It's time to clean our filters, we have a Pentair Clean & Clear filter system. In the past we've removed the Drain Plug, release the pressure. Then remove the filters to clean. Last time we had a leak bc we couldn't tighten the plug enough. I've read some don't remove the plug but pump the water out. What's best?
Drain plug in pentair clean & clear plus
- Thread starter tmetoyer
- Start date
- Feb 6, 2015
- 7,783
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
With pump off, open the air relief on the top of the filter. The filter will drain down most of the way.
Some of us have pulled the lower housing out and replaced the drain plug with a 1.5" x 3/4" reducer, a 3/4" street elbow, some pipe and a shut off valve. Not absolutely needed - others use a wet/dry shop vac to clean out the lower housing.
If you do pull the drain plug, be sure to clean the housing and plug threads really well - and lube the O-ring on the drain plug as well.
Some of us have pulled the lower housing out and replaced the drain plug with a 1.5" x 3/4" reducer, a 3/4" street elbow, some pipe and a shut off valve. Not absolutely needed - others use a wet/dry shop vac to clean out the lower housing.
If you do pull the drain plug, be sure to clean the housing and plug threads really well - and lube the O-ring on the drain plug as well.
colonelkirby
Silver Supporter
- Mar 20, 2017
- 166
- Pool Size
- 25500
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
I cleaned for the first time and removed the drain plug. Won't do that again. It leaked and had to fiddle with it to get it to stop. It's in an awkward spot to begin with. I'm going the shop-vac route next time.
My sta-rite which is a cousin uses a better plug IMO. Click link. Chanel locks grab the doohickie great, but i use a screwdriver like a T handle in the slot.
I often read people complaining about the Pentair plug. I don't buy that they're all idiots who can't righty tighty and lefty loosey. I think there is something to that plug. So I'd try the other plug.
I often read people complaining about the Pentair plug. I don't buy that they're all idiots who can't righty tighty and lefty loosey. I think there is something to that plug. So I'd try the other plug.
kul
Bronze Supporter
- Oct 1, 2021
- 1,434
- Pool Size
- 15000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
I used to remove it for filter cleaning, but I don’t anymore and have no plans to do that again unless there’s a need.
I learned about this from a pool pro I hired to clean my CCP420 filter back when I was very new to my pool. I watched to learn what he did.
He left dirty water in the bottom of the filter. I asked why, and he said the Pentair plugs were too likely to cause damage so they never removed them. That's when I fetched my shop vac and still do now that I do the work myself.
He left dirty water in the bottom of the filter. I asked why, and he said the Pentair plugs were too likely to cause damage so they never removed them. That's when I fetched my shop vac and still do now that I do the work myself.