Cartridge Filter Services

Cartridge pool filters are the most common filter type in residential pools across Perth. They are simple in design but that does not mean they are simple to maintain properly. The pool filter cartridge sits inside the filter housing and uses pleated polyester material to trap particles as water passes through. Over time, the filter pleats accumulate body oils, sunscreen, calcium scale, fine sand from bore water and organic matter that a garden hose alone will not shift.

We start by turning off the pool pump, releasing air pressure through the relief valve and opening the filter housing. The cartridge is carefully removed and inspected for tears, collapsed pleats, cracking at the end caps or discolouration that indicates chemical damage. If the cartridge is still in good condition, we clean it using a regular garden hose with a nozzle attachment, working methodically through each pleat with a steady stream of water to remove debris without damaging the material. For cartridges with heavy build up, particularly from bore water areas like Ellenbrook and Wanneroo where calcium and mineral loads are elevated, we soak the cartridge in a cleaning solution. We use a filter cleaning solution in a large bucket rather than muriatic acid, which can degrade the polyester fibres and shorten filter life. Some pool shops recommend trisodium phosphate based cleaners, but we avoid those because they introduce phosphates back into the system, which feeds algae growth. It is a detail most people miss, but it matters.

Soaking takes a few hours, so we either leave the cartridge in the cleaning solution and return, or swap in a replacement while the dirty one soaks. Some guides online suggest using one gallon of muriatic acid diluted in water, but muriatic acid is toxic to handle without proper ventilation and degrades the filter material with repeated use. We use safer, more effective alternatives.

We also inspect the o ring seal on the filter housing lid. A worn or cracked o ring lets air into the system, which reduces suction and causes the pump to cavitate. We carry replacement o rings and cartridges on the vehicle for most major brands so we can swap them on the spot.

Sand Filter Services

Sand filters are a heavy duty, low maintenance option that suits larger pools and properties with high debris loads. They work by passing pool water through a bed of graded sand or glass media that traps particles as small as 20 to 40 microns. Over time, the sand bed compacts and channels form, which means water finds the path of least resistance and bypasses the filtration media entirely. When that happens, the filter gauge might still read in the normal range but the water clarity drops because the filter is no longer doing its job.

Adrian backwashes and rinses sand filters as part of every service. He also checks the multiport valve for leaks, inspects the internal laterals for cracks and assesses whether the sand or glass media needs replacing. In Perth, bore water from the Gnangara Mound accelerates media degradation. The calcium and iron in the supply coats the sand grains and reduces their ability to trap particles effectively. We have pulled sand media out of filters in Baldivis and Wanneroo that looked like solid rock after three years because the bore water had cemented everything together. If you are on bore, your sand filter needs attention more frequently than the owner’s manual suggests.

We also check the filter tank itself for cracks, especially around the neck and lid. Perth’s heat cycle expands and contracts the housing over the seasons, and older tanks can develop hairline fractures that weep under pressure. Catching that early avoids a flood in the equipment area.

Every filter service includes a full system check. We are not just cleaning the filter. We are looking at how the filter performs within the context of your whole pool setup. A clean filter means nothing if the pump is underperforming or the plumbing has a restriction.

Our full service inspection covers checking the pressure gauge before and after the clean, inspecting the filter cartridges or sand media condition, examining the filter tank for cracks and wear, making sure the air relief valve is functioning, clearing skimmer baskets and checking suction lines, inspecting structural components including the lid, clamp band and base, and evaluating pump suction and return flow. Craig Rosendorff described in his review how Adrian came around, assessed what needed doing and got straight to work while another company never even showed up. That is what a full service visit looks like. No waiting around, no guesswork.

Your filter does not care whether it is a swimming pool in Duncraig or a hot tub in Subiaco. When it is clogged, the whole system suffers. Do not spray it with a garden hose on the grass and hope for the best. Let someone who understands the internals, the pressure tolerances and the local water conditions handle it properly. Whether you need filter cleaning for cartridges or a full sand media replacement, 1 Pool Care covers it.

Adrian and Jo have been running this business from Burns Beach since 2003, servicing pools from Joondalup to Rockingham. We are SPASA accredited and we treat every filter service with the same attention whether it is a one off visit or part of an ongoing maintenance plan. Contact the team, fill in the form or come into our pool shop. We will make sure your pool stays clean and your equipment runs the way it should. That is not a sales pitch. It is just what we do.