- [Instructor] Your filter is critical
to keeping your pool clean.
So a dirty filter means a dirty pool, but with some simple
regular cleaning and these step-by-step instructions,
you can keep your filter system flowing smoothly.
So here's how to clean your cartridge,
sand or D.E pool filter, check it out.
(lively music)
(water splashes)
Real quick, before we continue.
If you want more help taking care of your pool,
be sure to grab our free Pool Care Cheat Sheet
at swimuniversity.com/cheatsheet.
It's totally free and will help keep your pool clean
and clear all season long.
How you clean your pool filter
depends on the type of filter you have.
So we'll walk through step-by-step
on how to clean each type.
Cartridge filters, sand filters
and diatomaceous earth or DE filters.
First up, how to clean a cartridge pool filter.
This is a straightforward type
of filter to clean, with a cartridge filter,
you can usually just pull out the cartridge,
rinse it off and put it back.
But sometimes your filter cartridge
will need a deeper clean.
So here's what you need to clean a cartridge filter,
a garden hose with a spray nozzle, filter cleaner,
a five gallon bucket,
a replacement O-ring if needed, lubricant for your O-ring,
a replacement filter cartridge and your owner's manual,
just in case.
Depending on how dirty your filter cartridge is,
this process could be quick and easy
or it could take overnight.
One, turn off your pool pump and filter system,
two, remove air from the system.
Slowly turn the air relief valve, usually located
on the top of the filter to remove any excess air
from the system.
Three, remove the clamps
holding the filter together
and remove the top of the filter.
If you're unsure how to open it,
check your owner's manual.
Four, carefully remove the cartridge
and inspect it for damage and wear,
if you find any cracks or tears or it's so dirty
that cleaning won't help, it's time to replace it.
We also recommend keeping an extra cartridge
on hand so you can start your filter system back
up while you clean the other cartridge.
Five, it's time to clean the dirty cartridge.
Use a spray nozzle on your garden hose
and spray down the cartridge,
making sure to get between the pleats.
We recommend doing this once
a week during peak pool season, you can also
use a filter cleaner to get off extra grime and dirt.
And once a month,
you'll want to soak the cartridge overnight
in a filter cleaner.
Use a five gallon bucket, submerge the cartridge
and then rinse it off the next day.
Six, when you're cleaning your cartridge, check the O-ring
on your filter tank and lightly apply some lubricant.
If it appears worn out, replace it.
Seven, return the cartridge
to the filter and secure it in place.
Replace the filter top and close the clamps.
Eight, turn the system back on and open the air
relief valve to release any excess air in the system.
Keep the valve open
until a steady stream of water sprays from it.
Nine, check the system pressure.
If the PSI is off,
you may have put the filter back together incorrectly.
Now remember, you'll want to spray your cartridge filter
every week and soak it once a month.
Keep two cartridges on hand and rotate in and out
and you'll likely need to replace the cartridge
at least once a year.
Usually when you open your pool for the season.
You'll also want to replace it
when it's worn out and can no longer be cleaned.
Next, let's talk about how to clean a sand filter.
You'll need to clean your sand filter in two ways.
Regular backwashing, which reverses the flow of water
in your filter and a chemical clean, which you'll want to do
at least once a year.
What you'll need is a backwash hose, sand filter cleaner
and your owner's manual if you have it.
First up back, backwashing.
Backwashing sends pool water backwards through your filter
and removes contaminants that have built up over time.
The dirty water leaves your filter hose
and pours out onto the ground.
Now remember, when you're backwashing,
you're gonna lose pool water, and that means you'll need
to refill the pool and test and adjust your chemicals.
So here's how to backwash your sand filter
with a multiport valve.
Attach the backwash hose to the waste
or backwash port and turn the filter system off.
Then turn the multiport valve
to backwash and turn the filter system back on.
Let the water run out of the backwash port
and through the backwash hose for about a minute
or until the water runs clear in your sight glass
then turn the filter system
off and turn the multiport valve to rinse.
Then turn your filter system back
on and rinse the filter for about 30 seconds.
Turn the filter system off again
and set the multiport valve back to filter.
If you have a smaller or Intex sand filter,
you'll wanna backwash for one minute
and then rinse for one minute.
Repeat this cycle for three rounds to avoid blowing
back anything into your pool.
Now, when should you backwash your sand filter?
You'll need to backwash whenever your sand filter
pressure gauge reads 10 PSI over the normal operating level.
It may also be time to clean the filter
if you start to notice cloudy pool water, or the pressure
from your return jets is low, and be sure to check
out our other video about when to backwash your pool.
You'll also want to change your filter sand
every four to five years.
Now, once a year, you'll want to use sand filter cleaner
and here's how to add sand filter cleaner to your system.
One, backwash the filter
for three to five minutes to remove debris.
Two, turn off the pump and turn the valve to filter.
Three, remove the pumps strainer lid.
Four, poor sand filter cleaner
into the strainer basket and replace the lid.
Five, turn the pump on for about 15 seconds.
Just long enough to transfer the cleaner
from the pump to the filter.
Six, turn off the pump and leave it
off for eight hours or overnight.
Seven, backwash the filter
for three to five minutes again
to remove dirt and debris dislodged by the filter cleaner
and then turn the filter system back on.
Lastly, let's walk through how to clean a D.E pool filter.
Cleaning a D.E filter is like cleaning a cartridge filter
and a sand filter combined.
You'll rinse and then chemically clean it
just like a cartridge filter,
but you'll also backwash it just like a sand filter.
So here's what you need to clean your D.E filter.
A backwash hose, a garden hose, D.E filter cleaner,
lubricant, a five gallon bucket, D.E powder.
And as an option, muriatic acid.
You'll also need safety goggles and acid resistant gloves
if you're using acid, and as always,
your owner's manual will also help to have on hand.
Here's how to clean a D.E filter quickly and easily
without using muriatic acid.
One, backwash the filter
for three to five minutes to remove debris.
Two, turn the pump off and open the air relief valve.
Three, remove the drain plug
and let the water drain out of the filter tank.
Four, remove the clamps holding the filter together.
If you're unsure on how to open it
check your owner's manual.
Five, remove the filter manifold and take out all the grids.
Six, rinse out the tank with a garden hose
then clean the manifold by using a spray nozzle
on your garden hose to spray down the manifold
making sure to thoroughly flush the grids of all debris
and if the manifold is really dirty
use a D.E filter cleaner.
Seven, use a garden hose to rinse the filter grids
flushing out all debris, including the D.E powder.
Eight, place the grids back into the filter tank
and add D.E powder to your filter.
You can check our step-by-step walkthrough
on how to add D.E powder
to your filter on swimuniversity.com.
So how often should you backwash a D.E filter?
You'll want to backwash when your filters pressure
gauge reads 10 PSI over normal, or if your water is cloudy,
but regardless of your filter gauge or water,
you'll want to clean your D.E filter at least once a month.
Now here's how to clean your D.E filter with muriatic acid.
You'll only need to do this once a year
and usually at the end of pool season.
And remember, muriatic acid is just that, and acid.
So protect yourself by using goggles and acid
resistant gloves we recommend wearing long sleeves,
pants and closed shoes to protect your skin.
To clean your D.E filter with muriatic acid
you'll follow the steps
from before, when it's time to clean the manifold
use the spray nozzle on your garden hose to spray it down
making sure to thoroughly flush the grids of all debris,
then dilute them muriatic acid
with water in a five gallon bucket.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for dilution ratios.
Place the manifold in the bucket
ensuring it's completely covered
with the diluted solution and allow it to soak overnight.
Afterwards, use a garden hose to rinse the filter grids.
Finally, place the grids back
into the filter tank and add D.E powder to the filter.
Now, if you want more help taking care
of your filter system throughout the season,
grab our free Pool Care Cheat Sheet
at swimuniversity.com/cheatsheet.
And if you found this video helpful, leave a comment
hit the like button and subscribe
for more pool maintenance tutorials throughout the season.
That's it, thanks again and happy swimming.