DE Filter vs. new cartridge filter system

[rduff11]

Hi all,

New pool owner here in search of guidance after encountering lot of equipment problems in the first two weeks of ownership.

Technicians came today to check and clean my DE filter grids on my Jandy DEV48. This is what it looked like when they opened it up. They did not clean the grids to avoid breaking/damaging the filters. They recommended at least new DE filter grids, rather than cleaning the current ones, but they also said that DE filters are outdated generally and urged me to consider installing a new cartridge filter system (Pentair). They quoted approx. $1,700 to install a new Pentair system. I don't have a price yet on how much a new Jandy DE grid would be to keep the current system in place.

Any tips/guidance on best way to proceed from here?

Thanks!
Ryan

 

[Jimrahbe]

Ryan,

Your grids are dirty... They don't look bad, unless I am missing something..

New grids should be a few hundred bucks...

What did they say was wrong with the grids you have???

All that said, I switched from DE filter to a large cartridge filter and will never, ever go back to DE..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[rduff11]

Jim - Thanks for the reply and input. The technicians thought the filter looked terrible and claimed it might break apart if they removed it and cleaned it. Based on that advice, I did not have them clean it and instead left it as is for now to decide whether to get new DE grids vs. an entirely new cartridge filter system. The technicians stated they rarely work on DE filters nowadays in my area and seemed to generally be against DE filters in favor of cartridge filters.

-Ryan

 

[Jimrahbe]

Ryan,

I think the problem is the inexperience of your technicians.. not a bad filter..

I smell scam... but then I'm not there.

If you have more money that you know what to do with, then upgrading to a DE filter would work.

Otherwise, it might make sense to hire someone that has a clue...

If this were my pool, I'd take a garden hose and wash down the filter assembly... (Remove the drain plug first..) You can't really do a good job with grids assembled, but you'd have a better look at what the grids look like.

In theory, your pool guys should have backwashed the filter before opening it up..

Keep in mind that I 'hate' DE filters, but I also hate anyone being taken advantage of..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[rduff11]

Thanks again Jim. I appreciate the advice. I'm having a different company come out on Monday to take a look at everything to give me a second look through. It will be interesting to hear their take.

-Ryan

 

[TinFoilHat]

Why don't you just follow Jim's advice and hose the grids off yourself? Don't feel like this is too difficult to do or to handle because there isn't any issue that this forum won't help you with.

 

[ajw22]

About $500 for new Jandy grids if you DIY. Probably double if you buy it from you scammy Pool Service.

I see aftermarket grids offered around $150 if you want to take a chance.

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@1poolman1 any view on aftermarket grids?

I like a DE filter if you have an MPV. DE filters are convenient to backwash and only need to be opened for cleaning once or twice a year.

I think your Pool Service guys did not know what to do with your filter. Get a better Pool Service.

 

[wireform]

They look like standard dirty grids which need to be cleaned. If your strong enough they an be lifted out as a complete unit and hosed off like that.

 

[rduff11]

Why don't you just follow Jim's advice and hose the grids off yourself? Don't feel like this is too difficult to do or to handle because there isn't any issue that this forum won't help you with.

I probably will - but I have other issues as well. I was told my salt cell is bad (several different error codes and the metal prongs looked bad on inside when opened up) and I have some leaks from my main pump that supposedly can be fixed with a new seal kit, so I am having a different company come take a look at everything to see what they say. Aside from my current problems, I would like to identify a dependable pool service team for the future as needed. So I am interested in what the 2nd company will say.

 

[VinnyinNJ]

My last AG pool had a DE filter that lasted its entire life of 20 years with new pump at about 4 years and new grids at about 18 years. I was ready to use it again with the new pool but it no longer had OEM parts available if something went bad.

They look like dirty grids, take them out of the filter housing and hose them off. Not sure how old or when the last time hosing off was done but they usually come out looking great with just a hosing off. Every end of season I would disassemble the filter and clean it up good before storing the entire filter. My filter just had a bottom valve that I used to drain the used DE out of. Ibwould use the gravity of the water to drain ... bump to knock off the DE then drain ... repeat about 4 times then recharge the DE.

I wanted a new DE filter but our store said that 1) Hayward uses filters and not grids and 2) (probably #1 reason) our township treats used DE as hazardous waste and we need to collect and dispose of it correctly, no more draining onto the grass.

I have no experience with modern cartridge filters but I loved my DE filter. I'm now learning the ins and outs of a sand filter ... I wouldn't trade in a DE filter if it's not faulty.