Clean your pool with sand

By Martin Wilkins


If you have an above ground or in ground pool at your home then you already know the importance of a good pool filter. A reliable easy to use pool filter can not only make pool maintenance much easier but save money as well.

Filtration is one of the most important systems for keeping your pool clean and clear. Poorly filtered pool water is not only unsightly but can become a breeding ground for bacteria that may cause health issues.

Bacteria's prime breeding ground is stagnant water. To avoid a pool full of harmful bacteria the water must be regularly cycled by a filtration system. Keeping your pools water clean is an important part of being a responsible pool owner and avoiding any possible skin issues for the swimmers using the pool.

One of the best options to filter your pool is a sand filtration system. No matter if you are building a new pool or buying a replacement filter a sand system is easy to use and simple to install while still providing superior durability as well as an economical choice.

While there are many different models and sizes of above ground sand filter and some can be quite expensive. For the average backyard pool there are many affordable makes and models from which to choose.

The sand that is used in a sand filter is not the usual sand you see in a sand box or beach but is a particular type of sand that has been graded to be around 55 millimeters and all uniform in size. This is why the sand in a sand filter is so effective at cleaning water in your pool.

Another attribute of the sand used in the filter is the ability to increase effectiveness as it filters the water. Even though it may seems a bit odd, as the sand captures more particles those particles will help the sand better filter the water. The sand in your filter when maintained properly should last around five years before it will need to be replaced.

Every sand filter comes equipped with a pressure meter that will let you know the water pressure in your filter. This is important for many reasons but mainly it is used a gauge for knowing how much debris your filter has removed.

Marking or making a note of the starting pressure that the clean sand produces will greatly ease the process of cleaning. Once the filters gauge increases by 8 to 10 psi over the original pressure reading you will know it is time to run the backwash cycle.

the backwash cycle is a simple process and easily performed by changing the flow valve to reverse the water through the filter and run it out a drain pipe that is installed for just this purpose. Once the backwashing process is completed you will simply turn the valve back to the filter setting and your filter is ready to go back to work for you.

With proper care and use the sand in your filter should be able to last up to five years and provide outstanding service. It is usually a good idea to limit the amount of oily tanning lotions people wear while in the pool as this can degrade the efficiency of the sand and require faster replacement of the sand filter media.

A well maintained sand filter for an average size pool should only require cleaning two or three times a year unlike many other types of filters that require changing cartridges or adding new diatomaceous earth to keep the filter working properly. This makes a sand filter much easier to maintain and use while saving money at the same time.




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