Having issues keeping your pool clean, having little to no water flow, or closing your swimming pool for the winter? If this is you, it may be time to deep clean your cartridge filters. This guide will explain why and when you should perform this essential pool maintenance task and provide steps for how to do it. By following these steps, you can ensure that your pool filter works properly and can keep your pool clean all summer long.
Why You Must Clean Cartridge Pool Filters
Cartridge pool filters are usually made of polyester, which filters out any particles down to 10 to 20 microns from your pool’s water. Eventually, these particles will build up within the webs of the cartridges. This buildup of particles can clog up the filter, making it difficult for your pool water to get clean and can restrict the flow of water, which can make your equipment, like heaters and salt cells, have a “No Flow” error. To prevent these issues, it’s important to deep clean your cartridge pool filters regularly.
When to Clean Cartridge Pool Filters
Your cartridge filters need to be cleaned roughly every 4 to 6 months or when you encounter issues with insufficient water flow or if you’re having trouble keeping your pool clean. Another common time to clean your cartridge filters is when you close your swimming pool for the winter, so they’ll be clean when you open your pool.
Steps to Deep Clean Cartridge Pool Filters
1. Remove Cartridges
To remove the cartridge filters from the filter’s housing, take the top off the tank. There are a few styles of these tanks, including clamps like those with old STA-RITE filters, spinning collars, and clamping collars. You can usually take off the filters that use the clamps and spinning collars by hand. For the clamping collars, you’ll need a socket wrench and/or an impact driver to loosen and take off the clamp. Once done, you can take the top off the filter and take the cartridge filters out of the tank.
2. Rinse Out Filter Housing
Now that the filters are out of the tank, you can drain the remaining water by removing the plug at the bottom of the tank. Next, take a garden hose or bucket of water to rinse out any debris at the bottom of the tank. For any remaining debris at the bottom of the tank, use a shop-vac to clean it out.
3. Soak Cartridges in Cleaning Solution
Next, you’ll have to soak the cartridges in a cleaning solution. The cleaning solution will break down the bonds of the oils, metals, and other particles in the filters, making them easier to clean. Make sure to follow the directions on the filter cleaner that you have purchased. Most cleaners require you to put the cartridge filters in a large barrel, then fill it with water and the filter cleaner solution. Once done, leave the filters to soak in the solution for 24 hours.
4. Spray Off Cartridges
After the cartridges are done soaking, they can be sprayed off using a pressure washer. To do this, get a piece of plywood with a hole in it and place it on grass or dirt. Next, take a dowel/stick and put it in the ground through the hole in the plywood. This setup will stop you from washing away the ground and prevent the cartridge filter from moving when cleaning. Next, using the pressure washer, you can spray off the filters. Use the white or yellow tip of the pressure washer and keep the nozzle two feet away from the filter to not damage it. Spray all parts of the cartridge filter until it’s clean.
5. Let Cartridges Dry and Reinstall
Once the filters are sprayed clean, they can be left outside to dry for a few hours. After the filters are dry, reinstall them into the filter housing. Most filters can be placed in any direction in the filter housing, but some, like STA-RITE, have arrows that have to line up to be seated properly. After the filters are inside the housing, put the top and the collar back on and tighten. When everything is back together, turn your pump on and check for any leaks and tighten the collar if necessary.
Cleaning your cartridge pool filters is essential in keeping your pool water clean and your pool equipment working properly. Hopefully these steps have provided you with the necessary guidance to perform this maintenance item. Now your freshly cleaned filters will help ensure your pool remains a clear and sparkling place to swim and relax all summer long.
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