How to Keep Your Pool Clean

Summer is finally here! School is out and summer fun is underway. If you’re like most of us, you and your family enjoying your pool this summer. More time at the pool means more time spent on pool maintenance for pool owners.

We’re here to help equip you with the knowledge and pool supplies you need to help make keeping your pool clean easy all season long.

Why is it important to clean your pool? Keeping your pool clean helps prevent bacteria growth and costly repairs.

How to keep your pool clean

Keeping your swimming pool clean over the summer doesn’t have to be a pain. Performing regular pool maintenance throughout the summer will allow you more time to enjoy it. Here are a few tips:

1. Don’t let debris pile up. As soon as you see that some leaves have fallen into the pool, grab the pool rake! Take care of things as you see them is a game-changer!

2. Before getting out of the pool take a scrub brush and scrub the tiles and walls of your pool. This is a simple task that can be done occasionally, that can make a big difference.

3. Get in the habit of water testing and checking your pool chemistry. Staying on top of chemical levels will prevent pool algae and bacteria growth. Investing in chemical feeders will help with this too.

4. Make sure your pool is covered during harsh weather. Pool covers will help protect your pool from the elements.

How to clean pool filters

Pool filters can become clogged with debris and chemical build-up over time. Without proper cleaning, your pool’s filters will be less effective and cause your pool’s water to become cloudy. Clogged and dirty pool filters can also increase bacteria growth and it can even cause problems for your pool pump too.

Time to order new pool filters? We’ve got you covered.

Order Pool Filters

Here’s how to clean your pool’s filters:

Sand filter

Pool sand filters should be backwashed about once a week. Wondering how to clean a sand filter? Sand filters are easy to backwash, which means running the filter in reverse. Here are a few tips for how to backwash your pool’s sand filter:

1. Stop your pool pump.
2. Close all valves on the suction and return lines.
3. Open pump cover and empty the filter basket.
4. Return the pump cover.
5. Open the drain outlet valve.
6. Turn lever to backwash.
7. Open valves on the suction and return lines.
8. Restart your pool pump. Allow the filter to rinse for 1-2 minutes or until the sight glass is clear. *Important step: if you have an electric heater, make sure it is OFF.
9. Stop your pool pump.
10. Turn lever to rinse, restart the pump and rinse for about 30 seconds.
11. Stop the pump again and turn the lever to filter.
12. Make sure you close the drain outlet valve and start the pump. *If you have an electric heater, you can turn it back on.

Sand filters should be replaced every 3-6 years.

Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Filter

DE filters should be cleaned every 4-8 weeks. Cleaning a DE filter involves 3 basic steps:

1. Backwash.
2. Clean the manifolds and grids.
3. Add new DE.

To backwash your DE filter, make sure the pool filter valve is in the backwash position and start the pool pump. When the water coming out of the discharge hose is clear, turn off the pump and return the valve to the normal position.

Once you’ve backwashed your DE filter, make sure your pool pump is turned off and open the air relief valve, remove the drain plug and drain the filter tank. Then open the DE filter. Depending on the type of DE filter you have, remove the manifold and take out the grids. Using a hose, flush the DE out of the filter grids and rinse out the tank.
After you clean the grids, place them back in the manifold inside the filter. Remove the strainer basket lid and fill the basket with water allowing water to run through the incoming line. Then lubricate the ring inside the tank. Replace the lid and tighten any clamps or bold on the pump.

Make sure to release the air in the tank by turning the air relief valve. Once that is complete it’s time to turn on the pool pump. When the water starts coming out, make sure to close the air relief valve.

Make sure your pump is running before you start adding DE into the filter. Don’t forget to calculate how much DE needs to go into the filter. Here’s how to calculate it:

1. Look for how many square feet your DE filter is by looking on the filter or at the filter’s instruction manual.
2. Take the square footage and divide by 5.
3. The number you get is how many DE scoops you’ll need.

Mix the DE with water to create a creamy mixture. While your pump is running, pour the DE solution into the pool skimmer and the DE will be drawn to the filter and evenly distributed.

Allow the pump to run for 30 minutes before turning it off.

When cleaning your DE filter make sure to inspect it for any tears and replace it when needed.

Cartridge Filter

How often you clean your cartridge filter will depend on what kind of unit you use. Typically, you’ll want to make sure that the filters are cleaned at least every 3-6 months. Here’s how to clean your pool cartridge filter:

1. Turn off your pool pump.
2. Release air by slowly turning the air relief valve.
3. Remove any clamps or assembly holding the filter together.
4. Take off the top of the filter.
5. Take out the cartridges and set them aside. Inspect the cartridges for cracks and tears.
6. Use the FiltersFast.com Brand Filter and Cartridge Cleaner to clean the filter thoroughly. Follow the instructions listed on the bottle.

FiltersFast.com Brand Filter and Cartridge Cleaner

Add to Cart

7. Spray the filter cartridge with a garden hose and make sure you get in between the pleats of the filter.
8. After you’ve cleaned the filter cartridge check the filter tank O-ring. Apply lubricant to keep it in good shape, replace if it’s dried out or stretched.
9. Rinse the cartridges thoroughly.
10. Put the filters back in place and secure them.
11. Put the filter top back on and tighten the clamps or assembly. Make sure it’s sealed properly.
12. Ensure the air relief valve is still open to release access air. Turn the system back on and keep the valve open until a steady stream of water starts spraying out and then close.
13. Check your system pressure to make sure it’s within a normal range.

Automatic Pool Cleaners

Automatic pool cleaners can help reduce the number of chemicals needed to clean the pool, use substantially less energy to run, and reduce how often you change your pool filter. Essentially, automatic pool cleaners are vacuums for your pool. They are designed to collect debris and sediment in your pool automatically.

Depending on your budget, automatic pool cleaners can be a great investment for your pool.

Swim over to AcePools.com to browse their wide selection of automatic pool cleaners.

Shocking your pool

One of the easiest and most effective ways of keeping your pool clean is shocking your pool. To shock your pool means to add chlorine or non-chlorine pool chemicals to the water to raise the free chlorine (the desirable amount of chlorine available to sanitize water) level. Chlorine in your pool helps destroy algae, chloramines, and bacteria.

How often to shock pool

How often you shock your pool is ultimately up to you, but we recommend doing it every week or so. Shocking your pool helps prevent bad smells and painful eye irritation for swimmers.

Here also a few times you’ll want to shock your pool:

• After a rainstorm
• After heavy pool use
• After a change in water level
• After there has been poop in the pool

How to shock your pool

After you have skimmed your pool, vacuumed for sediment, brushed the walls, floors, and coves it’s time to shock your pool.

Here’s how to shock your pool:

1. Check pH levels and make sure your pool is balanced. You can do this by using test strips or a testing kit.
2. Prepare shock in a bucket.
3. Make sure your pool pump is running.
4. Pour shock mixture from the buck around the edges of the pool.
5. Let the pump run for about 6 hours before testing the water.
6. Wait for the free chlorine levels to drop between 1 and 3ppm before resuming use of the pool.

At FiltersFast.com, we’re here to help you get the most out of your investment. If you have any additional questions about pool maintenance, let us know in the comments!

Have a Happy Summer!