When Should You Replace Your Pool’s Cartridge Filter?
If you own a pool, you know that the cartridge filter is the only thing keeping the water clean and sparkly. So, when you see that the water has started to turn murky, you know it’s time to replace the filter, right? Well, it turns out that you should have already replaced it a long time ago.
Even if the water seems clean to the eye, if you don’t replace your cartridge on time, there’s a high chance you’ll be swimming in water that’s filled with bacteria, mould, and other disgusting things you can’t even see. And some of these can cause health problems such as throat, nose, ear and eye infections. So, the question is, when is the best time to replace your cartridge filter in order to keep the pool as clean as possible?
Generally, it’s estimated that pool cartridge filters have a lifespan of 2 years. But, in practice, a cartridge filter never lasts that long. If you use the pool as often as possible, the state of the filter can deteriorate more quickly. What’s more, pieces of dirt and debris such as sand and leaves can clog the filter. And there’s also the fact that people enter the pool with suntan lotion, skincare and hair care products, deodorants and other chemicals.
So, there are many factors that influence how fast this pool element deteriorates, which means that you can never guess when you need to get a replacement filter cartridge. To know when it’s the right time to replace it, you should regularly inspect the filter cartridge’s state. When doing an inspection, the following things can be signs that you need to get a new one immediately:
- Cracks on the filter’s end caps;
- Flattening of the pleats;
- Ripped or tattered cloth;
- A crushed or damaged cartridge.
Besides performing a physical check, the pool’s pressure levels can also be a sign to buy a replacement filter cartridge. Take a look at the pool’s pressure gauge. A dirty cartridge filter is a common cause of a high PSI reading. In general, you should clean your filter whenever the pressure on the gauge reaches around 8PSI above the base level. If cleaning doesn’t fix the problem, you definitely need to replace the cartridge filter entirely.
It’s always a good idea to replace your filter as soon as you notice the aforementioned signs. By continuing to use a dirty or damaged filter, you are putting the health of yourself and your family at great risk.
