Cleaning your above and in-ground pools is not as tedious as you think it is. All you need to figure out is the suitable method to clean the pool's bottom and walls. The pool's water becomes cloudy once the dirt, algae, and debris accumulate, which is not a good sight to see. You can use a skimmer or other tools to remove debris and dirt floating in the water but not the contaminants at the bottom or sticking on the pool's walls. Check out the poolbase blog to learn more about the other methods on how to clean your pool.
Another method that many pool owners are using is vacuuming the pool. It is the primary maintenance procedure used to eliminate algae growing on the walls and contaminants accumulated at the bottom. With a pool vacuum, it can suck up dirt quicker, easier, and effectively. In this guide, we will concentrate on how to use a manual pool vacuum in cleaning the pool. Apart from this, you can visit this site to find the best pool vacuum.
What You Need
Some of the tools you will require in completing the job are as follows:
- A scrub brush
- Pool vacuum head
- vacuum plate or skim vac
- Telescoping pole
- Vacuum hose
Steps on How to Use a Pool Vacuum
Step #1 Connect the Vacuum Head to the Extended Pole
First, secure the vac head to the extended telescoping pole open end. With a long telescoping pole, you can move the vac head around the pool with less to no restriction. This makes the collection of debris on the pool's walls and at the bed effective. A regular pool vacuum has a clear area on the top of the head where the pole is attached.
Step #2 Connect the Vacuum Head to One End of the Hose
Attach vacuum hose one end to the head's vacuum. If you are using a modern pool vacuum, determining where to attach the hose is pretty straightforward. A swivel head should be on the hose side that attaches to the vac head. If the hose is slippery, a hose clamp can help keep it in place.
Step #3 Immerse the Hose, Telescoping Pole, and Vacuum Head into the Pool
Hold vacuum hose one end in your hand, lower the vac head, hose, and telescoping pole in the pool. Assure that the vacuum head is resting underneath the pool and the other hose end is located outside the pool's perimeter. Find the water intake nozzle or filter skimmer (where the water jets into the pool) on the pool wall, and then connect the hose's other end to the water intake to fill it.
Step #4 Priming the Vacuum System
Now, prime your vacuum after positioning the hose's other end against a return jet on the pool's wall. Priming is the process of forcing water into the hose to force out all of the air. Remember that air pockets may reduce the pool's vacuum suction ability, so getting rid of the air entirely from the vacuuming system will keep the device operating longer and more powerful.
When the system forces the water out of the hose, air bubbles will begin to form. If you notice air bubbles escaping from the vacuum head, it means air flows freely in the hose. You can start vacuuming the pool only when no more bubbles jet through the hose, indicating the hose is free from air and suction has been created.
Step #5 Seal in the Suction
Check thoroughly to ensure that the vacuum inlet is the only line connected to the pump before producing a good suction or seal. Otherwise, the pump may suck in particles and debris, rendering your efforts ineffective. To create a suction seal, connect the vacuum plate to the hose closest to the return jet. To prevent the suction loss, close the opening with your hand and transfer it to the skimmer.
If a vacuum plate is not available, remove the basket from the skimmer and use your hand to block the end of the water-filled hose. Then, insert the hose firmly into the skimmer. Assemble the hose to snugly inserted into the suction hose at the bottom of the skimmer.
Step #6 Vacuum Your Pool
The filter nozzle should be set to intake mode so that the debris can be sucked in. Then, with your long pole attached to the vacuum head, glide the head along the pool's sides, bottom, and pool steps to collect debris. You will see how the vacuum is drawn in the dirt.
It is best to start from the shallow part and move towards the pool's deep end. Throughout the process, use long, slightly overlapping, and slow sweeping patterns to ensure that no debris is left behind. Try not to rush because you may just kick up the debris, resulting in reduced visibility and a long time to settle down.
Avoid sucking the large debris and leaves until the work is completed to prevent clogging the equipment. You can begin by cleaning up the dust and sand you see at the bottom then manually pick up the rest of the debris later. Use a net in picking up big debris before vacuuming your pool so it will not clog or damage the device.
When you're finished cleaning your pool, remove the hose from the filter and the vacuum head from the telescoping wand. Then, attach the scrub brush to the pole and utilize it to remove the remaining debris and algae from the sides.
Final Thoughts
A pool is considered a valuable asset for any home, but keeping it clean and healthy can be difficult. You should buy the best pool vacuum cleaner to take care of your pool and keep it clean and healthy. You must also learn how to use a manual pool vacuum properly to keep your pool in good condition at all times. With the steps and tips we have discussed above, you should be able to become well-versed using a pool vacuum in no time.
