{"id":4091,"date":"2020-10-28T23:32:05","date_gmt":"2020-10-29T04:32:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/roboticpoolcleanerscompared.com\/?p=4091"},"modified":"2020-10-28T23:32:05","modified_gmt":"2020-10-29T04:32:05","slug":"maintaining-cleaning-pool-filters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/roboticpoolcleanerscompared.com\/blog\/maintaining-cleaning-pool-filters\/","title":{"rendered":"Maintaining & Cleaning Your Pool Filter: When to Rinse or Replace Filters, Cartridges & Sand"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Some pool owners clean their filters on a regular schedule, such as weekly or every three months.<\/strong> Others watch the pressure gauge and clean the filter when the needle rises to a certain PSI amount.<\/p>\n

Either way is okay. The most important thing is that you clean your pool filter<\/a> before it gets clogged and starts wearing out your pool equipment.<\/strong> It’s also essential that you clean your pool filter the right way, depending on the type of filter you have.<\/p>\n

In this how-to guide, we give you the best advice from pool experts regarding cleaning, rinsing, and replacing your pool filter.<\/p>\n

But first, a quick primer on the three types of filters used in pools. Once you determine which one is in your pool, it’s easy to keep it clean.<\/p>\n

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3 Types of Pool Filters<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Types<\/p>\n

Cartridge Filters<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Cartridge filters<\/a> pass water through a fabric type material that traps debris and particles as small as 10 microns.<\/strong> They remove finer debris compared to standard sand filters.<\/p>\n

One big advantage of cartridge filters is that they do not require backwashing, which saves water. You only need to clean the filter after around three months and replace it after a few years.<\/p>\n

Sand Filters <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Sand filters<\/a> capture larger debris (down to 20-40 microns) compared to cartridge filters.<\/strong> They use #20 silica sand to filter particles and debris from water passing through the sand.<\/p>\n

Sand filters need to be back washed often to keep them clog-free. After some years, you need to replace the sand.<\/p>\n

Nowadays, companies sell a variety of sand alternatives, such as FilterGlass and ZeoSand.<\/strong> These sand alternatives filter finer particles (under 5 micron) than standard silica sand. Also, you need less of these materials (50% less in the case of ZeoSand) to keep your pool clean.<\/p>\n

DE Filters<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The filter media in DE pool filters is diatomaceous earth. It can remove particles as small as 3-5 microns.<\/p>\n

Similar to a sand filter, a DE filter needs to be cleaned often. You’ll also need to top up the DE media since some of it is rinsed away together with the debris during backwashing.<\/p>\n

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How to Clean Your Pool Filter?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Cleaning<\/p>\n

Cartridge Filters<\/strong><\/h3>\n