Pentair Clean & Clear Plus 420 filter element lifetime?

[JT8Diesel]

So I had my pool installed last year, and started up in May. I ran the pool all summer with great water chemistry (thanks).

I had the pool builder close to maintain warranty for the ridiculous price of $400 CAD (around $320 USD). I'll be opening the pool myself. So I opened up my filter and find the filter elements are just trashed, and the inside of the filter was full of dirt. I think for $400 they could have at least gave everything a rinse. I'm assuming they didn't even open the filter, and just drained it.



Anyway, the real question, should filter elements be breaking down after one year? The "baffle" on the ends is disintegrating and flakes off to the touch. Also many cuts from who knows what.



To be clear, the pool was installed and started in May 2020 and the filter hasn't been touched until now.

Questions:
1) Is this normal wear / use?
2) What can I do to prevent / minimize this in the future?
3) Best places to buy replacement cartridges?

The manual lists p/n: R173576, while the sticker on the filter specs p/n: 17-8584

inyo has one for $55, while Amazon has 4-packs for $150-220 depending on brand. I imagine these are mostly from the same factory with different labels slapped on them.

I'm in Canada, but have a US shipping address available.

Thanks

 

[mknauss]

Cartridges should last many years. In your case, where they are only being used 6 months per year or so, if properly stored, should last 10+ years. Mine are now on their 7 th year. I clean them once per year. They are used 24/7/365.
You should always clean them well and possibly soak in TSP (to remove any oil buildup) prior to storing for winter. The company that left them as you see them destroyed them. They owe you a full set of cartridges.

Pleatco brand are well regarded replacements.

 

[JT8Diesel]

All of that matches up with what I would have expected, thank you for the confirmation.

 

[257WbyMag]

I have had that filter and I have never once seen damage like that on the end.

Yes, Pleatco is what you want for replacements.

 

[JT8Diesel]

I'll be having a chat with my PB then I suppose...

 

[JT8Diesel]

Follow up, are those rust stains typical in the filter? My salt level was never high last year.

 

[mknauss]

Follow up, are those rust stains typical in the filter? My salt level was never high last year.

Those are very normal. No issue. Would be there salt or not.

 

[JT8Diesel]

Great, thanks.

 

[Jimrahbe]

C,

My cartridges are about 7 years old.. I clean them twice a year.. Other than the color, they still look new.

Not sure what caused yours to fall apart..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Were those cartridges left inside the filter over winter?

 

[JT8Diesel]

Yes, they were left inside over the winter. I should have been more pro-active I guess, but I was away deer hunting while the PB came and closed the pool. My wife said "they put everything in a box in the basement" and I never investigated until now. 100% their fault, but I probably could have caught the problem earlier.

I'll be writing them a little nasty-gram shortly.

 

[JT8Diesel]

The o-rings for my drain plugs are also all cracked already. They were removed, and stored inside for the winter.

 

[mknauss]

The o-rings for my drain plugs are also all cracked already. They were removed, and stored inside for the winter.

Sounds like they might not have had pool lube on them originally? As stated above, my filter is in its 7th year, all orings, gaskets, filters, etc in great shape.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

That damage on the cartridges is likely freeze-thaw damage. Everything inside that filter should have been pulled and stored indoors. Where you live, pool equipment should not be left outside, it’s far too cold.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Also, you might inquire with Pentair to see if they’ll cover the filter cartridges under warranty (assuming the PB blows you off). Never hurts to ask.

 

[JamesW]

I suspect that the damage might be from a pressure washer.

 

[JT8Diesel]

Funny, so I checked the invoice and it says "- Filters sprayed out and placed back in drum for
safe keeping"

Except that they were definitely NOT sprayed out, they were filthy. So yeah, I'll be speaking with them soon.