how to empty a pool filter

Author: PoolKing - Pool Sand Filter Manufacturers

Keeping your swimming pool filter clean is essential to ensuring crystal-clear water in your pool. A filter that is clogged with debris can lead to cloudy water, decreased water circulation, and even damage to the pool pump. Therefore, you must know how to empty a pool filter to maintain your pool's health and longevity. This article will guide you through the process of emptying your pool filter in five simple steps.

Step 1: Turn Off the Pool Pump

Before you start emptying your pool filter, you need to hit the kill switch. Locate the power switch for your pool pump and turn it off. Turning off the pump will stop the water flow, which is essential for emptying the filter effectively. Also, it eliminates the risk of accidentally getting injured by the pump or filter.

Step 2: Gather Your Tools

Emptying the pool filter requires a few essential tools, including gloves, a filter wrench, and a bucket. Make sure you have properly fitted gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal edges, and a filter wrench that will provide you with the necessary leverage to open and close the filter. The bucket is where you'll be collecting the debris you remove from the filter.

Step 3: Release the Filter Pressure

The next step is to release pressure from the filter system. This step is crucial to prevent dangerous accidents like water sprays or explosions as the pressure releases. To do this, locate the pressure release valve on the pool filter housing and open it gradually to release the pressure. Allow the pressure to release fully before proceeding to the next step.

Step 4: Open the Pool Filter

Using the filter wrench, loosen the bolt that secures the filter's housing to detach the filter from the pool system. It’s important not to loosen the bolt too much at one time, you should do it in a few turns until you can take it out easily with your hands. Once you’ve removed the bolts, lift off the filter's housing and set it down. Reach into the housing and carefully remove the filter element, taking care not to touch any sharp edges. Place it inside the bucket.

Step 5: Clean and Reinstall

Now that you’ve removed the filter element, it’s time to clean it. Using your garden hose, thoroughly rinse the filter element to remove all the debris and accumulated dirt. Scrub the filter space with a gentle brush if necessary. Clean the inside of the housing using a damp sponge or towel to remove any debris. After cleaning, reattach the filter element as it was before but carefully, to avoid damaging the pleats or any other part of the filter. Finally, replace the housing by aligning it with the bolts and secure it with the wrench.

In Conclusion

Emptying a pool filter is a relatively simple process. However, it's important to take care throughout the process to avoid injury and damage to the filter. By following these five easy steps, you can ensure a healthy swimming pool, free of debris and with crystal-clear water. Don't forget to clean your pool filter regularly to maintain optimum pool health.