Cartridge Filter Maintenance

[MHumphrey]

I have a Hayward Star-Clear Plus Cartridge filter (C1200). I clean the filter every 2-3 weeks by taking it out and hosing it down to get all the dirt and gunk out. But how do you know when the filter needs to be replaced and not just cleaned? Also, someone told me i need to lubricate the O-Rings and gaskets. Is that true? What should I use to lube them? or should I just replace the O-Rings periodically?

Thanks
-Matt

 

[mas985]

Is the filter pressure climbing that quickly that you need to clean your filter that often?

As for the o-rings, yes it is a good idea to put some pool lube on them that you can get at any pool store. Plumbers silicon grease works well too.

 

[MHumphrey]

Well it did this month because we had a ton of thunder storms all month that blew all kinds of dirt and debris in the pool. It shot up in about a week. I was told it needs it about once per month. I've only owned this house for a couple months.

 

[zea3]

As long as the cartridges are intact, no holes or tears, and the banding is not broken they should be good. Hose them off when needed and give them a good soak overnight in a solution of 1 cup dishwasher powder to 5 gallons of water once a year. (can be more often if needed) More info on cleaning a cartridges filter here.

 

[mas985]

I have been operating without the bands for the last 5 years so those aren't all that important either.

 

[prs]

Yours is a 120 sf filter. My 300 sf filter easily goes six months between cleanings, but of course that depends on how much dirt and debris end up in the pool.

Rule of thumb is to clean the filter when the preesure reads 20% higher than the pressure when the filter is clean.