Pool Opening 2024, Part 10 - First Manual Vacuuming Of 2024

Originally recorded May 24, 2024.

Since no amount of chlorine tabs, shock, algaecide, or hand grenades will budge the green-ness in the pool, there's only one way to remove it. While many may be tempted to put their automatic pool cleaner in and let it do the dirty work for them, this is way more of a task than it would ever be able to handle.

To manually vacuum, it takes a little preparation and thinking ahead. You'd first want to raise the level of the water in the pool since you're going to be draining out what the vacuum sucks up. So you'll need quite a few inches of extra water. I would run the hose for 8 hours, which would give me about 4 inches of water, which in turn gave me about 30 minutes of vacuum time. Plan accordingly.

Before "wasting" the water, it's recommended that you set the vacuum up and purge the air out of the hose. You can pre-fill the hose by holding it to one of your return jets, but on my pool, the pump can handle the amount of air it introduces, provided all other suction places are turned on.

While it's possible to vacuum to the filter, it's not really recommended since it can clog the filter up VERY fast. In addition, it doesn't do anywhere near as good of a job. So I recommend getting the pump used to the vacuum hose and all air cleared first. Then shut the pump and switch the multiport valve to waste. Make sure your waste hose is connected and rolled out to wherever you need. Shut all other suction lines except the one the vacuum is connected to, then turn on the pump and start vacuuming. Everything the vacuum sucks up will get stuck in the skimmer basket; smaller particles pass through and will be pumped out to waste.

My pool is equipped with a drywell, so there is no waste hose necessary. Start vacuuming in a slow and deliberate fashion. I recommend making one "swipe", then pulling the vacuum head back through the water quickly, to extend the time you have to vacuum. Don't do too much at once. Don't go too fast--the faster you go, the more dirt the vacuum will kick up and suspend in the water, rather than suck up and expel. Also make sure your vacuum head is in good condition. Worn brushes on it will make it harder to push, and it won't work as effectively.

Check your skimmer basket regularly. If it gets plugged up with leaves the suction will be lackluster. My pump makes a very angry sound when that occurs, and I know it's time to shut off, remove and empty the basket, and then continue. Also, don't forget to clean the pump's basket.

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