How Often Should You Replace Pool Filter Cartridge

When to supersede your pool filter cartridge?

If you lot own a pool, so you know that your filter system is the gateway to make clean and sparkling water. Information technology ensures proper circulation and prevents debris from building up in your pool. Which makes cleaning and maintaining your swimming puddle much easier.

Simply even for the best filter systems, proper maintenance is still of import (every bit equally important equally servicing your pool heat pump). Especially when considering the pool cartridge filter.

You know, that fabric cylinder with (typically) blue plastic ends. It's what stops all of those microscopic dirt and pilus particles from getting back into your pool h2o. And information technology'southward i of the near of import parts of your pool filter system.

Yet unfortunately, cartridges don't last forever. Certain, you tin can go along them going with some routine cleanings here and there, but even the best ones demand to be replaced after some time. The question is when to replace your pool cartridge filter.

When to replace your pool cartridge filter | Lifespan

when to replace pool cartridge filter when to change pool cartridge filter clean cartridge filter — Image courtesy of Flickr

The answer to this question is highly dependent on the quality of the cartridge, how frequently information technology's cleaned, and how much y'all use your pool. But to proceed things simple, the boilerplate lifespan is nearly 2 years. Granted, that's not to say that lifespan tin't be longer (or shorter). Which leads into another question.

How do you know when your cartridge filter just needs a cleaning?

Rule of thumb

The bigger the cartridge, the longer the lifespan. And the more droppings it can filter before information technology needs to be cleaned. And then go for the biggest filter cartridges allowable for your pool.

When to clean your puddle filter

Ideally, you should clean your cartridges every 2 months. That'southward unremarkably when y'all'll observe dirt/debris buildup. Just y'all don't have to get too fancy with it. A unproblematic rinse with the garden hose or filter flosser will do the trick.

But let's revisit the lifespan question.

At that place are a few warning signs to look for when deciding when to supervene upon your pool cartridge filter. If you find a good portion of these signs, then your cartridges have probably reached the end of their life.

[Cleaning and replacing the cartridges notwithstanding not doing the flim-flam? It might be fourth dimension to contact a pool repair service]

When to replace your pool cartridge filter | Warning signs

Water Pressure level

The pressure level of your puddle'south filter arrangement can tell you lot a lot about apportionment/water flow. For instance, when your filter'south force per unit area judge reads ten-12 PSI higher up your clean reading, information technology's probable indicating a blockage of some kind.

You'll outset want to check your skimmer and pump baskets. Just if those are clean as a whistle, so your cartridges are probable the culprit. So if cleaning them doesn't make a noticeable PSI difference, so the cartridges have reached their filtration capacity.

Over time with normal employ, dirt and debris will embed itself into the cartridge fibers at a level too deep for cleaning to penetrate.

Coincidentally, this is also when the filters become much harder to clean, and notwithstanding await dirty after multiple cleanings. Merely while we're on the topic of cleaning….

Shorter cleaning cycles

A tell-tale sign of a filter replacement being needed is how frequently you have to clean it. When your cartridge filters are brand new, you'll probably but need to clean them every ii months or so. But when you discover yourself having to clean them out most every month (or more oftentimes), then it's time to supersede them.

To piggyback onto the last signal, you should as well pay attending to your PSI when cleaning. Make note of how long information technology initially takes your filter to attain information technology's cleaning point (co-ordinate to PSI). When the PSI starts shooting up rapidly despite multiple cartridge cleanings, then the filters are permanently clogged and no longer useable.

Water quality

Of course, the nigh obvious sign of a filter system issue is your water.

Sure, y'all continue your pool chemicals in balance, simply how does the water look? Is it equally clear equally it was when you opened the pool?

If not, and then a cleaning is definitely in order. And logically, if cleaning the cartridges doesn't change the clarity of your water, well, you know what to exercise.

dirty cartridge filter when to replace pool cartridge filter pool filter cartridge replacement how often — Paradigm courtesy of Flickr

Cosmetic issues

Cosmetic problems, in some cases, can be a little misleading. Which is why we put them last. Considering wear and tear is completely normal.

But how much is too much? Permit'due south take a look.

+Fuzzy/frayed fabric

Out of all the cosmetic defects to expect for, this one is typically the well-nigh reliable in determining when to supersede your pool cartridge filter. A brand new cartridge will have smoothen, newspaper-white fabric. Just an aged filter in demand of replacement won't expect every bit pretty.

Replace your cartridge filter if you see:

Holes in the fabric
Frayed or fuzzy pleat edges
Splits or cracks along the seams
Flattened pleats

+Cleaved Bands

The bands that go around the edge of the filter help keep the pleats from flattening. Just they can pause easily, so they're non considered a reliable indicator of when to replace your pool cartridge filter. Broken bands do, all the same, usually betoken aging. Especially when they break on their own. And then in some cases, they tin can be considered early warning signs.

+Cracked Endcaps

Similar to the bands, croaky endcaps are more an indicator of crumbling. Just it's usually rough treatment or harsh chemical exposure that will cause the endcaps to crack. In virtually cases, the endcaps on quality cartridge filters will outlast the lifespan of the filter'due south fabric.

Nosotros hope this article helped you get a ameliorate idea of when to replace your puddle cartridge filter. Although a fairly durable component of your puddle system, your filter even so needs proper maintenance. Making sure that your pool cartridge filters are in good shape volition help proceed your water clean and clear. Merely it'due south not the only responsibleness yous take as a pool possessor. Luckily, nosotros have some powerful puddle care tips that'll make it easy to keep your pool in tip-top shape.