Have you ever seen a pool last without a filter? Well except for some pool owners whose pool filter pump broke suddenly. Your pool can last without a filter but not for long.
But what about the sand in your pool? How long does it last in a pool without a filter pump? In this article, we shall explore some of these questions and find out their solutions as well.
If you keep your pool running for some days, without a filter pump, then you might not accrue any problem. However, for a standard pool like yours, a filter pump is expected to be turned on for at least 12 to 24 hours so that algae growth doesn’t just spring up!
So no matter what, get your filter pump ready and fixed to start running again because you might not be ready to face the consequences of a pool without a filter.
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How Long Does Pool Sand Last?
Back to the original question. How long does pool sand last without a filter? You need to know that the sand in your pool is way different from beach sand.
The pool sand is tiny and has a fine coarse texture. Now if your pool becomes cloudy that means the sand in your pool has begun to wear out. And that is why pool sands are expected to be replaced at least every 3 to 5 years.
How To Tell If Your Pool Sand Needs Replacing
Filter pump or not, here is how to tell if your pool needs replacement. You don’t need to understudy every grain of sand in your pool to know if it needs changing or not.
There are visible signs that you will be able to see when your pool sand needs replacement because the truth is, the sand in your pool may not last too long without a filter pump. The pool sand is designed to work with the filter pump.
Here are some telltale signs to know if your pool sand needs replacement.
1. Cloudy pool
Your pool will always be cloudy no matter what. Even if the chemical level is balanced, the pool will still be cloudy. That means you will not be able to see directly the bottom of the pool.
Although there are other reasons why your pool can be less cloudy. It can be a result of calcium carbonate, which can cause your pool water to be murky in appearance.
Dust, molds, or even algae can cause the cloudiness of water. so the best thing to do is, pull out the pool test kit, and test the pool water for chemical stability. If the chemical level is stable, then you might need to check the sand filter of the pool because the sand might need to be replaced.
Read: How To Clear Cloudy Pool Water Without A Filter (6 Easy Methods)
2. Shorter Backwashing Sessions
Backwashing your pool is different from regular pool filtering. And since pool sands can get dirty, and greasy, it can affect the filter and somehow, hinder backwashing sessions.
It may not completely stop the backwashing session but it will reduce the backwashing time. So the next time you decide to backwash your pool, try to keep an eye on the time and how long the backwashing will take. If it’s shorter than it should be, then the sand needs replacement.
3. Through Channeling
When the water passes through the filter but does really get filtered at all, then it means there is a problem with the pool filter. There are also some cases whereby the water goes through the sand filter tank’s edge which in turn makes your pool water dirty in no time.
So if you have new pool sand, you can simply open the filter and smoothen the sand out of it, then backwash the filter. Afterward, replace the sand by using a sand filter cleaner.
Do Sand Filters Exist?
Yes, in fact, they are the oldest process of filtration when it comes to swimming pools. They usually have a spherical-like globe which in turn contains silica sand or filter sand.
Now the way this works is that, when water flows into this filter, it passes directly through the sand, and then the dirt, debris, and other particles, will be trapped in the sand.
And return, the clean filtered water, then, returns to the pool. so you can see how important the pool sand is. The sand filters help to remove small and tiny particles.
Now with this sand in your filter, it can last for about 10 years that is if the filter itself is well maintained.
Why is backwashing a sand filter system important?
Backwashing is very important to the entire pool when you look critically at it. Backwashing a sand filter system maintains the system automatically and gets it prepared to face the next challenge of filtration.
And the point is, your pool needs to be backwashed when particles, dirt, and debris from the pool water become more trapped in the sand, it will constantly restrict the flow of water. And when the water is restricted, the pressure gauge will begin to increase.
Then Backwashing is introduced. When backwashing is done, it automatically sends out the dirty pool water out of the pool through another port that you may not quickly see. That port is called, ‘waste’.
Are Cartridge Filters And Sand Filters Different?
They are almost different. Although both filter systems have an advantage which is to filter the pool water and make the pool clean, and crystal clear.
However, they have some distinct differences between them. When you take a look at the sand filter,s for instance, they filter down about 20 microns of particles or dirt but the cartridge filter filters down about 10 microns of particles.
That means the cartridge filter is able to get rid of the debris and dirt thus, leaving the pool cleaner. Also, maintaining the cartridge cleaner, seems, even more, easier than the sand filter.
Because, in the case of backwashing a sand filter, for instance, it would take you about 20-25 minutes and it would automatically lower the water level of your pool. This means you might need to fill up your pool again and therefore, rebalance the chemicals in the pool but backwashing the cartridge filter should roughly take 10 minutes.
But it is not like this when it comes to the cartridge filter. More maintenance is usually required for the sand filter. Especially during the winter period when pools are supposed to be closed and all filtration systems drained and brought indoors to avoid exposure to freezing temperature which might cause a crack on the filter tank.
So bringing your cartridge filter indoors for the winter is something you can do. This is because the cartridge filter is lightweight. Unlike the sand filter that even a teenager can’t lift on his own.
The sand filter still has lots of pool sand in it and therefore, moving it to another location, could be tasking because it would require more than one person to move it towards a safe spot.
How Important Is A Filter In A Pool?
Absolutely essential. If you own any modern pool, it is usually included in the modern pool system. The filters are quite important because they help to remove the debris, dirt, and tiny particles from the pool water. thereby, keeping your pool clean and swimmable.
That means every dead skin cell, and other things from swimmers like strands of hair will be filtered down! So you can consider your pool super safe because your filter is at work. However, you need to also know that three kinds of pool filters exist.
We have talked about two in this article- sand and cartridge filters, you also have the diatomaceous earth filter. Now each of these filters has its own conditions. But a common thing with the filter is that, when it gets to the end of its shelf life, particles, dirt and debris, and scales like mineral deposits, will begin to build up in the pool and this can have an adverse effect on your pool because it will affect the overall chemical balance of the pool.
How Important Is Pool Sand?
Pool sands are important. They are also a contributive factor to the perfect functioning of your pool. when you see a clean, clear, and swimmable pool, it is not entirely cleaned by the filter but the sand in the filter as well.
The sand in the filter traps the particles and debris in the pool, automatically filtering the water in the process while the clean water passes back into the pool!
Final Thoughts
The sand cannot last without the filter. Both have been designed to stay and work together. It is like separating the tongue from the teeth or the teeth from the mouth.
Both cannot work without the other. Just in case your filter isn’t working fine, then get it worked on so that it can start working well. If otherwise, find a solution to it.
The bottom line is, that your pool sand cannot last long in a pool without a filter.
