6 Step-By-Step Guide On How To Vacuum Pool (Included Tips)

What Do You Need To Vacuum A Pool?

Image: Canva.com

To successfully suction a pool, you will need specific instruments, including the following:

Vacuum Head: The pool you want to clean entirely determines the type of suction head you will require because it completely depends on the pool you want to clean. 

Vacuum Cable: Depending on the dimensions of your swimming pool, you will require either a vacuum tube of medium length or one of long length to ensure that you reach every nook and cranny.

Telescopic Pole: Many of the retractable poles available on the market are standard-sized and can easily be connected to a suction head, a net, or a pool scrubber.

Skim-Vac: A piece of machinery that assists with most in-ground and above-ground pool cleaning. It enables you to use the skimmer receptacle of your pool rather than the pool compressor, which you would otherwise have to switch on and off physically.

Why Do You Need To Vacuum Pool Manually?

• If you do not own robotic pool vacuum.

• If there is a significant issue that cannot be remedied using an automated pool scrubber, for example, cyanobacteria.

• It will save you money compared to paying someone else to do it for you.

• It's a really good workout (yeah, we tell ourselves that a lot of the time).

How To Vacuum Pool

Image: Canva.com

• Just Scratch The Surface

The residue and leaves drifting on the pool's surface can be collected with the help of a pool skimming net to the greatest extent possible. If you do not have a skimmer with a lengthy handle, you can use a leaf rake to bring the floaters to the edge of the pool so that you can clear them out.

• Switch The Filter Inlet While Starting The Swimming Pool Compressor

Start the compressor for the pool, and check that the water is moving through the filtration effectively once it has been started. Inspect the filter; you may need to remove any accumulated debris before scrubbing.

The filtration fixture can be left in the "Filter" position even if the pool does not contain significant debris. If there is a significant quantity of dirt and residue in the swimming pool, the filtration should be adjusted to the "Waste" setting. Because of this, the residue can be moved down the sewer with greater ease.

Warning: When a pool filtration valve is adjusted to the "Waste" position, the water volume in the pool will decrease while the valve is vacuumed. Keeping an outdoor faucet nearby is a good idea to top off the water as you clean. This will ensure that the water level remains elevated and will make clearing any residue easier.

Put Together The Vacuum

An extendable pool stick should have the suction head attached to the end of it. Ensure that you have a long stick to easily reach the middle of the water by taking the appropriate precautions. Join the vacuum head to one end of the tubing used to suction the pool.

Tip: Use a hose attachment to keep the vacuum tubing firmly attached to the vacuum head if you frequently experience issues with the hose becoming disconnected from the head.

Bring The Head Of The Vacuum Down Into The Pool

Place the suction head, pole, and tubing connected to it into the pool so that the headlands are in a horizontal position on the bottom of the pool.

Put the end of the hose that isn't attached to anything against one of the pool's return jets while the filtration and pump are operating. This will force water through the tubing and any air out. 

The suction nozzle will produce a rising column of bubbles. Watch until all of the bubbles have stopped before moving the hose away from the return flow, but make sure the tubing remains completely submerged throughout the process.

Join The Skimmer Plate To The Pipe Using The Clamps

It is necessary to place the end of the pipe not attached to the skimming plate (often called the skimmer disk or vacuum plate). After the line has been connected, position the plate in the pool wall skimmer immediately over the suction outlet. This will complete the process.

Begin In The Part Of The Water That Is More Shallow

Always begin at the pool's shallow end, and advance the suction head carefully along the bottom, working your way to the deep end. Work in a square pattern and slightly overshoot the borders of each stroke so that you don't miss any areas. This will ensure that you get all the areas.

Move carefully so that you do not stir up excessive residue that will cause the water to become turbid. If the water gets so turbid that you can't see what you're doing, halt vacuuming and allow the pool water a couple of hours to settle down before you begin again. Continue if the water is opaque enough to see what you're doing.

Tips:

• During the cleaning exercise, if the vacuum starts to lose suction, you should unhook the line from the skimming plate and press it against the return flow again. While the pipe is being refilled with water, you will notice that the suction head is releasing air droplets. Proceed with the cleansing process after reattaching the line to the suction plate.

• Turn off the pool pump and reposition the suction head if it feels trapped. Before putting the pump back on, you may need to clear the pump collector of any large detritus accumulated there.

Put Away The Vacuuming Equipment

After cleaning the pool, you should unhook the line from the skimmer plate. Examine the parameters of the compressor and the filtration valve, then put them back where they should be. When you have completed scrubbing, you should give your sediment filtration a backwash if you have one.

After disconnecting the tubing from the vacuum head, empty any water that has been sucked up into the swimming pool. Disconnect the pool pole from the suction head, and put the components away in their respective storage areas.

Tips For Troubleshooting Typical Issues

Nothing beats a cool swim in the water on a sweltering summer day. However, maintaining a spotless pool can be difficult. Vacuuming is one of the most crucial, but also one of the most irritating, stages in pool care. Here are some suggestions for resolving typical vacuum-related issues:

If the vacuum isn't gathering up residue, make sure the filter sieve and suction receptacle are free of obstructions. Additionally, ensure the vacuum line is attached to the vacuum head and pool returns correctly, and inspect it for leakage. The vacuum bag or cylinder replacement is necessary if the vacuum is still malfunctioning.

Try cleaning in a different direction if the vacuum leaves lines or patterns on the pool's surface. The suction head's strength may also need to be adjusted. If stripes continue, look for any items on the pool bottom that might be scratching the surface.

Using a shortened tube or an extension cable may help you move the suction head around obstructions if necessary. A diving rope may also be used to direct the stream around obstructions.

Finally, maintaining a clean, secure, welcoming pool requires routine cleaning. You'll be able to clean your pool like an expert in no time with a little practice. This blog article offers remedial advice in case you run into any issues so you can quickly get your pool looking its finest. Happy swimming, and thanks for reading!

FAQs

Which level on the pool compressor should you use when vacuuming?

You can tune your multiport valve filtration to "Filter" for mild cleaning. Set your filtration system to the "Waste" option for larger tasks and larger quantities of residue, which does send the water down the sink rather than through the filter.

Can a pool be vacuumed using only a hose?

Lift one end of the hose out after immersing the complete line in the water to eliminate any remaining air. With the other end of the tube, you can use the pressure this creates to clean your pool. Although less effective than a vacuum bag, this technique will do in an emergency.

Should I clean my pool first or scrub it afterward?

The sediments are raised off the pool's edges and given time to settle on the floor, where they can be swept up by brushing the pool first (after skimming). So it would be pointless to clean your pool before brushing it over.

Conclusion

We've finished the entire tutorial on how to vacuum pool. Carefully read the steps and tips we've put together, and should you also have the vacuum for above ground pool, vacuuming your pool will be easier than ever.