How to Clean & Troubleshoot a Pool Filter System

A swimming pool can be a great place to spend summer days.

One of the most important components of a swimming pool is clean water. A well maintained and properly functioning filtration system is the crucial step needed to achieve and maintain this component. If you find that the water in your swimming pool is not as crystal clear as you would like it to be, chances are you have a filter in need of a thorough cleaning, a chore that should be made part of every swimming pool owner's daily maintenance routine.

Things You'll Need

• Standard garden hose
• Adjustable spray nozzle

Instructions

1. 

   Unplugging the power cord will prevent electrocution.

   Unplug the power supply to the filter system before starting any trouble shooting or cleaning.

2. Remove the top of the filter case by firmly grasping the edges with both of your hands and twisting it in a counter clockwise direction to access the filter cartridge. Slide the filter cartridge out of the the canister.

3. Inspect the filter for cleanliness. A clean filter will be white and free from loose debris, while a dirty filter will be gray to brown in color and possibly littered with leaves and other loose contaminants.

4. 

   A garden hose fitted with a spray nozzle will effectively remove debris.

   Place the adjustable spray nozzle on the garden hose and set it on a stream spray. Insert the nozzle into the middle of the filter cartridge and begin spraying the water toward the inner walls of the cartridge. This will help to wash the debris out of the pleats of the filter cartridge rather than embedding it further into the material.

5. Remove the sprayer from the middle of the filter cartridge and begin spraying the individual folds of the filter from the outside. Use a top to bottom method of spraying in between each pleat of the cartridge. Continue this process until all of the folds between the pleats of the filter cartridge have been sprayed clean.

6. Replace the filter cartridge to the canister of the filter system. Some models have an internal strainer basket that fits on top of the filter cartridge that will need to be cleaned using the sprayer. Replace the top of the filter canister by grasping it with both hands and twisting it in a clockwise direction until it is snug on the canister body.

7. Connect the power supply cord back to the electrical outlet.

Trouble Shooting Poor Water Flow

1. Check the water level in the pool to ensure that it is able to flow into the skimmer of the filter system. Add water to the appropriate level if necessary. The proper water level will be marked on the wall of the swimming pool.

2. Firmly tighten the top of the filter canister onto the canister itself. If air is being sucked into the canister due to an improperly attached top, it will hinder the filter systems ability to pump the water through the system.

3. Remove the top of the canister by twisting it counter clockwise, and slide out the strainer basket and filter cartridge. Look inside the canister for any foreign items, and remove them. Replace the filter cartridge and reattach the top to the canister body by twisting it in a clockwise direction until snug.

Tips & Warnings

• If after cleaning the filter cartridge the performance of the filter system is still poor, you may need to replace the filter cartridge with a new one.

• If after completing trouble shooting steps you still have poor water flow through the filter system, you may need to contact a qualified repairman.

• Always use the filter cartridge that fits your specific filter system, using any other filter could result in poor water filtration or damage to the filter system.

References

• Genfoam Filter Cleaning Manual: Page 7

Resources

• Genfoam Pool Manual