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Summer has been fun and very warm for some pool owners around the country. This means your pool has probably been used extensively. And you might feel like your pool water just doesn’t seem to sparkle no matter what chemicals you employ. If this is the case, it might be time to examine your swimming pool filter.
 
Proper filtration and a good chemical treatment system are the keys to clear water in a swimming pool. Without a good filter system, chemicals, clarifiers and algaecides will not be able to accomplish what they were designed to do. The efficacy of every product created for water clarity is contingent upon the vital role of filtration. Today we discuss the role that filtration and chemicals play in helping to clear cloudy water.
 
Filters:
Filters clarify water by removing particulate matter suspended in the water. Particulate matter includes small dirt particles, skin flakes, algae spores, bacteria and other debris. Most particulate matter varies in micron size, and when it builds up, the pool water becomes cloudy.
 
Different types of filters are designed to remove materials of varying sizes, measured in microns. For example, sand filters work by passing water through a bed of specialized sand media, which is capable of removing matter larger than 25 microns. Any smaller particulate matter cannot be caught by a sand filter.
 
No matter what type it is, the filter must be in proper working condition to ensure clean and sparkling water. If, for example, the sand in a sand filter wears out, the filter will lose its ability to grab small particles. Sand, cartridges and D.E. (diatomaceous earth) filters all lose their effectiveness when oils and organics clog filter media and increase backflow pressure. Increased backflow pressure creates poor circulation in the pool or spa. This will lead to a buildup of small- micron materials in the water and result in cloudy water. Therefore, to maximize their effectiveness, filters of all types should be cleaned regularly according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
 
Filter Problems That Can Cause Cloudy Water
Here are a few examples of problems that could be occurring in your filter and causing cloudy water. The examples are broken down by filter type.
 
Sand Filters

• Debris such as pine needles or leaves in the sand bed
• Uneven dispersion of the sand bed in the filter
• Channeling of the sand media caused by rocks or oily mud balls
• Eroded sand granules that can no longer grab small particles (most sand media should be replaced every three to five years)
• A leak on the suction side of the equipment that allows air to enter the filter tank

 
Cartridge Filters

• A dirty, oil-clogged cartridge
• Holes or tears between the pleats
• A cartridge that is improperly seated in the filter bottom fitting
• A worn cartridge that needs replacement
• Improper sizing of the cartridge filter

 
D.E. Filters

• Uneven D.E. coating of the filter grids
• Torn filter grids, a cracked manifold or a worn backwash gasket, allowing D.E. to pass into the pool
• Leaks in the equipment system that allow air to enter the filter tank

 
So take the time to check your filter or call your pool professional. It might be time to clean or change your filter and clear that cloudy pool.