Keeping your swimming pool clean and clear isn't just about adding chlorine or adjusting the pH. The sand in the filter also plays an equally important role. When the sand deteriorates, the water in your pool becomes cloudy, unappealing, and potentially a breeding ground for bacteria.

Today, Perfect Pool will take a look at 5 symptoms that indicate it's time to change the sand in the filter.

1. The water in the pool has become cloudy even though the pool has been maintained regularly.

If you notice that the water in your swimming pool has become cloudy or not as clear as before, even after cleaning and chlorinating it as usual, this may be because the sand in the filter is no longer able to trap dirt as well as before, which is an early sign of deterioration in the quality of the sand.

2. The pressure of the filter is higher than normal.

When the sand in the filter becomes clogged, causing the pressure within the system to increase, it may cause the water pump to work too hard. If the pressure gauge is found to be higher than the standard value, a technician should be called to check it to prevent long-term damage to the pool maintenance.

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3. Water returns to the pool faster than normal after cleaning the filter.

After backwashing, if water returns to the pool faster than normal, this indicates that the sand within the filter may have clumped or there are gaps that allow water to pass through without being fully filtered, which means that the sand has deteriorated.

4. Found dirt or debris in the water even after the filter system has been turned on for a long time.

When the sand in the filter begins to deteriorate, its ability to capture dirt decreases, allowing small particles or sediment to be re-entered into the pool, even with continuous filtration. This is another sign that should not be overlooked when maintaining your pool.

5. Use more chemicals or chlorine than usual.

If you need to add chlorine or chemicals more frequently to restore the water balance, it means that the filter system may not be working efficiently because the sand is not filtering out impurities as well, requiring more chemicals to maintain water quality.

Generally, the sand in your filter should be replaced every 2–3 years, depending on the size of your pool and the frequency of use. Keeping your filter sand clean and regularly checking the system pressure will help you maintain your pool efficiently, saving you time and money in the long run.