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| FILTER MAINTENANCE IS IMPORTANT |
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There are 3 main types of swimming pool filters: Sand, DE (which stands for Diatomaceous Earth), and Cartridge.
Many filters installed in the 70's and 80's were much too small for the size of pool they filter, and with the deterioration of age are just barely operating. Newer filters that have not had regular service will not perform any better than an outdated or undersized filter, and can even cause bigger problems. Regular maintenance is the most important factor in continued performance and reliability.
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 Sand
Filters |
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| The sand in a sand filter is specially graded to trap dirt particles. As a sand filter collects dirt, its efficiency increases, trapping even more dirt. When your pressure gauge shows a reading 8-10 lbs. over its clean, start-up reading, it is time to backwash (forcing water to flow through the filter backwards) the captured dirt out of the filter.
If your filter requires frequent backwashing (it should be able to operate continuously for a period of 4 weeks between backwashing), the sand may have deteriorated. A properly sized sand filter can go up
to 10 years between sand changes. High amounts of oils from swimmers can gum up a sand bed over time. Years of a pump forcing water over the grains wear away the sharp edges of the sand (think about the Grand Canyon). Worn sand becomes circular, and traps dirt less efficiently. |
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| Diatomaceous Earth
Filters |
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The
DE filter is the most efficient type of pool filter.
It can trap particles smaller than what the naked
eye can see. As with sand filters, the pressure
gauge indicates a need for backwashing when it
reads 8-10 lbs. higher than its “clean”
reading. After backwashing a DE filter, a new
application of DE filter powder is added to the
filter by pouring directly into the skimmer. A
semi-annual breakdown of the filter is necessary
to thoroughly clean DE filter grids. |
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DE filter requires a coating of DE powder on the filter
grids. This is where the dirt gets trapped in your filter.
The powder, when first added, dissolves in the pipe
on its way to the filter tank. When it reaches the grids,
the powder stops, coating the grid. The water passes
on through the powder, then the fabric covered grid,
leaving the dirt trapped in the DE powder coating.
Improperly
serviced DE filters may have pressure rise very quickly,
and if left without proper DE coating, the grids will
become damaged. A properly sized and serviced DE Filter
should be able to operate continuously for a period
of 4 weeks between backwashing. |
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| Cartridge
Filters |
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A
clean cartridge filter element traps dirt and
particles of 25-100 microns in size.
During routine maintenance, the cartridge must
be removed from the tank and washed thoroughly,
top to bottom. Each time the filter is cleaned,
some of its filtering ability is reduced. The
cartridge should be replaced every 2-5 years,
depending on the work it was asked to do. If
the filter is undersized, and the pool has had
some algae and/or tree debris every year (a
common problem here in the desert), then it
may last only 1-2 years. Correctly sized cartridge
filters can operate for 6 months between cleanings.
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