Without a plate, you will need to remove the skimmer basket and attach the hose directly to the inlet. And since the basket is out of the way, unstrained water will be vacuumed into the skimmer inlet which can cause it to clog and even damage the filter if large debris reaches it.
You will need the following: Vacuum head – Any vacuum head will do, as they are universal. However, you will need to consider the material of the pool's surface as certain head types are best for vinyl or others. It is also recommended to use a weighted one so it won't float around when vacuuming the pool.
The Hayward Skimmer Vac Plate is a great accessory for achieving a pool cleaning balance that automatically alternates between skimming and vacuuming with each cycle of the filtration system's time clock. Features include a pressure relief valve for safety and reinforced ABS construction for strength and durability.
Many people think it's not that necessary to use a vacuum plate when you can simply attach the hose directly to the skimmer. However, unless you use a special vacuum plate, you're risking damaging valuable pool parts, such as the skimmer and even the filter.
Thus, it's essential to protect your skimmer over the winter by preventing water and moisture in general from entering the skimmer - it's a necessary step in winterizing your swimming pool.
A nylon or rubber brush is the correct choice for scrubbing the sides of a soft-sided above-ground pool. A large pool brush makes quick work of the job, but you may need a smaller brush to clean corners. Once the particles have been removed from the sides of the pool, turn your filter back on and agitate the water.
STEP 1: Attach vacuum head to the pole. STEP 2: Attach vacuum hose to the vacuum head on the end of the pole. STEP 3: Submerge vacuum hose and head into the pool. STEP 4: Push air out of the hose by feeding it down through the water, or just simply hold one end over a pool return while filtering to fill it with water.
You'll also need to vacuum to waste when there is a large amount of debris or leaves in the pool, usually at opening. Vacuuming to WASTE can only be accomplished if a multiport valve controls your pool filter system. This position bypasses the filter and sends all the unwanted debris through the waste line.
Dirt and debris will be transferred through the vacuum plate and into the pump. It will then move through the sand filter. Depending on the chosen settings, the filter should capture the excess particles. Make sure to backwash your sand filter after you've finished vacuuming the pool.
Brush the walls every week during swimming season while the pump is turned off. A vacuum removes the debris that collects on the bottom. Vacuuming requires moving the vacuum head over the debris on the bottom of the pool until the bottom appears clean.
Start at the shallow end and then work your way to the deep end of the pool. Once you've vacuumed it once, you'll need to grab a brush and scrub away at your pool's floor. Then vacuum it again. Repeat this until the bottom of your pool looks clean.
If there has been a serious invasion of excess dirt and debris, you may also need to shock your pool. Vacuuming is recognized as the only way to remove sediment from the bottom of a pool.
Brush Your Pool
Brushing down the pool walls is going to be the first step you need to take, loosening and removing algae that's clinging to them. Depending on your pool's finish you may need a soft bristle brush (for fiberglass or vinyl liner pools), or a steel bristle brush (for concrete and plaster finishes).
A: Yes, you can vacuum algae out of your pool by vacuuming directly to waste. Vacuum the pool surface to remove every debris and algae which may have loosened up while brushing.
A vacuum plate fits on top of the standard-size strainer basket and incorporates a fitting that allows the vacuum hose to be plugged into the vacuum plate and receive suction from the inlet without removing the strainer basket. This reduces the potential of skimmer line clogs and expensive service calls.
In general, it's a good idea to vacuum your pool once a week. You should also vacuum your swimming pool any time you notice large amounts of debris, dirt, or leaves on the floor of the pool (for example, your pool may need vacuuming after a heavy storm).
One of the most common would be air in the hose. When you first put your vacuum hose into the water and before you put the vacuum on it, hold it up to a return jet while the pumps running; that'll blow out all the air from the hose. Another thing you look for is any holes in the vacuum hose.
Although it's generally recommended that all the pool water undergo filtration every 24 hours, the pump does not need to run all the time. A proactive, productive and energy-saving maintenance activity is to remove the debris floating on the pool surface with a hand-held skimmer.