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Your swimming pool filter removes fine particles from the water as it circulates through the pool system. As debris and other material accumulate inside the filter cartridges, pressure within the filter tank increases.
Knowing how to read the filter pressure gauge can help you determine when it’s time to clean the cartridges.
In this Sonco Pools & Spas training video, we demonstrate the complete cartridge filter cleaning process, including accessing the filters, properly cleaning them, inspecting the filter gasket, reassembling the tank, purging trapped air, and resetting the clean-pressure indicator.
Before cleaning the cartridges, it’s important to understand the pressure gauge on top of the filter.
The gauge demonstrated in the video has:
A green indicator
A red indicator
A black pressure indicator
The black indicator shows the current water pressure inside the filter tank.
In the video, the clean filter is operating at approximately 14 pounds of pressure. Because the cartridges are known to be clean, the green indicator is set at this pressure to establish the clean starting point.
As the cartridges become dirty, pressure rises.
When the black pressure indicator reaches the red indicator, the filter has built up enough additional pressure to indicate that it’s time to clean the cartridges.
The system demonstrated in the video is a quad cartridge filter, meaning there are four individual cartridges inside the filter tank.
Before opening the tank, the system must be shut down.
First, turn off the main pool pump. The video demonstrates shutting the system down through the pool-control app.
Once the pump has stopped, open the orange valve on top of the filter.
Wait while the water recedes and the air releases from the tank.
After this process has stopped, the filter can be opened.
A large band clamp holds the filter tank together.
Remove the nut-and-bolt assembly from the band clamp and separate the clamp from the filter.
Once the band has been removed, lift the top portion of the filter tank off and set it aside.
The individual cartridge filters can then be accessed and removed.
The cartridge shown in the video contains pleats made from a nylon material. These pleats filter very fine particles from the swimming pool water.
Cleaning involves addressing two different types of buildup.
The cartridges can be sprayed with a regular garden hose to remove physical debris trapped within the pleats.
Sonco specifically recommends not using a power washer on the cartridges.
High-pressure washing can damage the nylon filter material and potentially blow through it.
Rinsing removes physical debris, but proper cleaning also requires removing oils and other buildup from the filter material.
Sonco recommends placing the cartridges in a small trash can, bucket, or similar container and submerging them in filter cleaner.
Follow the directions provided with the filter-cleaning product to determine how long the cartridges should soak.
This process effectively performs two jobs: removing physical debris and degreasing the cartridge material.
After the filter has been completely reassembled, turn the main pool pump back on.
Leave the air valve on the filter tank open while the system starts.
As the pump gains prime, trapped air will escape through the open valve.
Once all the air has been purged from the tank, water will begin coming out of the valve. At that point, close the valve.
This indicates that the trapped air has been removed and the filter is once again operating with water.
Once the cartridges have been cleaned and the pool system is running normally again, reset the green indicator on the pressure gauge.
This establishes the new clean-pressure starting point.
As the cartridges collect material and pressure increases over time, the black indicator will eventually move toward the red indicator again—providing a visual indication that another cleaning is needed.
For questions about swimming pool cartridge filters, equipment maintenance, or pool service, contact Sonco Pools & Spas at 815-654-7665.
Watch the filter pressure gauge. Establish the green indicator at the pressure shown when the cartridges are clean. As the filters collect debris, pressure rises. When the pressure reaches the red indicator, it’s time to clean the cartridges.
Sonco recommends cleaning the cartridge filters approximately twice per swimming season as a best practice. However, the filter pressure gauge should also be used to determine when cleaning is necessary.
Yes. A regular garden hose can be used to spray physical debris from the cartridge pleats.
No. Sonco does not recommend power washing the cartridges because the high-pressure water can damage or blow through the nylon filter material.
Yes. The training video recommends soaking the cartridges in filter cleaner to remove oils and other buildup. Follow the filter cleaner manufacturer’s directions for the appropriate soaking time.
The cartridge filters demonstrated in the training video should typically last approximately two to three swimming seasons. Eventually, use and repeated cleaning cause the nylon material to break down and the cartridges should be replaced.
The round rubber gasket helps seal the filter tank. It should be cleaned and inspected for cracks, damage, or the need for O-ring lubricant before the filter is reassembled.
Debris on the surfaces where the band clamp contacts the filter can interfere with the seal and potentially cause the filter tank to leak. The video recommends wiping these areas clean before reassembly.
Leave the filter’s air valve open when restarting the pool pump. Air will escape as the pump gains prime and the tank fills. Once water begins coming from the valve, the air has been purged and the valve can be closed.
Resetting the green indicator establishes the clean-filter pressure point. As the cartridges become dirty, pressure increases toward the red indicator, providing a visual reference for when the filters need to be cleaned again.