How to Operate an Above Pool Vac

Pool vacuum systems are made for both in-ground and above-ground pools. These systems are designed to alleviate the monotony of vacuuming and are programmed to vacuum the entire floor of the pool using circular movements to cover the area. A totally flat surface is required for the machine's bristles to scrub the liner evenly. Footprints or depressions in the floor surface will not get cleaned and, if a depression is deep enough, it could cause the vacuum to lose suction and float to the surface. These drawbacks notwithstanding, the hours of labor that these systems save the pool owner justify their purchase.

Instructions

1. Empty both the skimmer and pump baskets of any debris.

2. Attach the lead hose, which should be designated as such, to the vacuum body. Check the connection to ensure a tight fit.

3. Add subsequent sections of hose to the lead hose until the entire hose length can reach the opposite end of the pool. Allow enough hose sections to reach the bottom of the far end and add two lengths for maneuverability.

4. Submerge the entire hose system making sure to remove any air pockets trapped in kinks in the hose. Fill the hose completely full of water.

5. Attach the end of the hose system to the skim-vac attachment and place the skim-vac on top of your skimmer basket.

6. Turn your multiport valve to the filter setting and turn on the pump.

7. Monitor the progress and movement of the automatic pool cleaning system to ensure it is functioning properly. Note the reading on your pressure gauge as you begin and continue to vacuum/ The gauge should register only a 1 to 4 pounds per square inch pressure rise.

8. Turn off the pump and remove the vacuum system once the entire pool is clean.

9. Remove the skim-vac attachment from the skimmer basket, turn on the pump and resume normal filtering.

Tips & Warnings

• Place specially designed water bags behind your ladder to block the automatic cleaner from getting hung up behind it. Stop the vacuum system by turning off the pump if the pressure on the gauge raises to between 5 to 8 pounds per square inch higher than where it started. Remove the entire vacuum system from the water. If you find nothing blocking the intake port of the vacuum system, do not put the vacuum back in the water. Remove the skim-vac attachment from the skimmer basket. Change the setting on your multiport valve to backwash, turn on the pump and monitor the sight-glass until the water in it runs clear. Stop the pump.Change the multiport valve back to filter and start the pump. Watch the reading on the pressure gauge to see if it has returned to normal pressure. If so, reattach the vacuum system again and continue to vacuum until the pool is clean. Always disconnect all of the hose sections and let them dry in a straight positions rather than rolled up. Hoses have memory and will react to that memory during the vacuuming session, which may produce tangles. Vacuum your pool several times a week to keep it free of organic material.

• Use only the hoses recommended by the manufacturer. Regular vacuum hoses lack the flexibility to maneuver and will kink and make the vacuum body lose suction or malfunction.