#Pool de filter cleaning how to

Check that the PSI pressure on the tank has dropped back to it’s initial readout. Turn the pump back on and close the relief valve on the filter tank. Release any excess air in the filter tank using the relief valve. Lubricate it’s O-ring (or replace it if need be), and put the lid back on. Open the pool pump lid, and fill the strainer basket with water from the hose. If it’s still usable, apply a coating of O-ring lubricant on it. Inspect the tank’s O-ring for signs of deterioration. Reconnect the grids and manifold and place it back inside the filtration tank. Once clean, you can rinse out the inside of the tank (water will escape through the drain plug). Use a garden hose with a spray nozzle to hose down any built up debris on them. Open the filter tank, remove the manifold, and take out each grid. This allows any remaining water inside the tank to drain. With the pool pump now off, open the air relief valve on the filter tank, and remove the drain plug. When the water turns from cloudy to clear, you’ll know it’s time to turn off the pump, thereby stopping the backwash process. Monitor the sight glass on the side of the multiport valve. With the hose attached, turn the pump back on and let the filter backwash between 3 and 5 minutes. This is usually a sewer or storm drain, but check with your town’s regulations so you aren’t illegally disposing of dirty pool water. If you don’t have a dedicated waste line, you’ll need to hook up a backwash hose to the filter’s “Waste” port, and run it to a safe place where you can dump waste water.

If you have a waste line plumbed into your pool system, this process will be pretty simple. It should drop by 8 to 10 PSI once the filter is cleaned out. Using this valve without turning off the pump can cause catastrophic damage so follow these steps carefully.Īlso, you should also take note of the current PSI level on the tank’s pressure gauge. This will cut off water flow to the filter tank, and allow you to use the multiport valve. You’ll need to start by turning off your pool pump. A replacement manifold or filter grid (backup).This powder is hazardous if inhaled, so make sure you always wear a chemical mask when using it. For DE filters, this will be when the gauge reads 8 to 10 PSI over it’s initial or “normal” reading.ĭE powder is also required for the filter. Like all filters, you’ll need to monitor the tank’s pressure gauge so you know when it’s time to clean it. This is to ensure there is no build up of debris on the manifold and grids. However, they also need to be disassembled every time, for a thorough cleaning.

#Pool de filter cleaning how to

How To Clean Your DE FilterĮvery 1 to 3 months, you’ll need to clean, or “recharge”, your DE filter.ĭE filters, like sand filters, can be backwashed. At any rate, regular cleaning of the filter grids will prolong their life and keep the pool water clean.Ĭompared to sand filters and cartridge filters which require cleaning every few weeks, DE filters can last a few months before needing to be cleaned.

The grids in a DE filter can last anywhere from 3 to 5 years, although some people stretch that lifespan as much as they can. This can lead to a range of pool issues like cloudy water and algae blooms. Over time, pollutants from debris in the water will accumulate on the DE filter grids, making it less effective the longer it goes uncleaned.