How To Choose The Best Filter For Your Swimming Pool

Do you need to make a change to your existing swimming pool filtration equipment? Are you trying to decide which is the best filter for your swimming pool? If you’ve answered yes to either one of these questions than we have the answer for you! Please note, there are many different factors that go into what makes the best filter for your swimming pool. The most common filter that we see and easiest to install is a sand filter but we want to discuss all the different factors so you can make a wise decision and get the best possible filtration for your pool! When making that decision the following factors should go into that decision:

• Type of interior finish
• The number of plants and trees around your swimming pool
• The surface area of the pool
• Ease of use
• Water conservation factors

With that said, we hope this blog post gives you some insight on the best type of filter for your pool, when they should be cleaned/backwashed and what to look for when they need to be cleaned or replaced. Currently, in the swimming pool industry, there are three different types of filters; cartridge, sand and diatomaceous earth (D.E.) and we will be evaluating each to help you understand what makes them unique. First, we will highlight the pros and cons of each:

Cartridge Filter:

Pros

• Easy to maintain
• Filters down to 10 microns
• Since there’s no backwashing, it uses the least amount of water and is the best during drought conditions or if you’re looking to conserve water.

Cons

• Most expensive filter to purchase

Sand Filter:

Pros

• Simplest of all filters to use
• Most common filter for both residential and commercial swimming pools.
• Filters down to 20 microns
• Easy to backwash when pressure rises to set backwash number on gauge!

Cons

• Requires replacements of sand every 5-8 years or when lateral breaks (this can be a time-consuming process as it takes awhile to vacuum out the sand).
• Not recommended for pebble tec pools or pools with lots of vegetation due to high micron number. The pebbles from the pool can get stuck in the sand or laterals
• If you have a green pool, it can take a very long time with this type of filter to clear up

D.E. Filter

Pros

• Filters down to the lowest of microns which is 3
• Filters the largest surface area and keeps the pool the cleanest
• Best for pools in backyards with lots of vegetation

Cons:

• it requires the most amount of work when backwashing occurs. Typically this is the filter that many will stray away from because of that factor alone.

The above factors are key to making a decision on what type of filter you should buy. Most importantly, a D.E. filter is the best filter if your pool is surrounded by lots of vegetation.  Keep in mind all of these filters have pressure gauges with recommended numbers as to when they need to be backwashed or cleaned. With a sand filter, all that is necessary is a backwash but always be on the lookout for sand in your pool. When that happens, you might have a cracked lateral, which is the main filtration mechanism in a sand filter. At this point, a sand change will be necessary. As for cartridge filters, when the pressure rises to the maximum, they will need to be hosed down and cleaned (2-4 times a year). Finally, a D.E. filter should be taken apart at a minimum of one time a year or more if you have lots of vegetation or dealt with a green pool. You will need to hose down the grids to get the excess D.E. off of them and then recharge the filter when you put it back together. Please note, that if you see D.E. blowing back into the pool there’s a pretty good chance there’s a tear in the grid and it will need to be replaced.

Our goal at Clark County Pool & Lawn Service, Inc. is to create lasting relationships with our customers by offering the finest personal service in the industry. We continue to achieve this with our reliability, honesty, and unique level of customer service. When you contact us, our office personnel can discuss any of the above in more detail. We are ready to exceed your expectations and cater to your every pool need, so call us today at 702.362.8295 for a free estimate!