{"id":26,"date":"2012-03-27T22:38:46","date_gmt":"2012-03-28T02:38:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/expertpoolbuilders.com\/blog\/?p=26"},"modified":"2012-03-27T22:38:46","modified_gmt":"2012-03-28T02:38:46","slug":"cleaning-your-filter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expertpoolbuilders.com\/blog\/cleaning-your-filter\/","title":{"rendered":"Cleaning Your Filter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
Cleaning \u00a0 Your Filter<\/strong><\/p>\n

Keep your pool filters free and clear \u00a0 with regular maintenance<\/p>\n

Keeping \u00a0 the pool clean is a dirty job, which is why to clear dirt and debris \u00a0 effectively, pool filters need periodic cleanings themselves.<\/p>\n

The \u00a0 three most common types of swimming pool filters are diatomaceous earth (DE), \u00a0 sand and cartridge filters. Understanding how these different pool filters \u00a0 work and how to maintain them can make your job easier, keep your pools \u00a0 looking good, and keep your customers happy.<\/p>\n

Micron \u00a0 ratings<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The \u00a0 filter\u2019s job is to trap all of the fine dust, dirt and sand particles that \u00a0 pass through the skimmer basket and the hair-and-lint pot. Filters can make \u00a0 the pool water look beautifully blue and crystal clear, but the water is not \u00a0 necessarily pure. The misconception that a filter can purify water leads too \u00a0 many homeowners and pool techs to blame cloudy water on filters instead of \u00a0 proper water balance and sanitation.<\/p>\n

Filters \u00a0 remove only solid particles from swimming pool water. They generally cannot \u00a0 remove dissolved contaminants, such as oils, bacteria or disease-causing \u00a0 pathogens.<\/p>\n

A \u00a0 swimming pool filter\u2019s efficiency is measured by its micron rating, meaning \u00a0 how many microns can pass through the filter. A micron is a unit of length \u00a0 equal to one millionth of a meter (1\/1,000,000 m), or 0.0000394 of an inch.<\/p>\n

A \u00a0 grain of ordinary table salt is about 100 microns, and the human eye can see \u00a0 down to about 35 microns without the aid of magnification. The lower the \u00a0 micron rating on a pool filter, the smaller the particles it can remove from \u00a0 the water.<\/p>\n

Diatomaceous \u00a0 Earth filters<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The \u00a0 DE filter is a favorite of pool builders and service technicians because it \u00a0 has the best micron rating. A DE filter can strain out particles as small as 1 \u00a0 to 3 microns.<\/p>\n

Diatomaceous \u00a0 earth is a white powder that is made of the tiny skeletal remains of sea \u00a0 creatures, called diatoms, which died prehistorically. Inside the DE filter \u00a0 tank are eight semi-circular grids. The DE coats the grids and forms a filter \u00a0 cake, which acts as a micro-screen to strain out tiny pieces of debris.<\/p>\n

Pure \u00a0 DE will not compact, so the pool water can easily pass through it. The dirt \u00a0 and debris that is trapped in the filter cake will cause the filter cake to \u00a0 pack and restrict water flow.<\/p>\n

The \u00a0 DE filter may be partially cleaned by backwashing. All DE filters have a \u00a0 valve that allows the pool water to run backwards through the filter. Pool \u00a0 water enters the filter and rinses most of the filter cake, dirt and debris \u00a0 away to the sewer drain.<\/p>\n

The \u00a0 filter grids must be re-coated with a new filter cake after each backwashing. \u00a0 Because backwashing does not remove all of the dirt and debris from the \u00a0 filter, it is necessary to periodically open the filter and clean each grid \u00a0 individually.<\/p>\n

Separation \u00a0 tanks<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The \u00a0 separation tank, found on many systems, is used to backwash a DE filter. The \u00a0 job of the separation tank is to separate the DE and filter dirt from the \u00a0 water while it is being backwashed.<\/p>\n

Many \u00a0 cities have banned DE and filter dirt from being backwashed down the street \u00a0 and into storm drains. Some cities also don\u2019t want DE and filter dirt \u00a0 entering the sewer system, lest it clog the pipes. Therefore, during \u00a0 backwashing, the discharged water must pass through a separation tank.<\/p>\n

The \u00a0 separation tank contains a strainer bag, which traps the DE dirt and muck. \u00a0 Depending on the city ordinance, the clean, DE-free pool water is either \u00a0 returned to the pool or sent down the sewer drains.<\/p>\n

The \u00a0 separation tank should be cleaned every time the filter is cleaned, and its \u00a0 contents must be disposed of in a proper trash receptacle. It is important to \u00a0 clean the separation tank at regular intervals \u2014 i.e., every time you clean \u00a0 the filter \u2014 because the more impacted it gets, the less effective it \u00a0 becomes; the heavier the strainer bag gets, the harder it is to remove; and \u00a0 the more oils it collects, the worse its odor will be.<\/p>\n

Adding \u00a0 DE<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

After \u00a0 backwashing the filter, you will need to add more DE to it through the \u00a0 skimmer. Some pool techs will put the DE into a bucket, add water, then pour \u00a0 the whole mixture down the skimmer; others will scoop the DE into the skimmer \u00a0 directly.<\/p>\n

DE \u00a0 is added at a rate of 1 pound per 10 square feet of filter (always round up). \u00a0 For years, a 1-pound coffee can was used as a DE measure; a 1-pound coffee \u00a0 can holds 1\/2 pound of DE, so you would use two 16-ounce coffee cans per \u00a0 pound of DE. But coffee cans now hold only between 10 and 13 ounces \u2014 not 16 \u00a0 \u2014 so they are not recommended anymore. A 1-pound scoop is available at any \u00a0 supply house. A 44-ounce drink cup also holds a pound of DE.<\/p>\n

Sand \u00a0 filters <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A \u00a0 sand filter is the oldest and simplest filter in use: The water used in the \u00a0 famous Roman baths was filtered by running it through sand. The sand inside \u00a0 the filter is called the sand bed. As the pool water passes through tiny \u00a0 openings in the sand bed, dirt particles and other debris are trapped.<\/p>\n

Sand \u00a0 filters are virtually maintenance-free. A good sand filter can go years and \u00a0 years on backwashing alone, if the backwashing is done right. There are no \u00a0 grids to clean and no DE or sand to add \u2014 just backwash and go.<\/p>\n

The \u00a0 edges of the sand particles create tiny crevices to filter the water and \u00a0 catch the debris. As dirt passes through the filter, it becomes trapped in \u00a0 these crevices while the clean water passes through.<\/p>\n

Just \u00a0 as you would with a DE filter, when you backwash a sand filter, you run the \u00a0 water backwards through the system so that all the dirt in the crevices and \u00a0 gaps rises to the top of the filter and goes down the backwash line.<\/p>\n

Sand \u00a0 filters have the highest micron rating. They start out at about 40 microns \u00a0 and go down to 20 microns over time. \u201cA sand filter starts to clean better \u00a0 the dirtier it gets,\u201d says John Ott, Western Regional Technical Training \u00a0 Manager at Hayward Pool Products<\/a>, Elizabeth, \u00a0 N.J.<\/p>\n

Because \u00a0 of this high micron rating, the water in a sand-filtered pool could start to \u00a0 look cloudy. When this happens, simply add a good clarifier. A clarifier will \u00a0 gather all of the small pieces of debris that pass through the filter and \u00a0 clump them together into a larger piece of debris that will become trapped in \u00a0 the sand filter\u2019s crevices.<\/p>\n

Backwashing \u00a0 a sand filter<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The \u00a0 only way to clean a sand filter is by backwashing it. And it\u2019s important to \u00a0 remember that this is a two-step process.<\/p>\n

First, \u00a0 backwash the filter for at least two minutes, or until the water runs clear. \u00a0 In normal run position, the sand gets packed down. During backwashing, the \u00a0 sand rises and separates, thus releasing the debris trapped inside and \u00a0 allowing it to flow out of the filter.<\/p>\n

Second, \u00a0 allow the filter to sit for 15 to 30 seconds. This lets the sand inside \u00a0 settle down again. Then, set the backwash valve to the rinse setting and \u00a0 rinse the filter for 30 seconds, or until the water runs clear.<\/p>\n

A \u00a0 common complaint about sand filters is that a small amount of dirt will shoot \u00a0 back into the pool after backwashing. This is often because the second \u00a0 backwashing step \u2014 allowing the filter to sit for 15 to 30 seconds so the \u00a0 sand can settle and re-trap the dirt, followed by rinsing the filter \u2014 was \u00a0 not performed. Bypassing this step may cause some dirt to escape the filter \u00a0 and re-enter the pool. With proper backwashing and rinsing, and the addition \u00a0 of a clarifier, a sand-filtered pool should stay clean and blue.<\/p>\n

Cartridge \u00a0 filters<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Developed \u00a0 in the 1950s, cartridge types are the newest of the swimming pool filters. \u00a0 They are also the simplest to maintain, which is why they are so popular \u00a0 today.<\/p>\n

The \u00a0 cartridge of the filter closely resembles a car\u2019s air filter, but much \u00a0 taller. The cartridge material is made from a pleated polyester cloth. As \u00a0 water passes through the pleated material, dirt particles and debris are \u00a0 trapped within the pleats. A new cartridge filter can strain out particles at \u00a0 about 20 microns, but will go down to as low as 5 microns. The micron rating \u00a0 actually gets lower as the filter gets dirtier.<\/p>\n

The \u00a0 cartridge must be removed for cleaning, as the filter cannot be backwashed. \u00a0 It\u2019s a good idea to clean a filter every six months to a year, depending on \u00a0 the bather load and the size of the cartridges. (See \u201cThe Pressure\u2019s On\u201d for \u00a0 more information on when to clean a filter.)<\/p>\n

To \u00a0 clean the filter, remove the cartridge and simply hose it off.<\/p>\n

After \u00a0 hosing the filter clean, take a minute to inspect it. The pleats should be \u00a0 straight, not buckled or crooked. Also, inspect the molding on the top and \u00a0 bottom of the cartridge. Is it in good shape, or is it starting to tear away \u00a0 from the pleats? Buckling and tearing are signs that the cartridge is getting \u00a0 old and needs to be replaced.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Source: Robert Foutz Jr.- Pool and Spa News | 3.26.2010<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Cleaning \u00a0 Your Filter Keep your pool filters free and clear \u00a0 with regular maintenance Keeping \u00a0 the pool clean is a dirty job, which is why to clear dirt and debris \u00a0 effectively, pool filters need periodic cleanings themselves. … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-26","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fiberglass-pool-maintenance"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/expertpoolbuilders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/expertpoolbuilders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/expertpoolbuilders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expertpoolbuilders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expertpoolbuilders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/expertpoolbuilders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27,"href":"https:\/\/expertpoolbuilders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26\/revisions\/27"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/expertpoolbuilders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expertpoolbuilders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/expertpoolbuilders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}