DE Pool Filters - Common Problems and Solutions

Please use this page as a resource to help you solve problems you may be having with your DE pool filter. If you've exhausted the ideas for self service on this page, and you'd like some help with repair of your pool filter, please give Pelican Bay Pools a call or use the form on the right. We've seen and fixed almost any DE filter problems imaginable. We're here to help!

DE Pool Filters

A Diatomaceous Earth, or DE filter provides the best filtration of all three filter systems; filtering down to ~3 microns. However, it also requires the most maintenance for proper operation. It is imperative to backwash at regular intervals, otherwise you may wind up with a build up in pressure resulting in a damaged filter. Let's look at some potential DE filter problems...

Symptom: DE Filter Powder Returning To Pool

There are a few different ways for this to occur...all of them due to an issue with some part of the DE filter system. You should check for one of these issues:

• Backwash Valve Problems
• Broken Manifold
• Torn Filter Grids
• Broken or Missing Air Relief Strainer
• Filter Necks Broken
• Crushed Grids due to high pressure inside the filter

Maintenance: Keeping Your DE Filter Clean

To avoid many of the issues noted, proper backwashing and scheduled DE cleaning is important. Backwash every 4 weeks or when you see the pressure increase 5-8 psi above normal. A DE filter clean, where you disassemble the filter and replace the DE, should be performed twice a year for best results.

Here are the typical steps to perform a backwash of your DE filter. Please keep in mind that your filter setup may differ from these general instructions, so be sure that you are aware of the proper operation of your DE filtration system.

• Clean the skimmer basket. Then turn off the pump, and empty the pump basket.
• If your backwash line has a cutoff valve, be sure it's in the proper position.
• Set the backwash valve to backwash and turn on the pump. Let the pump run until the water is clear.
• Turn the pump off, set the backwash valve to filter or rinse (depending on your setup,) and run it for 10 seconds or so.
• Repeat the last two steps three times for a full backwashing of the DE filter.
• Switch off the pump, and return the backwash valve to filter. Now switch the pump back on.
• Your backwashing is done, so now you need to readd the DE. You add DE to the pool by feeding it through the skimmer, and the amount you add will depend on your filter area (see your user's manual or the label on the filter housing.) Typically it's one pound of DE per 12 square feet of filter area. However, if you've just performed a filter clean where you disassemble the filter, you will probably need to use one pound per 10 square feet of filter area.

Please give Pelican Bay Pools a call if you have any questions or if we can take care of your DE filter for you. We're here to help!