If you have a chlorine or saltwater swimming pool, there is a strong chance you’ll have a sand pool filter (its that big round/ egg shaped unit near your pump).
A sand filter (not surprisingly) is filled full of sand and is the most popular swimming pool water filtration option for pool owners.
What many pool owners do not realize is that you do have to replace the sand in the filter.
How often should you change the sand in your filter?
It is recommended to change the sand in your pool filter ever three to five years. The more you run your filter the sooner you should replace the sand.
Why do you need to change the sand in your filter?
Over time, as the water passes through your filter, the sand itself smooths out and loses its jagged edges. Once the jagged edges of grains of sand are gone, its ability to trap dirt and debris decreases, which then allows more contaminants back into your pool.
Can I use any sand in my filter?
We strongly recommend that you should use pool filter grade sand which has been specially formulated for pool filters.
(No don’t go any buy a bag of sand for children sand boxes)
Pool sand is usually #20 silica sand, has a stronger/ tougher base and is from ground quartz.
One great thing about changing the sand in your filter is that it isn’t expensive.
What is the benefit of changing the sand in your filter?
It keeps your pool cleaner and your filtration more effective. This can reduce the amount of chemicals your pool requires and decrease the amount of upkeep and time spend “working” on your pool as opposed to “enjoying” your pool.
Are there signs your sand needs to be changed?
Other than inspecting the sand under a microscope and comparing it to new pool sand to determine how jagged the edges are (we’re kidding ;-), one sign is if you are running into cloudy water repeatedly. (But there can be many reasons/ causes for a cloudy pool).
Your best bet is to replace the sand every three to five years as mentioned earlier.
Final advice and tips…
Make sure you use the recommended amount of sand for your particular filter. If you use too much, or too little it can impact filter efficiency as well as your swimming pool water clarity. There are also sand filter liquids that you can periodically add to clean the actual sand itself in your filter. This not only helps keep your pool cleaner, but extends the life of the sand in your filter.
