Opening The Tank On A Pentair Clean And Clear Plus Pool Filter
The Pentair Clean and Clear Plus ranges from 240 square feet to 520 square feet. The only difference between the sizes is the height of the outside body which directly correlates with the length of the cartridges inside. So, splitting the tank on each will be exactly the same. While going through the filter, its a good idea to give everything a thorough inspection to make sure things are working right. Dont worry, Ill explain how.
- Barrel Nut and Tension Spring Assembly: you will need a 3/4-inch socket or wrench to loosen and completely remove the barrel nut and tension spring assembly. Make sure to take note of which washers are in what order.
- Band Clamp: Remove the band clamp from the circumference of the filter. Be careful, the clamp likes to jump off and fall.
- Tank Lid: Lift the lid up and over the top of the cartridges inside. Be cautious not to lift the tank top from the air bleeder and pressure gauge assembly as it can break quite easily. Once the lid is completely off set it to the side to be inspected and cleaned.
Now you will see the four cartridges that need to be cleaned. If this is your first time doing this, you may want to take a quick picture of how the assembly looks all put together. As you look everything over, the four cartridges should be vertical, the top manifold should be tight, and the center tube and breather screen should be intact.
Simple Effective Low Maintenance Filters
Sand filters are one of the most popular ways to filter water. For good reason. They are simple, effective, and require very little attention. Pool water is routed through a sand-filled pressure vessel. Over time, dirt accumulates in the spaces between the sand particles causing the pressure in the vessel to rise as water finds it harder to pass through. This signals you to backwash the filter. Simply reverse the water flow and knock out the dirt.
How To Troubleshoot Common Pentair Pool Filter Problems
A swimming pool is a perfect escape for summers. Having a pool in your backyard is one of the fortunate and prized possessions of a home owner. You can lounge in hot months, spend some relaxing time, and organize a pool party. However, a dirty pool can spoil all these plans. Being a pool owner, there is nothing that can be more horrifying than getting ready to dive into the pool and realizing that something is wrong with the pool water.
At this point, pool filters come to save you from the dirty pool and its aftermaths. However, even a pool filter causes a great deal of stress to pool owners as they require regular maintenance. Noisy pool filters and pumps, leaks, and equipment damage are some common problems you may face with your pool filters. Pool filters are indispensable for keeping your pool clean and sparkling, and they need to function properly.
Issues with pool filters
There are different types of pool filter problems pool owners often encounter while working with pool filters. Problems may vary depending on the type of filter, however, more or less there are some common issues most pool owners have to deal with on a regular basis.
How to fix the common pool filter problems? We have pulled together the information you need.
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Filter Is Not Cleaning Water
Problem:
Can affect any type of filter.
Warning signs:
If your pool filters are not cleaning water efficiently, water gets very dirty. You can easily spot large pieces of debris in the water. In severe cases, pool water can turn very green or slimy. If you find all these signs, your pool filter is not functioning properly.
Causes:
Though there are different kinds of problems that can lead to this issue most of the tie, it happens because your filter is not sufficiently strong to support pool water cleaning. It may also happen due to some damage to the filter system.
Solution:
- Shut off the filter and check for visible
- Replace broken or damaged pieces inside the filter, if you find any.
- If you do not find any obvious issue, replace filter media.
- If water is not getting clean, you can upgrade your filter, for example, installing a more powerful pump.
- You may also fix this problem by using different or more powerful pool cleaning chemicals.
High Pressure In Filters
Can affect diatomaceous earth filters, but is more common with sand filters.
Warningsigns:
Check the pressure gauge of your filter system. High pressure means pool filter problem. To know the standard pressure of your pool filter system, go through its manual.
Causes:
Pressure in the filter is jointly maintained by the pump, water levels, and filter media. If anyone of this is not working correctly, it affects filter pressure. This problem can also occur if your pool filters are very dirty and need an in-depth cleaning. A lot of debris and contaminants baking up in your filter media can lead to serious pressure issues.
Solution:
- Turn off your filter and perform a backwash.
- Check your filter thoroughly for any damage.
- Replace the damaged piece if you find one. If you do not find any damage, replace your filter media with a fresh
- Use only sufficient media in filters without stuffing it. Again, check your filter manual to determine the proper amount to add.
- Check for leaks and damage in pumps and lines.
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When To Replace Your Filter Cartridges
So when do you replace your filters? There is no expiration date, so its important to know signs of a cartridge that needs replacement.
Lets start with the bands. Contrary to what you may have heard, those bands are not wear bands. This means that the cartridge does not need to be replaced at the first sign of a broken band. However, the bands will break down over time. If you see a significant amount of breakage on the bands, look closely at the cartridge to ensure it is still in good condition. Those bands are specifically designed to ensure proper spacing between the pleats of the filter, so if the bands do break, your filtering ability will be diminished.
Next, look at the coloration of the cartridge. It will never be as white as when you bought it, but it should not have permanent dark brown or oily stains. If it does, that means it is saturated with oils. You need to soak it in a cartridge cleaner to help pull those oils out. If the oils wont come out with a good cartridge cleaner solution, you may need to replace that cartridge.
PRO TIP: It is not a good idea to use any sort of acid dilution on a filter cartridge.
Now, look between the pleats. You dont need to check them all, but check enough to get a good understanding of whether or not the material is starting to fray or come apart. If the material is visibly degrading, you should consider replacing that cartridge immediately because you are no longer getting proper filtration.
How To Clean Pool Filters
The pool filter is one of the most important pieces of equipment. Without the filter, your pool would essentially become a swamp after a few short weeks. As the water circulates, the water passes through the filter media either Sand, Diatomaceous Earth, or Cartridges. This filtration media is designed to catch small particles and debris to prevent them from being redistributed to the swimming pool. After a few months or so, the filter becomes clogged and backed up with that debris which prevents the water from passing through the filter media. This is a sign that it is time to clean the filter. Below we’ll break down the procedures for cleaning each filter media and the signs to look for that could indicate that the media needs to be replaced:
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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:
How To Clean A Pentair / Sta
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The Pentair/Sta-Rite System 2 Mod D.E. Filter’s unique design provides two major advantages over traditional-style D.E. filters: its single cartridge style module replaces the more complicated multi-grid assemblies that are difficult to clean and reassemble and its unique balanced-flow tank design maximizes the use of the modules surface area to trap more dirt and reduce the frequency of cleaning. This guide shows you how to clean a Sta-Rite System 2 Mod D.E. Filter. As water flows through the D.E. coated folds of this cartridge filter, the folds will become clogged, water will not flow thru the filter as easily, and pressure within the filter will increase. Operationally, with water flow down, you will not be turning you pool water as frequently and your pool decontaminates will start to build up. It’s time to clean your filter. As a general rule of thumb, your filter should be clean at least once a month during the summer and every other month if running in the winter.&
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Your Pool Filters Need Cleaning Too Often
Problem:
Affects all types of filters, but is more frequent in cartridge filters.
Warning signs:
There are a few signs that indicate this problem. Most common one is pool water getting dirty often. It is a sign that your filter needs to be cleaned. Another sign is filter media frequently getting dirty or your water pressure getting too high right after a cartridge cleaning.
Causes:
This problem mostly affects a swimming pool that is too large or is frequently used by too many people and Pentair cartridge pool filter not sufficiently large enough to support the cleaning process. The problem can also occur due to broken or damaged filter parts. In some cases, hard water can cause this problem.
Solution:
- Look for the specification of your pool filter and determine if it is not strong enough for the size of pool you have. Compare the GPM of your pool pump compared to your pool filter. The pump should not be pushing more water than your filter can process.
- Consider how frequent the pool is used and by how many people. If you use it too often, you may need to upgrade.
- Replace filter media with a fresh one and see if it helps.
- You can invest in a pool filter cleaning machine to ease the tedious pool filter cleaning process.
- Pentair pool equipment packages are an easy way to upgrade.
Filter Media Entering The Pool
Problem:
This problem affects all types of filters, but is more common in sand filters and diatomaceous earth filters.
Warning signs:
Your pool will become sandy, and you can easily see diatomaceous earth floating in your pool or accumulating at the bottom.
Causes:
This happens when the filter gets broken, worn out which makes them leak and make way to pool water. Other factors that can lead to this problem are – worn out filter grids, damaged o-rings, broken valves inside filter tank. In some cases, it may be due to excessive sand or diatomaceous earth present in the filter.
Solution:
- Open your Pentair pool filter pump parts and take a look inside.
- Do a regular backwash.
- Remove inner grids and check for any damage. If you find any damage, replace the damaged parts at once. You can also order any Pentair pool filter parts
- Complete the cleaning process by removing all sand or diatomaceous earth from inside.
- Replace filter media and let the filter cycle a few times.
- Take care not to stuff filter media inside. Ideally, the quantity should be sufficient to keep the pressure correct. Refer to your filter manual to determine the exact amount to be added.
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Inspecting A Pentair Clean And Clear Plus Filter Before Tear Down And Cleaning
Before I go tearing into any filter, I like to take stock of what Im working with. So lets first point out all the parts as you approach the filter tank. A lot of folks like to go from top to bottom, but in this case I want to go from the bottom up.
Each of these units has a tank base which consists of the bottom tank of the filter canister. Near the bottom of the tank there is a drain plug along with its O-ring. Moving up from there are the inlet and outlet bulkhead fittings that have the plumbing running through them with union style connections, along with each O-ring. Holding the two halves together is a metal clamp band with one barrel nut tension spring assembly, early models may have two barrel nut assemblies. Moving up from there you will have the tank lid or top half of the canister. Attached to the top of the tank lid is a pressure gauge assembly with a combined pressure relief valve.
Its important to take a mental picture, or a literal picture, of the positioning of each of the movable parts prior to opening everything up, because if one thing is wrong dangerous things can take place.
Balance The Water Chemistry
This protects the pool from corrosion or scale buildup. Using a water test kit, adjust the water to the recommended levels of pH, total alkalinity, calcium and chlorination.
If you want to add a winterization chemical kit, do it now. These kits put high levels of chlorine and algaecide in the water to prepare it for the winter months ahead. Your pool retailer offers ready-made kits for the purpose use according to the maker’s directions. In the case of larger pools, you may be directed to supplement the kit with additional quantities of some chemicals, too.
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An Advanced Guide: How To Clean Your Sta
An Advanced Guide: How to Clean Your Sta-Rite Pool Filter Effortlessly?
Has your pool water turned slimy or murky?
Have you started avoiding your pool rather than enjoying it?
If yes, then it might be time to clean the filter.
Proper pool maintenance is an indispensable step to keep your pool water sparkling and clean. However, often pool owners overlook the importance of cleaning their pool filter.
Pool filter acts as the basic cleaning system of your swimming pool. It ensures that you never have to worry about dirt and mirk being accumulated in your pool. There is no doubt that the task of cleaning pool water is intimidating, but there is no way to get around it. If you wish to own a sparkling swimming pool, you have to clean your filter at some point.
Here we tell you everything from different types of filter to the right way to clean them.
Types of pool filters
There are three major types of pool filters cartridge, sand and diatomaceous earth. Each one has its own pros and cons and works best under different conditions. How often you clean the Sta-Rite pool filter depends significantly on the type of pool and pool filters you own. Let us get to know about all of them one by one.
Your Final Freeze Insurance: The Flotation Device
Before you put on the cover, you’ll want to install a flotation device in the center of the pool. This device needn’t be anything fancyit can be a “pillow” sold at your local pool retailer or a truck innertube. The float balances the rainwater and ice sure to form on your pool’s cover over the winter. Even more important, it eases pressure on the pool walls by allowing winter’s ice to push in on the flotation device, not outward on the walls.
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No Water In The Pipes = No Freeze Damage
Unscrew and loosen any quick-disconnect fittings or unions at your pump and filter system, then blow out the pipes. A wet-dry shop vacuum or air compressor is ideal for this. Force the air from your pump down the skimmer and through the skimmer pipes.
Blow out the return plumbing by hooking up your compressor to the return lines at the filter system, or by screwing it into the pump’s drain plug. Keep at it until you see air bubbles emerge from the return jets, then tightly plug the fitting below the water line. Close up all exposed pipes with plugs.
Also blow out the main drain line . No diving necessary to plug up the drain pipewhen you see bubbles coming out of the drain, plug the pipe on your end or close the gate valve. This will create an “air lock” in the line, ensuring that no more water can enter it from the pool side, which protects the main drain line.
