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POOL FILTER TIP OF THE MONTH
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Home > When to Clean or Replace Your Filter Cartridge
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We all know that nothing lasts forever.
Unfortunately, "out of sight-out of mind" doesn’t always keep a thing from breaking down. Your pool’s filters cartridge element is no exception. Sometimes, you may be able to get away with simply cleaning the cartridge rather than doling out the dollars for a new one. The fact is, filter cartridges eventually break down, and eventually it’ll become time to replace your pool filter cartridge.
On occasion, you need to clean your filter cartridge. But how do you know we your cartridge just needs a good cleaning or when it needs to be replaced altogether? A general rule of thumb is this: if cleaning the cartridge doesn’t do the trick, it's time to get a new filter cartridge. There’re several clues that will tell you when it’s time to clean or replace your pool filter cartridge. The following indicators wil tell you when you need to clean your pool filter cartridge. Again, if cleaning your cartridge doesn't solve the problem, then it's time to replace the old with the new.
Check the PSI
An increase in the housing canister’s pressure of approximately eight pounds per square inch (PSI) or greater above that of the normal operating pressure typically indicates that it’s time to clean or replace the cartridge. You can find your system’s normal operating pressure in one of two places. You can generally find this information on a label affixed to the exterior of your pool filter unit. You don’t want your system pressure to exceed the PSI listed on this label. The other place you can find the same information is in the manufacture’s “Owner’s Manual”.
Check the System’s Water Flow
You want to ensure that there isn’t too much flow through the cartridge. Too much flow breaks down the fibers in the cartridge sooner, significantly reducing the life of the pool filter cartridge. Multiplying the square footage of your cartridge by .33 will give you an idea of how many gallons per minute should be running through your cartridge. For example, let’s say you have a 120 square foot filter cartridge. Multiply this number by .33 and you’re left with optimal flow rate of just under 40 gallons/minute. Your filtration system’s flow rate should not exceed this limit. If it does, your cartridge will deteriorate faster. On the other hand, a system with a flow rate that is too slow means that something in the system is holding some of the water back. Again, check your owner’s manual for the specifications relevant to your system.
Look for Breaches in the Pleats
Examine your filter cartridge and scan the pleats. Look for any tears in the fabric (also referred to as the media material). Breaches in the media material, no matter how small, will allow foreign objects to enter back into the pool or, worse yet, clog your pool’s filtration system. This will cost you in one of two ways. You’ll waste more money on buying more chemicals to fight off the increasing amounts of material that was supposed to have been trapped by the filter. Damage could also be done to your system, and repairs in this arena can be very costly.
Examine the End-Caps & Core
Check both of the end-caps on your filter cartridge. You want to look to see how fragile the end-caps have become, for any cracks, or for any discoloration. After you’ve examined the end-caps, look at the core. The core is the area in the center of your cartridge. Not all cartridges have access to the core, but if your does, check it out. Look for any deformation of the core material. Also, check to see if the core has become separated from the media material.
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