How Often Should You Cleaning A De Filter

DE pool filter cutaway D.E. pool filters are superior filters, equally compared to sand and cartridge filters, which cannot come up close to D.East.'s ability to remove particles as small as 2 microns.

However, D.Eastward. filters are known to crave more maintenance, and not just because you have to add together more D.Due east. pulverization subsequently backwashing, but mainly considering there are just more parts inside the filter tank.

I of the best things you can do to maintain proper DE filtration is to open up up the filter tank and clean the filter grids. This is done during puddle winterization, or every 6 months of use, for sunbelt pools open all twelvemonth.

TYPES OF DE FILTERS

Hayward Perflex Nest Assembly, containing 120 Flex Tube 'Fingers' Today there are two types of DE filters in utilize, Vertical Grid filters, and Hayward'southward Perflex filters which apply a cylindrical 'Flex Tube', shown right. Both vertical grids and Flex Tubes, aka 'Fingers', are covered in a mesh polyester cloth, with pores small-scale enough to permit h2o to pass through, merely not the DE powder.

HOW DE FILTERS OPERATE

Pentair / Hayward Curved Vertical DE Grid Assembly The cloth roofing the grids or tubes serves to concord the DE powder, which covers the fabric. As the water passes through the powder, the dirt is trapped in the pulverization's microscopic pores. The powder is the filter, not the grids.

Over time, the DE powder will trap and then much dirt, oil and debris that water volition have a harder time passing through, which volition raise the filter tank pressure level and reduce the flow rate. Somewhen information technology becomes necessary to affluent out the dirty DE powder in a backwash procedure.

WHY A 'DEEP CLEANING' IS NECESSARY

Anthony Filter Grids Backwashing does not flush out all of the powder, sometimes merely half of it is really removed. Calculation a total dose of DE pulverization afterwards can lead to bridging between the grids, resulting in less effective filtration.

Opening upwardly the tank to hose off all of the powder every half dozen months, is important to maintain filter functioning. And for pools that winterize and bleed the filter tank, allowing the DE pulverization to dry onto the grids creates clogging problems the following year.

Minerals and Oils likewise build upward inside the filter material of a DE grid or Flex Tube, which backwashing does not remove effectively. Hosing make clean will remove some (even if using the Mega Blaster DE Cleaning Tool), but for all-time results a chemical soaking is used to remove mineral scale and oily deposits.

CLEANING VERTICAL DE GRIDS

1. Open air bleeder and remove filter drain plug to bleed h2o from the tank.
2. With the proper wrench or socket, loosen the bolt and remove the clamp.
three. Loosen the hat and pull it straight off. A flat tool may be needed to pry it off.
4. Spray grids with a hose, to remove near of the heavy DE powder.
v. Lift upward on sides of pinnacle manifold, with a slight twisting motion, to free the grids from the standpipe. Two people may be needed, to elevator the filigree assembly out.
six. Identify grids on a stable expanse, being conscientious not to let the assembly fall over, which can crack the top manifold.
7. Do not have the grid assembly apart, merely spray water fully in-between the grids, to completely clean grids on both sides.
8. Replace grids advisedly back into tank, applying a minor amount of lube to the standpipe o-ring, institute on Pentair and Hayward filters.

CLEANING PERFLEX FLEX TUBES

1. Shut off the pump, push bump handle downward slowly and upward quickly, 8 times.
two. Open vent valve and remove filter drain plug to drain water from the tank.
three. Afterwards draining completely, turn filter pump on for 5 seconds to affluent tank.
4. Shut vent valve and drain plug. Turn on pump to fill tank. Echo steps 1-iii.
five. If not winterizing, restart pump to make full filter with water, adding new DE powder.

DE FILTER CHEMICAL CLEANING SOLUTIONS

Hosing off the filter grids, or performing the Perflex cleaning procedure every bit described above is suitable in near cases, however a chemical cleaning may be necessary from time to time to remove mineral scale and oily deposits.

Mineral Deposits: Primarily calcium scale from pools with high levels of calcium hardness, or from improper water residuum. Scale will rapidly clog the pores of DE grids and Flex-Tubes, causing short-cycles to occur.

Acid Magic Scale tin exist removed by soaking the Flex Tube Nest Assembly or the DE Filigree Assembly in a 20% solution of H2o and Muriatic acid (v:one ratio). Soak Flex Tubes in a large saucepan and DE Grids in a big (clean) trash tin can for several hours, and and so hose off thoroughly.

Oil Deposits: A more common problem than calcium build-upwards, oil and grease can be a real trouble for DE filter grids and Flex Tubes. Suntan balm, hair products, cosmetics and current of air diddled oils, in improver to o-ring lubricants and lite oils found on plastic and vinyl products tin can all clog your DE filter.

in-the-swim-de-filter-cleaner Oils can be removed past soaking filter grids in TSP and hot water, using i/two lb. per five-gals of water. Y'all can too use our DE Filter Cleaner or Natural Chemical science'due south Filter Perfect chemical to spray or soak the DE Grids or DE 'Fingers'. For pools with continuous problems with oils, endeavor Jack's Magic Filter Cobweb as a replacement for DE powder.

Stains: Information technology's non uncommon to meet DE grids or fingers plow a yellowish color, or even a rust color over fourth dimension. In nigh cases this will non affect the filtration too much, but some stains can likewise incorporate other particles, which tin reduce the small pores of the DE filter material.

To remove stains on DE filter grids or Perflex Flex Tubes, I recommend using our Granular Filter Cleaner chemical, which is a combination of calibration and stain fighters, and can restore the nigh-new color to DE grids and fingers, while increasing filter flow rates.

REPLACING DE FILTER GRIDS

If during your cleaning and servicing, you lot notice several holes or the threads beginning to unravel or the grid textile deteriorating, information technology may be time to supervene upon the filter grids, which is the subject of this related post, DE Filter Grid Replacement.

For Perflex filters, you lot tin can buy the Flex Tubes individually or in five-Packs in our parts department. Y'all tin can also buy the consummate Flex Tube assembly, called the 'Filter Nest', or you may consider ownership an entire new Perflex DE Filter.

INSPECTING DE FILTER GRIDS

To Inspect your DE filter filigree assembly, look for:

Tears or rips in the fabric, especially at the seams and the bottom center.
Broken tabs on the meridian, where the grid inserts into the manifold.
Cracks in the manifold (don't permit it fall over!)
Missing or damaged air bleeder screen or sock on the manifold.
Loose associates; missing through wing nuts on thru-bolts.
Missing or damaged standpipe o-ring; where the manifold fits on.
Mis-spaced or mis-aligned grids.

An almanac inspection and cleaning should go on your DE filter running in tip-meridian shape. Only don't wait if your filter starts acting funny – y'all can practice this anytime!

That's all for at present! If you lot have whatever other questions regarding cleaning or servicing your DE pool filter, leave a reply beneath – I answer these questions personally! 🙂

Davy Merino
In The Swim Blog Editor