What is the purpose of filtration in above-ground pools?

How does the filtration system work?

Although there are different types of filters such as sand filters, cartridge filters, or diatomaceous earth filters, they all work in much the same way. The pool water passes through the skimmer driven by the pumping system. There, it reaches the filter, where the particles and dirt are trapped, leaving the water free of impurities. Once the water has been cleaned, it returns to the pool already filtered and ready for swimming.

In this pool water cleaning system, there are two main components; on the one hand, there is the pump that sucks the water into the skimmer and passes it to the filter. On the other side is the filter part where the main task of cleaning the water and returning it crystal clear to the pool is carried out.

The pump

The pool pump has a motor that sucks in the water thanks to a turbine that rotates to propel the water. This facilitates the process, as it starts automatically, avoiding the need for other complementary elements. In addition to the motor and turbine, the pump has a housing called a vacuum chamber, which is filled with water and allows it to circulate.

When choosing the type of pump, it is important to bear in mind that they have different power ratings, so it is necessary to know the size of the pool and the number of litres of water it holds. Depending on these characteristics, we must buy a pump capable of suctioning our amount of water and that the capacity of the filter is also adequate. This will prevent the pump from suffering excessive wear and tear.

The filter

The filter performs one of the most important tasks in the filtration system as it is responsible for cleaning the water, ensuring pure and healthy water. For this system to work optimally, it is necessary to wash the filters regularly to prevent debris from building up.

How do you clean pool filters?

Filters need to be clean to perform their function properly. At GRE we show you how to clean each type of filter so that it does not get damaged if residue accumulates.

Sand filter

To clean the sand filter, it must be disinfected to avoid leaving residues that can be transferred to the water. The first thing to do is to switch off the motor and select one of the available options, in this case, the "flush" option. This will put the valves in the cleaning position.

Switch the engine back on and the water will then flow into the drain pipe and be rinsed out. After a few minutes, the water will be clean and the engine will be switched off. Then we select the "rinse" mode and follow the same steps as before.

If we see that the water is still a little cloudy, we will have to repeat the process. Even so, it is advisable to change the sand filter after two or three years because it is very likely to deteriorate over time.

Cartridge filter

There are different ways to clean the cartridge filter, in this case we will do it by removing the filter from the system. First of all, the pump and the water supply must be switched off so that no more water is delivered to the pump.

Before removing the cartridge filter, it is necessary to depressurise the filter system by turning the pressure valve to remove all the air before removing the cover. Once this is done, remove the lid and take out the filter. It is advisable to check the filter for cracks. If the filter is damaged, it should be replaced rather than cleaned.

To clean the filter, run a hose with water through it to remove any particles it may contain. Before putting it back in place, it must be completely dry. It should then be shaken gently so that the dirt adhering to it falls off; it can also be brushed off. Once it is clean, it is put back in place and ready to work again.

The filtration system is necessary to keep our pool water crystal clear. This requires regular cleaning of the filtration system to prevent deterioration of the elements and to guarantee the purity of your pool water.