when to replace a pool filter

When to Replace a Pool Filter: Keeping Your Water Balanced and Clean

Your pool filter is an essential part of keeping your water clean, clear, and safe for swimming. However, like all pool equipment, it will eventually wear out and require replacement. Knowing when to replace your pool filter is crucial to maintaining the health and appearance of your pool. In this article, we'll walk you through the signs that it’s time to replace your pool filter and what to look for when choosing a new one.

Sign #1: Poor Water Quality

The first and most obvious sign that it’s time to replace your pool filter is poor water quality. If you notice that your pool water is cloudy, murky or has a green tint, it may be time to upgrade your filter. While unbalanced chemicals or poor maintenance practices can cause these issues, an overloaded filter that can no longer trap contaminants and bacteria may be the underlying problem.

Sign #2: High Filter Pressure

If you have a cartridge or sand filter, pay attention to the pressure gauge or pressure reading on your system's control panel. When a filter becomes increasingly blocked with dirt and other pollutants, the gauge readings will begin to generate higher measurements. If you notice that the pressure gauge reads unusually high, even after backwashing or cleaning the filter out, it may be time to replace your pool filter.

Sign #3: Damaged or Cracked Filter Elements

When the filter elements become damaged or cracked, they will no longer be able to trap dirt, debris, and bacteria effectively. Whether you have a cartridge, sand, or D.E. filter, inspecting the filter media regularly to detect signs of damage will help you determine the effectiveness of your system.

Sign #4: Decreased Water Flow

If you've noticed a sudden decrease in water flow through your pool system, a clogged or damaged filter is often the root cause. While a filter cleaning may be necessary and provide a quick fix to the problem, significant reductions in water flow should not be ignored. Whether it's a blockage caused by accumulated debris or damaged filter media, decreasing water flow could have a severe impact on the quality of your pool water and require replacing your filter.

Sign #5: Age and Wear and Tear

Last but not least, age and wear and tear will eventually cause even the most well-maintained filters to fail. Most pool filters, regardless of size or type, will last roughly 5 years. After this time, they will begin to wear out, become less efficient, and need replacing to ensure the continued health and clarity of the pool water.

Choosing a New Pool Filter

If you've assessed your old filter and found that it's time to replace it, there are a few key factors to consider when choosing its replacement. Depending on the type of filter you had and what your pool requires, you may need to choose between three different types of pool filters: sand, cartridge, and D.E. filters.

Sand Filters: Sand filters are the most affordable of the three filter types and offer fantastic performance for most pools. They have fewer moving parts than D.E. filters, which means you will be able to maintain your filter more easily. Sand filters will require backwashing to remove the accumulated debris. Sand filters should be replaced roughly every 5 to 7 years.

Cartridge Filters: Cartridge filters are effective at removing smaller debris from pool water than sand filters, and they don't require backwashing. These filters offer excellent filtration by trapping debris and bacteria inside a pleated cartridge. The cartridge will require periodic cleaning, and when it is no longer cleanable, it needs replacing. The lifespan of cartridge filters is around 3 years.

D.E. Filters: Diatomaceous earth filters are the most efficient of the three types of pool filters, but also the most expensive. They offer incredibly fine filtration, trapping tiny particles as small as five microns in size. Like the cartridge filter, when the filter grids become damaged or worn, they require replacement. The lifespan of D.E. filters is around 6 to 8 years.

In conclusion, replacing your pool filter is a necessary task that should not be ignored. By knowing the signs and factors involved in selecting a new filter, you'll be able to keep your pool clean and healthy for many years to come. So, when in doubt, trust your judgment, and stay one step ahead in preventing problems rather than fixing them.