If you’re a backyard pool owner, you’ll want to vacuum your above-ground pool on a regular basis during the swimming season for a clean, healthful swimming experience. Because debris is unpleasant and can cause unhealthy algae growth, it’s a good idea to stay on top of your pool cleaning schedule. Pool pros recommend pool cleaning at least once a week during the swimming season.
You can use a manual vacuum or a time saving automatic pool cleaner to do the job. Or you can hire a pool pro to keep your pool in top condition. Of these three pool cleaning methods, a manual vacuum is the most economical but it requires the most time and energy.
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 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. Find your local Hayward Dealer by entering your zip code in our website Dealer Locator here.
Hayward Automatic Above-Ground Pool Cleaners
Hayward offers a lineup of automatic cleaners with proven, reliable technology. We offer many exclusive innovations that drive superior performance and efficient debris management. From robotic cleaners to above-ground suction cleaners and affordable automatic suction cleaners, Hayward has above-ground pool cleaning covered.
Hayward AquaVac 250Li Cordless Robotic Cleaner
Talk about innovation! Hayward’s new AquaVac 250Li is the first cordless robotic cleaner designed especially for above-ground pools up to 30’ in diameter and shallow in-ground pools with a flat bottom. Its extended battery life lasts up to two hours and the large debris canister adds 30% more debris pickup. Its patented drive system provides complete coverage for a sparkling clean pool. You’ll also love that AquaVac 250Li is compact and lightweight for easy handling.
Robotic pool cleaners use low voltage electricity, require no booster pump, and work independently from the pool’s main filtration system. Learn more about robotic cleaners here.
Hayward Above-Ground Suction Cleaner
Wanda the Whale, Penguin, and AquaBug are your next best friends. Our above-ground suction cleaners come in three cute styles and install in less than 10 minutes without tools. They operate off the pool’s existing filtration system and feature Hayward’s exclusive SmartDrive® program steering so they won’t miss a spot. These turbine cleaners are designed to automatically clean the bottom of all above-ground and on-ground pools, regardless of their size and shape.
Hayward AquaRay Automatic Suction Cleaner
If you’re looking for an affordable automatic suction cleaner, look no further than Hayward AquaRay. Installed without tools in less than 10 minutes, its gliding motion makes it a great choice for cleaning above-ground pools. And it features only one moving part for simple reliability. AquaRay works with your existing filtration system to pull in dirt – no separate booster pump is required.
Visit our blog article Tips for Maintaining a Clean Pool for more ideas on maintaining your pool
water, surfaces, and equipment.
The post How to Vacuum Your Above-Ground Pool appeared first on Hayward POOLSIDE Blog.
Here are five ways Hayward is helping pool professionals transition to new Department of Energy standards.
1. We have the broadest range of DOE-compliant pool pumps—including single-speed options.
Contrary to some industry misconceptions, many Hayward single-speed pumps are DOE-compliant and will continue to be manufactured and sold. More specifically, Hayward TriStar,® Super Pump® and MaxFlo® XL single-speed pumps 1 HP and lower meet the new DOE energy-efficiency standards and are fully compliant.
2. We’re designing product solutions that exceed the new efficiency requirements.
Hayward is the industry leader in energy efficiency. In fact, our TriStar VS 900 ultra-high efficiency pump boasts the highest WEF rating available, at a whopping 12.9.* Hayward’s new XE ultra-high efficiency pumps also offer superior efficiency at a purchase price up to 1/3 lower than similar pumps.
3. We’re focusing on education.
Hayward has taken a leadership approach to the DOE regulatory changes, working to educate both the trade and homeowners on what it means for them. By diving into new terms and concepts, explaining what they mean and why they’re important, we’re helping the trade make informed decisions about their businesses and helping homeowners make the best choices for their pools.
4. We’re making key information available.
Hayward has a dedicated DOE Resource Center at hayward.com/regulations that offers fact sheets, FAQs, videos, infographics, blog articles, whitepapers, recorded webinars, tradeshow class trainings and more. This site is updated regularly with key DOE updates, important news and other useful resources for continued help on navigating these changes.
5. We’re keeping the conversation going.
Hayward has created a dedicated email address for questions on the regulations. To get in touch with our experts, send an email to [email protected].
Visit hayward.com/regulations to learn more about Department of Energy regulatory changes.
*Claim based on TriStar® VS 900 pump rating per Dept. of Energy efficiency metrics as of June 1, 2021.
The post New pool pump regulations are here. Hayward has your back. appeared first on Hayward POOLSIDE Blog.
