A bunch of filters are sitting on the side of a building

How to Clean Your Pools Cartridge Filter


How to Clean Your Pools Cartridge Filter

We know that pool maintenance isn't the most exciting part of owning a swimming pool, It's probably much easier to learn how to keep a splash pool clean instead! These are great for little tots, but as your kids grow, they'll want something much bigger. If you can fit a pool in your yard, go for it! But make sure you know how to clean it properly!
Hopefully this guide will be helpful for you DIY's. There is some good news, one advantage of having a cartridge filter is the lack of required continuous maintenance. Unlike a sand filter that needs to be backwashed multiple times per month, a cartridge filter only needs to be cleaned a few times per year. Generally, if you clean your filter at least every quarter, the life of the cartridge elements will be extended. Also, if you want to hire a cleaning service or plumbing service, you can search online for a plumber near me and scroll through options until you find the perfect service provider as per your requirement.

However, if you notice your pool getting dirty on a regular basis, it could be due to an underground pipe burst. That being the case, you may also notice a buildup of water around the pool area. If your pool is located inside your apartment, it can become even bigger of an issue. Furthermore, long-term damage to the pool's water pipes may result in damp floors around the pool. It may also cause long-term damage to your home's foundation. In that case, you probably might want to contact Water Damage Restoration Experts right away, as they may be able to vacuum all of the water from the floors and assist with the core fixtures.

Talking about the filter, when it needs to be cleaned, it can be somewhat of a lengthy and tedious process. But it is essential that you clean your filter element properly. The steps are simple and will show you how to effectively clean your cartridge filter.

  • When working with any pool equipment, be sure to shut the system off first.
  • There is a clamp or clamp-like fitting that holds your filter together. Loosen and remove this clamp. Now different brand filters may have different riggings, so if you run into any issues you can snap a photo of your system and show it to a Pool Supply Warehouse professional at our retail store.
  • After you have removed the clamp, you can take off the top section of your filter to bare the internal cartridge elements.
  • Depending on your brand and model, there might be something holding your cartridges together or in place. This will need to be removed as well before you can take the cartridge elements out.
  • At this point, you should be able to remove the cartridge elements. Give each cartridge a good look to check for any damage. If you find any cracks in the housing or tears in the pleats, we strongly recommend replacing the cartridge.
  • You can use a degreaser or similar cleaning products and coat the cartridge elements. Make sure you are getting in between the pleats of the filter element as this is where most dirt and debris is found. Usually you will need to let the degreaser sit for a short period of time to loosen up any debris.
  • Then simply rinse it off. It is important to thoroughly clean in between the pleats. You can use your garden hose and place a finger partially over the end to increase water pressure. There are also accessories that are made to rinse in between the pleats on the cartridge element that can attach to a garden hose.
  • When your cartridge elements are clean, simply put all the parts back in their appropriate places.
  • There is an O-ring on the filter tank that you need to check if it's in good condition. If it appears dry-rotted or flattened it is recommended to replace it. If not, apply a bead of silicone-based lubricant over the O-ring.
  • Put the tank lid back on and secure the clamp or clamp-like fitting that holds your filter together.
  • Now time to run a system test. You should take a second look to make sure everything was replaced correctly and there are no leaks.
  • While running, open the air relief valve at the top of your filter to discharge any extra air. Keep the valve open until only water sprays out of the valve.
  • Once completed take a look at the filter pressure gauge on top of the filter to make sure the PSI is within your systems recommended ranges. Different brands may have different ranges, so if you are unsure what your systems range is, give us a call and a Pool Supply Warehouse professional can assist. If the PSI does not return within its normal ranges, turn the system off and make sure all parts have been replaced correctly. Then run another system test. If the PSI is still off, contact us and a Pool Supply Warehouse professional can help out.

At any point during this process you have questions or you would rather have an expert come out and service the filter for you, a Pool Supply Warehouse professional is available at our retail store or at 623-939-1346 for any questions.

A pool with tile and concrete walls A pool that has been cleaned and is green.

How To Use Swimming Pool Stain And Scale Remover

How To Use Swimming Pool Stain And Scale Remover

Pool Stain and Scale can really affect the health and look of your swimming pool, especially the tile and pool surface. Although they are different swimming pool issues, the cause and treatment for them are pretty similar.

ScalingA pool with tile and concrete walls

Scaling occurs when calcium deposits are left on pool surfaces after water has evaporated. Scale usually starts to appear on your pool tile first, a white film on the tile making the tile appear faded. This develops a line of white or grey "scale" around the edge of your pool that can be difficult to remove. Scaling can also be seen when calcium deposits come out of suspension and can be seen floating in the pool. Scale on the pool surface can trap stains underneath, and generally results in a wide area of discoloration that will look like a grey rough area on light plastered pools. There are two types of scaling that pool owners have to battle. First one is Calcium Carbonate and the second is Calcium Silicate.

Calcium Carbonate

This type is white, flaky, and relatively easily removed by using a pumice stone, stain eraser, acid washing, or scale and stain remover. These products will be discussed below. To find out what type of scale you are dealing with, apply a small amount of muriatic acid on the scale. If it bubbles or foams at contact, then you are dealing with calcium carbonate.

Calcium Silicate

This type is grayish-white, and is a lot harder to remove because this scale has been there for much longer. To find out what type of scale you are dealing with, use the same action as above. The difference here will be how the scale reacts to the acid. If there is little to no reaction to muriatic acid, then it is Calcium Silicate. The bad news is the only way to effectively remove this type of scale is with a pumice stone and some elbow grease. Or to save time and headaches, call a professional to help you.

Pool Scale Removal

A pumice stone is a coarse stone that can be used on ceramic tile or concrete surfaces to rub off both kinds of scale. It works very well, but wears down quickly. If you use a pumice stone, make sure to keep the stone and the surface you are cleaning wet at all times to prevent scratching and/or cracking that may lead you to have to call someone like these Concrete repair services out to fix.

StainsA pool that has been cleaned and is green.

Staining can be several colors and is caused by a chemical imbalance that reacts with the pool surface. Some stains can be blasted away by a power washing apex based service or similar service near you, but other stains need a different approach. Some people tend to use steam cleaners to clean the stains of the tiles as heat and water can be a good combination for cleaning. It is recommended to use distilled water in the cleaner as it can avoid any mineral formation, enabling the cleaner to work at its full potential. That said, people may need to buy distilled water in bulk (distilled water 5l or 10l) as cleaning the stains of a big bool can require a lot of it. Coming back, there are two major types of stains that regularly occur in swimming pools. One is organic and the other is metallic.

Organic

Organic stains are from the elements like leaves, algae, or dirt that have been left in the pool for a long period of time. This can generally be cleaned by putting chlorine shock over the stain, then brushed with a stainless steel bristled brush. However, many organic stains, such as those caused by some types of algae, require more complex treatments including enzyme-based pool chemicals and/or metal-based algaecides.

Metallic

Metallic stains are more difficult to remove. Stone water features, decking materials, plaster pool surfaces, pool chemicals, pool equipment, and lawn fertilizers are all potential sources of metal contamination. But most commonly metallic stains appear shortly after the PH is raised or when you add chlorine. Iron is pretty common in well water but rare in city water. Copper is in some algaecides, many "mineral" systems, and ionizers. If the PH in the pool goes below 7.0 for too long, copper can get into the water from a copper heat exchange coil, like the ones found in pool heaters.

Pool Stain Eraser

A stain eraser is twofold, not only works on stains but also on calcium carbonate as well. It can be attached to a tele-pole for convenient use too. There are multiple stain erasers available that will work on different surfaces.

Pool Stain and Scale Remover

This remover, which is safe for all surfaces, is added to the water slowly and wears away the stains and prevents calcium carbonate from coming out of suspension in your water. However, once the calcium is out of suspension, the only way to actually remove it is to allow your filter to take it out of the water.

It is important to keep the pH of the pool water at or below 7.6, as higher pH levels are scale-forming. The calcium hardness level should be kept below 500 parts per million to control as well. Pools with a calcium hardness level of 500 ppm or higher should always be treated routinely with Stain Stop to prevent scale formation. The pH of salt pool water is constantly on the rise. Salt pool owners should always to routinely clean to ward off scale formation, as well as prevent scale from forming on the cell unit. There are a few things to do in order to avoid having to acid wash or tile clean your pool. The best approach is to prevent scale and stains before they occur by regular water analysis, routine cleaning and brushing, correct water balance, and the regular use of preventative scale and stain chemicals. You can see that that prevention is really the best policy when it comes to scale!

If your fighting a losing battle against the scaling and stains in your pool, feel free to give us a call or visit our Pool Supply Warehouse store to speak with an expert.

A desert storm is coming in over the city.

Swimming Pool Maintenance For Monsoon Season


SWIMMING POOL MAINTENANCE FOR MONSOON SEASON

Well, July is almost here. If you are living in Phoenix you know what that means. Monsoon season has officially started. Typically, Arizona monsoon storms start with heavy winds sometimes resulting in a visible wall of dust hundreds of feet high moving across the Valley. These dust storms often leading to heavy downpours. Every summer, thousands of pool owners in the Phoenix area experience some sort of problem with their pool such as clogged filters or water overflow after a monsoon storm. Not to mention the damage inflicted in other parts of their home, with some homeowners looking to insurance companies from somewhere like https://homeownersinsurancecover.net/arizona/ to help cover the damages. So as a pool owner you have to ask, what do I need to keep my pool ready for the upcoming storms?

High winds and heavy rain has the ability to pick up anything from dust and mold spores to tree limbs and patio furniture. If you happen to lose your furniture to fierce winds, it may provide the perfect opportunity to consider replacing them with some brand new furniture. You can check out sets online like this on this site here - https://paydaydeals.com.au/collections/outdoor-lounge-settings. There is quality outdoor furniture to suit all budgets. Everything that comes in contact with your pool will either stick to the water's surface or sink to the bottom. In fact, most swimming pools stores will have deals on pool supplies and chemicals to help supply the numerous consumers that will be affected. You can be prepared by keeping your pool supply stocked and educating yourself on what needs to be done when the monsoon season begins.

Overview Of Steps You Should Take To Prepare For A Storm:

No matter what measures you take, there is no way to keep all debris out of your pool. But there are many things that a pool owner can do to protect their pool and equipment from damages and potential bacteria and algae growth that can result from these storms.

Do Not Drain the Water From Your Pool

Even if the forecast is calling for heavy rain, do not think that draining the pool will prevent overflowing and the water from becoming contaminated. This can actually do much more harm than good. Draining your pool not only leaves the pool walls and floor unprotected, likely to become scratched or damaged by any debris. But there also is a chance that it can cause the pool to pop out of its hole. The water table below the surface rises during storms and flash floods, so without the water weighing your pool down, it could pop up and sort of float on the rising water table. Cleaning up dirty water after the storm is easier than draining it.

Do Not Put Your Pool Cover On

Putting your winter or safety cover on your pool in preparation for a storm can cause more damage to the equipment. There is not much to do to protect against dust and contaminants, because usually the storms high winds and heavy rain cause the cover to lift up and off your pool. Plus with the cover on your pool, it leaves it open to sharp branches and other debris that could fall onto it. Keep your cover put away to prevent damage so you don't have to deal with a big mess if its full of water and debris.

Clear Pool Deck of Debris, Toys and Outdoor Furniture

Phoenix monsoons can bring some high winds that can turn any object not bolted down near your pool into a missile that can cause serious damage to your deck, pool, or even your house. If enough time before the storm hits, remove as many toys, accessories, patio furniture, and grilling equipment as you can, and store them in a shed or basement. Most of the damage from storms is due to the flying debris, so clear out what could easily be stored. Also, do not put any objects into the pool thinking it will be safe there, this can damage the item plus lead to possible staining issues for your pool water.

Trim Nearby Trees and Bushes

Again, if there is enough time before the approaching storm hits, trimming any low or overhanging branches and limbs from nearby trees can be the best method for protecting your pool, yard and your house. Tall and overgrown tree branches can easily be torn off and carried right into your pool during storms. Your pool isn't the only thing that can be affected by debris in a storm; branches and leaves often accumulate on roofing and clog gutters often meaning homeowners require the assistance of a Local Gutter Cleaning company to clear the problem away. Trimming and removing the branches from your pool area should always be done if you have enough time, as this will considerably reduce the chance of damage.

Stabilize Water Chemistry and Add Algae Controller

During a storm, it is inevitable that dirt, debris, and other contaminants will end up in your pool. Most likely you will need to shock your pool after any type of storm, so perform a quick pool water analysis to see what is needed. Stabilizing and adding an algae controller to your water beforehand will definitely save you a lot of time after everything has died down. By balancing your pool water chemistry and adding a large amount of an algae controller, most of the bacteria and contaminants that were blown into your pool will be eliminated. Anything leftover in your pool should be taken care of by shocking your pool after the storm.

Cover, Protect, & Turn Pool Equipment Power Off

If there is even a slight chance that your equipment, like your pump, filter, or motor might be exposed to large amounts of rain or flash flood water, it is imperative that you protect it by shutting the power off. This includes turning off circuit breakers too. This can encompass your pump, motor, filter, heater, chlorinator, and lighting fixtures. This can assist in preventing any potential electrical problems that could result from excessive water. Now even if you shut off the power to all your pool equipment, there is still a chance for it to be damaged by the wind and debris that accompanies monsoons. To help escape any damage, it is recommended to cover your equipment with a large plastic tarp or other types of waterproof covers. Don't forget to tie down the cover as tightly as possible. You can also check with your home insurance policy to see if it covers your pool in case of any damage that may have a knock-on effect on your property. If you feel that your insurance policy isn't the best for you then researching policies where you live can help you find the right one, e.g. 'best homeowners insurance in PA'.

If you have any questions about preparing your pool for a storm, feel free to give us a call or visit our Pool Supply Warehouse store to speak with an expert.