how to chemically clean a pool filter

A swimming pool is a great investment for your home, but it requires maintenance for optimal performance. The pool filter plays an essential role in keeping the pool water clean, and it should be cleaned frequently to ensure that it functions correctly. While regular cleaning of the pool filter is important, sometimes the filter can become so caked with debris and dirt that mere backwashing is not enough. In such cases, the filter may require a deep cleaning using a chemical specific to the type of filter. This guide will show you how to chemically clean a pool filter.

The Significance of Cleaning the Pool Filter

Substances such as dust, leaves, debris, and oils will collect in a pool filter over time. A dirty filter can cause pool water to turn cloudy, contribute to scaling, and consequently increase the number of chemicals required to maintain water balance. By cleaning your filter, you aid in keeping your pool water clean, balanced, and healthy for swimming.

What is a Chemical Pool Filter Cleaner?

A chemical pool filter cleaner is a product created explicitly for cleaning pool filters. This product breaks down any mineral or living substance inside the filter's media. It is effective as it dissolves the slime, dirt, and other debris that the regular water cannot remove, thus making it easy to clean the filter.

Identify the Specific Type of Pool Filter

The three significant kinds of pool filters are cartridge, sand, and diatomaceous earth (DE). You must identify the type of filter you possess before selecting a chemical cleaning product. If you use an incorrect chemical cleaner, it can harm the pool filter.

Diatomaceous Earth Filter, How to Clean?

Diatomaceous earth (DE) filters are some of the most commonly used filters. The first step to cleaning a DE filter is to switch off the filter system. Make sure the filter's pressure gauge reads zero before continuing the process. Next, eliminate the filter assembly of the tank and disassemble. Clean the filter's manifold grid from large debris using a hosepipe. Now add the particular DE filter cleaning substance to the skimmer, and mix it with a gallon of water, then turn on the filter system for about 5 minutes. Finally, switch off the filter system, and flush the filter with clean water till the dirty water comes out from that end of the hose is clear.

How to Clean a Cartridge Filter?

Cartridge filters have different cleaning requirements from DE filters. First, turn off the filter system, and eliminate the filter and cartridges from the tank. Remove the large debris by rinsing off the cartridges with water. Now place the filter cartridges quart jar with water, and add approximately 400 grams of cartridge filter cleaner per 24 square feet of filter area. Allow the filter to soak in the cleaner for six hours or overnight. After soaking, rinse the cartridges off thoroughly before reinstalling the filter.

Cleaning a Sand Filter

For a sand filter system, turn the filter system off and switch the valve in the"backwash" direction. From this position, initiate the backwash cycle for about 2 minutes. Now switch the valve in the "rinse" position for about 40 seconds. Lastly, switch the backwash valve into its previous position, restart the filter system, open the air bleeder valve, and turn the pool pump on simultaneously.

Conclusion

Cleaning the pool filter regularly is essential not only to maintain clean pool water but to prevent damage to the filter. However, suppose the filter requires deep cleaning, chemical cleaners are the solution. The keys to successfully cleaning a filter are selecting the correct cleaning product and following the instructions provided. Following these methods guarantees that your pool filter will function optimally for a long time.