How to Clean a DE Filter Media

Maintain clean swimming water by maintaining the DE media within your DE filter.

DE pool filters use a special type of media used to filter out very small particles, called diatomaceous earth. DE filters are popular among swimming pool owners for their ease of use, cleaning and backwashing. Throughout time, the media will become dirty and clogged, causing the filter to not work to it's maximum efficiency. To clean the media, you must drain all exsisting dirty media, clean the filter and replace the media with clean, fresh media. Once you have replaced the media, you will be left with a beautiful, crystal clear swimming pool.

Things You'll Need

• Wrench
• Garden hose
• Diatomaceous Earth

Instructions

1. Disconnect power to the pool pump by unplugging the electrical cord, or turning the circuit breaker that controls the pump off. This will prevent possible electrical shock.

2. Turn the inlet valve to the "closed" position. This will prevent any water from entering the filter while you clean it. Turn the waste valve on the right side of the filter to "open." This will allow the water and dirty DE media to pour out of the filter.

3. Loosen the bolts that hold the filter cover in place using a wrench. Once all bolts are removed, lift the cover off of the filter and set to the side.

4. Clean out any remaining DE media at the bottom of the filter using a garden hose. The media will continue to exit the waste valve. Continue this process until the filter is clear of any DE media debris or buildup. Replace the filter cover and bolts. Tighten and secure each bolt using the wrench.

5. Turn the waste valve to "closed" and turn the inlet valve to the "open" position. This will allow water to flow back into the filter and fill the filter tank. Restore power to the pool pump.

6. Pour the appropriate amount of clean, fresh DE media in the pool skimmer. Refer to the side of the DE box or the side of the filter for the exact amount of media needed, as the amount varies by the size of the pool. Once all the media is poured into the skimmer, your filter will now be working and filtering out particles.

References

• Hayward Pool Products: DE Filter Information
• Hayward Pool Products: DE Filter Owner's Manual