How to Work the Pump to Vacuum Out a Pool

Keep your pool clear with regular vacuuming.

Swimming pools must be regularly vacuumed to stay clean and free of debris. Most pools are constructed with filtration systems designed to aid the pool owner with vacuuming. These filtration systems consist of a pool pump, motor and filter. The most common pool pumps are paired with sand filters. The pump has different settings that determine the type of vacuuming to perform. The two types of vacuuming settings are "vacuuming to filter" and "vacuuming to waste."

Things You'll Need

• Pump and filter with dial valve

Instructions

Vacuum to Filter

1. Turn off your pool pump. Flip the switch on your pool's control panel to turn the pump off.

2. Press down on the dial valve handle on top of your pool pump's filter and rotate it to the "Filter" setting. Release the handle and ensure it is seated firmly in place.

3. Flip the switch on your pool's control panel on. On the "Filter" setting, water is pulled through the vacuum and passes through the filter to be cleaned.

Vacuum to Waste

1. Flip the switch on your pool's control panel to turn the pump off.

2. Press down on the dial valve handle on top of your pool pump's filter and rotate it to the "Waste" setting. Release the handle and ensure it is seated firmly in place.

3. Flip the switch on your pool's control panel on. On the "Waste" setting, water is pulled through the vacuum and passed out of the pool via a backwash hose or waste line.

4. Rotate the dial valve back to the default setting after vacuuming. The default setting is the "Filter" setting or the "Circulate" setting, depending on your pool.

Tips & Warnings

• When vacuuming to waste, prime the vacuum before turning the pool back on after setting it to the "Waste" setting. This ensures water is not needlessly drained from the pool.

• Always turn the pool pump off when changing settings.

References

• Pool Center: Pool Filter Info
• Pool Center: Pool Pump Info