Sure, cleaning the pool is always important, but if you’re looking for ways to help keep your pool clean without having to use as many chemicals or spend as much time on maintenance, then vacuuming is definitely something that should be included in your weekly routine.
Now let’s have a closer to why vacuuming your pool is so important.
Content in this article:
What you should know about using a pool vacuum
If you’re a new pool owner you should know that vacuuming your pool it’s the best way of removing dirt and debris that can clog your filtration system and cause damage to the pump. Vacuums also remove bacteria, algae, mustard algae, pollen, and other microorganisms that grow in the water and can cause illness if consumed.
- The best time to vacuum a pool is when there has been heavy use during the day. This ensures that you have removed any debris from the surface as well as in the bottom of the pool. Another great time to do this is after nearby fires or after a rainstorm.
- Don’t let your pool get too dirty. Pools need regular maintenance to be safe and enjoyable for swimmers. If you don’t maintain your pool regularly, it can cause damage to the equipment and make water treatment more difficult. If you haven’t vacuumed it for a long time and got some stain on your pool, you may use a stain remover to make it seem as new.
- Use the right kind of vacuum for the job. There are two types: suction-side and pressure-side pumps. Suction-side pumps work better on fine debris like hair while pressure-side pumps work better on leaves and other larger debris that clog up the filter basket in suction-side pumps.
- Don’t use too much force when vacuuming, it can damage your pool walls or floor. Use a soft brush attachment whenever possible so you don’t have to press down hard on your pool floor or walls with an aggressive scrubbing motion that could cause cracks or tears in plaster finishes over time if done too often or too forcefully. And of course, you can also break the vacuum itself.
What is the proper way to vacuum a pool?
Initially, you should begin at the shallow side of the pool and move towards the deepest. If your pool does not have a deeper side, you can begin the end of your own preference. The same goes for round pools.
You should move the vacuum plate slowly, and slightly overlapping every movement so debris cannot escape from your suction.
Just use it on all debris and particles you see, just the same as if you were vacuuming your living room. If you found some junk stuck, you can use the scrub brush to help clean it.
During this process, the water can become cloudy. If this happens, just give it time (some hours) to settle down, so you can try to vacuum it again. Fast moving the vacuum is the most probable cause, so try to move it more slowly.
How to hook up pool vacuum?
First, we need to assemble our pool vacuum cleaner. The gear needed are the following:
- Telescopic pole
- Vacuum hose
- Skim vacuum (also known as vacuum plate)
- Scrub brush
Now, the Steps to assemble the vacuum cleaner:
- First of all, you should ensure that the pump is running. Then, attach the hose and the pole to the vacuum plate.
- Next, it’s time to get the plate underwater and fill the hose with water. Air bubbles will begin to rise from the plate, when it stops, all the air has gone out of the hose. Now, it’s the time to make sure that the vacuum is the only line open to the pump. If not, all the material you remove from the pool would be returned instead of being collected.
- At last, remove the skimmer basket and connect the hose to the skimmer suction hole at the skimmer’s bottom.
- The only step left is…. using your vacuum to clean the pool!
What is the difference between vacuuming an above ground pool vs a below ground pool?
The main difference is due mainly to the structure used to build the pool. That’s what defines the kind of vacuum we’re going to use.
How to vacuum an inground pool
Vacuums for inground pools are usually provided with longer poles and designed for deeper ends, so they can work at the pressure the depth implies. Also, we can encounter other kinds of vacuums, like robotic vacuums.
How to vacuum a pool above ground
When we look for a vacuum for our above ground pool, we can see they are usually a little bit cheaper. Most above ground pool vacuum cleaners are manual, but they’re some options too for automatic vacuums.
Do you need a hose to vacuum a pool?
The hose is actually a must-have to vacuum, because is the way we suction the debris in the water. It’s our connection to the pump that gives us the suction power. Also, our only connection to the filter so the debris gets collected.
The only exception for this is the “dry suction” systems. Those don’t need to be attached to a hose and use a pressure vacuum system.
How to vacuum a pool to waste?
When the pool’s really dirty or you need to vacuum heavy debris, the waste configuration is the way to go. You just need to go to your filtration system and select the “Waste” position. Then vacuum the pool to waste. This bypasses the filter and lets the water go to waste. This would make your water level go down, so you should add fresh water to the pool when you finish. Also, it can be a nice idea to check the water balance after adding new water.
Vacuuming a pool with a sand filter
How to vacuum my above ground pool with a sand filter? If you have a sand filter, or want to use one, after doing all the process above, you should perform a backwash routine, so you can clean the dirt and debris in the filter. For this, the best option is to follow the manufacturer’s directions.
Is it possible to vacuum a pool without a pump?
This mainly depends on the kind of pool you own. An above ground pool can be vacuumed without a pump, while an inground pool cannot. In order to do it, you’ll need to place the end of the hose below the water level and create a siphon. Then use the vacuum plate. Just remember the suction would not be the same as if done with a pump.
Can you vacuum a pool using the skimmer only?
Skimmers actually vacuum by themselves the floating material. But for the particles deposited on the floor, you should use a vacuum plate. Using a hose, you can connect it to the skimmer, so you suction all that material with the skimmer.
How to vacuum a pool manually
If you don’t have a pool robot vacuum cleaner, you need to do it manually. By using long slow movements, all deposited particles can be vacuumed with a manual pool vacuum. This kind of vacuum can be mounted as said in the previous points.
Conclusion
A pool vacuum is designed to clean the floor of your pool and keep it free from debris that may cause injury or damage to your equipment. Without a vacuum, you could risk having large pieces of dirt or leaves get caught in your filtration system and damage it over time. This could also lead to algae bloom in the water, which can be dangerous for swimmers who come into contact with it. Also, it’s easy to be done, and can be easier with robotic vacuums, but they’re also more expensive. A bit of time and a manual vacuum is the only need for a cheap and clean pool.