Looking for some pool filter maintenance tips? Get expert advice from the professionals at Pool Guide on all your pool filter needs. It’s easy to think about getting the ideal tan next to a glistening pool, swimming laps of breaststroke, or throwing poolside parties.
However, those daydreams frequently overlook one important aspect of pool ownership: pool filters and their upkeep.
Long, steamy days spent worrying over a lukewarm pool are hardly ideal for your summer vacation. However, you believe that a nice sparkling pool hides a lot of hard work and stress, so you settle in for a long summer.
We’re here to take the guesswork out of pool filter maintenance by breaking down the top ten techniques for keeping your pool in tip-top shape. Continue reading if you desire a summer filled with splashing and barbecues.
Pools Must Be Properly Cleaned & Maintained
Sweep, skim, and scrub are all words that will be useful in your quest to pool heaven. Whether you hire a pool service company or do it yourself, keeping your pool is essential for the filter’s longevity and overall care.
‘Creepy crawlies,’ or robotic cleaners, suck up leaves, grime, and bugs from your pool floor. Allow the creeps to run around and clean the tray occasionally.
Leaf skimmers should also be used every two days to clean the pool’s surface of detritus. This skimming will relieve some of the strain on the pool filter system.
Filter Pressure
Water easily passes through your pool filter when you first get it. Depending on your pool setup, the pounds per square inch (psi) reported on the filter’s pressure monitor probably read about 10 to 14 psi.
The debris in the water builds in the filter as the filter system performs its function. The filter gradually becomes clogged with particles, causing the pressure to rise. It’s time to wipe out the particles gathered by the filter when the pressure climbs by 25% over your initial starting pressure.
If you don’t keep your pressure in the right range, your water flow will suffer, resulting in poor circulation, murky water, and excessive wear on your pool equipment.
Since a result, knowing the pressure of your filter when it’s clean is critical, as it serves as a baseline for determining when to maintain it.
It’s simple: backwash a DE or sand filter when the pressure rises 8 to 10 psi above the clean level, or clean/replace a cartridge filter when the pressure rises 8 to 10 psi above the clean level.
Filter Sealants
Always check that the sealer surrounding the pool cartridge filter is in good working order and is securely fastened. If the filter sealer is compromised, particles will flow in and out of the system unnecessarily.
Also, make sure that all of the filter baskets in the pump line are intact and not broken; otherwise, small bits of leaves and bugs could get through and end up in the filter.
If your filter sealer and baskets are broken, you’ll have to deal with more significant concerns later in the pool game. Instead, merely keep an eye on the seals regularly.
Pool Filter Maintenance Tips
On the market, there are a few distinct types of pool filters. Regardless of their differences, all swimming pool filters act to remove contaminants from the water like your kidneys do to eliminate impurities from your system.
Consider the following: leaves, dirt, and even little toys.
The best course of action is to clear any debris from the filter basket. Before replacing the basket, switch off the filter, remove the filter cap, and remove the troublesome objects. To avoid a build-up, do this once a week.
Advantages of Backwashing
It’s a good idea to backwash the filter pipes once a month to make sure they’re clean. Simply set your filter to ‘backwash’ and empty the filter basket to accomplish this.
Allow your pool pump to run until clear water is ejected from the waste pump. It’s crucial not to turn the filter on and off too frequently, as this can cause damage to the mechanics. Set the timer on the filter to run for at least six hours per day to avoid this.
Remember to run the rinse cycle at the end.
Goals for pH Levels
Keep your chlorine and acid levels at the recommended limits to prevent algae and other growths in your swimming pool. Maintaining the proper water balance is critical for your cartridge filter’s overall health.
The pH level is a measurement of acidity or alkalinity that should be checked twice a week. The pH of the pool water must be slightly alkaline, i.e., between 7.2 and 7.8.
Watch Your Chlorine Levels
Adjust chlorine levels properly during seasons with high temperatures and lots of sunlight — the sun kills chlorine, so you’ll need more in the summer.
Effective filter maintenance is necessary all year but becomes increasingly more important as the swimming season approaches. Even in the winter, remember that completely emptying your pool is never a good idea.
An empty pool is extremely dangerous and is not recommended by anyone in the pool industry.
Learn This Basic Pool Filter Maintenance Tip
When most people think of tennis balls in a pool, they think of stingers or catch. But there’s a catch: tennis balls can be used twice.
Swimmers may leave certain oils in the water after exiting the pool. Sun cream, hair products, and natural skin oils can all produce an unpleasant slick sheen on the water’s surface.
However, tossing a tennis ball into the water is a simple remedy. The ball’s fibers will absorb oils, keeping your pool oil-free. These greasy materials can put a lot of strain on your pool filter.
Alternatively, cute small absorbent scum ducks can be purchased to perform the same function as tennis balls and be used in spa baths.
Winterizing Your Pool
Everyone knows how important pool maintenance is during the summer, but it’s just as crucial to ensure your pool is safe during the winter.
After all, no one wants to remove their pool cover at the start of summer only to discover that their pool is infested with bacteria or, worse yet, that it is leaking.
Get a water testing kit before you close your doors for the season to ensure your chemicals are correctly balanced. After that, blow any surplus water out of your plumbing pipes, and finally, get a cover to keep the pool clean.
Keeping your pool filter and pool in good shape does, of course, necessitate some effort. It does not, however, have to become a burden.
You’ll always enjoy your pool more than doing chores if you use preventative measures like a pool cover.
Problems with Water Levels
When it comes to pool filter maintenance, it is as critical as the chemical makeup of the water; the pool’s actual water level is just as critical. Weather or an overabundance of children doing cannonballs can cause the levels to fluctuate naturally.
However, always keep the water level halfway up the skimmer’s entrance.
If the water level falls too low, use a hose to replenish it. You might want a submersible pump to drain the extra water after heavy rain.
Once you’ve reached the proper water level, keep in mind the chemical balance. Water level fluctuations may cause the composition to be off; thus, it must be rechecked.
Depending on the size of your pool in relation to your filter, you may need to clean it weekly, monthly, or even once a season. Regardless, cleaning the filter at least once a year is smart.
Cleaning the filter media in your swimming pool is crucial for several reasons. It’s quite acceptable to be lazy when cleaning the filter. There will be no condemnation. However, if you skip too many cleanings, the issues can mount up and become tough to manage.
There are several other facts you should know about pool filtration and maintenance
The cleaner your pool water is, the fewer germs, parasites, and waterborne illnesses that might make you sick are likely to be present. Although your pool may never be exposed to these toxins, it’s best to be safe than sorry by keeping the pool filter media clean.
Furthermore, it is more environmentally friendly. Allowing your pool water to become too dirty or murky and then flushing it out releases the contaminated water onto the surrounding region. This is one of the reasons why residential groundwater is so filthy.
Furthermore, it is beneficial for the pools. The filter may not function correctly when the pool water becomes extremely unclean. This, in turn, hinders the pump from performing at its best, perhaps causing damage to the pool’s pipes. This can be costly and leave you without a pool for months.
Your pool could succumb to several less-than-ideal circumstances if you don’t maintain it properly – malfunctioning pool filters, green water, and algae buildup are just a few examples.
However, regardless of your pool type, following these simple measures will ensure that your pool and filter system is in good operating order this summer.
Have more questions about pool filter maintenance? Talk to us about how to keep your swimming pool filter in good working order on a budget.
