Next to balanced chemicals, a pool filter is the most important piece of pool equipment to keep your pool safe, clear, clean, and comfortable. But you have a lot of options. And as we always say, when it comes to Sarasota pool cleaning, you have the elements working against you.
So what kind of filter do you need to keep your Sarasota pool clean? (Between pool maintenance visits, that is.)
Here we present, from the experts behind the area’s best pool company, Sarasota pool filter options: What they are, how they work, and their pros and cons for Sarasota pools.
Sand Pool Filter
Sand pool filters use silica sand, combined with a high-pressure pump, to trap debris in your pool water. Periodically, this trapped debris needs to be removed in order to keep the filter in working order, so you have to reverse the flow and “backwash” trapped debris out of the sand and down a disposal drain.
Pros: Sand filters are relatively cheap and can last up to seven years.
Cons: Sand filters are the least effective filtration option. You should backwash a sand filter at least once a week, resulting in higher water usage and unbalanced chemicals. The high-pressure requirements tax your whole pool system and can lead to breaks that allow sand to travel into your pool.
Cartridge Pool Filter
A cartridge pool filter is probably what you first envision, as they most closely resemble, say, an air filter you’d see in your car or even your vacuum cleaner. That is, the cartridges are composed of synthetic fabric pleats or folds, accordioned into a cylinder shape. When water is pumped through the cartridge, the fabric traps and holds many particles while allowing the water itself to flow through and back into your pool.
Pros: Cartridge filters are very effective at removing very small particles, meaning they filter out many bad things from your pool’s water. They also require less maintenance—maybe the occasional rinse to remove debris—and can last up to four years.
Cons: These aren’t your cheapest option, and Florida factors (heavy pool use, sunscreen, salt, lots of bugs, wind-blown debris, etc.) can mean they have to be replaced more frequently here.
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) Pool Filter
Diatomaceous Earth is made of naturally fossilized, highly porous, single-cell algae (ie “diatoms”). In a DE pool filter, water flows through a grid that’s coated with this material. The DE grid traps contaminants and clean water reenters your pool.
Pros: Not only are DE pool filters by far the most effective pool filtration system, but they also use an all-natural material (DE) to do this job.
Cons: Of course, the most effective filter is also the most expensive one. Like sand, DE filters require regular backwashing—perhaps even more frequently—and then you have to replace the DE substance each time, adding to the expense. On top of the backwashing, you have to remove DE grids twice a year to be cleaned by soaking in a pool-cleaning substance for up to eight hours.
The Bottom Line on Choosing a Pool Filter
As with everything else surrounding your pool, you have to weigh the pros and cons and decide what works best for you, your family, and your finances. One thing you should always add to your consideration, though, is what a difference a Sarasota pool company can make. After all, weekly pool maintenance visits from certified professionals will take a lot of the effort out of maintaining whichever filter you choose to buy.
What’s most important is that you’re able to enjoy your pool, day in and day out, without stressing about the safety of the water or the price you’re paying for power, equipment, and everything else.
So if you’re looking for a pool filter, keep trustworthy maintenance in mind. And if you’re looking for a worry-free pool service, Sarasota’s best pool care is for you.
Deckard & Company |