Equipment
Pool filter cleaning
for cartridge, DE, and sand filters.
Backwashing doesn't clean a filter, it just rinses one. Every cartridge needs an annual chemical soak, every DE filter needs a strip-and-recharge, every sand bed needs a deep clean or a replacement every four to six years. We do all three.
Flat rate
$75–$199
Cartridge $75–$125 · DE $125–$175 · Sand backwash + clean $99 · Sand replacement $250–$500.
What’s included
- Cartridge chemical soak, overnight in dedicated cleaner, no shortcut acid baths
- DE filter teardown, manifold inspection, grid wash, DE recharge to spec
- Sand filter deep backwash + chemical degrease, or full sand replacement
- Pressure-gauge calibration and replacement if drifted
- Multiport valve inspection (most filter "problems" are actually valve problems)
- Element age + condition report, we tell you when to replace, not just when to clean
How it works
01, Phone or text screen
Tell us your filter type and last cleaning date. We'll quote the right service flat-rate, no on-site upsell.
02, On-site or shop service
Most cartridge cleans we do in our shop overnight, we drop a loaner element so your pool keeps running. DE and sand work happens on-site, 60–120 minutes.
03, Pressure baseline reset
Clean filter → clean baseline. We mark the new clean-pressure reading on the gauge with a sticker so you (or we) know when to clean next.
What to know about Utah pools
- Northern Utah hard water + heavy spring pollen = cartridge filters that mat closed faster than national averages. We see a lot of pools whose 'pump pressure issue' is actually a filter that hasn't been deep cleaned since the day it was installed.
- DE recharge volume matters in Utah, too little and DE leaks back to the pool, too much and you bypass the filter through the manifold. We measure, don't eyeball.
- Sand replacement frequency in Utah is closer to 4 years than the national 5–7. Hard water glazes sand grains; once glazed, they don't filter, they just hold pressure.
- Honest: about 30% of the filter calls we take don't need a clean, they need a new pressure gauge or a valve rebuild. We tell you which.
Common questions
How often does a cartridge filter need a deep clean?
Once a year minimum. Twice for pools with heavy use, salt systems, or dust-storm exposure. Backwash/rinse weekly during the season doesn't replace the annual chemical soak.
Should I replace my DE grids or just recharge?
Recharge unless we see tears, hair-like cracks, or manifold seal failure. Grids typically last 8–12 years if maintained. We inspect every grid during service and flag replacement before they fail mid-summer.
How do I know if I need new sand?
Sand bed pressure climbs faster than it used to (clean reading creeps up year over year), backwashing produces less debris than expected, or water clarity holds at 'cloudy-blue' instead of crisp. We test on-site.
Can I just acid-wash a cartridge to clean it faster?
Acid breaks down spandex and bonded media, it'll clean fast and shorten cartridge life by 50%. We use a phosphate-free filter cleaner soaked overnight; it costs us more time, costs you 30% more cartridge life.
Will a filter clean fix my low pump pressure?
Sometimes. Other causes: clogged skimmer basket, air leak on the suction line, failing pump impeller. Our diagnostic visit ($129) sorts which one, credited toward repair.
Related services
Tell us what your pool needs.
Send us your ZIP and a few details. We’ll follow up with pricing and scheduling.