What Is the Frequency of Cleaning a Pool Filter?

There’s much more to keeping a clean pool than skimming the water’s surface and making sure the water is crystal clear. Cleaning your pool filter is an essential part of pool maintenance, and it is vital in ensuring that your water stays clean and safe. But how often do you need to clean your pool filter? In this post, we’re going to discuss how often to clean pool filters, why you need to do it, and how a robotic pool cleaner can extend the time between cleanings.

The importance of pool filters in making sure that the water is clean

Pool filters work to remove dirt, debris, and other contaminants from your pool water, keeping your pool clean and inviting. To operate effectively, a swimming pool filter should be cleaned on a regular basis. The frequency with which you clean it, however, is based on a number of factors; the kind of filter you use, the amount of use the pool receives, and the local environment.

Cleaning the pool filter is a necessary chore, but cleaning your pool with a robotic pool cleaner can lessen the amount of work your filter has to do by removing debris before it gets inside the system.

Pool Filters Types and Cleaning Procedure

Each kind of filter needs its own maintenance and cleaning schedule. Here’s a quick guide to the types of filters and how frequently they should be cleaned.

Sand Filters

Sand filters are one of the most widely used filter types due to their simple design and relatively low maintenance. But, sand filters require frequent cleaning and backwashing to keep them working properly.

Frequency of Backwashing — Sand filters should be backwashed typically every 4-6 weeks, or any time the filter’s pressure gauge reads a rise of 8-10 psi over normal.

THOROUGH CLEANING: This is done every 1-2 years where you will replace the sand inside the filter.

Diatomaceous earth filters (DE Filters)

Using diatomaceous earth powder to purify the water is the method used by DE filters. These filters are generally superior to sand filters, yet also require cleaning more often.

Backwash Frequency: Just as with sand filters, DE filters will need to be backwashed every 4-6 weeks, or whenever the pressure rises 10 psi above normal.

We also clean our DE filters very fully every 1-2 years with new diatomaceous earth powder.

Cartridge Filters

Cartridge filters do not call for backwashing, though you should clean them often to avoid clogs and maximize efficiency.

Frequency of Cleaning: Cartridge filters must be cleaned every 2-4 months, depending on pool use and the beginning of debris. For deeper cleaning, the cartridges can be removed and rinsed off with a hose or soaked in a cleaning solution.

When to replace: Cartridge filters should be replaced typically every 3-5 years.

A List Of Signs That You Need To Clean Your Pool Filter

Even though these are the general recommendations for cleaning, several signs can tell you that it is time to clean your pool filter, irrespective of the regular cleaning schedule:

Cloudy Water: When your pool water gets cloudy or dirty, it could indicate a clogged filter that needs cleaning.

Higher Pressure: An above-normal pressure reading (8-10 psi higher than normal) on the filter’s gauge indicates that the filter is straining harder than usual and could use cleaning.

Reduced Flow Rate: If it seems there is less water flowing from the pool’s return jets, it could be a sign of a clogged filter that needs to be cleaned.

Slight Excess of Debris: You may have a slight excess of debris within your swimming pool (following a storm or heavy usage) that may require you to clean the filter earlier.

How is a Robotic Pool Cleaner Helpful?

A robotic pool cleaner will save your pool filter a lot of work because it will pick up debris before it gets to your filtration system. Thanks to a swimming pool robot cleaner like the Beatbot AquaSense Pro, leaves, dirt, and fine debris are easily removed from the pool floor and walls. That means your pool filter doesn’t have to work as hard, prolonging the time between cleanings.

A pool cleaner robot or vacuum cleaner for the pool can effectively cover such areas as well that are hard to clean. They help keep your filtration system powered by removing debris from the pool before it gets into the filter.

Advantages of Utilizing a Robotic Pool Cleaner

Less Strain on Your Filter: A robotic pool cleaner reduces what is caught and circulated by your filter.

Improves Water Quality: When your pool is cleaner, your filter doesn’t have to work as hard to remove those contaminants, leading to clearer, cleaner water.

Saves Time: When you use an automatic pool cleaner, you can spend less time cleaning the pool which means you can spend more time enjoying it.

How Often Should You Clean Your Pool Filter?

How frequently should a pool filter be cleaned? However, here are the general ground rules for each filter type:

Sand Filters: Clean every 4-6 weeks or when the pressure rises 8-10 psi over normal.

DE filters: Clean for 4-6 weeks or when pressure rises by 10 psi above normal.

Cartridge Filters: Every 2-4 months, based on debris load.

Your expected pool usage, debris level, and other weather factors will also significantly determine how often to clean your filter. Using a pool cleaning robot regularly, such as Beatbot AquaSense, will prevent dirt/debris from entering the filter in the first place, which in turn can minimize your filter cleaning.

How to Take Care of Your Pool Filter

Check the Pressure Gauge: Keep a watchful eye on the pressure gauge on your filter to indicate when it’s time to clean or backwash.

Use a Skimmer: A pool skimmer if you want to remove the surface area debris before it sinks — while this will not reduce the daily use of your pool filter, it is beneficial in helping to keep your pool in working order.

Use a Robotic Pool Cleaner: Using a robotic pool cleaner like the Beatbot iSkim Ultra will drastically lower the amount of dirt that reaches the pool filters, and in turn, reduce filter cleaning needs.

Conclusion

How often you need to clean a pool filter depends on a few things — filter type, pool use, and environmental factors. For example, your sand filter and DE filter should be backwashed every 4-6 weeks, and your cartridge filters should be cleaned every 2-4 months. Proper care will keep your filter in working order, so your pool and its water stay clean and safe. As a bonus, using a robotic pool cleaner such as the Beatbot AquaSense or Beatbot AquaSense Pro will reduce the load on your filter and facilitate maintenance. This means a longer period between cleanings, saving you money and time! Regular cleaning of your pool filters as well as running automated cleaning systems will keep your pool in good shape all season long.

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