Vacuuming your above-ground pool is an important part of pool maintenance. By doing so, you remove dirt, debris, and other contaminants that can foul the water and make it unsafe to swim in. Fortunately, vacuuming your pool is a relatively easy task that can be accomplished in just a few steps.
To begin, you’ll need to gather a few supplies. These include a garden hose, a vacuum head, and hose attachment, and a filter or skimmer basket. Once you have all of your supplies, it’s time to start vacuuming. First, attach the vacuum head to the end of the garden hose. Next, place the vacuum head in the water and turn on the hose. As the water starts flowing through the hose, it will create suction that will pull debris and dirt into the vacuum head. Continue moving the vacuum head around the pool until you have covered the entire surface.
Once you’re finished vacuuming, be sure to empty out the filter or skimmer basket. This will help to keep your pool clean and ensure that the pump doesn’t get clogged. Vacuuming your above-ground pool is an essential part of pool care. By following these simple steps, you can keep your pool clean and safe for swimming all season long!
How to Vacuum Your Above-Ground Pool
Tip: Covering your pool between uses will go a long way toward minimizing pool debris.
What to do Before Vacuuming your Above-Ground Pool
Brush the Pool Walls
Begin the pool cleaning process by brushing the walls of your pool to remove dirt, algae, and debris, paying special attention to the water line. For best results, do this the night before you vacuum the pool. Allow the resulting debris to drop to the bottom of the pool where it can be vacuumed later.
Inspect the Pool and Equipment
While you’re at it, take some time to inspect your above-ground pool and its equipment. Walk around your pool and inspect it for any potential problems, such as cracks, damage, or obstructions. This simple step could help to identify potential issues that could become more serious and expensive to repair later on.
Remove Trash and Debris
Take a garbage can with you and remove trash and other debris that tends to collect around the exterior of the pool walls.
Remove Toys
Remove any toys, floats, or other items from the pool. If they are damaged, repair them or throw them away. If they’re a bit dirty, give them a spray or light brushing up to keep them fresh. Set them out in the sun to dry off and then store them for future use.
Skim the Water
It’s a good idea to quickly skim the top of the water to remove floating surface debris. While you’re at it, check the skimmer for any debris lodged there and remove it. Now you’re ready to vacuum your above-ground pool.
5 Easy Steps to Vacuuming Your Above-Ground Pool
- Get your pool ready
Check to see that your pool pump and filter are operating and the settings are appropriate. If there is a lot of debris in the pool, adjust the filter settings to pump water out of the pool. If your filter doesn’t have a waste option, you’ll need to pay special attention to the filter during and after vacuuming the pool.
- Get your pool cleaner ready
Get your pool cleaner ready for action by inspecting it. A cleaner that’s in good condition will do a better job of cleaning your pool. In addition, maintaining your cleaner will increase its life and save you money in the long run. If you’re using an automatic cleaner, inspect it for any potential issues, paying special attention to the condition of the power cord, wheels, and cleaning surfaces.- Manual Vacuum: Assemble the various parts of the vacuum, including the head, hose, and possibly a skimmer vacuum plate. Attach a telescopic pole to the vacuum head.
- Automatic Pool Cleaner: Bring your cleaner over to the pool.
- Put your pool cleaner in the pool
- Manual Vacuum: Place the assembled vacuum elements in the pool and ensure the vacuum head is on the pool floor. Fill the hose completely with water. Connect the open end of the water-filled hose to the return jet in the pool. If you’re using a skimmer vacuum plate, attach it to the end of the water-filled hose. Cover the end of the water-filled hose and put the plate in your skimmer, ensuring a good seal to maintain suction.
- Automatic Pool Cleaner: Set your automatic suction cleaner in the pool and connect it to the pool’s filtration system as described above for manual cleaners. For robotic cleaners, set the robot in the pool and turn it on.
- Vacuum your pool floor
- Manual Vacuum: Standing outside the pool, hold the telescopic pole and use long smooth strokes to vacuum the pool floor. For complete coverage, overlap the strokes a bit. Move the vacuum head slowly so that the debris remains on the pool floor and does not get kicked up. The head should be kept underwater to maintain prime. Keep an eye on the filter pressure gauge and turn off the vacuum for a few minutes if the pressure is 10 pounds over the normal running pressure. Then backwash the filter and resume vacuuming until the job is done.
- Automatic Pool Cleaner: Allow the automatic suction cleaner or robotic cleaner to run through its cleaning cycle.
Once you’re done vacuuming, clean the pump strainer basket of any debris. Backwash the filter as needed. If you used the waste setting on the filter, switch it back to the filter and add water to the pool to restore the water level to normal.
- Take Care of your equipment
- Manual Vacuum: Disassemble your manual vacuum and drain the water. Rinse it and allow it to dry out before storing it for future use.
- Automatic Pool Cleaner: Rinse and dry your automatic pool cleaner. Store it safely so it’s ready to go the next time you need it.
Now test and adjust your water chemistry. Enjoy your clean pool!
As you can see, manually vacuuming your pool can be a labor-intensive process. Automatic pool cleaners are a great time-saving, effortless alternative. Check out the innovative automatic pool cleaner options described below.
Not interested in vacuuming your own pool? Professional pool care experts will take care of your pool for you. In addition, they will keep your pool and its equipment in top condition.
