Pool filters trap dust, dirt, and grease particles as water passes through them. If the water starts turning cloudy, a quick dip may not sound nice to you or your guests!
We don’t want your pool season to end early, so we’ve made a short guide to help you spot signs of filter failure and choose a new one!
Knowing When You Need a New Filter
Many pool filters can last for years, but age and overuse can eventually break yours down.
Look for a new filter if your current one has:
- A Crack: If a filter cracks, less water will pass through the filtration system. It will go through the crack and return unwanted particles to the pool.
- Stains: If your cartridge filter looks stained after cleaning it, dirt or slime is likely clogging the filter’s mesh. Water will have a hard time flowing through and won’t be filtered.
- Loose Sand: If your sand filter has a broken lateral, it will send sand into your pool. You can buy a new lateral, but you’ll have to replace the sand filter if they keep breaking.
Sand Filters: Pros, Cons, and Characteristics
Sand filters are popular in backyards with large pools because they’re designed to handle heavy volumes of water.
Here’s a look at the pros and cons of using one:
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
| Has the capacity to filter all the water in big pools | Not suited to small pools |
| Quick and easy to clean | Needs regular backwashing |
| Sand can last for almost 10 years | |
| Removes dirt and debris as small as 20 microns |
![SandDollar_Filter_small[1]](https://www.totaltechpools.com/oakville/poolscontent/uploads/2015/03/SandDollar_Filter_small1.jpg)
You need to backwash your sand filter whenever its pressure increases by 10 PSI. Just follow the owner’s manual to pump trapped particles out of a waste line. Frequent backwashing helps the sand bed – the area of the filter that captures debris – stay in working condition for up to a decade.
Certain models are designed to protect the sand bed. For example, the Sand Dollar Sand Filter System by Pentair keeps the sand in a tank made from non-corrosive material. It also works with 0.75, 1, and 1.5 horsepower pool pumps.
Cartridge Filters: Pros, Cons, and Characteristics
Many pool owners looking for a low-maintenance option choose a cartridge filter – all it takes to clean the cartridges is a quick soak and wipe! Plus, they’re built for pools of all sizes and trap smaller particles than sand filters.
Here are the pros and cons of having a cartridge filter:
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
| Works for pools of all sizes, in- and above-ground | Costs can be higher than sand filters |
| Easy to maintain | Cartridges can be easily damaged |
| Low impact on water flow | |
| Removes dirt and debris as small as 10 microns |
The Clean & Clear Plus Cartridge Filter by Pentair is designed to resist problems that damage most cartridge filters. Its heavy, injection-molded tank guards against deep cracks. And its four polyester cartridges are factory-tested to last from season to season.
If you spot signs that your filter is breaking, quickly find a replacement to keep your water clear. Summer fun starts with a clean pool. And a clean pool starts with the right filter!
The experts at Total Tech Pools can help you find the right filter for your pool. Contact us today to learn about the range of pool filters we stock in our Oakville and Kingston, Ontario locations.
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