Running your pool equipment with a dirty filter is like using a vacuum cleaner with a full bag. It's inefficient and costs you money! How frequently your filter needs to be torn down, inspected, and cleaned is dependent upon several factors (i.e. the size of your pool, size of your pool filter, the type of pool filter you have, bather and contaminant loads). Most manufacturers recommend a complete filter tear down and cleaning a minimum of two times per year.