how to winterize your pool filter

Winter is here, which means it's time to prepare your pool for the colder months ahead. One essential aspect of pool winterization is properly winterizing your pool filter. With a little bit of effort and attention to detail, you can protect your investment and extend the lifespan of your pool filter. In this article, we'll take a close look at what it means to winterize your pool filter and share tips and tricks to make the process as smooth as possible.

Understanding the Importance of Winterizing Your Pool Filter

Winterizing your pool filter is essential to ensuring that your pool remains healthy and safe throughout the winter. When water freezes, it expands, so if you don't properly winterize your pool filter, it could crack, leading to costly repairs or the need to replace the entire unit. Additionally, if water is left in the filter over the winter, it can harbor harmful bacteria and algae, making it more challenging to get the pool ready when the weather warms up.

Steps to Winterize Your Pool Filter

Step One: Clean the Filter

Before you begin the winterization process, it's essential to make sure your pool filter is clean. The filters should be free of debris, and the system should be running well. If your filter hasn't been cleaned within the past few months or the end of your pool season, ensure that the filter is cleaned properly before moving onto the next step.

Step Two: Remove Any Water From the System

The next step in winterizing your pool filter is to remove any water from the system. Start by turning off the pump and removing the drain plugs from the filter tank. Allow any remaining water to drain completely.

Step Three: Remove the Filter Cartridge

If you have a filter cartridge, you'll need to remove it from the filter housing. Once you've done so, give it a thorough cleaning using a hose and filter cleaning solution. Rinse the cartridge and allow it to dry before storing it for the winter.

Step Four: Backwash Sand Filters

If you have a sand filter, the next step is to backwash it. Begin by turning off the pump and setting the multiport valve to "backwash." Turn on the pump and let it run until the water flowing into the waste line is clear. Once the backwashing process is complete, set the multiport valve to "winterize."

Step Five: Drain and Store the Filter Housing

The last step is to drain and store the filter housing. Start by disconnecting the hoses from the filter housing and removing any plugs or fittings. Once it's drained completely, remove the drain caps and let the housing dry completely. Once it's dry, store it in a dry, safe place.

Conclusion

Winterizing your pool filter is an important part of ensuring that your pool remains healthy and safe throughout the winter. By following these five steps: cleaning the filter, removing any water from the system, removing the filter cartridge, backwashing sand filters, and draining and storing the filter housing, you can keep your pool filter in peak condition and ensure that it's ready to go when it's time to open your pool again next spring.