of several grids that hold the diatomaceous earth powder. They are sometimes known in the business as “water polishers” since they are capable of filtering particles as small as three microns . Anything smaller than 35 microns is invisible to the naked eye. This is why I tend to rave so much about DE filters. They are by far the best filtration available for swimming pools.
A DE filter requires back-washing less often than sand or cartridge filters. With a good working DE filter, your pool water will have far fewer problems than other filters. In my article about cleaning a green pool, I could vacuum the pool without by-passing the filter to an external drain source since the DE filter captured every bit. A cartridge or sand filter would have allowed the algae to shoot back to the pool through the returns.
Torn Filter Grid
Are they easy to maintain? Absolutely.
Here are three DE facts:
- On average, it will only need to be back-washed once a month.
- Grid inspection is recommended after a year. Check for rips or tears on the grid material and rinse thoroughly, as the DE can build up over long periods of time.
- If a grid is torn, it can simply be replaced. It can be recovered, but buying a new one costs about the same and is much easier.
Make sure you have a functioning pressure gauge.
Don’t Miss: Diy Inground Fiberglass Pool Kits
Cleaning Perflex Flex Tubes
1. Shut off the pump, push bump handle down slowly and up quickly, 8 times.2. Open vent valve and remove filter drain plug to drain water from the tank.3. After draining completely, turn filter pump on for 5 seconds to flush tank.4. Close vent valve and drain plug. Turn on pump to fill tank. Repeat steps 1-3.5. If not winterizing, restart pump to fill filter with water, adding new DE powder.
De Filter Cleaning Tutorial
- Status
Step 1: Backwash the filter.backwashbackwashrinseStep 2: Be Safe.Step 3: Draining the filter.Step 4: Opening the filter.Step 5: Disassembling the grids.Step 6: Cleaning the grids.Step 7: Cleaning the rest.Step 8: Assembling the grids.Step 9: Lube it up.Step 10: Closing the filter.Step 11: Recharging the filter.Step 12: Bask in your triumph.
Safety First:
Don’t Miss: Jones Beach Pool Location
How To Remove The Grids From A Belly Band De Filter:
1) Make sure that the filter system is off as described above.
2) Open the air relief valve on the top of the filter tank.
3) Remove the drain plug or open the backwash valve.
4) Loosen the Belly band nut and remove the spring and washers.
5) Pry the tank open from the center with a Flathead screwdriver or small pry bar and remove the filter grids.
How To Wash The D.E. Grids & Fingers:
Once you have taken apart the filter tank and you have the grids or fingers exposed you will now want to clean them. What you will need to do is to take a garden hose and completely rinse the entire surface area of the grids and the fingers. This simply means you will want to spend some time and really give both the fingers and the grids a good cleaning. You of course will only either have grids or fingers. You will not have both in a filter. As we mentioned above, some pool filters use grids and some use fingers. Both of these can be washed the same way. Using a garden hose with a spray attachment, wash and rinse everything from top to bottom until you notice that the filters or the grids are now starting to turn from a brownish yellow to a bright white. If you have rinsed off all of the extra D.E. from the filter and your fingers and grids are still yellow you might need something called an acid wash.
What Works Best To Clean The Fingers & Grids:
