How to Vacuum a Pool Manually and Effectively

Photo via JoAnn

How Often to Vacuum a Pool

You should aim to vacuum your pool at least once per week. And if a big storm comes through—littering your pool with excess dirt, leaves, and other debris—you can even vacuum your pool a second time in order to restore your pool’s cleanliness before you jump in. 

How to Vacuum a Pool Manually

We’ll show you what tools and materials you need to vacuum your pool and how to vacuum your pool manually. The steps to vacuuming out an in-ground pool vs. an above-ground pool are virtually the same, but the skimmers may look different.

Tools and Materials Needed:

• Pool vacuum head
• Pool vacuum hose
• Pool vacuum plate
• Telescoping pole

Step 1: Assemble the Pool Vacuum

First, you’ll need to assemble the pool vacuum. Do this by attaching the vacuum head to the telescoping pole.

If this is the very first time you’re using your pool vacuum, you’ll need to attach one end of the hose to the vacuum head as well.

Step 2: Place Vacuum in Pool

Next, place the pool vacuum into the pool by holding onto the telescoping pole and lowering the vacuum head all the way down to the floor of the pool.

Step 3: Purge All Air from the Vacuum

After that, you’ll want to purge all air from the vacuum equipment in order to maximize the level of suction as you vacuum the pool. To get started, take the other end of the hose and submerge it under the water. As water enters the hose, air bubbles will begin to escape from the vacuum head itself. Once all of the air has been purged from the vacuum equipment, the air bubbles escaping from the vacuum head will stop.

Step 4: Connect the Hose

Once all of the air has been purged, it is now time to connect the hose to your pool’s skimmer or the opening built into the side of the pool. To do so, remove the skimmer basket and attach the hose to the skimmer using the vacuum plate. The plate should sit directly on top of the suction vent.

Step 5: Choose Your Filter Valve Setting

Next, choose the appropriate filter valve setting based on your current needs. If you vacuum your pool regularly, you’ll choose the filter setting and turn on the pump. This helps you clean the pool water as you vacuum and return that same water to the pool as you go. 

If your pool is full of sediment or algae, it may be necessary to use the waste setting and remove the water from the pool as you go. In that case, you will need to add new, clean water to your pool afterward.

Step 6: Vacuum the Pool

Holding the end of the telescoping pole, start moving the vacuum across the floor of the pool. Start at the shallow end and work your way toward the deep end, making slow passes along the pool’s floor. Going too fast can stir up all of the dirt that’s lying at the bottom of the pool.

Following a row or grid pattern will ensure that you vacuum all areas of your pool without missing any spots.

Depending on how dirty your pool is, you may need to empty the pump strainer in the middle of a vacuuming session. If you feel like this may be necessary, check the pump strainer before proceeding any further.

Step 7: Disconnect the Vacuum

Once you’ve made enough passes over the pool floor to clean it to your satisfaction, disconnect the vacuum from the skimmer, remove all water from the hose, let the equipment air dry, and return it all to storage.

Step 8: Turn Off the Pump

Once the hose has been removed, you can also turn off the pump.

Step 9: Clean Out the Skimmer

If any debris remains in the skimmer, clean it out manually before putting the skimmer basket into place.

Photo via Cepontzsons

How to Keep Your Pool Clean for Longer

Now that you've put some sweat into cleaning your pool, here are some tips for maintaining your pool and keeping that water nice and fresh:

• Run the pool pump for an hour a day to make sure that the water circulates through both the skimmer basket and the main drain instead of just staying stagnant. This helps keep your pool clean before you even drag your vacuum out of storage.
• Use a pool skimmer net to remove any dirt, debris, bugs, or leaves floating at the top of the water’s surface. Do this daily if needed.
• Remove the pool skimmer basket and empty it out a few times a week. If anything is stuck in it, spray it out with water.

Do you have any tips for vacuuming a pool? Let us know in the comments below!