A pool vacuum is a cleaning device designed to remove debris, dirt, and grime from a pool basin. The pool vacuum works by creating suction that sucks up debris from the pool floor and the pool floor’s surrounding walls. The pool vacuum connects to the pool’s skimmer or a stand-alone suction line and uses the pressure from the pool’s intake to suck debris from the bottom of the pool. As the debris is sucked up through the hose, the debris is sent out through the pool’s filtration system into the skimmer basket. The pool vacuum is essential for pool owners who want to maintain the pool’s cleanliness and hygiene. The pool vacuum helps prevent maintenance issues like algae by making short work of heavy debris. There are different types of pool vacuums, including manual and automatic ones, each with their own (manual and automatic pool vacuums) advantages.

How to vaccum a pool?

To vacuum a pool, the following steps should be taken.

• Ensure that the pump and filter are running.
• Attach the vacuum head to the open end of the telescopic pole.
• Attach one end of the vacuum hose to the vacuum head.
• Submerge the vacuum head and the vacuum hose into the pool, ensuring that all air is removed from the vacuum hose.
• Remove all air from the vacuum hose by holding the free end of the hose in front of the water return outlet until bubbles stop coming out from the vacuum head.
• Once the vacuum hose is filled with water, attach it to the skimmer or dedicated suction port.
• Vacuum the pool when the filter is set to its regular filtration setting.
• Start vacuuming from the shallow end of the pool, moving the vacuum head slowly along the pool floor.
• After vacuuming, backwash your sand filter for 2-3 minutes or until the water in the sight glass is visibly clear.
• If the pool had an algae issue, bypass the filter entirely and vacuum directly to waste.
• Always turn off the pump when moving the filter handle between positions to avoid damaging the filter.

How should you ensure the pump and filter are running when vacuuming the pool?

You should ensure the pump and filter are running when vacuuming the pool by first turning on the pool pump to verify that the pump and filtration system are working properly. Set the pool pump to the “filter” setting and run it to begin the vacuuming process. If your pool has more than one skimmer, slowly close the valves to ensure that the valve to the skimmer that the vacuum hose is connected to, is fully open. The fully open valve to the skimmer that the vacuum hose is connected to ensures maximum suction for the vacuum. After vacuuming, it is important to clean the pool pump strainer basket of any debris and backwash the pool filter as needed.

How should you attach the vacuum head to the open end of the telescopic pole when vacuuming the pool?

You should attach the vacuum head to the open end of the telescopic pole when vacuuming the pool by first ensuring that the pump and filter are running. Then, connect one end of the vacuum hose to the vacuum head. If the vacuum hose is slippery, use a hose clamp to secure the vacuum hose in place. The assembly of the vacuum head, telescopic pole, and vacuum hose is then ready to be used for pool cleaning. It is recommended to use a weighted triangle pool vacuum head for effective cleaning.

How should you attach one end of the vacuum hose to the vacuum head when vacuuming the pool?

You should attach one end of the vacuum hose to the vacuum head when vacuuming the pool by first connecting the vacuum head to a telescopic pole. Then, insert the open end of the hose into the vacuum head. Vacuum hoses come with a swivel end which is attached to the vacuum head to prevent the hose from twisting and kinking during use. Attach the hose securely to the vacuum head, then connect the other end of the hose to the skimmer inlet or vacuum plate in your pool wall skimmer. This connection provides the suction power needed for the vacuum to function properly. Fill the hose with water before starting the vacuuming process to avoid air getting into the hose, which reduces suction power.

How should you submerge the vacuum head and the vacuum hose into the pool when vacuuming the pool?

You should submerge the vacuum head and the vacuum hose into the pool when vacuuming the pool by first lowering the vacuum head into the water until it touches the bottom. Keep the vacuum pole locked in place and ensure the vacuum head stays in contact with the floor of the pool. Then, take the free end of the vacuum hose and hold the vacuum hose in front of the water return outlet to fill the vacuum hose with an amount of water. The process of filling the vacuum hose with water helps to remove all the air from the vacuum hose, which is essential for the proper functioning of the vacuum. Submerge the vacuum and vacuum hose fully, then start the vacuuming process.

How should you remove all air from the vacuum hose when vacuuming the pool?

You should remove all air from the vacuum hose when vacuuming the pool by placing the free end of the vacuum hose over one of the main return lines. The action of placing the free end of the vacuum hose over one of the main return lines allows water to flow into the vacuum hose and push out the air. Insert a garden hose into the vacuum hose and use the water from the garden hose to push air out of the vacuum hose. It is important to ensure that all the air is removed from the vacuum hose before starting the vacuuming process to prevent any loss of suction (the vacuuming process).

How should you attach the vacuum hose to the skimmer when it is filled with water when vacuuming the pool?

You should attach the vacuum hose to the skimmer when it is filled with water when vacuuming the pool by first taking the end of your hose and attaching it to the adapter with the unthreaded side on the end. Then, stick the adapter inside the skimmer by fitting the adapter into the opening under the lid. If you (the user) are not using a vacuum plate, remove the basket inside the skimmer and, using your hand, block the end of the water-filled hose. Then place the hose into the open suction hole in the skimmer. Make sure to keep your hand over the open end of the hose and aim the open end of the hose upwards to keep all the water in the hose. Once the hose is filled with an amount of water, connect the hose to the skimmer or a designated vacuum line. If using the skimmer, remove the skimmer basket first. Vacuum the pool to initiate the vacuuming process.

How should you vacuum the pool when the filter is set to its regular filtration setting?

You should vacuum the pool when the filter is set to its regular filtration setting by first assembling your pool vacuum and connecting the vacuum hose. If the pool is lightly soiled, leave your multiport valve filter set to “Filter.” The “Filter” setting directs the dirty vacuum water through the pool filter to remove debris. If the pool is heavily soiled or has a large amount of debris, set your filter system to the “Waste” setting. This (the “Waste” setting) sends the water down the drain, rather than through the pool filter, preventing the pool filter from getting clogged. Remember to move the pool vacuum slowly and in long, overlapping strokes to ensure thorough cleaning. After vacuuming, if you have a DE or sand filter, be sure to backwash the DE or sand filter to remove any trapped debris.

Where should you start vacuuming the pool from?

You should start vacuuming the pool from the shallow end. Move the vacuum along the pool floor in a slow and controlled manner until the pool floor is clean. For larger pools, move in a grid pattern. If the vacuum gets stuck, turn off the pump, reposition the head of the vacuum and turn the pump back on again.

What should you do after vacuuming the pool?

You should do several things after vacuuming the pool. First, turn off your pump and disconnect your vacuum head and hoses. Make sure to clear out the bottom of the skimmer as well. Then, remove all your vacuuming equipment and put the vacuuming equipment back into storage. If there is an increase in pressure in your filter during vacuuming, backwash the filter. The process of backwashing involves turning on the pump and allowing the sand filter to backwash for 2-3 minutes or until the amount of water in the sight glass is visibly clear. Remember that backwashing leads to cloudy, murky water. You must clean the pump strainer basket of any debris after backwashing. You need to balance your pool’s water chemically by measuring and adjusting your free chlorine and pH levels.

What should you do if the pool has algae issues when vacuuming the pool?

If the pool has algae issues when vacuuming the pool, you should bypass the filter and vacuum from the pool to waste. Vacuuming the pool is the easiest way to eliminate the algae that has settled on the bottom of your pool. You vacuum your pool to waste if you have a multiport system, or if your pool installer plumbed in a waste line on your system in front of your cartridge filter, you use that waste line. After vacuuming, use a vacuum or backwash the pool to remove the dead algae. Apply a mustard algaecide following the label directions and allow the water to circulate for 24 hours. Then, use a pool vacuum or backwash the pool again to remove the remaining dead algae. For light vacuuming, you leave your multiport valve filter set to “Filter.” For bigger jobs and larger amounts of debris (debris), you set your filter system to the “Waste” setting. Do not run your filter when the pool is covered with algae as algae can clog up the filter and even damage the filter permanently.

How should you turn off the pump when moving the filter handle between positions?

You should turn off the pump when moving the filter handle between positions by first ensuring the pump is not running. You do this by switching off the pump at the main power switch or, ideally, at the circuit breaker box. Changing the position of the filter handle while the pump is operating damages the filtration system. Once the pump is off, you move the filter handle to the desired position. After adjusting the handle, you turn the pump back on.