how to keep a small pool clean without a filter

Rob is a pool-service industry professional with over 20 years of experience.

Cleaning DE filters isn't hard when you know what you are doing!

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Cleaning DE Filter Grids

Diatomaceous earth (or DE) filters require full maintenance about once per year, or if your filter pressure becomes increasingly higher even after backwashing, this may require the filter to be pulled apart and cleaned. The DE powder can become caked onto the grids over a period of time, after which backwashing alone will not remove the residue. It has to be dismantled and cleaned. This is a relatively easy process and can save you quite a bit of money by avoiding a pool company's charge for this. My fee is usually $75 per DE filter dismantle and clean, but I have seen companies charge upwards of $150 for this!

How to Take DE Filter Apart

Before you actually begin to dis-assemble the filter, make sure you backwash it thoroughly to rinse away any loose D.E.
Next, turn off the breaker or timer switch.
Most brands and models will most always have a center ring known as a large band clamp around the center. This will need to be removed. It is best to use a box-end wrench to remove the clamp. The clamps vary in bolt size—some are a 9/16 others are larger.
The entire grid assembly should be removed as shown.

How to Clean DE Filter Grids

As you can see in the picture, this is the filter grid assembly. The caked on DE will need to be rinsed off with a hose—if using a standard hose nozzle, make sure it is on the jet setting. You need a strong stream to remove the residue. Rinse all over the grids including in between the inside grids. Inspect the grids and top manifold thoroughly.
Grids may be worn or torn and require replacement. If they are torn, you will not effectively be able to filter the pool water. If the top manifold is cracked, it will also require replacement.
If all is well with the grids and manifold, finalize the rinse with a 50% water/muriatic acid solution. Pour liberally over the entire grid assembly. Let soak for 5 minutes and rinse. (Watch for fumes, as they can be overwhelming!)
Rinse again and replace the grid assembly exactly as you removed it. Inspect and lubricate all O-rings.

Test Out the DE Filter

After the filter is re-assembled and the main band clamp is tightened, turn the pump on and check for any leaking around the main band clamp. If there is leakage, you will need to remove the clamp and re-inspect the O-ring making sure the top half of the filter is seated properly onto the bottom half with no twists in the O-ring.

If all is well, add your DE through the skimmer and ensure that no DE powder is returning into the pool. If any DE returns to the pool, this is a serious indication that a grid is torn or the manifold is cracked.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author's knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.

Questions & Answers

Question: Cleaned the DE filter as recommended. However, a week later and the pool still remains cloudy. The filter is 10 years old. Is it time for a new one?

Answer: The filter grids might not be holding DE powder. This could be from torn grids, or a broken manifold. To test this, backwash the filter. Then add some DE powder through the skimmer. If you can see the DE powder blowing back into the pool then the filter needs repaired or replaced. If the filter has no issues and is holding DE this means the cloudy pool water has a chemistry issue, or the pump is not running long enough.

Rob Hampton (author) from Port Richey, Florida on April 19, 2019:

Hi Lesley, I call those the "ribs". Basically the skeleton that the mesh covers. As long as there are no rips or tears on the mesh, a few "cracked ribs" aren't going to cause any issues. Thanks for reading!

Lesley on April 19, 2019:

I have a relatively new Pentair DE filter grid. However, I noticed that at the top of each grid the inside plastic is cracked very little. The mesh around it is perfect. Manifold is also great condition. Do you think there will be a problem with that? Do you think II will need to replace the grids? I live in Massachusetts so I haven't opened my pool yet, soon though.

Anthony Agius on April 19, 2019:

I have a Hayward DE filter 4820. Can I mix the cleaning solution 90% water with 10 % muriatic acid instead of 50% / 50% and then leave the elements longer in the solution? This is not to put so much acid to waste.

With anticipated thanks

Best regards

Anthony

Rob Hampton (author) from Port Richey, Florida on April 19, 2019:

Hi Anthony. Yes, absolutely. Being a pool service guy, I usually don't have the time to allow longer times for acid rinses. a 10/90 acid/water ratio is fine and I'd say 30 minutes or less on the grids would be sufficient. Thanks for reading!

Anthony Agius on April 19, 2019:

I Have a Hayward DE Filter 4820. can I make the cleaning solution 90% water and 10% muriatic acid and leave it to soak for a longer period?

With anticipated thanks

Best regards

Anthony