A pool filter is the key to having a pool full of sparkling clear water. But pool filter cartridges aren't meant to last a lifetime. Just how often should you change your pool filter cartridges. Learn about their lifespan and the signs that your filter needs changing.
Do you think your pool is clean? According to CDC data, it’s probably full of poop (yes, actual poop). During a routine inspection in 2013, nearly 80 percent of 48,632 public water venues were found to have at least one safety violation.
What’s more, a similar study found that 58 percent of tested pool filter samples were positive for E. coli, and 59 percent contained Pseudomonas aeruginosa. E. coli are bacteria found in the human intestines, and you guessed it, poop.
Unless you enjoy swimming in excrement, changing your pool filter is essential to enjoying a clean swimming experience. But do you know how often to change your filter and what your filter does besides “filter?”
To help keep your pool clean, we’re breaking down the whys, whens, and hows of changing your pool filter cartridges. Let’s get started.
Pool Filter Cartridges
Pool filter cartridges are the filtration part of your pool’s filter system. They insert into the filter itself and catch dirt, grime, bacteria, and more. If you have a dirty filter, it’s likely you’re swimming in E. coli or worse.
And it’s not a knock on your pool. Every time someone swims, they leave, at the very least, dead skin cells in the pool; and your filter is your only line of defense.
Plus, with a dirty filter, you’re arguably swimming in more contaminated water than if you used no filter at all. It’s down to how the filter itself functions.
When your pool pump runs, it draws water into the filter system, through the filter, and pumps it back into the pool. It means that everything in your filter touches every bit of your pool’s water.
If there’s dirt and grime in your filter, those same contaminants continually get mixed into your pool’s water. When it’s all said and done, your filter is the difference between a clean pool and a dirty pool.
Signs Your Filter Needs Changing ASAP
Beyond a dirty filter, sometimes your pool filter needs changing right away. In certain circumstances, a bad filter can actually pose a real danger to your pool’s other components.
Let’s take a look at a few pool problems that your filter could cause.
High PSI
Your pool puts the water under pressure as it moves through the filtration system and eventually back into the pool. If your filtration system cracks a pipe or other part, it’s probably because of excessive PSI.
And that high PSI is likely due to a dirty filter cartridge. When water can’t easily flow through the cartridge, it causes the pump to work harder and pressure to build. If you see undue pressure, change your cartridge.
Frayed Fabric
Pool cartridges constructed from porous fabric allow water through while stopping debris. But wear and tear from water pressure and other debris eventually cause the material to fray.
Frayed material lets debris into your pool pump that eventually breaks the pump or simply recycles the dirt particles back into your pool. If your filter looks bumpy, furry, or uneven in any way, you should replace it as soon as possible.
Crushed Cartridge Cores
Filter cartridges can fail when the inner core collapses on itself. When the plastic reinforcement breaks, the filter resembles something like a crushed soda can. And a collapsed filter has the same problems as a frayed filter. Like a frayed filter, if your filter collapses, an entirely new filter is your only option.
End Cap Failure
Every pool filter has plastic caps that help it keep its shape while also locking it in place. And while the caps consist of solid plastic, pool treatment chemicals can eventually make the plastic brittle. Cracking end caps allow the filter to crumble or lose proper positioning, which in turn allows debris through the pump and can also affect the pump system’s water pressure.
In addition, pieces of the broken cap can circulate through the pump and damage the entire filtration system.
Normal Pool Filter Wear and Tear
If your pool filter doesn’t suffer from any of the above symptoms, you can wait and change your filter on a set schedule. Most pool filter cartridges are suitable for around 2,000 hours, which is usually around one to two years.
Though filters do wear quicker when exposed to sunscreen, deodorant, hair products, and other chemicals introduced into your pool’s filtration system, your filter replacement schedule also depends on the size of your pool and, therefore, pool pump. The larger your pool, the more water running through your filter, and the quicker it’ll wear and start letting debris into your pool.
What’s more, even small pools can burn out filters fairly quickly if enough people consistently swim. Natural body oils alone can build up and clog your filter cartridge.
Extending Your Filter Life
While your pool’s filter will wear out eventually, you can take a few steps to increase its lifespan. Basically, you need to keep the filter clean. It takes time, but you should wash out your filter cartridge every time you’re done swimming. This means flushing the cartridge with your hose, kitchen faucet, or some other water source.
The more you clean the filter, the longer you can wait between changes. However, even if you clean your cartridge every day, environmental factors can thwart your efforts.
For instance, excessive pollen or trees surrounding your pool can cause unavoidable debris in the filter. Some people go as far as waiting to open the pool until after the trees drop their summer seeds.
Changing Your Pool Filter
Now that we’ve touched on when to change your pool filter, we need to talk about how. After all, knowing when to replace the filter doesn’t do any good if you can’t change it yourself.
Luckily, changing the pool filter is extremely easy.
Removing the Filter
Before you can remove the pool filter, you’ll need to turn off the pump system. If you don’t, you’ll spray water everywhere. It’s a mistake most people only make once.
Next, shut off the valves leading into and out of the filter. This stops any extra water from entering the filter while you work. Remove the tubing that connects to both sides of the filter, and you’re ready to remove the cartridge itself.
The actual cartridge should unscrew (or unclip, clamp, etc., depending on the filter’s make and model) from the housing and drain water. Look inside where the filter was and ensure nothing seems broken.
Replacing the Filter
The actual replacement process involves screwing the new filter into place. Check with both your pool and filter manuals to make sure you’re installing the filter in the correct orientation.
Once you’ve reviewed the manual, you can plug in the new filter and ensure it’s securely in place.
Reconnecting and Restarting Your Pump
Now that the new filter is installed, you can begin reconnecting the pipes to the filter assembly. First, dry-fit the pipes to make sure they all fit back in place. Next, prime the pipe threads, cover them in Teflon tape or pipe sealant and reconnect all the connections.
Attach the pipe couplings, and you’re ready to start the filter. Ensure the water’s pumping correctly, and you’re ready to swim!
Choosing the Best Pool Filter Replacement
Every pool needs different pool filter cartridges depending on its specific filter assembly, PSI, outflow, and more. You’ll need to consult your manual and current filter to ensure you’re buying the correct filter for your pool.
Like a dirty filter, an incorrect fitting filter can cause damage to other parts of your filter assembly. PSI especially can widely fluctuate when you’re using the wrong filter.
Material density and filter fit can let either too much or too little water through the pump. Small filters increase the PSI too much, while large filters decrease the PSI and strain the pump.
With an enormous amount of filters on the market, it’s crucial to select not only the correct filter for your pool but also a high-quality filter. The more money you spend on your filter, generally the longer it’ll last.
So if your filter needs replacing, don’t wait around. Shop our selection of pool filters and get yourself on the way to swimming in a clean pool. Nothing’s better than a refreshing swim.