Choosing the right filter for your swimming pool

We all know about the huge costs associated with installing a swimming pool – they blow most of us out of the water (pardon the pun).

However, most of us don’t stop to think about the maintenance that is associated with these pools. In short, there’s plenty to do and if you don’t carry out the tasks, the chances of your pool being less than inviting simply skyrocket.

According to Blue Haven Pools, one of the primary areas that any pool owner should be targeting is the filter. If this starts to falter, things start to go downhill pretty quickly. This is the reason we have put together today’s guide, as we take a look at the three types of filters that are available to the typical swimming pool owner.

Sand filters

As the name might suggest, this first type of filter relies on sand to function. The tank itself is made from either metal or concrete, but at the bottom of the tank is a layer of sand. When the water enters the tank, the sand captures any debris and ultimately filters it out. The remaining water then progresses to the bottom of the tank where it can flow back into the swimming pool.

It goes without saying that the water flow is going to slow down over time, as more blockages start to occur. Most filters have built-in gauges which will inform the owner when the filter either needs washing or replacing. In general, sand needs replacing every five years or so though.

Diatomaceous Earth Filters

This next type of filter requires a little more maintenance at times, as the diatomaceous earth tends to need changing at least a couple of times per year.

The way in which the filter works is very similar to the sand option that we spoke about in the previous section though. The fine powder traps any debris, while there is a piece of fabric at the bottom of the filter that prevents any of the earth from finding itself back in the pool.

Cartridge filters

It would be fair to say that cartridge filters work much differently than the others we have looked at, which rely on a substance being placed at the bottom of the tank. The idea is that the water will this time pass through a thin filter surface. This surface holds the impurities until you decide to clean it.

The major benefit of cartridge filters is that the surface area is larger. This means that they don’t require as much maintenance, and there are fewer blockages which can sometimes hinder other filter types. While it’s easy to simply wash away the cartridge with a hosepipe, most people will simply replace the cartridge filter. This is because they generally only need attention every three to five years and due to their inexpensive nature, it’s simply much easier to buy a brand new version rather than take the existing one apart.