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What’s the Difference between Sand and Cartridge Filters?

Your swimming pool filter is an essential part of keeping your pool clean on a daily basis. While you will still have to sweep and skim your pool on a regular basis to keep the water clear and inviting, your filter makes that task much easier by removing a great deal of debris and contaminants as the pool water passes through your pump system. But did you know that there are actually two different kinds of filters? Keep reading to learn more about the different types of pool filters and which is best for swimming pool care in Duluth.

Sand Filters

Sand filters are very common in backyard pools, primarily because of how inexpensive they are. Sand is a natural sieve, so as water passes through it, it catches and filters out debris and many particulate contaminants in the water. For a swimming pool, the sand is contained in a fiberglass globe that allows you to see the sand and monitor its cleanliness. Your pool system pulls the water through this globe, allowing the sand to sift out anything that might be in the water.

As the sand becomes dirty, it will become harder for your pool system to filter the water effectively. When this happens, you need to backwash your pool system. This only takes a few minutes, and it cleans the sand so that it can effectively filter the water again. If you do this regularly, a sand filter will last you for years. When it does come time to replace it, doing so is very inexpensive. However, it’s important to note that sand filters aren’t as effective as the other type of filter you could get.

Cartridge Filters

Cartridge filters are much more effective than sand filters. They can sift out much smaller particles than sand, and they operate at a much lower pressure. Like sand filters, cartridge filters will become dirty over time and will put more strain on the pool’s pump system if they’re not cleaned. But cleaning out a cartridge is much more difficult than backwashing to clean a sand filter.

To clean a cartridge filter, you’ll need to disassemble the housing assembly to remove the cartridge, then scrub it with a brush and spray it down with a hose to get it clean. This takes a great deal more time and effort, but if you take care of your cartridge filter, it can last you 5 years or more. It’s also important to note that there are a couple of different kinds of cartridge filters available, so be sure to explore your options in this category.

Which Is Best?

When it comes to deciding which filter is best, it’s going to depend on your priorities. Are you more concerned about price and ease of maintenance? Or is your primary focus on getting your pool water as clean as possible? It’s important to consider the pros and cons of both choices. But whichever you choose, the most important thing is to ensure that you properly maintain your filter to protect the rest of your pool equipment.

If you need professional swimming pool maintenance chemicals in Duluth, contact Sunrise Pool Services, Inc., today.

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Sunrise Pool Services is a company offering a wide range of pool services. From pool cleaning to pool renovation, our expert staff of pool professionals can do it all. To get started or to learn more, get in touch with us today.