Month: June 2011

Probably the second most common type of filter in the Denton area is a sand filter.  Sand filters are the oldest types of filter—they were used in ancient times.  They are typically very reliable and are easy to operate.  The concept of a sand filter is fairly simple—sand filters are approximately 2/3 full of sand and any dirt and debris that is larger than the sand is filtered before it reaches the bottom of the filter, where there is a plumbing assembly (consisting of a hub and typically 8 laterals) which collects the water and then it returns to the pool. The type of sand that is typically used is #20 silica sand—but check with your specific filter manufacturer to confirm.  This sand can filter…

One of the most common types of filters in the Denton area is a diatomaceous earth (DE) filter.   DE filters can filter down to less than 5 microns, which is very small. For example, a grain of salt is approximately 100 microns and the human eye can see down to approximately 40 microns. Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a fine, white powder that is all-natural and is made from fossilized material. Inside a DE filter is a series of grids which are covered in nylon.  The purpose of these grids is to hold the DE in place.  The DE actually coats the grids and acts a filter to trap dirt and debris that is in your pool water.  As this dirt and debris are trapped by…

In order for pools to remain clean and clear, they must be both biologically clean and physically clean. Biologically clean water is water that is free from harmful bacteria.  Biologically clean water is achieved by maintaining proper water chemistry. Physically clean water is water that is free of particulate matter (particles and contaminants in the water that make it cloudy).  Physically clean water is achieved by good filtration. Both biologically clean water and physically clean water is very important, but sometimes the importance of physically clean water and how to achieve it is overlooked.  When particles and contaminants get into our pool water, it is important to remove them as quickly as possible.  This is done by the filter. Therefore, the filter is one of…