How Do Pool Vacuums Work?
- To have that perfect pool that you have always dreamed of having, you need to perform regular weekly maintenance. Vacuuming the pool to remove any debris that accumulates is an essential part of that weekly schedule. The dividends of your diligence come to your family in the form of clean, clear water to relax in and enjoy.
- The vacuum system of a swimming pool consists of three separate parts working in concert to achieve the goal. The extension pole, the vacuum head and the vacuum hose all hook together and serve as your manual cleaning system. The pole should be made of a sturdy metallic material and be able to extend from 8 to 16 feet.
- On the end of the pole is where the vacuum head attaches by fastening it with the plastic fastening bolt that comes with it. The vacuum head needs to have weights built into the plastic body to allow it to sink during vacuuming. Without the weights, it will float back to the surface and cause undue stress on your wrists struggling to keep it on the pool floor.
- The vacuum hose needs to be made of a durable plastic with ultraviolet light protection incorporated into its composition. The hose must be long enough to reach the pool floor at the furthest point across the pool from the skimmer. Attach one end of the hose to the plastic hose fitting built onto the vacuum head.
- When everything is together, completely fill the hose with water to prevent an airlock. Leave your leaf basket in your skimmer and place the other end of the hose onto the skim-vac, which then sits atop the skimmer basket.
- Your pump is what powers the vacuum system by creating suction through the hose to the vacuum head. The skimmer basket traps any large debris, while the filter portion of your system traps finer material. If you have a large amount of leaves on the floor of your pool, you need to vacuum them directly to waste. This procedure will lengthen the times between backwashing your filter. Always remember to fill the pool back up to the appropriate level and rebalance the water chemistry.
- Some pool owners prefer an automatic pool cleaner, which attaches to the skim-vac attachment just as the manual system did. Observe the same airlock precaution by filling the hose with water. Always follow the instructions for your automatic pool cleaner. They should tell you the pattern that your cleaner will follow on its cleaning cycle. It usually follows a pattern of concentric circles and cleans until stopped or plugged up with debris. If plugged up, remove it from the pool, clear the debris and reinsert.
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