How to Clean an Above-Ground Pool Filter System
- 1). Unscrew the top of the cartridge filter pump an remove the old cartridge.
- 2). Remove any large items that may be trapped in the bottom of the filter basket, such as sticks and leaves.
- 3). Place a new cartridge into the filter and snap the lid back into place.
- 1). Open up the top of the pool pump by unscrewing the lid. Remove the basket and empty it.
- 2). Place the basket back into the pump and close the lid.
- 3). Turn the valve on the sand filter into the backwash position. The positions will be labeled on top of the filter.
- 4). Turn the pump on and allow the water to drain out for two full minutes. This will wash away any debris in the filter.
- 5). Turn the pool pump back off and turn the valve on to the rinse position. Turn the pump on and allow it to run for at least a minute. This cleans the sand in the filter.
- 6). Repeat the above steps to backwash the filter once more before turning the valve into the filter position.
- 7). Add water to the swimming pool if necessary and turn the pump back on.
- 1). Open the backwash valve on the DE filter. Bump the handle on the filter 10 to 15 times and then turn the filter back on. Allow the water to run for at least 2 minutes.
- 2). Repeat the above step and turn the filter back off.
- 3). Close the backwash valve tightly so that no more water will drain out.
- 4). Add water to the pool if necessary and turn the pump back on.
- 5). Add DE to the skimmer that is located closest to the pool pump. The amount of DE that you will add will depend on the size of the filter. Generally, add one pound of DE to every 10 square foot filter area.