Regardless of the type of vacuum you choose, you will want to brush your pool regularly to ensure your vacuum can get all the dirt and scum off the pool floor. The vacuums can only do so much, they can easily pick up debris and silt from around the pool, but they aren't meant to scrub the pool floors first.
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).
Yes, we recommend backwashing after you vacuum your pool. This allows the filter to shoot out any dirt / debris you have vacuumed up. Don't forget to set your filter to “rinse” for 30 seconds after backwashing!
Step 1: Prepare the Pool Walls and Water Surface for Vacuuming. Skim the water with a pool skimmer to remove leaves and other debris floating on top of the water. Using a pool brush, brush the walls, floor and steps of the pool to dislodge algae and stuck-on debris.
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.
Remember: vacuuming your pool regularly will help keep your pH balanced easier and more controlled. Skim your pool for debris, such as leaves, bugs, etc. and be sure to check your skimmer and empty that regularly as well.
Reasons why dirt might return to your pool through the jets during vacuuming or after backwashing include not rinsing after backwashing, a damaged spider gasket, damaged filter or the pool pump being too large for the filter.
For routine vacuuming, the filter valve is left in the normal “Filter” position. This directs dirty vacuum water through the pool filter to remove the contaminants, then conveys filtered water through return lines back to the pool. The "Filter" setting is used for light to moderate levels of pool sediment.
You need to leave the skimmer basket in under the skim vac plate, this allows the skimmer basket to catch your debris, and you can empty it quickly without having to turn your pump off and on like you would without it. 3. Vacuuming your pool.
You should allow the vacuum to run until it has cleaned the entire pool, including the bottom and the sides. This averages between two and six hours. The better your pool has been maintained -- for example, if you vacuum every week -- the less time it takes.
All pools both above ground and in-ground need to be vacuumed. Theoretically you can abandon all vacuuming duties, but watch your pool water look disgusting, dirty and cloudy. The process of vacuuming keeps chemicals working their best and increases the desire and appeal, especially on a hot summer day.
Brushing thoroughly 1-2 times per week will prevent these materials from having the time to create a stain. Brush to Prevent Algae: Every pool can grow algae, but plaster, quartz, and aggregate finishes are more susceptible.
Should the green be due to pollen, there may be little to do in the way of minimizing the discoloration short of erecting a building around the pool. Fortunately, assuming there are no allergies to the pollen, it is safe to swim in a pool with that as the cause for green water.
Chlorine. Chlorine is a slimy-feeling material when it gets wet. If you have chlorine dust or residue on your fingers and then touch the pool water, the pool water will feel slimy. Avoid this by wearing gloves when dealing with all pool chemicals, and never add water to chlorine; only add chlorine to the water.
Cloudy water may still be safe to swim in, but if the chemicals are not balanced, then swimmers can experience red eyes, irritated skin, and rashes. If the cause is environmental factors, it can usually be cleared up with a clarifier and regular cleaning.
Poor Filtration
If dirt is reappearing at the bottom of your swimming pool after you've vacuumed it your pool's filter may be working poorly. Pool filters often work poorly because they're in need of cleaning. If you have a sand filter for your pool you need to make sure that the sand is sharp and freshened up.
Cleaners aren't meant to stay in the pool 24/7. This is true for all cleaners. Pressure side cleaners run on a schedule every day so why take it out? Leaving the cleaner in the pool 24/7 increases its exposure to corrosive chemicals in the water, such as chlorine or shock.