How To Clean a Pool Cartridge Filter

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The purpose of a pool cartridge filter is to clean your pool water by capturing debris and decontaminates in the folds of the filter. With time these folds will become clogged, water will not flow thru the filter as easily, and pressure within the filter will increase. Operationally, with water flow down, you will not be turning you pool water as frequently and your pool decontaminates will start to build up. It's time to clean your filter. As a general rule of thumb, your filter should be clean at least once a month during the summer and every other month if your pool is operational during the winter. Although this description is specific to a Hayward cartridge filter, many of the steps can apply to other models of cartridge filters.

Please click here to view pool filter cartridges.  

Things You'll Need

Video

Step by Step

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Step 1

The first step is to turn off the pool pump to stop the flow of water through the pool filter.

Step 2

Next, you will have to relieve the pressure that has built up in the pool filter. Note the pressure on the pressure gauge. It will typically read between 15 - 20 psi. To relieve pressure turn the air relief valve on top of the filter counterclockwise. Water will spray out initially as you see the pressure on the pressure gauge go to 0 psi.

Step 3

To access the pool filter cartridge you will have to take the pool filter head off the top of the filter. Turn the locking knob counter clockwise until you feel the pool filter head is loose.

Step 4

Next lift the pool filter head off the top of the filter. It may be a little hard to lift initially as you break the O-ring seal between the two pool filter parts.

Step 5

With the pool filter head off, you will see the top of the pool filter cartridge.

Step 6

Lift the pool filter cartridge straight up to remove it from the pool filter body.

Step 7

Set the filter cartridge on the lawn and begin cleaning it with a garden hose. Use a full stray nozzle. A pressure nozzle may be too strong and will cause unnecessary wear on the pleated folds. When spraying, start at the top of the cartridge.

Please click here to view the filter flosser. 

Step 8

Work your way straight down the cartridge to work the debris down and out the bottom of the pool filter cartridge

Step 9

Rotate the filter cartridge to the next section and starting at the top work your way down again to the bottom. Continue rotating until the filter cartridge looks clean. Check inside the folds to make sure all the debris has been removed.

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Step 10

Some of the debris will have collected at the bottom. Spend extra time spraying out the bottom.

Step 11

When you've finished cleaning the pool filter cartridge, replace the cartridge by placing it straight down into the filter.

Step 12

It's always a good practice to lubricate the pool filter head O-ring before replacing the filter head. Lubrication will ensure a better fit and extend the life of the O-ring. Rub a thin coat of lubrication on the outside of the O-ring.

Please click here to view Magic Lube O-ring Lubricant.  

Step 13

Replace the pool filter head on top of the pool filter. Position the top so that you can read the pressure gauge.

Step 14

When replacing the filter top, watch that the O-ring doesn't bulge out of its grove. This becomes more of a problem as the O-ring becomes older and stretches. If the O-ring is not set properly the top will not close correctly and water will spray out when the pump is restarted. The O-ring should be replaced if this is a recurring problem.

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Step 15

Hand tighten the locking knob clockwise.

Step 16

Turn on power to the pool pump to repressurize the pool filter.

Step 17

The air relief valve should still be open. As the pressure builds, air will be released through the relief valve. When water starts to spray out of the valve, turn the valve clockwise to close it.

Step 18

Check the pressure gauge. It typically reads between 10 - 15 psi but this will vary according to the make of pool cartridge filter or its age. This value is your system's clean filter pressure. When the pressure is 8-10 psi higher, it's time to clean your pool filter again.

Comments

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(41 to 57 of 57)

 Posted: 5/29/2012 

We were given a 4ft intel type pool. This pool had not been used for 2years and it was filled with black sludge/leaves.We have emptied out all the decomposed leaves and now are trying to clean out the stains. What is the best way to clean out this type of pool
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InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 5/8/2012 

Felix,
Sounds like your pool pump is right at the edge of generating sufficient water flow to run your pool vacuum. If you have the option, try shutting down the water from your main drain or skimmers while you are running your suction cleaner. If not, you may need a bigger motor.

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 Posted: 5/8/2012 

why do I have to clean my pool filter every day so the poll vacuum can work?
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InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 3/14/2012 

please help - If you are just reopening your pool that has a lot of debris in it, we recommend that you clean out as much as you can with a net before you start filtering the water. Otherwise you will be catching it all in you filter and having to repeatly clean it.
 Reply

 Posted: 3/13/2012 

I'm cleaning my pool it's seems that I'm cleaning the filter every 10 to 15 min is this normal? I just bought a new filter so i know it's not the filter could it be because the pool has a lot of debri?
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InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 2/13/2012 

Vegas - If your pool's pH and Hardness are not stable and you have a heater, these blue particles may be signs of your heater's copper pipes deteriorating.
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 Posted: 2/13/2012 

A month ago or so, our spa began getting these blue particles in it, as if something is breaking down. I cleaned the filter, and it was really full of this same blue stuff. (I replaced the filter less than a year ago) What could be the cause?
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InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 12/26/2011 

Wags, Your pool cartridge filter should last 3-5 years. The filter tank usually will last 10 -15 years unless it is cracked by inproper use or freezing.
 Reply

 Posted: 12/23/2011 

My pool service cleans my filter monthly. Now they say that it needs to be replaced with a significant cost. How often does an in ground pool filter need to be replaced on average use?
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InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 12/23/2011 

Neesee - I assume from your discription that your bearings in your pump motor are bad. Filters don't usually make that much noise. Make sure your filter is large enough to handle the size of your pump. If it is too small, the pump will get overloaded. Also, when replacing your motor, always replace the shaft seal and check that your impeller is the right size and sound.
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 Posted: 12/22/2011 

My filter howls. It was pefect all summer and I did clean it regularly. Now, I have cleaned it and cleaned it and it still howls. It's less than a year old and the old one did the same thing and was only about a year old too. Shouldn't one last longer than that? They cost an awful lot.
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InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 7/25/2011 

We would not recommend spraying the cartridge with undiluted bleach or shock. It may damage the cartridge. And besides it is probably unnecessary. If you have shocked the pool water to eliminate the algae, that treated water going through the cartridge should be sufficient to kill any algae on the cartridge.
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 Posted: 7/22/2011 

In the event algae has arrived and after vacuuming I clean the filter , it there anything to spray on the cartridge , or soak it in to ensure all the algae id dead, Would it hurt , or help if I sprayed bleach or shock on to it before reassembling the filter?
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InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 7/11/2011 

Good point Poolguy. It wouldn't hurt to check and clean the inside of your filter tank as required.
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 Posted: 6/10/2011 

Just wondering, isn't it also necessary to clean the inside of the filter? I know with mine I can often see additional debris being removed when I pressure wash the inside as well - then I give the outside another once over and it is nearly as clean as it was the day I purchased it.
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 Posted: 5/24/2011 

Reading the step by step instructions how to clean filter is really helpful and clear enough to clean my own filter even though it is not same model. Its just very very helpful. Thank you for having this available. Helps to safe hundred dollars and also not to be led by hiring someone who might add to expenses unneedlessly. Again thanks for detail step by step process.
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Anonymous  Posted: 1/25/2011 

Very helpful information. My new home will have a pool, my first one, and I ma trying to understand what the pool needs to be maintained. Thanks,Chris
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