What's involved in replacing and caring for your swimming pool filter
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Some days it might seem that having a swimming pool means a never-ending round of maintenance and upkeep. While not all of it is time consuming, all of the upkeep tasks are crucial to keeping your swimming pool in good working order and protecting your investment does mean taking time to provide proper care. As you probably know, swimming pool filters are critical elements in keeping your swimming pool clean and clear and the water healthy. Some people retain the services of a swimming pool service technician to keep the pool and filter in good working order. There are a couple of ways to know whether your pool filter is in need of maintenance. One way is if you notice that your water's getting cloudy. Another way to monitor your pool filter's effectiveness is by measuring the pounds per square inch (psi) level of the filter. If it drops between eight to 10 psi, the filter needs some service and attention.
Safety is paramount when cleaning filters. Make certain you open the filter safely, especially if it's a pressurized model. Carefully release the air from the filter and once the hissing stops, you're ready to open it. Be advised that if you don't open a pressurized filter properly, you risk being injured or causing property damage. Again, reading the owner's manual is the best first step. Your swimming pool will have one of three types of filters: cartridge, diatomaceous earth (DE) or sand.
Sand filters offer many years of great service if cared for properly. Proper maintenance for these filters requires back-washing. With a DE filter, you will clean it periodically throughout the swim season and give it a thorough cleaning annually. Back-washing of a swimming pool filter involves reversing the water flow and redirecting the water to a waste water line. After you've back-washed, you need to let the filter and its sand settle before you turn it back on. Back-washing takes less than five minutes.
Swimming pools that have cartridge filters may need to be removed and the pleats within the cartridge thoroughly cleaned of any embedded dirt and debris. The filter may require a soak in a solution of muriatic acid and water and may need to soak for a few hours. After soaking, you will want to hose the filter and all of the pleats thoroughly before you reassemble and reinsert it.
Before you begin any work on your swimming pool and its filter, make certain all of the electricity is turned off to the pool and its equipment. If you have a pressure cap filter, open the release valve and wait until the hissing sound of the escaping air stops. At that point you can move on with replacement or cleaning. Taking the steps to properly service your pools' equipment can extend the life of your equipment.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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