How to Vacuum a Pool?

“How to vacuum a pool?” is one of the most commonly asked questions by pool owners. Vacuuming your swimming pool is the best way to keep your pool clean and dirt-free. Even though the entire process of vacuuming can be a bit of work, the benefits of it are worth the trouble.

You will find little to no algae, the water will stay balanced, and the chemicals will work better. It is always better to have a cleaner pool, especially with kids around. Debris and fine dust from open pools and leaves during autumn can build a thick layer of dirt.

And if you don’t take any precautions from the start, cleaning off all the dirt can be overwhelming. With a pool vacuum cleaner, though, your job gets much easier than you think. Well, if you haven’t heard of pool cleaners or have never used one, there’s nothing to worry about. This article will guide you on all about pool maintenance with a vacuum cleaner.

Choose the Best Pool Vacuum

When it comes to pool vacuums, there are numerous models available in the market. But you need to choose a top-notch brand that fits your budget. Opt for vacuums with multiple purposes and significant features, as they make the entire process of cleaning easier. There are two prominent types of pool vacuums.

Manual Pool Vacuum

A manual pool vacuum is a hand-held pool cleaner where you have to push the vacuum over different surfaces of the pool. Most manual pool vacuums give higher suction power than automatic ones. This is how they provide deeper and intense cleaning.

With manual vacuums, you can focus on one spot and do vigorous cleaning. They can be battery-operated or rechargeable, lightweight with an extendable pool pole, and a vacuum hose. You can easily attach the vacuum head to the hose and check the instruction manual to use the device.

It would guide you on things like whether to turn the pool pump continuously or not. Manual pool vacuums also have better filter systems.

Automatic Pool Vacuum

Vacuuming a pool with the latest automatic pool vacuum cleaner is a hassle-free process. You do not have to get your hands wet and dirty. The automatic device crawls around the floor of your pool to clean the water and circulate it.

It does not require much effort or cross-checking. You just have to pop the cleaner into the water and let it handle the rest. This robotic pool cleaner is ideal for daily, optimal pool maintenance. An automatic vacuum is the best pool vacuum in the market and comes with multiport valves.

Must Have Things for Pool Vacuuming

Before you start vacuuming your pool, you should always make sure you have everything to keep the pool clean and fresh. Let’s take a look at all the must-have things to get your job done.

Vacuum Head

A vacuum head is the key component of a pool vacuum. It exerts pressure and sucks in the dirt and debris to clean the water. The best vacuum head comes connected to a telescopic pole.

Telescopic Poles

These are the long poles connected to vacuum heads used to clean pools. They can be easily replaced as vacuum heads can fit into any pole.

Vacuuming Plate

Skimmer plates or vacuum plates are used to connect the hoses to the skimmer inlet. They come in a collection of skimmers, nets, and brushes for a pool cleaning business.

Vacuum Hose

Vacuum hose connects the head to the pool pump via a skimmer inlet. The skimmer inlet provides the sucking power to collect debris. Garden hoses can also be used in some pool vacuums.

Prepare the Pool for Cleaning

The first step to cleaning a pool is to prepare it for cleaning. A little prep can make the job quicker and easier.

Remove the Excess Debris

Use a pool skimmer or leaf rake to collect all the fallen leaves, pieces of the chunk, or excess waste material that might have settled in the pool. These get collected at the bottom of the skimmer. All you need to do next is empty the skimmer basket.

Turn On the Pool Pump

When you prepare your pool, it is essential to turn the pump to keep the water flowing through the pool filter to aid the cleaning process.

In-Ground Pool Vacuuming

In-ground pool vacuums are clearly designed to clean in-ground pools. When you select one, you should pick it based on the size, shape, and depth of your swimming pool.

Look for a pool pole that fits your pool depth while vacuuming. Here’s how you use an in-ground pool vacuum:

• Lower the vacuum head into the pool till it reaches the floor.
• Fix the pool pole in one place such that you attach the bottom of the pool to the vacuum head.
• Take the free end of the vacuum hose and hold it over the water return outlet to fill the hose with water. You can notice bubbles rising from the vacuum head. Wait till all the bubbles escape, and then pull it away from the outlet. Remember to keep the hose fully submerged in the water.
• Insert the open end of the hose to the vacuum plate and place the plate into the pool wall skimmer directly above the suction vent. This will initiate the entire vacuuming process.
• Start at the shallow end of the pool and move your vacuum along the floor in a slow, precise manner till the water is clean. If you have a large pool, move the cleaner in a grid pattern.
• If the vacuum gets stuck, turn off the pump, position your vacuum head again, and switch it on. Still doesn’t work, check for large debris or excessive dirt in the pump strainer or the filter valve and get them removed.
• If the suction process is lost, remove the hose and hold it again over the water return outlet. Let the bubbles escape and then connect it back.

Above Ground Pool Vacuuming

Above-ground pool vacuums are meant for above-ground pools. They are usually made of metal or steel and come in shapes like round, oval, or rectangles.

Both manual and automatic pool vacuums can be used for cleaning above-ground pools.

• Lower the assembled vacuum head into the pool till it touches the floor.
• Fix the pool pole in one place and make sure the vacuum head is in contact with the pool floor. Lean the pole along the side of the pool to efficiently manage the process.
• Take the free end of the vacuum hose and fill it with water via the water return outlet. Pull the hose away from the outlet as soon as all the water bubbles have escaped. Make sure the hose is fully submerged in water.
• To initiate the cleaning, insert the open end of the hose into the vacuum plate and place the plate into the pool wall skimmer directly above the suction vent.
• Start at the shallow end of the pool and slowly move the machine along the floor to clean the water. Sway the vacuum head in straight lines to ensure proper cleaning.

How Often Should You Vacuum Your Pool?

It is good to vacuum your swimming pool once a week. During autumns, make sure you collect any fallen leaves, debris, or dirt blown by the wind, as soon as you notice them. If you have a closed pool, you can clean it once every two weeks, but with kids around, it’s good to clean every week.

Conclusion

Cleaning a pool can be quite a time-consuming process, but it is easy and convenient with some preparation and with the right pool vacuum. Understand the requirements (shape, size, depth) for your pool and then venture into the market to pick the best pool vacuum.

For regular users, automatic pool cleaners come in handy. In addition, follow the steps and guidelines provided on how to vacuum a pool.