DIY Cleaning the Quad D.E. Cartridge Style Filter for Swimming Pool Maintenance | Pictures 2012

The pool filter works more efficiently if cleaned twice a year, early spring and when you close it down for the winter. Even if you keep the filtering system working throughout the winter, the filter should be cleaned after the summer swimming season. It was time to clean the Quad filter for the swimming pool for the first time. After calling a pool professional, it was explained the cost would be about $100. Hmmm we thought, maybe we could do it ourselves. After doing so, we were certainly glad we did. It was not that difficult and the directions in the manual were easy to follow as long as you understand the meaning of the various parts being explained. So if you are reading this article and plan to clean your own unit, the first step is to find the User's Guide. If the User's Guide is lost or you never had one, a link is provided to print a free replacement. This hub does not replace the need for a User's Guide with a maintenance schedule nor does it give the step by step instructions needed to ensure the overall owner safety for properly assembling and disassembling the unit for cleaning. I cannot stress enough YOU MUST FOLLOW THE MANUAL step by step. However, this hub will provide additional tips and suggestions to help make the job easier for you to accomplish yourself. Things that are not in the manual.

Once you have read your User's Guide and understand the various parts of the filter unit and the safety instructions for depressurizing the filter unit. It is time to clean. First get everything ready. You will need a hose with a powerful nozzle, wrench for taking off the clamp, mallet for tamping to reapply the tension band, sponge for wiping out the inside of the filter and Diatomaceous Earth (D.E.) when finished cleaning the filter. D.E. must be applied to the filter cartridges immediately after the cleaning is completed. It is noted in the User's Guide that the pumps should be run without D.E. in the filters for more than a few minutes.

Always follow the steps in the User's Guide completely and you will not have any problems as long as your system is functioning as it should and all the parts are in working order. After the filter unit is depressurized and disassembled as instructed, the four large cartridges are taken out and sprayed down to remove all dirt and filter media. This Diatomite media is not water soluble and will remain wherever you are spray cleaning, so be careful where to select your cleaning area. Hose out the large filter unit and wipe out with sponge if needed to remove larger pieces of debris that will not go through the bottom drain. This process with two people will take about 1 - 2 hours from start to finish to completely clean and reassemble the unit. Once the unit is reassembled and you have sealed the filter unit PROPERLY with the clamp using THE CLAMP INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. It is time to turn the pump back on to pressurize the filter unit. Make sure the air relief valve is open when restarting the pump. If there is no water coming through the pump in a few seconds, stop it the pumps for priming. You should only let the pump run long enough to make sure the filter unit is properly sealed and pressure gauge is reading around 10 -12 psi after the unit fills with water and the water begins to come out the relief valve. The pressure gauge is the primary indicator that helps to determine how the pumping and filtration system is operating. The initial pressure after cleaning and reassembly is complete should read around 10 - 12 psi on the pressure gauge. Turn the pumps back off until you are ready to mix and pour the D.E. into the skimmers.

Diatomaceous Earth comes in a large box from the local pool center or on line. The amount to add to coat the filter cartridges depends on the size of the filter unit. Follow the directions and advice from the pool store professional as to how much to use. Do not breathe this product. It will coat your lungs and your lungs will not be able to process it out. The powder is very fine and the dust can be very easily taken up, also be careful spilling any of it in the yard area where you pet will sniff it up. All spills should be washed away. I usually scoop the powder out by using a one pound coffee can into a bucket of pool water. (pounds are used to measure the amount needed) Stir the D.E. in the bucket with your hand until dissolved into a milk, then proceed to pour the milk directly into the skimmer with the pumps running. Keep the relief valve open when doing this so that the filter continues to fill with water pulling the D.E. into the filter cartridges for a good coating. Once you have completely mixed and poured the proper amount of D.E. needed for your filter into the skimmers, open the relief valve until all air is removed and the water comes out and take another pressure reading. if you are sitting at 10-12 psi you are good.

As the filter fills with dirt, the pressure gauge reading will increase. Performing monthly back-washing maintenance should help keep the pressure down resulting in lowering pressure readings. Once the pressure readings reach higher levels around 20-25 psi and cannot be reduced with back-washing, it is time to clean the filter once again. The pool professional instructed us to follow a monthly schedule by back-washing for about 5 minutes. I was also told to put another 2-3 pounds of D.E. into the skimmer after back-washing to re-coat the filter cartridges since some of the media will be lost from back-washing.

According to the product descriptions and several opinions from pool professionals consulted, The Quad D.E. Filtration system is high quality and very little maintenance. Going into the second year with this equipment. I agree with the professional literature and opinions received. The Quad D.E. system provides a very efficient filtration process using Diatomaceous Earth as a filtration media. Four large removable cartridges simplify the cleaning process and overall maintenance schedules that saves you time and money. Using Diatomaceous Earth or D.E. is the most efficient filtration systems on the market for creating the highest water clarity with the lowest maintenance for the pool owner.

The units contain:

• Four large-capacity easily removable cartridges with large surface area for greater dirt-trapping capacity over longer periods of time between cleanings and faster cleanings.
• Unique internal flow path ensures optimum filtration and backwashing efficiency, it is so easy to do on a monthly schedule taking only 5 minutes to perform.
• Chemical resistant, fiberglass reinforced polypropylene tank for exceptional strength and long life.
• Energy efficient since water flow is so efficient in the unit