Your swimming pool is more than just a way to beat the heat during summer. It’s a tranquil oasis where you can let go of stress, a place for exercise and health, and somewhere that the entire family can come together for fun.
Obviously, you want to take great care of your pool, but if you’re not using a high-quality pool filter, your other maintenance efforts aren’t going to do a lot of good. Of all the pool equipment used today, pool filters are among the most important yet most overlooked. Why should you care about filter quality, though? Here are five reasons that quality matters.
It Guards Against Cloudiness
If you own a pool, chances are good that you’ve experienced cloudiness in the water. You go to bed and everything is fine, but seemingly overnight, the water has turned murky. This is often due to algae, which your pool filter should capture and hold.
However, a low-quality pool filter with the wrong micron size may not be able to capture all of it, leading to murky water. Of course, a low-quality filter isn’t the only cause of murky water, but it is one possible culprit.
Investing in a high-quality filter now will ensure that you can mark it off your list if the water gets a little darker than it should. To find out more visit this site.
It Prevents Debris from Recirculating
No matter how well protected your pool is from the outside (screens/glass enclosures, etc.) debris still manages to find its way inside. In many cases, it is too small to be caught in your skimmer basket or even in the basket head of the pump in your filtration system.
If left unaddressed, that debris will circulate again and again. A high-quality filter will capture even small debris particles, ensuring that your water is cleaner.
It Captures All Those Creepy-Crawlies
Pools attract all manner of creepy-crawlies, from spiders to centipedes, and everything in between. In many cases, those creatures end up in the water and are sucked through the filtration system.
Because they are often smaller than the gaps in your skimmer basket, they will also reach your pump. High-quality pool filters help trap those creepy-crawlies and keep them from recirculating back into the pool once more.
It Offers a Longer Lifespan
One of the most important reasons to buy a high-quality pool filter is that it offers protection for longer periods. Inferior filters may have a lifespan of just a few months, or even less in some cases.
And, when they fail, cheap filters may cause additional problems. It is not unheard of for very poorly-made filters to begin coming apart, which adds debris to your pool and can even block up your filtration system.
It Costs Less in the End
One reason that pool owners often shy away from high-quality pool filters is that they cost more. however, that initial investment actually means that you will pay less over time.
If you have to replace your pool filter three times per year, chances are good that you will spend more on those three cheaper filters than if you were to purchase a single, high-quality pool filter with a lifespan of 12 months. So, even though good-quality filters may have a higher initial price tag, they cost less in the end.
Filter Types and Making Your Purchase Decision
As you can see, there are many different reasons to consider purchasing a high-quality pool filter. However, which should you purchase? In this section, we will explore the various types of filter on the market and what each offer.
Cartridge: Cartridge-style filters are perhaps the most widely used, although they are an older style of filter. These are reminiscent of air filters used in automobile engines and similar applications. They are made of fibrous material that traps dirt and debris. They must be rinsed out regularly, particularly during peak usage season.
Sand: Sand filters have gained a lot of popularity in recent years as an alternative to cartridge-style filters. Rather than a fibrous filter, these use particles of sand to capture debris and dirt. Rather than rinsing them, these filters must be backwashed to remove build-up. The sand will eventually need to be replaced, as well.
Diatomaceous Earth (DE): Diatomaceous earth filters, also called DE filters, are among the most efficient for trapping dirt and debris and helping you keep your pool clean and looking great all year long.
They remove debris down to about 8 microns. In comparison, sand only filters to about 40 microns. Cartridge filters can vary between those two extremes. If your pool uses iron or copper, then a DE filter is the best choice. DE filters must be backwashed, and should also be deep cleaned once or twice per year.
Other Considerations
In addition to the type of pool filter, you will also want to consider other factors, such as:
Micron Rating – Like home HVAC filters, pool filters are rated for the size of the particles they can capture. The micron rating indicates that size. The higher the number, the coarser the filter. The lower the number, the finer the particles it can capture. However, as micron size decreases, cost increases, so you’ll need to balance that against your budget.
Pool Type – Some filter systems are better suited for specific types of pools. For instance, if you have a copper ionisation system for your pool, you will likely want to go the DE filter route, rather than a sand filter or a cartridge filter.
Use Needs – You should also base your decision on your usage. If you are buying a filter for a pool that only sees occasional use, you may not want to spend as much money on a filter as someone who uses their pool every day, all year long.
As you can see, finding a high-quality pool filter requires knowing a bit more about your usage needs, your pool and its associated systems, your budget, and more. With the right filter and regular maintenance, you can keep that pool sparkling and clean.
