How to Vacuum an Above Ground Pool to Waste

Are you Planning to Open the pool in Springs?

A swimming pool in the house is a blessing. Whenever you want just jump into it and enjoy the time. But what if you open the pool after an entire year?

Most people cover their swimming pools during winters and then they open them in springs. When you open the pool in spring then it is only possible to clean by vacuum pool to waste.

This will remove all the dirt and algae from the bottom of the pool through the waste system or into your yard, instead of your pool filter system.

This helps filter, not to clogged and fine particles going back to the pool.

When we try to clean the pool using a filter setting, then there are chances that the pool filter may be clogged and thus a lot of dust particles and other debris can go back into the pool making it dirtier.

Why should we clean the pool with a vacuum?

Our pool builds up small particles or debris that nobody wants to go through a filter like algae. We can easily send the debris through the vacuum and directly out of the pool by vacuuming on the waste setting.

Vacuuming to waste can be possible with a filter system controlled by a multi-port valve, commonly seen on sand filters. Normally, vacuuming is done on the “filter” setting, as “waste” sends both water and contaminants out of the pool through the backwash hose

How to vacuum above ground pool to waste

What you need

How to set up your vacuum cleaner

Attach the vacuum head to the T-Pole. Connect the vacuum head to the swivel end of the vacuum hose. Fully extend the T-Pole. Lower the vacuum head carefully to the bottom of the pool – try not to disturb any debris on the floor. Connect the skim-vacuum to the other end of the hose. Once attached, place over a return fitting to purge the air from the vacuum hose.

Keeping the skim vacuum close to the surface of the water, make your way to the skimmer without letting air back into the vacuum hose. Put the skim-vacuum into the skimmer through the top, or the throat of the skimmer on top of the skimmer basket

What to do Next

Go to your equipment area and turn the pool pump off. Change the multiport valve to the “WASTE” position. Turn the pump on. Water is now being taken out of the pool. If you have more than one skimmer, slowly close the valves. Ensure that the valve to the skimmer that the vacuum hose is connected to is fully open. Slowly close the Main Drain valve about halfway, this is the optimal setting for vacuuming. Make sure the skim-vacuum did not come loose over the skimmer basket and is sealed securely over the basket. Push the vacuum hose into the pool and release all the air out of the hose. Open skimmer lid and place skim-vacuum over skimmer/skimmer basket. Do not put vacuum hoses directly into the skimmer hole—this will damage your plumbing over time.

How to Vacuum

Begin slowly vacuuming in the shallow end, being careful not to stir up the debris.

Debris will be collected in the skimmer basket under the skim vacuum and in the pump basket. The suction will decrease, decreasing the vacuum’s performance. If you notice an important decrease in suction, stop vacuuming and turn the pool pump off. Clean the pump basket AND the skimmer basket Turn the pump back on and resume vacuuming.

What to do After Vacuuming

Step 1-After vacuuming, turn the pool pump off and disconnect the skim-vacuum. Take out all of your vacuuming equipment and return it to storage.

Step 2-Clean the skimmer basket and the pump basket of all remains.

Step 3-Make sure that the water level is in central of the skimmer opening.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Do vacuum to waste drop the water level?

Ans: Yes the water level will drop as using the waste setting the pool water will be expelled, without returning to the pool, so the pool level will drop.

Q2: Should we vacuum the pool to waste using flocculants?

Ans: Flocculants will leave the debris in the bottom of the pool so vacuum to waste will stop this debris to clog the waste filters.

Q3: What is the difference between blackwash and waste?

Ans: both of these settings send water out of the pool. The only difference is that when you backwash the water goes backward and with no waste, the water goes directly out of the pool.

To Wrap it Up

It is sometimes not possible to remove all the dirt from the pool since you need to vacuum quickly. Also, it is possible when vacuuming to waste some of the finest dirt parts will remain floating in the pool. Therefore leave the pool for 24 hours so all the dust particles can settle down at the bottom again.

 

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