How often should you clean a swimming pool filter?

Concerned that you’re cleaning your swimming pool filtration system too often or not enough? A vital component for keeping your pool water clear and welcoming, it requires regular maintenance to ensure it continues to deliver those great results.

As pool design, installation, and maintenance experts, you can trust Chemsol’s team of expert engineers to point you in the right direction.

Below, we answer some of the most common questions related to polishing up your domestic or commercial pool filter – including how often you should be cleaning it.

How often should the pool filter be cleaned?

Unfortunately, there are no hard-and-fast rules to follow regarding when your swimming pool filter system should be cleaned. This is because each pool will vary in size and usage, and pool filters have different thresholds for how long they can maintain the chemical balance of the water before they require cleaning.

Instead, implementing regular maintenance alongside learning how to spot the signs that a commercial or domestic pool filter requires cleaning can often be more helpful.

How do I know when my pool filter needs cleaning?

Regardless of whether you’re unsure when your pool filter was last cleaned or you have concerns about the water quality, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the signs of a dirty pool filter. Signs you may need to clean your pool filter includes:

• Increased filter pressure – pool filter cleaning is often recommended when the pressure gauge indicates an increase of 8-10 psi over the baseline reading.

• Reduced water flow – pumps can only push water through so much debris in your filter, so if your filter is overwhelmed with dirt and debris, this will often be reflected in a reduced water flow.

• Cloudy or green water – a build-up of dirt and debris in your filtering system can also cause unsightly and unhygienic changes in the colour of the water, such as green or hazy water.

• Algae growth – if you’re seeing algae growth in your pool, this can be a clear sign of inadequate swimming pool water filtration, which is commonly caused by a dirty filter.

How many times can a pool filter be cleaned?

While comprehensive and regular pool filter cleaning can help to increase the lifespan of your filter, it can’t hold it off indefinitely. Eventually, it will require filter replacement. The lifespan of your commercial or domestic pool filter can be impacted by various factors – including the type of pool filter.

With regular maintenance, a cartridge filter should last between two to four years, while a sand media filter should keep going for around seven to 10 years, and a DE (Diatomaceous Earth) should last between five to 10 years.

Need help selecting the right pool filtration system?

At Chemsol Group, our expert engineers have years of invaluable experience supporting our clients with selecting the most appropriate high-quality pool filtration system for their commercial or domestic pool.

We offer a range of custom-built and specifically designed swimming pool filtration system packages, including a Basic, Plus, and Pro solution, providing the exact level of support you need to meet your unique requirements.

If you’d like to learn more about our pool water filtration solutions, please don’t hesitate to call us today on 01492 582 888.

Prefer to email your enquiry to our team? Reach out at info@chemsol.co.uk or get in touch via our online contact form.