above ground pool

How To Vacuum Above Ground Pool?

Getting an above-ground pool is one very affordable means of bringing that warm-weather fun to your home. But, there are routine maintenances you need to carry out to ensure longevity and hygiene.

The inground pool features an integrated underground filtration system installation to empty them.

On the other hand, the above-ground pool needs a passive external filtration and a pool vacuum to get debris out of the pool.

So, either you own an above-ground pool, or you have started taking cleaning duties, you will need a vacuum.

The design of the pool vacuum comes with all the essential equipment to clean the inside of pools.

Although vacuuming the inside of a pool is not the easiest of tasks. It’s still the best way to keep your pool free of debris that can lead to algae growth.

There’s nothing enjoyable about swimming in slimy green water.

In this article, we will discuss how to vacuum above ground pool and the simple step involved.

above ground pool

Things You Will Need

Here are some of the necessary equipment you need for good pool maintenance. So, get these before preparing to include vacuuming to your above ground pool:

· A vacuum head; also called a vac head with rollers or brushes. This depends on the type of pool you aim at cleaning.

· A long telescoping pole or fiberglass pile attached to the vac head. Most have standard sizes to connect to your vacuum head, net, or pool brush.

· A vacuum hose pipe. The size of your pool determines the length. It should be long enough to reach every part of your pool.

· A skimmer or vacuum plate, or pool rake (if necessary)

· A pool brush attached to the pole

Vacuuming Process

Step 1 – set up your pool vacuum

The pool vacuums are quick and easy to assemble. You should attach the vacuum head to the telescoping pole and ensure it snaps in.

Step 2 – Attach the vacuum hose

Connect one end of the hose and the vacuum head. On the other end, use the vacuum plate to attach the skimmer.

But remove the skimmer basket before the connection. Before securing the vacuum hose to the skimmer, hold the hose up against one of the pool’s jets to blow the air out of it.

It would be best to do this until no more water flow or bubbles come out of the hose.

Step 3 – Select the filter valve setting

You can set the multiport valve filter to “Filter” for light vacuuming.

Also, set “waste” for a larger amount of debris and bigger jobs.

This latter setting will send the water down the drain instead of through the filter.

Step 4 – Use the vacuum

Like you use the vacuum on a rug, move the vacuum in slow linear passes to avoid stirring up the dirt and not sucking it up.

But, you should stop and empty the pump filter for a dirtier pool, then continue. Depending on how dirty your pool floor is, repeat the process as necessary as possible to get all the debris out.

clean above ground pool

When You’re Finished

We can call this a Step 5 since this is where you detach, change the filter settings, and do a final clean-up.

Step 1:

With your pool vacuumed to your satisfaction, disconnect the hoses. Also, detach the telescoping pole, vacuum plate, and vacuum head.

Drain out all the water left in the vacuum hose and ensure to clear out the bottom of the skimmer disc.

Step 2:

Attach a brush to the telescoping pole, and scrub the pool sides and floor of the pool for perfection.

Then remove every algae or debris.

Clear the waste in the pump strainer basket.

After that, if you have made changes to your filter pump settings, return it to its default.

Give the filter final back-washing if you have used the “filter” setting.

Step 3:

Even after cleaning, a finishing touch may be required.

So if after using the “waste” setting while vacuuming the pool, switch the valve to the “filter” setting.

You may notice the pool water level dropping while using the “waste” filter setting.

With a garden hose, ensure that the fresh water stream is steady to keep your pool filled and water.

Step 4:

After vacuuming your pool, test your pool water for alkalinity, pH, and chlorine.

The point is to ensure its kept balanced.

Ensure your equipment keeps working in top condition without unnecessary wear ocorrosion.

Also, clean up your equipment with fresh water. Then dry and return them to storage.

Warning

If you feel the vac head getting stuck, take a minute to break the vacuum force, switch off the pump, and set it free.

Avoid dreading the vac head and track the pressure gauge of your pool filter.

The idea is to ensure the pressure is not rising above the recommended level. If it does, take another break and wash your filter.

You only need a little preparation to get the minor debris or wage an entire war on invading algae. With patience and some willingness, you can do this task.

vacuuming pool

Automatic, Manual, or Hired Maintenance?

What’s about manual maintenances?

Let’s be honest; vacuuming your pool by hand is a lot of work. It would need some time, so clear out your schedule.

Begin at the shallow end with long slow sweeping strokes and move towards the deeper end. Ensure every new stroke overlap the previous to avoid leaving any algae or debris behind.

No matter what you do, rushing this process will only kick up the algae or debris and reduce visibility in the pool.

This would only result in hours of waiting for the trash to settle down again. Except you want to experience extra hours of vacuuming your pool.

If you are dealing with a lot of debris, you will unlikely avoid the cloud of dirt regardless of how careful you try.

But it’s unnecessary to create more work by hurrying. If you have a cloud of debris, give it a while to settle and get back vacuuming.

How about automatic maintenances?

While automatic vacuuming may seem like a form of meditation to some, it’s still a chore to others.

The world has enough blooming technologies capable of cleaning your above ground pool. There are three main types of automatic pool vacuums.

Robotic pool cleaners:

These are electrical-powered independent vacuum cleaners.

After plugging them into an outlet, all you do is drop them in your pool, and it does all the hard work for you.

But when the built-in filter bag gets full of debris, you need to empty it.

Even though Robotic pool cleaners are quite expensive, they are the best on the market.

Pressure-Side pool cleaners:

While there is water pressure from your filter system, these types of cleaners hook on your return line.

With this, it powers a self-contained cleaner and picks up debris from the pool bottom into a filter bag.

Suction-Side pool cleaners:

This is like cleaning the pool manually since it hooks up the same way. Yet, what makes it automatic is that it moves around the pool bottom by itself.

With this, you don’t have to endure the hot sun. 

How to vacuum your pool with a garden hose?

Another way to vacuum your above-ground pool is by using a vacuum system attached to your garden hose. It’s an inexpensive method that is good enough for hot tubs or smaller pools. But you need to follow these guidelines

Step 1:

Connect the vacuum head and the telescoping pole

Step 2:

With one end of your hose connected to its spigot, attach the other end to your pole.

Step 3:

Go to the opening on the vacuum and attach a vacuum bag

Step 4:

Turn off the filtration system on your pool and turn on the water.

Step 5:

Submerge the vacuum cleaner into the pool. Be steady while moving the vacuum back and forth along the surface of the pool to get the debris off.

Step 6:

After these processes, turn the filtration system on. Then remove any leftover floating debris.

Tips

You may notice your vacuum losing suction while running this process.

Get it out of the pool and empty and the collection bag.

And if this doesn’t work, turn off and on the water source and lower it back into the pool water.

Also, you have to take your time and avoid rushing this process. Trying to be quicker than necessary can stir up the debris from the bottom of your pool.

Once the hose reaches the bottom, cleaning the pool becomes tougher. The residue will float around for a long while before returning to the bottom again.

Ensure to take your time while you cover the surface of the above-ground pool.


Wrap-Up

There’s no doubt that your pool needs proper maintenances to remain clean and healthy. Of course, you need to do some work.

Proper maintenance can you ensure your above ground pool is free of contaminants that sink to the bottom or remain suspended in the pool

But, with a few tips and simple steps, you can keep your pool as fresh as possible.

Our guide will help you through every step you need to maintain your pool’s hygiene. You also get to avoid requiring help from costly professional pool cleaners.