Pool Filters

Pool Filters

The pool filter is a necessary part of a pool as it ensures the cleanliness of the water. This is because water surfaces are prone to getting dirty easily and this can make the water unsafe for swimming.

Read on below to learn about how pool filters work, the types available, including the pros and cons.

What are Pool Filters

Pool filters are part of a pool cleaning system. It separates the pool water from dirt and debris and keeps the pool clean and clear for swimming. Apart from keeping your water clean, pool filters also keep the water safe by boosting your chlorine's efficiency in killing germs.

How do pool filters work?

The filter works by trapping dirt from water when dirty water enters it through an inlet pipe. After the dirt has been trapped, clean water comes out of the outlet pipe. This process itself is called filtration.

Also, the pressure read by the pressure gauge at both the inlet point and outlet point shows the amount of dirt present in the water. When there is a higher pressure reading at the inlet than the outlet, it means that there is a higher presence of dirt in the water.

Types of Pool Filters

There are various types of pool filters. What determines the type of filters you should use are the amount of debris and dirt in the water and the orientation of the pool finish.

Pool Filters
1. Sand Filter

Sand filters are popular because they are easy to handle and are quite cheap. They work with in-ground pools and are the most traditional form of water filtration available. Here are the pros and cons of using the sand filter.

Canisters containing sands of specified sizes (45 to 55 millimetres) are used. The dirt water is made to pass through these canisters and as the water passes through, the dirt in them is trapped by the sand in the canister. The trapped dirt increases the density of the sand in the canister.

This also increases the effectiveness of the sand filter. However, if the sand becomes too dirty, it only makes the water dirtier instead of being a good filter. Hence the sand will need to be changed.

Pros

1. Ease of use:

They are really easy to use by individuals as the setup is not complex. If you are looking for a filter system setup that will readily meet your needs without stressing you out, then you just might consider it.

2. Low cost:

The oldest known method of filtration, it is so cheap to install and use. If you are keen on cutting the overall running cost of your pool, then you may consider sand filters.

3. Backwash:

You can readily backwash your sand filter and make it a more sustainable filter to use.

4. Low-Cost Maintenance:

Maintaining sand filters is cheap and easy. This is due to the cheap availability of sand.

Cons:

1. It is not a very effective method of filtration

2. Backwashing sand filters regularly is compulsory and can become routinely monotonous.

3. Not effective against smaller dirt particles

The sand filter is the most common type of filter. This is due to its budget-friendly nature. It is equally used mostly by above-ground pools.

Pool Filters

2. Cartridge Filters

Cartridge filters are a better choice because they can remove smaller dirt particles, unlike sand filters. However, the price of Cartridge filters is higher.

For water filtration to happen, water is pushed into a collection tank. The cartridge contains a skimmer that removes large dirt particles and also a secondary basket that receives smaller dirt particles.

After this, the polyester filters present removes any other dirt present as water passes through them.

Pros:

1. Ease of Maintenance: it is not a complex system and does not require much energy to maintain.

2. It is more effective than sand filters because it can remove more dirt and debris than the sand filter.

Cons:

1. It is expensive to purchase.

2. There is a need to clean frequently

Which Pool is Best Fit for This?

The cartridge filter is best suited for the in-ground pool. Though a bit expensive, it is still more affordable than the DE. The maintenance is also quite easy too.

Pool Filters

3. Diatomaceous Earth (DE)

Sometimes what makes water unusable is beyond the dirt that can be seen with the naked eye. Some microscopic dirt and organisms can make water unfit for use.

DE filters are made up of the fossils of aquatic organisms and are very effective in trapping such dirt. The way these works is by dissolving the DE, then passing it to a polyester fabric-covered extension through a pipe.

This extension, sometimes called a grid, traps the DE and ultimately uses the dissolved trapped DE as a filter when dirty water passes through it.

Pros:

1. Most effective dirt-removing filter: The DE is so effective that it can remove very tiny dirt that is so small and measures to 2 microns.

2. Durable: When properly maintained, DE filters will last longer than other types of filters.

Cons

1. Stressful: There is a need to add DE to the filter after every backwash.

2. Expensive: Getting DE is not cheap and generally this type of filter is the most expensive

3. Unhealthy: DE inhalation can cause cancer as DE is noted to be carcinogenic, hence extra care must be taken to not inhale DE all through the setup of the filtration process.

4. Extra Plumbing: Due to the carcinogenic nature of DE, using DE requires an installation of plumbing to be added to the normal plumbing.

5. It is also recommended that the grids holding the DE are cleaned at least once every year.

6. DE is the most complex filtration system available and most often will require professional touch especially when it comes to installation and maintenance. This increases the cost of Maintaining your pool.

7. DE filters require the most maintenance

8. Sensitive Grids: The grids housing the DE are sensitive and do get torn when they are being cleaned. When this happens, the grid will have to be completely replaced. This increases the cost.

Which pool is the best fit for this?

Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is not only expensive to buy but also costly to maintain. Nonetheless, it is favored by most inground pools for the thorough job it can do to keep the pool clean.

Pool Filters

How to Maintain Pool Filters?

Generally speaking, pool filters are needed to make the water safe for use. This is why you must learn how to maintain a pool filter.

Among all the filters mentioned in this article, the DE is the most expensive to install and maintain, but also the one that provides the highest safety. General maintenance involves routine cleaning, backwashing, and sometimes the replacement of parts, like the grid.

Maintain your Pool Filters with BMW Pools

You should entrust the maintenance of your pool filters to professionals to ensure they last for as long as possible. BMW Pools are professionals at installing and maintaining pool filters. They can suggest the best pool filter for you based on the demands of your pool and they can also help you maintain the filter to improve its lifespan. Call today to make an appointment!

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