Cartridge Cleaning

[mlobitz]

Maybe a dumb questions, but what is the max. pressure you can use to clean a pool cartridge filter insert? High pressure garden hose or is a pressure washer too much. 1600 psi...I'm guessing it's way too much, but I'm just curious...

Also, any hints or caveats about cleaning a salt generator cell? I have a Jandy Aquapure...

Thanks!

[MKuz14]

A pressure washer is much to aggressive for your cartridge. You risk tearing or damaging the fabric. A garden hose with the correct fitting will suit you much better. I use a nozzle like this to attach to my hose. http://www.autogeek.net/brass-water-jet-nozzle.html you are able to find this nozzle at your local hardware store. If this does not bring the pressure down on your filter gauge as you wished you may consider using a GLB product by the name of "TLC." This is sold in a powder form that you add to a trash can size barrel of water. Let your cartridge soak over night in this solution and than take it out the next day and hose it of off again and than see what your pressure gauge reads. I think you will like the results. If that does not work id consider looking into getting a new cartridge.

[Pool Clown]

I have come across a product that works well also, It's called filter blaster. It comes in a bottle with a sprayer. Just spray it on and let it set for a couple of min, and hose it off. And it actually works (was very skeptical of these things).

[txpoolguy]

Another method that works well is to let the cartridges dry completely before rinsing them. Once they are dry, you can lay the cartridges on their side and "tap" them on the ground or deck. When the debris on the filter dries, it also shrinks, so it's very loose and much of it will fall off with just the gentle tapping on the deck. Once you're not seeing any substantial debris fall off them anymore, rinse thoroughly with your garden hose pressure nozzle. Cartridge cleaning solutions are also a good idea at least a couple of times per season. Body oils, suntan oils, etc. collect on the cartridges and will not rinse off by water. Soaking in a cleaning solution will help cut these oils and allow them to rinse off. If you purchase a 2nd set of cartridges, it lets you clean the dirty cartridges at your leisure, and still get the pool running again right away.

DO NOT ACID WASH. This should be used only as a last resort because you'll likely be ruining the cartridges anyway with acid.