Owning a pool comes with lots of responsibilities. A lot of owners prefer to have a pool that is sparkling. The presence of algae or other unwelcome matter can be an eyesore and turn people off from swimming. Hence, you must take the vacuuming of your pool seriously. This will help remove the unwanted algae and debris.
However, this process also involves you taking the utmost care for your pool vacuum. You shouldn’t leave your pool vacuum in the water overnight. A rule of thumb is that once the pool vacuum has run its cycle, it should be removed from the water at once. This is to preserve its attachment from damage caused by chemicals in the water.
How often should you vacuum your pool?
Pool season is one period where your pool tends to see a lot of action. If you want to get the most out of your pool, then you must take responsibility to ensure that proper pool maintenance is carried out.
Pool maintenance can come in different forms, such as skimming for debris, properly balancing chemicals, and scrubbing down walls and tiles. There are additional methods of full maintenance, such as vacuuming your pool. This is an important procedure to carry out because it helps remove debris from the bottom of your pool without having to get yourself wet. The process of vacuuming is one that should be done on a weekly basis. However, there are some other occasions that will necessitate you vacuuming your pool. I will list some below.
- Spot vacuuming: You should do this after any event that causes the sudden accumulation of debris, dust, or organic matter. This could include a summer storm or heavy winds.
- Season opening or closing: Another good time to vacuum your pool is when you are ready to open it for the season, such as during the summer, or when you are about to close it for the season, such as at the beginning of winter.
- after intense usage. During very busy periods, you will be required to constantly vacuum your pool to prevent an accumulation of algae and other unwanted organic matter.
How to vacuum your pool
Before you undertake the task of vacuuming your pool, it is essential that you get your equipment in order and in place. The following items must be assembled:
- Telescopic pole: the purpose of the telescopic pole is to help direct the vacuum hose to the exact location you want to vacuum.
- Vacuum hoses: these will help you connect the vacuum head to your skimmer inlet.
- Attach the vacuum head to the vacuum hose and create a good suction area.
- a skimming plate.
Steps for Vacuuming the Pool
- The first step is to take your telescope pole and attach it to the vacuum head. You should be able to easily attach it.
- Link the vacuum hose from the vacuum head to the skimmer, making use of the skimmer plate. Check for proper suction and that no air is leaking out.
- Adjust your filter settings. If you intend to do a light vacuuming, you can adjust the settings to “Filter.” However, if you have a large job on your hands involving a lot of debris, you should set it to “Waste.” You don’t want to clog up your filter.
- The next step is to start the actual vacuuming. Make slow, straight passes across the bottom of your pool with the vacuum. Don’t be too aggressive, or you might end up throwing up more dirt. Continue this process until all the debris is removed. However, note that this process might reduce the volume of water in your pool, and as a result, you could make use of a garden hose to replace the water while vacuuming.
- Once you are done, you can disengage the setup, adjust your settings back to normal, and then do any final cleanup. You should also give your filter a good backwash.
What kinds of vacuuming are there?
There are two kinds of vacuuming you can do.
- Vacuuming to Filter: Using the filter setting is one of the most common ways to vacuum your pool. If you’re using a multiport pump, all you have to do is set your pump to “filter.” The filter will catch any particles or debris. However, it is advised to use this method when the pool doesn’t have so much debris or dirt. You don’t want your filter to be clogged.
When you use this method, you must be sure to give your filter a good backwash. Backwashing involves turning the water flow into “waste.” You want all the dirty water to flow out until it becomes clear.
- Vacuuming to waste: You will use this method when there’s a lot of debris that can potentially clog up your filter. This debris can easily wear out the filter and make it less effective. So in this case, you adjust your filter settings to “Waste.” It will bypass your filter and go straight to the drain. You must note that your water levels might reduce, and you will have to refill them from an external source through means such as a garden hose.
How long can a pool vacuum stay in the pool?
It is advisable to remove your pool vacuum when you are done with your cleaning cycle. is to avoid the vacuum setup getting in the way of swimmers. In addition to this, the material that the holes and other parts are made of is not built to withstand chlorine and other chemicals. Submerging them in the water for longer than necessary can cause damage and reduce their lifespan.
How do I properly care for my pool vacuum?
It is essential that you maintain your pool vacuum hose. Many pool owners have faced situations where they have needed to replace their vacuum hoses every now and then. And it’s possible that you must have wondered if there are ways to actually preserve the lifespan of your pool vacuum hoses. I’ll be listing some steps that you should try to preserve your cool vacuum hoses for a long period of time.
- When you are running your pool cleaner, you should be adding chemicals during that same period. This is because chemicals such as chlorine and acid can cause damage, so the materials the holes and all the parts are made of are important.
- Avoid applying stress to the vacuum hose. And one thing that you should implement is preventing children from drawing or stretching the hose. So ensure that no one is in the pool when you are vacuuming.
- Protect your vacuum equipment from the sun’s rays. Just as you don’t expose your pump to the sun, the same thing applies to the vacuum hose and its attachments. Store your pool cleaner in a safe, dry place, such as a garage or shed.
- Avoid coiling the vacuum hose. Coiling causes the hose to undergo stress. So, as much as possible, lay the different sections of the hose as straight as possible. This will help it retain its elasticity.
How do you get dirt off the bottom of a pool without a vacuum?
For pool owners who do not have access to a vacuum, there are innovative ways that you can go around that hindrance. One option involves using scrub brushes to dislodge algae from the bottom of the pool and from the walls, then letting the pump run to draw water into the filter.
The option involves using a leaf rake or leaf net to remove the floating debris.
Why shouldn’t you drain your pool?
As tempting as draining your pool might sound, it isn’t advisable to drain your pool in severe situations. There are numerous consequences that can occur if you empty your pool completely of water.
The water inside a pool helps stabilize the pool against hydrostatic pressure from groundwater. As a result of this, removing this stabilizer can cause your pool to pop out or cave in.
As a result, it can cause structural and financial problems.
It can lead to the cracking of your pool’s shell.
Your pool can float due to hydrostatic pressure.
Some inground features can be damaged.
It can damage the lining of your pool.
If, however, there is a drastic need to empty your pool of water, enlist the help of professionals. Never do it yourself.
Should I brush my pool before or after vacuuming?
When vacuuming your pool, the best method is to scrub and brush down the walls and bottom of your pool. This will help dislodge any stubborn debris or organic matter clinging to those surfaces. After this, you can vacuum off all of the matter that has been let loose.
