Vacuuming a Pool Manually

In this episode I'll show you how to vacuum a pool "the Old Fashioned" way.
If you don't have a cleaning system (pop ups or in pool vacuum) you'll want to watch this video.
Hope you’ll subscribe to my channel and also, please check out my website poolschooler.com for exclusive DIY pool maintenance tools and more direct and priority communication with my for your pool maintenance needs.
Also, sometimes your existing cleaning system may need some help and knowing how to manually vacuum your pool is a good skill to have for just such an occasion.
Here's the links to those two videos I mentioned early in this video:
Pool Vacuums: • Pool Vacuums
Installing A Vacuum Using A VacMate: • Installing a Pool Vacu...
It really is easy to put a vacuum in your pool and it makes keeping your pool clean so much easier.
DIY Pool Care

[@yummak33]

YOU ARE SIMPLY THE BEST. THANK YOU FOR YOUR VIDEOS!

[@PoolSchooler]

Thank you for watching and for your kind comment. Hope you subscribed to my channel and will share it with others. AND for more great DIY Pool Service stuff check out my website poolschooler.com

[@erickrhernandez1451]

Love this video. Great explanation.

[@PoolSchooler]

Thank you.

[@billmadden7280]

When I’m done vacuuming pool I lift vac out of water & put on the deck & pull hose out of skimmer right before the air hits the skimmer. Sucks all water out of hose & is easy to wrap hose up. 👍

[@universaldonor3100]

get you a kee pad with a handle/hole in it at Home Depot/Lowe''s garden section....my techs use it for a knee pad as well as slipping the pole thru it and push the pad down the pole to the deck...freeing you up to use both hands..the pole stays in place

[@EyEHaVeYoU11]

Hello i have a pipe and valve that leads into the valve for the vaccum and skimmer pipes like the one in the video shown before the pump. I was wonderinh what does that valve do? Im trying to figure out how to vaccum to waste from the dedicated suction port when i suction manually. Is the pipe/valve going into the valve before pump possibly the waste valve? How would we know we are vaccuming to waste i tried turning valves but i dont see any water getting wasted..thanks for your time and sorry for any confusion.

[@PoolSchooler]

I'd have to see a picture or video of your set up. Also when it comes to vacuum to waste most sand or DE filters don't have that option. Typically if you "vacuum to waste" the water runs out of a backwash hose or something like that. typically if you manually vacuum your pool it goes through the the filter to be filtered (the larger debris gets caught by the pump basket which would then need to be emptied). Depending on the type of filter you have you may need to backwash it (sand or DE) or over time clean it if it's cartridge.

[@erickrhernandez1451]

Question: one of the pools that I was assigned to had a skimmer closed. So I opened the skimmer valve. While I was done vacuuming his pool, it was time for me to vacuum his spa (spa is attached to his pool). However his spa jets was “on” which made it impossible for me to see the bottom of his spa. My question to you is this, how do I shut off the spa jets?

[@PoolSchooler]

There should be a valve that controls the returns to the spa and typically you can shut that valve off. Just make sure you have the returns to the pool open completely so the pressure doesn’t build in the filter.

[@erickrhernandez1451]

@@PoolSchooler thank you for responding back. Will do what you suggested.

[@jackbquick123]

Nice looking shirt,,, I'm from TN lol

[@marybethg5505]

I have that privacy from my old inground pool - got it at Leslie’s

[@cyranodebergeraccc]

why are people disliking these vids i dont understand. if this isnt what youre looking for go somewhere else.

[@ithirstyforknowledge]

Please tell what position the valve was during vacuuming

[@PoolSchooler]

@@ithirstyforknowledge I believe I do say you want to dedicate 100% of your suction to the line that you using to vacuum with. Typically that is the skimmer line.

[@lagoonlane]

QUESTION : When you are manually vacuuming the pool why not plug the hose in to the side of the pool? The port the automatic vacuum is using? Seems like that would be easier.

[@PoolSchooler]

You are right but there are a lot of pools (especially older ones) that don't have that dedicated vacuum port in the side of the pool. So they have to tap into the skimmer. ALSO most pools that have a side port have a stay in the pool suction side vacuum that runs when the filter pump runs so the need to manually vacuum those is somewhat non existent.

[@brians.4488]

That's a rainbow pro vac 214. Also has a built in swivel for the hose. And those white strips on the underside is where the magic happens.

[@PoolSchooler]

Best Vac Head I've ever used.

[@thatlewdfrogman]

If the front hole inside the skimmer (not the rear one that leads to the pump) leads down to the floor drain, how does it receive any suction? Many of your clients' pools have 2 inlets into the pump (with the Jandy valve): one inlet pipe is marked "skimmer" (obviously a direct line from the rear hole), and the other is marked "floor drain". Where does the "floor drain" marked pipe lead from? It seems as if the floor drain pipe just goes from the floor drain up to the skimmer front hole - standing water, no suction... how does it route up to the pump then?

[@PoolSchooler]

That is usually handled by a skimmer diverter. Here's a link to a video I did on those: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4W4pGxmdpqojNE

[@thatlewdfrogman]

@@PoolSchooler I've seen that video as well, very helpful. I have that same situation, although I think my diverter might be a bit worn out. For those pools that have 2 pump inlet pipes coming up into a tee with a Jandy valve (one marked "skimmer" and one marked "floor drain"), am I correct in assuming that their floor drain is piped directly up to the equipment, and NOT to the skimmer box then? My pump only has one inlet pipe coming up from the ground (no tee or valve) and this is from the rear hole inside the skimmer. Seems much more efficient to be piped directly from the floor drain to the pump, and utilizing a 3-way valve right before the pump, rather than a diverter inside the skimmer.

[@PoolSchooler]

@@thatlewdfrogman So it would sound like you have a single pipe running into your pump (suction side) that's directly to the skimmer and the second hole in the skimmer is for the floor drain. Most pools (in AZ at least) that have a dedicated suction line for a pool vac have the two you described coming into the pump with a jandy valve to adjust the suction between the skimmer and pool vac. (the skimmer still usually has the two holes, one for the floor drain and the diverter adjusts that suction between the two). They don't usually dedicate a suction line to a floor drain as you described above, as if too much suction is accidentally put to that, theoretically a child could get stuck on it and possibly drown. Hope that makes sense.

[@thatlewdfrogman]

@@PoolSchooler Yes! Makes sense and I completely understand. Unfortunately I don't have a dedicated suction line for a vacuum, however one of my returns is linked to a booster pump to run a pressure side cleaner (had an old Polaris when we bought the house, but wasn't impressed). I have since removed it and stopped running the booster pump, only the regular pump (been vacuuming the old-school way with a pole and vacuum head). I ordered a VacMate and Barracuda G3 (per your recommendation in other videos/comments) and plan to use those inside the skimmer. Hopefully that's the right combo to clean the dirt/leaves off the floor as well as keep the surface clean. Now onto figure out which VS pump to buy to replace the old single speed one! Can't thank you enough for all the help/info because of your videos!

[@PoolSchooler]

@@thatlewdfrogman Sounds like you got this. You'll be pleased with the 3 and VacMate combo. ALSO my suggestion on VS pump would be to stick with the brand you already have as a single speed. ie: Hayward, stay with Hayward, Pentair, stay with pentair. Let me know things go.

[@Wongpapiyeison]

Hi, I’ve got a question. When vacuuming do you do it under the FILTER setting or under the WASTE setting? My dad has been doing it under the WASTE setting for years and I’m afraid he’s wrong. When vacuuming our pool he always wastes tons of liters of water into the yard, so we fill it up again with a hose.

[@PoolSchooler]

You can do it either way. If you uses the "filter" setting then the dirt is caught by the filter and not poured out into the yard. On the waste setting the dirty (vacuumed) water bypasses filtration and goes directly into wherever your backwash hose goes to. So to save water you can vacuum in the filtration mode. Typically you'd vacuum to "waste" only if there was a ton of dirt on the bottom of the pool as that much dirt would quickly saturate your sand and start to come back into the pool.

[@meloniealkhatib5871]

I have lousy pop ups with the dedicated pump. Is there a way to covert it into a permanent vacuum. There’s no dedicated vacuum opening but can I get something to convert the skimmer basket?

[@PoolSchooler]

Melanie Alkhatib yes, I have a video on converting a pop-up system to a vacuum using a vac mate. You might want to check that out. I have several clients who I have done that for and they are so happy they did.

[@leahadkins1700]

I’m a first time pool owner and our pool is opened useable. But when I try and vacuum it myself I can’t get the constant flow and it just moves the things on the bottom around and does not pick it up. Could you tell a possible reason for this?

[@PoolSchooler]

You may not have enough suction dedicated to the suction line or you may have two skimmers in which case you would need to plug one of them so as to avoid the suction diverting to the non vacuum attached one (you can use a tennis ball for that). I'd have to see your set up before I could accurately comment. Email me a pic of a) your pool equipment plumbing so I can see your suction lines at the pump AND b) where you're plugging your vacuum hose into (do you have a dedicated suction line? or are you using your skimmer AND c) how many skimmers you have. [e-mail]

[@atanasiovinceformosa38]

Can you rent any autonomous suction devices ? We use our skimmer; however, I want 2 or more of us to vaccum. An external Vacuum is what I'm asking. Thank You

[@PoolSchooler]

Actually when I was in Cabo I saw a self contained filter pump vacuum unit and I did a video on it.

[@PoolSchooler]

Here’s a link to they video : kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2Wll2WjeNx4bMk

[@atanasiovinceformosa38]

Thank You So Much; exactly what I was asking You !!! Ciao, Dolly and Vince

[@PoolSchooler]

@@atanasiovinceformosa38 Glad to help. Hope you'll check out www.poolschooler.com (at least watch the video on the home page).

[@mjtuf1]

Hey I vacuum pool and it's clean... after filter runs at night I notice dirt comes right back in the pool, re circulated from, the filter/pump... what can possibly be the cause of this? It is a cartridge filter system

[@PoolSchooler]

Could be your cartridges need cleaning or your may have a crack in your filter manifold.

[@ithirstyforknowledge]

I still didn't get the handle function to control the skimmer and main drain

[@PoolSchooler]

@@ithirstyforknowledge this video will help you understand the suction side of your pool system and identify the suction lines. Identifying Your Pool's Suction Lines kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIbJhap7at-NZ6M

[@Fish-cj4ub]

What do you recommend for pool owners that deal with heavy rain? Recently in my area rain has been pouring down, and it is completely zeroing out our CYA and chlorine. We also get a lot of sun, which isn't good for low CYA. What would you suggest I do?

[@PoolSchooler]

If your water level gets too high (over the tile line) you’re going to need to empty some of the water. In Arizona Sand and DE filters just need to be back washed to bring the water level down just make sure if it’s a DE filter you recharge it. And in Arizona all the cartridge filters that I service have a hose spigot in the line that allows me to open that to drain off excess water in case the water level gets too high. With regards to chemicals, the only thing you can do with the large amounts of water diluting your chemistry and evaporating it, is to keep adding the necessary chemicals to bring the levels up to the ideal range. It’s really just as simple as that.

[@Arun-bs1il]

You could also get a cover system like an Aquamatic EZcover where you can open and shut them quickly. We get lots of rain and we shut that cover when rain is expected and put a cover pump on to get rid of excess water.

[@chuckschillingvideos]

Rain does NOT remove CYA from your pool water (though I sure wish it did). Neither does sunlight. If you have that "problem", which isn't really a problem at all, just keep adding those trichlor tabs. You'll soon have CYA as high as you want it.

[@jaynea4320]

I hold the vacuum head out of the water. I place the skimmer head in front of the jet to fill up the hose before putting the head in the water.

[@dannyboy768]

Nice

[@MrPr0phacy]

This is what I do unless I'm already in the pool.

[@marybethg5505]

Hello again from az. 😀 I have the inter 18 ft /48 in above ground pool and the intex cleaner which is “ok” at picking up leaves but not so great on the sand that gets in the pool - any suggestions on getting this sand out?

[@PoolSchooler]

That may be a suction problem. Most above ground pools don't come with a very powerful pump/filter combo. Hayward and Pentair both make above ground pool pump/filter systems that are much better and effective (although they aren't cheap). You may want to look into one of those. You also may have to just manually vacuum the sandy parts of your pool manually.

[@jim1282003]

I just cleaned my pool filter today but when I start it it won’t pump water. I prime it by putting water on my pump but still not working. I ha e a jacuzzi pump.

[@tommysanfilippo3165]

Probably an air lock. Need to bleed the air off somehow. I have no idea what equipt you have so I can say where to do it. Some filters have a bleeder on top.

[@jackbquick123]

I just checked on vacuum and they still have them or some like it. The 214 stands for it's the 14 inch model.

[@smittylife]

what do you do if you have two skimmers at opposite ends of.the pool?

[@chrisnsharie]

Use a tennis ball in one of the skimmers to stop it up if you don't have a shut off for it.

[@jimojeda]

What part of Arizona are you from? I'm currently in Yuma. :-)

[@PoolSchooler]

I'm near Phoenix.

[@yvonneberry8540]

Question algaecide is copper sulfate you add metal then you have to use metal out this lady puts copper pennies in a net she said she use nothing else there are bunch of DIY chemicals for the pool

[@PoolSchooler]

Not sure what to make of that. I guess if it works for her, that 's great.

[@MrBeast9000]

my skimmer doesnt suck, literally prime the hose and the hose wont stay attached to the skimmer box thing. no suction- so lame.

[@PoolSchooler]

There has to be something causing this. Unfortunately it can be several things. If you want to email me some picture of your pool equipment set up, and your pool plus the skimmer I can hopefully help.

[@MrBeast9000]

@@PoolSchooler on VAcation for a week, but i will take you up on that, Thanks a lot!

[@heatherking1142]

My vacuum hose is Stuck in skimmer hole

[@PoolSchooler]

That does happen sometimes. Usually it's due to one of two things. Either your water needs to be raised a little bit (rule of thumb half way up the skimmer opening or tile line) or you have too much suction to your skimmer, try reducing it a little bit.

[@candaceharrett5298]

Love your content! Please buy something to hold your camera still...I get queasy. Still listen to you though. Thanks again, Candace, Tangerine Pools llc

[@PoolSchooler]

Sorry about the movement. I'll work on it.

[@evelyneller9647]

This video is the only one of your videos I have watched that moves about. I have vertigo and it makes me dizzy.

[@walker614jw]

I love your videos and I've learned alot.. but YOU NEED IMAGE STABILIZATION!! I'm getting dizzy watching the shakey shakey!!!

[@PoolSchooler]

I'm so sorry I've tried to be smoother in my more recent videos. I make these while in the field doing my own clients pools so it's hard to do but I'll try better. Thanks for watching.

[@walker614jw]

@@PoolSchooler No worries, keep doing what you do. I'll still watch..

[@PoolSchooler]

@@walker614jw Thank you and I'll keep working on keeping my camera/phone more still. 👍

[@TimHPop776]

Ken, time for a iPhone tripod stand.

[@PoolSchooler]

I have one and use it sometimes. But when I'm in the field I usually have other things to carry and one more thing like a camera tripod isn't one of them. But I will try to use one as often as I can.

[@joemc111]

Pool School I getting seasick watching.

[@PoolSchooler]

joemc111 sorry.

[@kosmos1957]

@@joemc111 get over it! get some prozac.

[@chenhali3234]

Just set the camera down. Your sitting in a stationary vehicle! Puuuleeese! I'm getting seasick!

[@thomashoffman4189]

dito!!

[@rorydoyle1038]

Can you keep your camera steady in your car please !!

[@PoolSchooler]

Yeah, I'm sorry about that.

[@marybethg5505]

“Pool vac”

[@chuckschillingvideos]

I can't believe folks are still using these things now that electric robotic vacuums are available and work so well.

[@chrisyoumans6012]

Not everyone can afford new automatic vacuums...

[@chuckschillingvideos]

@@chrisyoumans6012 I hear you, but I'm just not buying the argument. A decent robotic vacuum can be had for less than a smartphone. And EVERYONE has a smartphone these days.

[@mk719x3]

@@chuckschillingvideos I hear ya but do they have payment plans for these robotic vacuums? 🤔

[@ericcendejas7505]

Try ere still a pain , you need to empty out the leaf canister and sometimes they stop working if the suction on your pump sucks

[@chuckschillingvideos]

@@ericcendejas7505 I think you're confused. Electronic pool vacuums don't have anything to do with the pool pump. They have internal motors that generate the necessary suction. And the leaf canisters hold a surprising amount of material.

[@deniseregnier7179]

This is the second video and I'm having ALOT of problems watching whe you are holding the camera. It is bouncing all over. It's making me sea sick. As for the information it is useful.