Do you find your pool water is no longer sparkling clean and you need to run the pump for a longer period of time to clean the pool? Do you know how to clean a swimming pool filter?
If your pool water is becoming increasingly difficult to clean and you are operating the pump more frequently then you are likely to have an issue with your filtration system. During summer and periods of frequent usage the filter needs to be cleaned more frequently to remove the extra dirt and debris that accumulates in the pool. The method to clean the pool filter depends on what type of pool filter you are operating – sand or cartridge. If the water pressure is still high after cleaning your filter then you need to replace the cartridge or sand in the filter.
Table of Contents
How to Clean the Pool Skimmer Basket
- Turn off the pump
- Lift the lid from the skimmer box
- Remove the basket (usually rotate it)
- Empty the basket into the garbage bin
- Replace the basket in the skimmer box
- Replace the lid on the skimmer box
- Turn on the pump to auto
Which is a Better Pool Filter Sand or Cartridge?
Cartridge filters are the simplest solution and are great for above ground pools and inground pools. They are less expensive than sand filters and easier to operate but you cannot backwash a cartridge filter. The filter housing is opened and the cartridge removed for cleaning with a hose. The cartridge needs to be replaced every 3 or 4 years.
Sand filters are only recommended for inground pools as they are more expensive to purchase and require additional plumbing to allow backwashing when your pool plumbing is set up to pump water back through the sand filter to the drain effectively cleaning the filter. The sand does need to be replaced every few years.
Apart from the cost and backwashing issue there is not a lot of difference between the two in terms of performance. A cartridge is a finer filter and will filter down to 20 microns whereas a sand filter will filter to 10 microns.
How to Clean a Swimming Pool Filter Cartridge
Pool filter cartridges are simply removed from the filter housing and pressure washed with a garden hose. Remember to turn off the pump before opening the filter housing and turn it back on again when the task is complete.
It’s best to wash the filter on the grass or where the water will flow into a drain as the water will be dirty. Once the water is running clear the filter element is clean and is replaced back into the filter housing.
We recommend having two filter cartridges. When the filter needs cleaning swap out the filter cartridge element with the clean one so your filtration system can operate immediately. Clean the dirty cartridge, dry and store.
Do You Have to Backwash a Cartridge Pool Filter?
No, you cannot backwash a cartridge filter as they are not designed for water to flow backwards through the cartridge. When a filtration system is installed with a cartridge filter the plumbing does not allow for backwashing to the drain. The cartridge filter housing is opened and the cartridge removed for pressure cleaning with a garden hose. Once the dirt has been removed the cartridge is replaced into the filter housing and resealed.
Read more about How to Clean Your Pool Cartridge Filter
Can You Vacuum to Waste with a Cartridge Filter?
Yes, you can manually vacuum a swimming pool and have the water drawn up the vacuum hose pumped into the drain. All filtration systems will have a multiport valve in between the water inlet and filter that can be turned to the drain or waste setting. This is the recommended way to vacuum a pool especially when the bottom is covered with dirt and leaves. The vacuum sucks up the dirt and it is flushed into the drain. You don’t want that dirt in your filter as it will clog the filter and you will need to clean the filter again.
How to Vacuum a Pool to Waste
- Switch off the pump motor
- Turn the multiport valve to waste / drain
- Connect the vacuum hose to the vacuum head
- Connect the other end of hose to the connection in the skimmer box
- Turn on the pump to manual
- Vacuum the pool
- When finished, switch off the pump, disconnect the vacuum cleaner
- Turn the multiport valve back to filter
- Turn the pump to auto
When Should You Vacuum to Waste?
I recommend manually vacuuming to waste when there is accumulated dirt on the bottom. Don’t brush the bottom to stir up the dirt. It’s easier to remove dirt when it’s on the bottom. Gently vacuum the bottom to waste and avoid clogging the filter. This should only take 5 or 10 minutes.
Note: Vacuuming to waste removes some water from your pool so you will need to top up with the hose for a few minutes. This shouldn’t change your water chemistry as the volume of water lost is very small.
How Long Do Pool Filter Cartridges Last?
Pool filter cartridges can last from 2 to 5 years depending on how you clean your pool and filter. It’s best to regularly clean your cartridge filter to maximize the cleaning efficiency of the filter. Manually vacuum the pool to waste when dirt is visible on the bottom to save your cartridge from becoming soiled and require cleaning. Eventually the cartridge will become too dirty to clean or damaged and need replacing. We recommend operating two cartridges – one in the filter and another to swap out the filter when cleaning is required.
Is it OK to run a pool pump without the filter cartridge?
Yes, you can operate the pump and filter without the filter cartridge but the water will not be filtered. The water will flow at the maximum rate with low pressure through the plumbing between the pump and pool.
This method is used to clean or flush the plumbing pipes when you suspect you have a blockage between the pump and pool.
This method can also be used to circulate the water around the pool without filtering when you have added salt or chemicals to the pool and just want to mix up the pool water to dissolve the salt or chemicals.
How to Backwash a Pool Sand Filter
Backwashing a sand filter unit is easy. The exact method can vary depending on the plumbing setup of your filtration system. Normally the procedure will be:
- Switch off the pump motor
- Turn the filter valve to backwash
- Run the pump for 2 or 3 minutes
- Switch off the pump again
- Turn the filter valve to rinse
- Run the pump for 1 minute to rinse the sand
- Switch off the pump again
- Turn the filter valve back to filter
- Switch on the pump to auto
Does Backwashing Remove Water From Pool?
Yes, when you clean the swimming pool filter with backwashing it removes some water from your pool.
Backwashing is the only way to clean a sand filter apart from changing the sand. The water flow from the pool is reversed through the filter to flush dirt and debris away into the drain. Backwashing a sand filter is recommended for two or three minutes but even for that short period of time you will lose enough water from your pool that you will need to top up with the hose for maybe 10 minutes. This shouldn’t change your water chemistry as the volume of water lost is very small.
When Do You Clean a Swimming Pool Filter?
When Do You Backwash the Filter?
The filter will have a pressure gauge indicating the water pressure inside the filter when the pump is operating. When the pressure increases above a threshold (usually indicated on the gauge) the filter has become dirty and needs backwashing. The threshold pressure will vary between makes of sand filters so check the instruction manual for your filter.
Usually, you will need to clean the swimming pool filter by backwashing once a week.
Every time you backwash the pool filter it washes away some sand. Occasionally you will need to top up the sand back to the recommended level.
When Do You Clean a Pool Cartridge Filter?
The filter will have a pressure gauge indicating the water pressure inside the filter when the pump is operating. When the pressure increases above a threshold (usually indicated on the gauge) the filter has become dirty and needs cleaning. The threshold pressure will vary between makes of filters so check the instruction manual for your filter.
Usually, you will need to clean the swimming pool filter cartridge element every few weeks.
You will find the filter will need cleaning after you have manually vacuumed the pool and the pool was dirty. If you have an automated cleaner the filter will need to be cleaned more regularly.
Please read more about how to clean your hot tub filter
Conclusion
We recommend cartridge filters for above ground pools and sand filters for inground pools. You can use a cartridge filter with an inground pool but be prepared to have to frequently clean the cartridge element. One way to reduce the work load is to have 2 or 3 cartridge elements that you can swap out the filter and clean the dirty element later. Also invest in a good pool cover to prevent dirt and debris entering the pool water to minimize the dirt entering your filter. Then your filter will require less cleaning and last longer.