do you backwash a cartridge pool filter

Author: Poolking - Swimming Pool Equipment Manufacturer

Do You Backwash a Cartridge Pool Filter?

As a pool owner, you are sure to know the importance of proper pool maintenance. After all, ensuring that the water in your pool is safe, clean and hygienic is crucial for both your own and your family’s health and wellbeing. One of the essential parts of pool maintenance is the filter system. Without a properly functioning pool filter, your pool water can soon become dirty and murky, making it unswimmable and unenjoyable. However, not all pool filters are the same. While many pool owners swear by their sand or diatomaceous earth (DE) filters, others have opted for cartridge filters due to their low maintenance and ease of cleaning. But the question remains, do you backwash a cartridge pool filter? Let’s delve deeper into this question and explore the ins and outs of keeping your cartridge filter in top working order.

What is a Cartridge Pool Filter?

Firstly, it’s important to understand what a cartridge pool filter is. Unlike sand and DE filters, which work by using a layer of fine particulate matter to trap and remove dirt particles from the water, cartridge filters contain a series of pleated or folded filters made from materials such as polyester or paper-like materials. These filters work by trapping and physically removing particles and debris from the water as it passes through. Because cartridge filters don’t use sand, they don’t require backwashing to clean the filter medium.

How Do You Clean a Cartridge Pool Filter?

So, if you don’t backwash a cartridge pool filter, how do you keep it clean? The answer is to physically remove and clean the filters themselves. Depending on the size and capacity of your pool filter, you may have one or several cartridges, stacked on top of each other. To clean your cartridge filter, simply turn off the pool pump, remove the filter cover, and carefully lift out the cartridges. Rinse off any visible debris with a garden hose or pressure washer, and then soak the cartridges in a cleaning solution overnight. Rinse the filters thoroughly again and then reinsert them back into the filter housing. It’s that simple!

When Do You Need to Clean a Cartridge Pool Filter?

The frequency at which you will need to clean your cartridge pool filter will depend on a number of factors, including the size and capacity of the filter, the amount of use the pool gets, and the amount of debris present in the pool water. Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to clean your cartridge filters at least once a month during the swimming season. However, some pool owners find that their filters can go longer between cleanings, while others may need to clean their filters more frequently.

What Are the Benefits of Using a Cartridge Pool Filter?

While cartridge pool filters may require a little more hands-on cleaning and maintenance compared to sand and DE filters, there are a number of benefits to using a cartridge system. Firstly, cartridge filters are incredibly easy to install and can be done quickly and easily by almost any pool owner. Additionally, cartridge filters are low-maintenance and don’t require the addition of any filter medium like sand or DE. They also tend to be quieter and more energy-efficient compared to other types of filters. Finally, cartridge filters tend to trap smaller particles and debris than sand filters and can therefore give you cleaner, clearer water.

In Conclusion

In summary, the answer to the question of whether or not you backwash a cartridge pool filter is no. Instead, you will need to physically remove and clean the filter cartridges themselves. However, the benefits of a cartridge pool filter make it a popular choice among pool owners everywhere. With its ease of installation, low maintenance, and superior filtering capabilities, a cartridge pool filter is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a low-maintenance and efficient way to keep their pool water clean and healthy.