--- title: "Pollen and Leaves: Keep Your Pool Filter From Clogging" description: "Cedar pollen peaks in North Texas around mid-January and leaves clog baskets all fall. Watch filter pressure, clean on schedule and know when to call." url: https://marinapool.multisites.ai/post/pool-pollen-leaves-filter-clogging publisher: Marina Pool Services phone: +1-817-896-1120 quote: https://marinapool.multisites.ai/contact --- # Pollen and Leaves: Keep Your Pool Filter From Clogging Watch your filter's pressure gauge. Leslie's says to clean a cartridge or backwash a sand filter when pressure rises 8 to 10 PSI above your clean baseline. Texas A&M AgriLife says cedar pollen starts in mid-December, peaks mid-January and tapers off by early March. Empty baskets often. Water carePublished October 21, 20264 min read ## When does pollen hit North Texas pools? Cedar pollen comes in winter. Texas A&M AgriLife Today says Ashe juniper, often called mountain cedar, typically begins releasing pollen in mid-December, peaks in mid-January and tapers off toward early March. Cold fronts often trigger the release. Wind carries it for miles. AgriLife’s article is about cedar fever in people, not pools. It does not say how much pollen lands in a pool. It does say juniper is one of the few plants that pollinates in winter. That means a pool owner who closes down for the season may still find fine debris in the water. See [pollen season](https://marinapool.multisites.ai/glossary/pollen-season) in the glossary. I did not find a source for oak, ash or elm pollen dates, so I will not give any. Trees drop leaves, seeds and blooms in different seasons, and every yard is different. Our [pool calendar](https://marinapool.multisites.ai/guides/north-texas-pool-calendar) lays out the year. ## How do pollen and leaves clog a filter? Fine pollen and leaf bits flow through the skimmer and pump. The basket catches big pieces. The filter catches the fine material. As the filter fills, flow drops and pressure rises. Less flow means less filtering and weaker chemical mixing. Leaves and live oak debris also clog baskets quickly. Leslie’s lists clogged pump and skimmer baskets as a cause of low pressure. It advises owners to regularly clean strainer baskets and to remove leaves before they clog the system, which it says is especially important in fall. ## How do I know the filter needs cleaning? Use the gauge, not the calendar. Leslie’s gives these triggers: Filter type When to clean (Leslie’s) Cartridge When pressure rises 8 to 10 PSI above the baseline Sand Backwash when the gauge reads 8 to 10 PSI above starting pressure D.E. Monthly or when water appears cloudy The baseline is your reading when the filter is clean. Leslie’s says to note the pressure right after you install a new filter. It also says to check the gauge with the pump off. It should read zero. If it does not, the gauge may be faulty. Leslie’s adds that some manufacturers recommend different pressure ranges, so follow your manual. See [pressure gauge](https://marinapool.multisites.ai/glossary/pressure-gauge) in the glossary. ## How do I clean a cartridge filter? Leslie’s lists these steps: 1. Turn off the pump and release the air relief valve before you remove the cartridge. 2. Inspect the cartridge for damage. 3. Rinse it with a garden hose and spray nozzle, held at an angle so you do not damage the material. A cartridge cleaning nozzle also works. 4. For stubborn debris, soak the cartridge overnight in a cleaning solution. A [cartridge filter](https://marinapool.multisites.ai/glossary/cartridge-filter) is rinsed by hand. It is not backwashed. A cracked or worn cartridge should be replaced. Chemical cleaners carry safety labels, so follow the directions on the product. A technician can also clean a cartridge or DE filter for you. See the [pool filter repair page](https://marinapool.multisites.ai/our-services/pool-filter-repair). ## What about sand and DE filters? A sand filter is cleaned by [backwashing](https://marinapool.multisites.ai/glossary/backwash). That reverses the flow and sends dirty water to waste. A multiport valve controls it. Check your city’s rules on where backwash water goes. A DE filter uses powder that must be replaced after cleaning. The steps vary by model, so follow the manual. If pressure stays high after a clean, the media may be worn, the grids may be damaged or the problem may be somewhere else. See our post on [high filter pressure](https://marinapool.multisites.ai/post/pool-filter-pressure-too-high) and the [pool filter buyer’s guide](https://marinapool.multisites.ai/guides/pool-filter-buyers-guide). ## What should I do each week in pollen and leaf season? 1. Empty the pump basket and skimmer basket. Check them more often after wind or rain. 2. Skim the surface before debris sinks. 3. Brush walls and steps so pollen does not settle. 4. Read the filter gauge and write down the number. 5. Test chlorine. Organic debris uses it up. 6. Clean the filter when the gauge hits the trigger. Marina Pool Services’ weekly service covers emptying baskets weekly, backwashing filters as needed, vacuuming if needed to remove leaves or debris, and brushing walls and steps as needed. See the weekly service page. ## When is it more than a clogged filter? Sign Possible cause Pressure high right after cleaning Worn media or cartridge, valve problem Pressure low and flow weak Clogged basket or impeller, air leak Cloudy water with a clean filter Chemistry, or a filter that is too small or worn Green water Algae; see the green pool guide These are possible areas, not diagnoses. If you are stuck, call a pro. Marina lists pool filter inspection and service, and filter replacement and installation, on its filter page. Its algae page mentions that algae can get into the filter too. See the algae treatment page. ## What should I write in a filter log? A short log turns the gauge into a trend. 1. Record the clean pressure after each cleaning. 2. Record the pressure each week. 3. Note the date of each cleaning and what you did. 4. Note the weather, such as a cold front or a windy week. 5. Watch for cleanings that come closer together. That can point to heavy debris, worn media or a filter that is too small. Share the log with your technician. It makes a diagnosis faster. ## Next step If your filter pressure keeps climbing, see the [pool filter repair page](https://marinapool.multisites.ai/our-services/pool-filter-repair), then call Marina Pool Services at (817) 896-1120 or use the quote form at [/contact](https://marinapool.multisites.ai/contact). ## Frequently asked questions ### When is cedar pollen season in North Texas? Texas A&M AgriLife says Ashe juniper pollen typically begins in mid-December, peaks in mid-January and tapers off toward early March. Release is often triggered by colder weather or a cold front. Timing shifts from year to year. ### How do I know when to clean my pool filter? Read the pressure gauge. Leslie's says to clean a cartridge filter or backwash a sand filter when the gauge reads 8 to 10 PSI above your clean starting pressure. It says D.E. filters should be cleaned monthly or when the water looks cloudy. Follow your manual. ### Does pollen cause cloudy pool water? It can add to the load on your filter and use up chlorine, so water can look dull or cloudy. A clean filter, steady chlorine and regular brushing help. If the water turns green or cloudy for several days, call a pro. ### How often should I empty the skimmer and pump baskets? Marina's weekly service empties baskets weekly. Leslie's tells owners to regularly clean strainer baskets, because clogged pump or skimmer baskets lower pressure and flow. In heavy leaf season, check them more often. ## Pool terms on this page - [Air relief valve](https://marinapool.multisites.ai/glossary/air-relief-valve) - [Cartridge filter](https://marinapool.multisites.ai/glossary/cartridge-filter) - [Live oak debris](https://marinapool.multisites.ai/glossary/live-oak-debris) - [Multiport valve](https://marinapool.multisites.ai/glossary/multiport-valve) - [Pressure gauge](https://marinapool.multisites.ai/glossary/pressure-gauge) - [Skimmer basket](https://marinapool.multisites.ai/glossary/skimmer-basket) - [Pollen season](https://marinapool.multisites.ai/glossary/pollen-season) - [Cloudy water](https://marinapool.multisites.ai/glossary/cloudy-water) - [Pool filter](https://marinapool.multisites.ai/glossary/pool-filter) - [Pump basket](https://marinapool.multisites.ai/glossary/pump-basket) ## Sources 1. [Texas A&M AgriLife Today: Cedar fever season begins in Texas (Dec. 11, 2024)](https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/2024/12/11/cedar-fever-season-begins-in-texas-2) 2. [Leslie's: The Ultimate Pool Filter Maintenance Guide](https://lesliespool.com/blog/the-ultimate-pool-filter-maintenance-guide.html) Written by Marina Pool Services and checked against the sources above on October 21, 2026. City rules and product guidance change, so check the linked page before you act. Follow product labels for any pool chemical. ## Keep reading - [Pool Filter Buyer's Guide: Cartridge, Sand and DESand filters are the simplest to run, cartridge filters trap finer debris and use less water, and DE filters give the clearest water but need the most work. Manufacturer figures put sand at about 20 microns, cartridge at about 10 and DE at 2 to 3. Pick based on upkeep you will actually do.](https://marinapool.multisites.ai/guides/pool-filter-buyers-guide) - [Pool Filter Pressure Too High: What It MeansHigh filter pressure means water is meeting more resistance than normal. Compare the gauge to your own clean baseline. When it rises 8 to 10 psi above that number, clean or backwash the filter. If pressure stays high after cleaning, check closed valves, worn media and damaged parts.](https://marinapool.multisites.ai/post/pool-filter-pressure-too-high) - [The North Texas Pool Calendar, Month by MonthNorth Texas pools need work all year. DFW's average last freeze is March 12 and first freeze is November 22. Highs reach about 96 degrees in July and August. Start up in spring, test often in summer, clear leaves in fall, and set freeze protection before late November.](https://marinapool.multisites.ai/guides/north-texas-pool-calendar) - [Pool Equipment Lifespan and Replacement ScheduleDealers and builders put pumps at about 8 to 12 years, heaters at 7 to 10, salt cells at 3 to 7 and sand at 5 to 7. Manufacturers publish warranties, not lifespans. Real life depends on run time, water balance, heat and freezes, so use these as ranges and watch for warning signs.](https://marinapool.multisites.ai/guides/pool-equipment-lifespan) - [North Texas Pool Care: Heat, Storms, Pollen, and Hard WaterNorth Texas pools face triple-digit heat, spring pollen, sudden storms, and mineral-rich water. Heat and sunlight use up chlorine, storms add debris and nutrients, and evaporation leaves minerals behind. Weekly testing, a clean filter, and steady pump run time keep most pools clear. Marina Pool Services offers weekly service in Grapevine.](https://marinapool.multisites.ai/guides/north-texas-pool-care) - [Pool Equipment Repair and Replacement in GrapevinePool equipment repair starts with a diagnosis: a technician checks the pump, filter, heater, salt system, and controls, finds the cause, and recommends a fix. Marina Pool Services, a family-owned Grapevine company, repairs and installs Hayward, Pentair, Jandy, and Raypak equipment and gives free estimates for qualifying services.](https://marinapool.multisites.ai/guides/pool-equipment-repair) ## Need a hand with your pool? Call or text and tell us what your pool needs. Estimates are free for qualifying services, and same-day estimates are possible when the schedule allows. [Call (817) 896-1120](tel:+1-817-896-1120)[Get a quote](https://marinapool.multisites.ai/contact) ![A pool technician working on an equipment pad](https://marinapool.multisites.ai/_astro/technician-equipment-pad.BW5xZMNY_Zum1K5.webp)