How to Properly Clean and Service a DE pool filter

POOL FILTER SERVICE TRICKS OF THE TRADE FROM FORMER POOL PROFESSIONAL

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Garden hose
• Aqualube or Vaseline

1. Backwash the filter as described in my other article. The cleaner the elements are the easier the cleaning will be.
   Keep the valve on backwash or dirt will go into the pool!

2. Remove the top of the DE filter after backwashing.

3. Remove the top alignment manifold ( this keeps all 8 grids in place )
   Usually just remove the top nut and wiggle it upwards and off.

4. CAREFULLY wiggle a grid at a time and pull it upwards. These are just a push in fit...but sometimes become very snug. Go easy here because you can break them if you force them. Keep wiggling! They will loosen up and come out. Take out all 8 grids

5. Wash down the inside of the filter with your garden hose. Wash off the grids the same way

6. Once all the dirt is removed installation is a matter of putting everything back together.

7. Be sure to put some Aqualube or Vaseline on the main O ring before re-assembly.

8. If the top doesn't want to fit over the O ring here's how to get it down into position...
   First turn on the pump and fill the bottom half of the filter.

9. Position the top over the bottom. Now turn off the pump.
   Hold the top in position as you turn of the pump and the water leaving the filter will create a vacuum that will easily pull down the tightest filter top!

10. Reinstall the band clamp and bleed the air out of the filter. Recharge/ re-coat the DE filter as required See my other article for proper amounts for your size filter.

Tips & Warnings

• Go to your pool store and buy some Aqualube or equal. This is much better than Vaseline and will last!
• Plastic becomes brittle over time with exposure to chemicals. If your filter is older and is not coming apart easily...you'd better get a pro in there before you break something!