When you have a swimming pool installed on your property, you may already know that the maintenance and care of that pool has now just begun! You need to ensure the pool is properly cleaned on a regular basis, and that the water in the pool is also clean and safe for swimming.

To make this job as easy as possible for you, note a few tips on how to choose the pool's filter and pump, and then talk to your pool installer or manufacturer about how to best care for your new pool, as needed.

Filter

Two popular types of filters for a pool are sand and a standard cartridge. Sand filters work like your coffeemaker; water is pushed through the sand, which then captures dirt, silt, twigs, leaves, seeds and other solid debris. To clean the sand, you need to backwash the water into a residue tank or other container that you clean or empty. Once sand gets too dirty to backwash, you replace it altogether. Sand is very affordable and easy to replace, making this a simple job for most pool owners.

A cartridge filter is just as the name implies; like a water filter you might have at home, a cartridge with a mesh material will trap debris from water that flows through it. The cartridge can be cleaned with a garden hose, but will eventually need replacing. Cartridges can be more expensive than other filters, but usually have a larger cleaning face than sand, so they may be better for larger pools. It may also be easier to clean cartridges, so they may have a longer lifespan than a sand filter.

Pump

A pump that is too large and powerful for your pool is actually not a good thing; this can mean running water through the filters too quickly for them to properly trap debris and sediment. When you do choose a pump, however, be sure you calculate any drag or resistance that is produced by a pool's vacuum, heater, skimmers and drains, and angled pipes that run water through the filter, as these will slow down that flow of water. If you have an in-ground pool with varying depths, you also need to consider the strength needed by the pump to push water upwards from a deeper end. Your pool installer or manufacturer can give you recommendations on the size and strength of pump needed to keep your pool's water clean.

For more information about swimming pool filters, contact companies like Leisure Coast Pool Centre.