How to Clean your Pool filters

Step by step instruction on how to clean your pools cartridge filters. Hadley and I show you how to shut down the system, take apart the canister, clean the filters (in time lapse video) , and then put it all back together. Stop paying people to do things you can do yourself! These filters need to be cleaned at least twice a year...or on a new pool every 3 months or so to keep your pumps running smooth so they can last a long time. It’s not that hard!
/ scottybfixit
scottybfixi...
/ scottybfixit
www.scottybfixit.com

[@diannesmith7159]

Thank you. 70 yo old lady doing this job and I did it thanks to you!!!

[@hauuibal]

Scotty, take the lid off your pump basket and open the air valve on top of your filter. The water will drain back to the pool and the filter head will come off with ease. When you're ready to start again, just prime the pump with water before turning on. Simple, and clean. ALSO, add teflon paste to your o-ring before putting cap back on, helps keep the seal and keeps o-ring from drying out. Cheers!

[@jorockish]

I thought he was gunna blow up 🙄😬😬😅😂🤣🤣 glad he didn’t lol

[@emmense]

why did he fill it back with water?

[@billbeard9588]

Scotty, I don’t know what we did before KZbin. This is an extremely useful video. And you saved me at least 90 minutes with the suggestion to smack the clamp with a rubber mallet as you’re tightening. My gasket was leaking when I first turned the system back on. I was afraid to tighten the clamp any further. After smacking that thing with the rubber mallet a few times, the bolt had loosened, and a little further tightening made that sucker stop leaking! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Now I can have another whiskey on the rocks while hammering out this comment. You rock!

[@jacoboluis6957]

Thanks Scott, that’s why I love you tube for people like you sharing their knowledge and helping us to save money 🙏🏼

[@delaniahill7927]

Scotty,You helped me clean and fix my filters. My kids are so happy that the pool is clean so they can swim again.

[@kirkdk8]

Worked great. Your video + comments. Had new equipment installed last year. Cleaned for the first time. Saved me $180 from the pool company. Thanks.

[@russellroden568]

Many thanks for your video! I had watched my pool guy do it once and decided I should be able to do it. Despite not being a handyman...in fact usually end up bleeding...I was able to follow your clear instructions and successfully clean my filters. My pool is up and running fine. Thanks again!!

[@stanmcginnis9145]

Very nice video, helped me out for my first cleaning for the filters. Yeah, you may want to make another one and open the plug at the bottom before trying to take the top off and open the air bleed so the water will drain off, but it still worked just got a little wet.

[@user-xw8lu3ri6f]

Thank you so very much for making this video. I did this with the help of a family friend and the encouragement of the wife. It worked out GREAT!

[@snappycasualliving5341]

This video was so helpful! With your step by step directions I was able to knock the job out all by myself in a short amount of time 💪 thank you!

[@swidyditcha6612]

Dude…great video, extremely helpful. I had a lot of anxiety about doing this for the first time and this video was a perfect cure.

[@allsquiet]

Only saw the gloves once. Thanks for the vid. Exactly what I needed.

[@stewartkatz2936]

fantastic instruction and the opposite of handy Thank you so much

[@josephs604]

Scotty, I enjoyed your video. I'm a new pool owner and am going to clean my cartridges for the first time today.

[@angelataylor6460]

Dude, thanks! My husband and I just paid $200 to have this done! Never again! I can handle this myself! (Or watch him do it 😎)

[@AnthonyDavis-um5bz]

First, open the air relief, the water will drain down. Then pull the drain plug from the base of the filter. Use a 3/4" socket on the nut side, you dont have to hold the bolt with the pliers. The lid raises easily so you dont get covered in fiberglass from the filter. Rinse the tank and oring of the filter, and put it all back together. Nice music.

[@hundio88]

Much appreciated man! I was able to clean ours. I had an issue on priming the filter after but I found out a bad pvc pipe was the problem. Its all good now!

[@leowrestler]

Thanks Scotty, your video really helps, going to clean pool filter for the first time and was totally lost on where and how to start. Take care brother

[@californiagreen1316]

Thanks bro...Your vid helped out alot G!!!!Great detail!!Also great tips with the mallet.

[@giampiero2002]

I had a leak after cleaning my filters. After I followed your directions no more leak. Thank you

[@roymurrayanderson7573]

Just got my pool up and running. Excellent video.

[@mcanallya]

How does this man have fewer than 500 subscribers. This was so helpful, keep making videos!

[@jonathanmontz7003]

I go back to this video every time. Your the man bro

[@justinc3400]

Scotty - great video - helped me a ton and took your advice to heart: Beach chair, umbrella, tunes, ice cold YETI, in the driveway - mind RIGHT. On the money. Some good tips in the comments - like lube the ring and open the pump filter and air release first to drain to pool before opening. Great stuff and entertaining too!! Thank you!

[@TrypleD]

Wow this was easy to follow you step by step Scotty. I am going to try to change my filters now my-self and save some $$$.

[@cesarsandoval5023]

Man very much informative video. Thank you for taking the time to keep us out here first timers sharp. Happy New Yr. Stay safe from the RedMex Sandoval family out here in Houston Tx. 💯🙏🏼

[@burnhagw]

Thanks for the video, it helped a lot. I tried three times to put the top on but kept leaking, but hammering every ten socket cranks was the trick.

[@anthonyg.1926]

Scotty thanks for the video, very helpful and entertaining. I learned something new and saved money. Thanks again appreciate the info.

[@user-pk1yd9ve5p]

Super helpful and blue collar. Love the radio tip!

[@Ho_ten]

Scott, you're Lifesaver on this Video. Wife and I never owned a pool home until last year. Previous homeowner said once a year. Wow...he was so wrong, even though the pool was only two years old when we purchased the house. So, I thought I should research DIY...Dude that wasn't bad at all. Great instructions and all. Oh, and the filter were rock solid full of S**T. Yes, I marked my calendar to repeat this every quarter. Thank Scott!

[@JJAH28]

Excellent video on how to clean my pool filter...which is exactly the same as yours. Followed all the steps (even with the Chris Stapleton music suggestion.... :o) ). Much appreciated and God bless!

[@jamesware7747]

Thanks for the video, it was a huge help. Just did mine for the first time.

[@jayfern4147]

Great video! It helped me out with cleaning the filter and saved me some money.

[@rawablue]

Very informative, detailed and helpful. Thanks a lot 😊👍🏻

[@magicdoty]

Very Helpful. Thank you. That is my project this weekend

[@martyferrell3643]

Great video brother. I appreciate you posting this.

[@todburres6460]

Very helpful - takes the fear out of the first time! Appreciate the detail you went through to show the entire process - keep up the good work!

[@phenomenalfx2965]

Isn't it crazy how we're all so afraid? That includes me my first time.

[@radith]

Bro....Thanks for the knowledge... I am now a subscriber.🤘

[@mickeypow9503]

Thanks bro! Great tutorial and now I am ready to tackle this job

[@bryanbatts]

Awesome pool setup!!! Have all the exact equipment 😎😎

[@lespierce1565]

Thank you guys. Great job 👏🏽 My daughter said: See I can do it too! 😀

[@toddp.5185]

Thanks for the tips. And Gator Grips needs to make you a paid sponsor, I’m gonna go buy one right now! 😆

[@scottybfixit9868]

They do indeed.

[@jamieabraham4890]

Thank you for your video. It really helped me. Really appreciate it

[@robertpaz9957]

Open the pump filter cover before you remove the filter top. That will drain water from the filter and much easier to remove. If hard to remove, couple taps with a rubber mallet helps. I have never had to wrestle with my filter top like that. Re: the drain plug in the back. Those are really difficult to work with as they are in the back and very tight working conditions. Advice: leave it alone, use a small bucket to remove the water. There is very little dirt remaining and it won't matter. That white plastic tube (11 min 31 sec) is suppose to have a small metal filter round screen, it has nothing to do with releasing the air. You should lube the o rings with silicone. Makes them last longer. The big o ring costs 40 bucks. Tap the metal ring strap with the mallet first before tightening, not later, is also good to do. Get an Aqua comb instead of a nozzle, much faster and cleaner. Spray with degreaser first cleans the filters 1st. 10.00 Lowes. I loved your Arnold, very funny!.

[@victoriasseacretoki]

When you open the pump filter there’s a valve that locks into place (with the drain and skimmer options) do you need to turn that to the off position or does that matter?

[@robertpaz9615]

@@victoriasseacretoki As long as the water drains when you remove the filter lid and have opened the valve connected to the pressure gauge (located at the top of filter) I don't think you need to turn any other valves. My pool doesn't have that feature though, so I am not entirely 100% sure.

[@ABCGUITAR]

Thanks! Made it easy! Stapleton is great too!

[@sarahmattoso1522]

Thank you so much for making this video!

[@kylehuff6756]

Scotty B!! Best video I found thanks brotha

[@poeschek27]

Very helpful - thank you for posting!

[@rg7968]

Thanks that was so helpful! Have a great day:)

[@DW-tq5ie]

I found an easy way to reinstall DE filter pads that needs to be shared. I don’t do videos so perhaps you can add this to one of yours. I was one of those who struggled with getting my Hayward filter pads realigned after taking them off the manifold. There was always one or two that would leak DE back into the pool on completion. I thought one or more may have torn but it turned out the filter pads weren’t seated properly to the manifold. I found it by running the pump in the backwash mode (cover off) and seeing water leaking from several of the connections. After disassembling I turned the manifold upside down, started with the short pad and worked clockwise outside to inside making sure all pads were well seated into the manifold and there correct spacers. The hardest part was getting the long bolt back into the manifold hole and it wasn’t that bad. All in all this was a much easier task than working from the normal position and no leaks or DE back into my pool. As a side note, I almost purchased a new filter set at $100 plus.

[@tonyh6438]

I got it now great instructions👍🏾

[@tcolton555]

Thanks Scotty. Great Video!

[@jcgoogle1808]

Did a search, because I needed to clean my filters and your video was perfect. Thanks.

[@moose-sb3ce]

Thank you Scottie B!!!! You are a great teacher and very entertaining too. Been paying someone to do and now I know I can do it on my own and use that $ for more Sangria!!

[@billbeard9588]

Sangria? I haven’t heard of anyone drinking that stuff since 1992. Message me and we can zoom next time with old-fashioneds while we clean our cartridge filters!

[@chuckkobes8072]

Thank you! Very helpful video!

[@vickieworthington8263]

Great video. And great music!

[@EHmoderate]

Great vdo, made it very easy, very helpful

[@ralphrousseau6986]

Thank you for the video it very helpful.

[@etherealentity7675]

Ty Scott

[@ZosoPlayer]

Thanks for your help! 🤙🏻

[@sabrinacbauer9041]

So helpful. Huge thank you. I used the video for my first time 5 months ago, getting ready for my second. Reviewed it. What size robo-grip? 7” or 10”? Thanks! I’m making my Amazon shopping list.

[@arelyvasquez957]

Thanks this video help me a lot, I'm a woman that accept to give maintenance at the pool my husband is a busy man so I have to learn how to clean all stuff in the pool when I see all that equipment I think oh my God what I can do or how do it

[@Jay-yf2yx]

Thank you for posting this.

[@corbincasteel716]

Thanks for posting this, helped me knock mine out.

[@e2thec]

nice vid, thanks for posting!

[@SejalPatelDrSej]

amazing video much thanks

[@mariobueno1204]

Great video helped me out. Am a pro now. Only at home...

[@starcuri]

Great video! You got to the point the right way. We’ve been having our Hayward system since 2007 and I learned so much from your video. Didn’t know about the plug in the back bottom for our thing. The lousy pool company was and still is terrible with customer support. Just wondering since we have an older system, the aluminum clamp on the filter housing has gotten corroded. Looks like it was poorly powder painted since it’s chipping badly. Would cleaning it up and painting it with some high end paint work rather than powder painting?

[@jkadkin]

SuperArnold absolutely KILLED me 🤣

[@MoultonHawk]

Awesome brotha. Thx!

[@1mrcorona]

Nice man good information!

[@raywilliams6098]

I'm in Tucson just cleaned mine fir 2nd time this year, the mud in my driveway was 3/4" thick.. wth.. do I have a leK underground? The pool is a year and half old

[@michaelekrot1732]

My Paramount Clear O3 worked perfect for 2+ years. Now the red ball wants to stay at the top, even after I adjust it all the way down. It will drop down eventually, but then goes right back up when I just barely adjust it back up a little bit. Any ideas of what would cause that? How to fix? I just cleaned my filters this weekend and they were dirty after the Winter. Thanks to your great advice. Much better pressures. Still didn't help the O3. Not much on KZbin. Thank you - Michael E Austin, TX.

[@mazinkhateeb1]

Excelent video thank you

[@myriahfernandez5206]

Question cant you drain that tank from the bottom valve so water dont dump all over you? Just curious

[@Kyle-jg4up]

Awesome video! You should clean the filter on the grass so you can water the grass at the same time.

[@Kyle-jg4up]

btw I love the way your pool looks. How big is your filter (325 or 425 sq ft)?

[@MoultonHawk]

Scotty what do you do for a living? Watched this so many times first year I was cleaning everything about the pool. You’re the coolest bro. Military background? Sports?

[@scottybfixit9868]

Just a regular old State Farm agent. Grew up in the country with a military dad. 🤙🏻

[@cmunoz6350]

Great video. My pool is above the machinery so I released most of the water from the plug port before pulling the top off. Before opening the plug , I have to turn valves to prevent backflow from the pool. I forgot the silicon lube so I'll have to put it on the next time I open it up. Great advice on cleaning the filter in the driveway, a bunch of gunk coming out and lots of water used, avoided having a mud hole in my yard.

[@zacharygrindell22]

This dude is hilarious

[@coolman6291]

Yea fs man, the gator socket doesn’t work as good as he says tho and thats from experience

[@hraynaud]

Great Arnold impersonation! LOL!

[@wlgt3257]

This was a major help on my in-laws filter cleaning endeavor I did this weekend, like @robert paz said using some mild bio friendly de-greaser helped cut through all the human oil funk and sun screen that gets caught in the filter, washed all out super easy. Appreciate the video and the helpful comments.

[@tyleraugat]

Great video i rewatch every 3 or 4 months., but why do we have to wear gloves if you dont?

[@rudyroldan7049]

I think you should do the tutorial in Arnold mode from beginning to end.

[@danielchambers1958]

Thank you Sir . . . I am four weeks in as a pool owner. Appreciate the tips . . . I have a pool video on my channel.

[@savytigress]

uhoh - you forgot to show the part where you let the air out of the top of the filter. thankYou soooooMuch for this awesome vid - very helpfull

[@SAIDM718]

I cant drain the shell. The outside lever that opens the drain won’t budge.

[@johnt890]

Good tutorial

[@Baker504]

Good video man . Made it easy for my first time cleaning the filters.👍🏻

[@psalmuelgabutin262]

thanks. alot my problem is that my filter wont take off . but tns to this video.

[@rimcroy]

Great video. Quick question...What size filter is that? I am looking at upgrading my 75sq ft to a 325 or 425 sq ft.

[@scottybfixit9868]

I’d have to check. Not sure

[@ivanvasconez3940]

Where can we get the gator wrench?

[@amh2921]

Great Video...thanks so much! One question, I have a Hayward C4025 and we just moved in to this older house and the pressure gauge (green arrow) is at 20 PSI when I clean the filter and (Red Arrow) sets at 30. I don't know how old the filters are but as far as pressure, Is that pressure reading similar to yours ? My neighbor has a different Hayward filter and his operates around 12 PSI !

[@scottybfixit9868]

Might be a bad gauge. They are cheap to replace. It try that first

[@cindycoffman3923]

Great video. Do you add DE to skimmer? Mine is new & I have no clue!🤷🏼‍♀️

[@scottybfixit9868]

Thanks. And I don’t add anything to the skimmers

[@stacysteffen]

This was very helpful for our first time cleaning our filter. How PSI is reading at the same level as before we cleaned it out. Any thoughts on why that is? It was pretty dirty and now is much cleaner.

[@scottybfixit9868]

My gauge recently went out and they aren’t that much to replace. May be the gauge is bad?

[@hauuibal]

Depends how old your filter is, they get to a point where they won't pass water as well as it did new, no matter how much you clean it.

[@GregoryFamily123]

Hilarious! Thanks brother… inspired :))) Pool company charges 175. Caint doit

[@mcfrenchfry2196]

Fantastic 🤙

[@mario3804]

Hello Scotty great video, I recently had my pool built how long do the filters last if you clean them every three months?

[@scottybfixit9868]

Every 6. I keep an extra set and swap them

[@GavinPersaud]

Scottie B. I have a very similar system and my pump is kinda running loud. Could that be because of the filter needing a cleaning?

[@scottybfixit9868]

For sure homie. I like to keep two sets of filters so I can just swap em out and clean them later. Make sure the pump isn’t clogged as well. I usually run mine on 80% during day and 50% at night. Much quieter if you have a variable pump

[@ronaldyos9187]

Question :do you need to put magic lube lubricant around the caps and where the sealant is?

[@scottybfixit9868]

Always helps

[@TM-qc5oz]

I am unable to open the drain plug in my catridge filter, as it is in a tight spot. Tried inserting a screwdriver in the center gap but it didnt budge. I was afraid I would break one side of the plastic grip. Is there any other way I can drain that remaining water in the filter ? Please suggest.

[@robertpaz9615]

I have the same problem, it is located next to my home's wall and very awkward to open and close. I abandoned that plan and just use a bucket and sometimes a shop vac to remove the water. Simpler and just takes a few minutes.