How to Use a Pool Vacuum

In order to have a great looking pool, you need to perform proper weekly maintenance. Part of this means checking chemical balance, emptying skimmer and pump baskets and vacuuming leaves and any accumulated debris. When you vacuum, you accomplish a dual purpose by ridding the pool of things that can cloud the water as they continue to decompose and by removing a potential food source for algae. If you never vacuumed a pool before, here is what you need to know.

Things You'll Need

• A Telescopic Pole
• A Weighted Vacuum Head
• A Pool Vacuum Hose
• A Skim-Vac

Instructions

1. A pool vacuum system consists of three parts: the pole, the vacuum head and the hose. The pole needs to be either a metallic 6-12 foot, or an 8-16 foot extension or telescopic type pole. The variable length is a good feature and adapts the pole to your application. Buy quality merchandise, preferably a brand name. It may cost a little more, but will more than pay for itself in dividends of durability, sturdiness and longevity. The vacuum head needs to have multiple rows of bristles and a built-in set of weights. The weight of the head at full pole extension will make it stay submerged, whereas a lighter one will constantly try to surface causing you to restrain it and strain your muscles in the process. The hose should be able to reach from the skimmer to any part of the pool. The diameter of a round pool, plus 4-feet to reach the bottom, plus another 6-feet for maneuverability, gives you the length you need. In an oval, use the long dimension plus 10-feet again as before.

2. The vacuum, powered by your pump, uses the filter system to trap vacuumed debris. Attach the vacuum head to the end of the pole and attach one end of the hose to the vacuum head. Place the pole and vacuum head into the pool while holding the loose end of the hose. Submerge and fill the entire hose with pool water. This will avoid an air-lock in the hose. Place the skim-vac that came with the skimmer onto the top of the skimmer basket inside of the skimmer. Hook the other end of the hose to the skim-vac.

3. Turn on the pump to filter and slowly move the completed vacuum system back and forth on the pool floor to brush the entire area while removing all debris. Watch the pressure gauge on the filter to make sure it does not exceed 8-10 ppi from where it was before you started to vacuum. If it does get that high, shut off the pump, change the setting to backwash. Turn on the pump and backwash until the water runs clear through the site glass on the valve head. Stop the pump and switch back to the filter setting. Continue to vacuum until the job is complete.

4. If your pool has a concentrated area of leaves or debris, carefully without disturbing the water, place the vacuum system near the pile. Put the filter system on waste and turn on the pump. Vacuum all of the debris, which will leave the pool directly through the waste post of the valve head and then turn off the pump.

5. After vacuuming, remove the vacuum system from the pool and use a hose to rinse all of the components off with fresh water. This will remove any dirt or algae that may be in or on their surfaces, which reduces or eliminates the risk of future contamination of your pool. Always store the parts in an out building or at least out of direct sunlight. The hose in particular is subject to damage from ultraviolet light, so proper storage will extend its life and maintain its integrity.