Even if you own an automatic pool cleaner, you still need to use your manual pool vacuum from time to time. If you have a pool, you need to have a manual pool vacuum. There are many issues that your automatic pool cleaner cannot clean—including algae blooms. To successfully treat algae in your pool, you will need to shock, use algaecide, and then manually vacuum your pool.

To vacuum your pool, you will need:

  • A vacuum head. The type of vacuum head you need will depend on what type of pool you have. See your local pool professional if you need advice on which vacuum is best for you.
  • A vacuum hose. The size of your pool will determine the length of the hose you need.
  • A telescoping pole. Most poles are standard sizes and you can easily attach your vacuum head, a pool brush, or a net to it.
  • A skim-vac. A skim-vac is needed with most inground and above ground—there are some exceptions.

 

How do I set up my vacuum?

 

  1. Attach the vacuum head to the end of the pole.
  2. Attach the hose to the vacuum.
  3. Attach skim-vac to other end of hose. (Skip this step if you have a Doughboy pool.)
  4. Turn off pump.
  5. Push pole/vac/hose into pool and release all the air out of the hose.
    • If you have a Doughboy pool, push skimmer lid down into the skimmer.
  6. Open skimmer lid and place skim-vac over skimmer/skimmer basket. Do not put vacuum hose directly into skimmer hole—this will damage your pool’s plumbing over time.

To begin vacuuming your pool:

  1. If you have a sand filter and are vacuuming to waste, set filter to “waste” option. If you do have this option, it is highly recommended that whenever you have algae, you will need to vacuum to waste. This option allows you to vacuum the algae up and send it out through the backwash line, avoiding getting algae into your filter sand. However, you will need to vacuum quickly, as water will be exiting your pool quickly. You should not let your water line fall below your skimmer at any time. Therefore, you will need to put your garden hose in your pool to fill it up as you vacuum, or add fresh water again after vacuuming.
  2. Otherwise, leave setting on “filter” and turn pump on to begin vacuuming. You will not lose water this way.
  3. Vacuum your pool just as you would vacuum your living room, picking up debris or algae as you go.
  4. Once you have finished vacuuming, turn off your pump. Take out all your vacuuming equipment and put them back into storage.
  5. Make sure to empty all skimmer baskets.
  6. If you vacuumed on waste, you will need to turn your filter to the “rinse” setting, turn on the pump and let it run for about 30 seconds, and then turn the pump back off. Make sure to set your filter back to “filter” after you do this.
  7. If you have a cartridge filter you may want to spray the cartridges out with a garden hose and put them back into the filter.
  8. Otherwise, turn your pump back on and you’re finished!

Remember that is important to manually vacuum your pool from time to time—especially if you have algae. Also remember that we are here if you have any questions about vacuuming or algae!