Swimming Pool Cleaning Ideas

The Benefits Of Clean Pool Filters & Cartridges

If you own a pool then you know that there can sometimes be some confusion about the different types of Swimming Pool Filters available. The truth is, there are several different filter options that can help to properly maintain a pool; Cartridge, Sand or Diatomaceous earth.

Sand is considered a no-nonsense filter. The way that these types of filters work is simple. Pool water moves through the sand inside the filter. While dirty water travels to the top, clean water comes out from the bottom. Cleaning this type of filter is simple, you run it in reverse and throw out the debris-filled waste water. Once you have completed the cleaning process, set it to rinse mode and this will repack the sand. To keep the filter operating at peak performance it needs to be cleaned by hand every couple of weeks as part of your regular pool maintenance program.

The Cartridge sytle filter is considered to be economic and low maintenance and is one of the easiest filters to understand and operate. Like the water filters found in kitchen sinks, water passes through the material of these Swimming Pool Filters where the debris is captured and water refined.

Cartridges have more available filtering areas than the typical sand filters, and a majority of those that are purchased can be as large as 300 square feet. As a result, they don't tend to clog as easily which means you don't need to clean them as often. Cartridge filters can also operate at a lower pressure than sand filters do, so you will notice less back-pressure on the pool pump. Cleaning these filters is simple, just hose them off once or twice during the summer months.

Known as the "water polisher" of swimming pool filters, Diatomaceous earth is material that is mined from the earth. It is used to line the grid inside the housing of the filter. Because Diatomaceous earth is very small, it is able to act like a sieve and filter out even the smallest particle of debris from the water. This filter is also cleaned by backwashing and then additional DE powder is added. You can even add a little DE powder to sand or cartridge filters to increase their ability to filter smaller particles. This powder is inexpensive, highly effective and can be found at any pool supply store.