Filtration is an important part of pool maintenance and is essential when it comes to keeping your pool healthy and clear. Your filter works hard to capture waste and other small particles, but as the sand ages it becomes less efficient at trapping dirt and debris. Older filter sand can also become a breeding ground for bacteria and other microorganisms. A filter that is not working efficiently will cause water clarity issues as well as deplete sanitizer residuals rapidly.

Besides aged sand being inundated with algae spores or bacteria, it can also harden. Calcification of the sand can happen at any age and is also known as channeling. This most commonly happens when calcium or scale solidifies in the filter, causing the sand to create channels or pathways through which the water can travel. The end result is that the water is not distributed evenly through the media and eventually, no water that returns to the pool is actually being filtered. Click here for step by step instructions on how to change your filter sand.

Years ago, backwashing your sand filter was done every week. Now, backwashing is recommended once the pressure has risen by 8-10 PSI. Having a little bit of debris in your filter can actually help with filtration, so if you notice a small change in the PSI on your pressure gauge, don’t panic. Simply wait until you see that increase of 8-10 PSI before you begin backwashing. This is why having a working pressure gauge is so important.

A proper backwash should take between 3 and 5 minutes to complete. The amount of time is determined by the size of your filter. If you do not backwash for the appropriate amount of time, you will diminish the integrity of your sand and drastically reduce its ability to filter adequately.

When the filter is in the backwash position, it is pushing the water up through the sand, taking any loose debris to the top of the filter and removing it through the waste line. If you are not backwashing for the correct amount of time, you will inadvertently create layers of debris in the sand bed and decrease the filtration capacity.

After you have completed your backwash, you should perform a quick rinse cycle. The rinse cycle only needs to run for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Rinsing your filter will remove any large debris that might have been trapped around the filter head and it will resettle or compact the sand in order to prepare it for filtration again.

Over the course of the summer, waste such as sunscreens, body oils, sweat, bacteria and other residue builds up in the filter. These contaminants become embedded in the sand and prevent the sand from catching any other waste that comes through the filter. Chemically cleaning the sand will remove this waste and allow your filter to run efficiently.

Adequate filtration is pivotal for clean, clear water. Keeping your sand filter in good working condition can alleviate many problems and will prevent water issues from arising. But remember, filtration is just one part of the equation. Proper circulation and the addition of chemicals also play a key role in preventing problems in your pool. When exceptional filtration, circulation and water chemistry all work together, the only thing you’ll need to think about is which bathing suit you’re going to wear!

For more great advice on sand filter maintenance, feel free to reach out to us online or visit any of our locations so that our Spa Experts can assist.