Paul Bailie

How to Clean and Care For an Automatic Pool Cover

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Normally, pool owners are mainly concerned with cleaning and maintaining their pool, but what about the automatic pool cover? Just as your pool requires care, so does your pool cover. I am going to list the most important tips to successfully care for and clean your automatic pool cover.

What To Check On Your Automatic Pool Cover And Related Moving Parts

With a minimum amount of effort, you can extend the life of your pool cover, the motor, and other components. The housing should be cleaned out at least once per year. Make sure leaves and other debris don’t prevent water from draining out of the housing.

Periodically inspect the track to be sure all screws are secure if they become loose simply tighten with a screwdriver. Spray water in the track channel a couple of times a year to remove the potential buildup of leaves or other debris.

Throughout the year inspect the vinyl fabric for signs of wear brought on by pool chemicals, age, extreme temperature, and the sun.
Should the vinyl become brittle its ability to provide protection may be compromised and should be replaced.

it’s important to inspect the vinyl for holes or tears which can allow water to seep up from the pool and present a safety hazard. Patch kits are available from your dealer.

if the stitching begins to fray the strength of the cover may be compromised and this should be repaired or replaced by your dealer.

To prevent premature aging of the vinyl the cover should remain open for at least two hours after you add chemicals to your pool. This will allow the chemicals and chemical gases to disperse.

How To Clean Your Automatic Pool Cover

For owners who wish to clean their cover, the operation is quite simple. First, make sure the pool water level is at the center of the skimmer opening. Start by placing the bilge pump on the cover. Next, spray water into the tail end of the vinyl and add a mild diluted cleaner.

Then gently clean a five-foot section of the vinyl with your pool brush. Open the cover five feet and repeat the process allowing the bilge pump to remove the standing dirty water. it’s important to follow these simple steps at the beginning of the pool season or whenever you need to clean the cover.

Automatic pool covers must be cleaned every 3-6 months. Spray all the reel components with a Teflon based lubricant once every season to make sure components are running smoothly. This will prevent wear on the moving parts.

At this point, you should be ready for the rest of your pool opening procedures. At the end of the pool season, a few precautions are important to protect your cover and your pool.

First, close the cover completely and put the bilge pump on the cover. Next, make sure that at least 70% of the vinyl is resting on the water. Anything less than 70% may damage the vinyl. if during the offseason support of the vinyl becomes less than 70% add additional water to the pool.

On top track systems, water bags can be added for additional protection.

Safety Aspects To Consider When Using Your Automatic Pool Cover

Your backyard pool is a great place to play, exercise, entertain, and relax but it’s also a place where safety must come first. Responsible pool owners know that real dangers exist.

  • From horseplay or other unsafe behavior, but a very real danger is present around any body of water.
  • The cover should only be operated by an adult or owner.
  • Keep children away from the cover. Children or objects, cannot be under the cover.
  • Do not walk on the cover except for emergency purposes.
  • Only keep the bilge pump on the cover. Set the bilge pump up for proper use whenever the cover is closed.
  • Always keep the water pumped off the cover to avoid a drowning risk. Even a small amount of water is a hazard, especially if someone walks or falls onto the cover vinyl. The water will collect around the person and may present a drowning risk.
  • When swimming, keep the bilge pump away from the pool area and always keep all electrical cords away as well.
  • You should inspect the cover frequently for signs of deterioration, rips, or tears.
  • Do not close the cover until all swimmer’s toys, towels, ladders, and other objects are out of the pool.
  • Never leave the pool cover partially opened.
  • Always make sure you can see the entire pool and pool cover while you’re activating the controllers to open or close the pool cover.
  • Always remove the key from the key switch when the pool is not in use.

Questions and Answers Regarding Automatic Pool Cover Problems

Can I walk on the cover? While you can walk on the cover we recommend doing so only in an emergency.

Is the cover too big? Many new cover owners question the extra vinyl fabric that’s evident in the cover. This is actually key to the effect of the operation of the cover. At first new covers appear to be wrinkled or oversized but this is normal and the wrinkles may smooth out over time.


If I drain my pool or the water level gets low should I close the cover? Never cover your pool if drained or anytime the water level is any more than 6 inches below the skimmer. Doing so could cause damage to the system. Fill the pool to a level where the water supports the cover.

The cover is opening or closing crooked what should I do? While it’s normal for a cover to open or close up to 2 inches off its normal position appearing slightly crooked as it moves. More severe misalignment should be addressed by a trained technician.

Should I leave the bilge pump on the cover at all times? The bilge pump should be left on the cover whenever the cover is closed. The only exception is during severe winter conditions when it’s too cold to melt the ice and snow on the cover. Remove the pump off and place it in a warm area. Then place the pump back on when the ice begins melting.

I hear a popping noise when I open and close the cover is this normal? Sometimes the ropes make a popping noise when rolling on to the Rope reels this is normal and not an indication of any trouble.

The pool cover does not open or close when I activate the controller what should I check? Check if the motor is not turning or the cover is not moving you may need to reset your GFCI outlet. Turn the breaker off then turn it back on. If the cover is still not operating call your installation company.

Water appears on my cover when it has not rained in days? Your cover may have a hole over the water and needs to be patched.

The cover stops halfway open or closed what should I do? If your cover stops Midway the tracks might have dirt or debris inside and you should clean them out with a firm stream of water from your hose. Another possibility is that the ropes have become tangled around the rope reel in the housing. Lift the lid to check the reels and see if they appear tangled. If they are you must first turn off the power to the system and then you can carefully attempt to untangle them yourself. Another situation that may cause a cover to stop Midway is that there may be too much water remaining on the cover. Pump the water off with the bilge pump and then attempt to open the cover.

The key switch indicator light is blinking red? A blinking red light indicates that the cover has stopped under stress. There might be water on top of the cover. There could be an object blocking the cover or the cover could be running crooked and needs adjustment.

The cover is completely open and will not close? It may be that the cover has opened too far and come out of the track. You can also check the green indicator light on your controller. If the light is not on you do not have power to the system and you should check your electrical system.

The bilge pump is not pumping off the water? It may be that the pump’s automatic shutoff is malfunctioning or there’s another problem. Check your bilge pump owner’s manual for troubleshooting tips. The pump may need to be repaired or replaced because a properly functioning pump is critical to the safety and operation of every pool cover.

I recommend you purchase a backup pump to always have on hand in the event of problems with your primary pump.

I hope that this information is helpful to you for having a trouble-free automatic pool cover.

How To Clean A Roller Shutter Pool Cover

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The maintenance of your pool involves the regular cleaning of the water and the various components of your pool. The roller shutter, like other types of cover, offers the advantage of making your task easier by protecting your pool from pollution.

You then only use the dip net once or twice a week to remove dead leaves and twigs that fell into the pool during your swimming sessions. You can also reduce the amount of chlorine and disinfectants that help maintain water quality since the pool is fully covered.

However, you must also clean the pool cover at least twice a year. Impurities and waste accumulate there and can pollute your pool if you are not careful. The cleaning operation mainly consists of removing dirt from the blades as well as debris that is trapped between the flap joints.

Also, know that these impurities will roll out with the shutter when it opens and there is a good chance that they will end up at the bottom of your pool. This debris can also damage the cover blades if it is not removed.

Cleaning the Solid Roller shutter Pool Cover in the Correct Sequence

In order for your pool cover to be properly maintained, you must adopt the right sequence. It is also necessary to clean in stages in order to preserve the quality of the blades and of the other components of the cover. You must start by dismantling the grating in the case of a submerged pit since this equipment protects the pit.

After removing this accessory, you can clean the shutter blades one by one by rolling them out little by little. This then allows you to brush the blades using a wall brush and detergent.

Once you have done all the blades, keep the shutter closed and spray with a strong jet of water to remove the detergent. You can take the opportunity to completely clean the submerged pit by removing large waste with a pool net and the others using a manual vacuum cleaner.

The opening slot is quite small and is not often suitable for the use of a pool robot. In case you have opted for solid blades, then you must use a high temperature and high-pressure cleaner.

You have the option of using a detergent for the swimming pool in order to remove all stubborn stains and so that the swimming pool cover can regain its shine. If your cover is not made from solid blades, a simple garden hose is more than enough.

Also, use a sponge soaked in a cleaning product dedicated to cleaning the pool cover to keep everything clean. However, read the labels carefully since the use of abrasive products is not recommended. They risk damaging the boards which then lose their insulating capacity. Repeat all these steps before winterizing your pool in late fall or early winter.

You must then clean your pool cover again before summer. These cleaning sessions allow you, to check that the automatic or manual system of your cover is working properly.

Alternative Techniques to Conventional Roller Shutter Cleaning

The roller shutter is a real nest for bacteria and microorganisms, hence the need to clean it regularly. Even if this cleaning is difficult or time-consuming, it is necessary to do it regularly to guarantee the quality of the water in your pool and the preservation of an ideal temperature which is around 28 ° C.

Step 1: Keep the shutter in the closed position so that you can more easily access the area behind it, where lots of dirt gets stored. Sometimes you need to use a shovel and a brush to remove any dead leaf debris and other impurities.

Step 2: Draining the water circuit guarantees that this waste is not likely to end up in your pool, otherwise beware of its pollution. It is better to pay for a few cubic meters of water to fill the pool than to invest in expensive disinfectants. All the more so if the debris is too great, you may need to empty the pool before thoroughly cleaning it and refilling it.

Step 3: Empty your filter tank regularly which fills up quickly because of the draining of the water circuit of your pool. Stop this operation only when the water coming out is perfectly clear.

Step 4: Clean your filter using a powerful jet of water, since debris will attach to it when cleaning the pool cover. Do not stop cleaning until you see the bottom of the filters.

Step 5: Close the hatches that contain the shutter or the gratings if there is a submerged pit. Also, close the drain valve before unwinding your roller shutter.

Step 6: Pour the required amount of chlorine into the pool for a shock treatment in order to disinfect your pool properly.

Step 7: If there is debris at the bottom of the pool, turn on your automatic vacuum cleaner to remove it. You can also use a manual vacuum cleaner if you do not have a pool robot.

Step 8: Clean your filters again to remove any debris attached to them before the filtration pump is started.

The Advantages of Cleaning a Solid Roller Shutter Pool Cover

Cleaning the roller shutter of your swimming pool has many significant advantages. As you can do it yourself, you save money.

You can also save money on the time you spend on the daily maintenance of your pool such as emptying the skimmer. You also don’t have to use too many pool chemicals to guarantee clean, healthy water. Debris on the roller shutter is unlikely to spill into the pool if you thoroughly clean it every six months and if you remove dirt on the surface of the cover at least once a week.

How To Remove Stains From a Pool

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It is the dread of any pool owner: seeing spots appear on the coating of a pool. Often difficult to remove they quickly become a nightmare. All stains are not cleaned in the same way, for the simple reason that they do not all have the same origin. The treatment will also depend on the coating of your pool: liner, coating, or fiberglass. Here is our guide for how to remove stains from a pool.

How To Remove Stains From a Pool Liner

Brown spots. Removing brown spots on the liner of your pool can be a relatively easy operation if they result from the presence of organic waste or are a sign of deposits of dead algae. On the other hand, it promises to be more delicate if it is a question of micro-mushrooms which, in reality, have developed behind the liner, on the concrete part of your swimming pool, and appeared by the effect of porosity. It is generally the consequence of humidity that settled between the coating and the concrete.

How do you know if it’s algae or fungi?

If the spots reappear quickly after rubbing them, it is fungi. In this case, do the following:
Lower the pH to 6.8 and stop the filtration. Thus, the pores of the liner will dilate and the treatment will be more effective. Then, if you have only a few isolated sections, bring gloves, a chlorine tablet, and diving goggles and then rub in small circular movements, without pressing too hard, on the stain.

On the other hand, if the spots are almost everywhere in the pool, pour with a watering can sodium hypochlorite or, failing this, bleach as close as possible to the spots.
Finally, raise the pH to 7 or 7.2 and then filter the pool water continuously for 72 h before washing the filter.

If the waterline has turned yellow. This is due to the presence of floating fatty substances on the surface of the water. Even with regular maintenance of your pool, sunscreens, are formidable. To prevent the appearance of this famous yellow line, think of rubbing the edge with a suitable product, once a week.

To prevent the appearance of limescale, which promotes the adhesion of fatty substances, by also using an acid cleaning product. If, on the other hand, the water line is crusted, do as follows:
Fill the pool so that the water largely covers the yellow line.

Do shock chlorination. Set the pH to 7. Pour a metal inhibitor into the skimmer at the doses indicated (generally 40 ml for 50 m3 of water). On the 4th day, pour a new dose of product. On the 7th day, backwash the filter. Leave the filtration continuously on for the duration of the treatment.

Rust stains. They reflect the presence of metals in water (iron, copper, manganese). To remedy this, apply the specific products using a sponge after putting on gloves. You can also try white vinegar. To do this, attach a sponge to the end of a hollow tube and pour the liquid into it. Then rub on the stains.

Pink or Red spots. Viscous in appearance, they first appear on plastic surfaces (water toys, ladders, etc.). To make them disappear, lower the pH to 7 and scrub the stains with a sponge. Then do a shock treatment or use an algaecide.

For optimal efficiency, also leave contaminated objects in the water during the operation. The filtration system must also work continuously. Then 24 hours later, raise the pH to 7.2 and 7.6 and leave the filtration system on for another 72 hours. Wash the filter every day before the treatment. You can remove stains on a liner by using a specific cleaner sold in specialized stores.

You will apply it using a sponge or a glove, and scrub in circular movements. You can also use silver stone, which is a natural clay-based solution, or white vinegar.

How To Remove Stains From A Fiberglass Pool

Red, Black, Brown, Blue/Green spots. This may be due to the decomposition of organic matter (leaves, insects, etc.) or an excessive supply of metal ions.

What to do? The treatment of these stains on your fiberglass pool will take place over a week. On the first day, Acidify the pool by reducing the pH to 6, then carry out shock chlorination. Then add a ferrous ion product using the correct dosage. On the 4th day, add another dose of the same product. On the 7th day, backwash the filter. In the end, check that the pH has risen between 7.2 and 7.6 and then stabilize it. For prevention, be sure to keep the pH between 7.2 and 7.6.

Brown or Green spots. Have algae formed on the bottom and walls of your pool? To be sure, just see if they disappear on contact with a chlorine tablet. If this is the case, treatment is necessary. Practice shock chlorination then adjust the pH of the water to between 7.2 and 7.6 as well as the hardness. Run the filtration system all the time.

Then, do a flocculation treatment to increase the fineness of filtration and eliminate the algae in suspension. Allow a day to pass then brush the walls, wait for the residue to form at the bottom of the pool, and vacuum them directly to waste. Return the filtration system to normal operation.
To prevent algae from returning, it is advisable to use a pool cover which will thus block the photosynthesis process.

Brown or Black spots. They are undoubtedly fungi, which have formed due to insufficient filtration, or random cleaning of the pool. To remedy this, you will need to lower the pH to 6 in order to acidify the water, before initiating shock chlorination.
Note that to avoid the appearance of fungi, the pH should be kept around 6.8 and the chlorine level should be at least 1.5 mg / l.

White or Grayish spots. If they are rougher to the touch, it is tartar. Here is the solution. Acidify the pool water by reducing the pH to 6 and then, allow the pH to rise alone between 7.2 and 7.6. If it has not gone back far enough beyond the 7th day, use a product. If this was not enough to remove the stains, you will have no choice but to empty the pool to descale it.

Warning! Before emptying the pool, it is imperative to check that there is no water under the bottom, otherwise, it could rise and irreversibly damage your installation.


If you do not want limestone to return to the walls and bottom of your pool, you must regularly analyze the pH of the water and adjust it if necessary, between 7.2 and 7.6. In addition, it is essential to treat the water regularly (at least 3 times a year) with a suitable anti-lime.

Discoloration spots. This is no doubt due to repetitive shock treatment. The chlorine damages the Gelcoat coating of your fiberglass pool. Unfortunately there is nothing to do, except to empty the pool and redo the coating.


The water line turns fluorescent yellow. It is the sign of the presence of benzotriazoles or debenzotriazines present in sunscreens. Here are the steps to follow. Raise the water level to above the yellow line then adjust the pH between 7.2 and 7.6. Once it is done, carry out shock chlorination and add a metal-capturing product in the correct dosage.

In addition, if you do not clean the water line quickly after the first signs appear, then the coloring could become permanent.

Brown marks at the waterline. Fats, in addition to remaining on the surface, trap dirt. To overcome it, the water line must be cleaned regularly with a suitable product whose role is to prevent stains from becoming permanent. If the waterline resists this cleaning, lower the water level below the coloring and clean with a descaler.

How To Remove Stains From A Concrete Or Plaster Pool

Heavy metal is a pool’s enemy. I’m talking about the invisible metals dissolved in your pool water from sources like rain run-off, pool equipment, saltwater pool systems, or even your concrete pool deck surface. Bits of metal like screws or hairpins can make a nasty rust stain.

It’s important to know what kinds of metals are creating the stains in your pool. Here’s a pool stain chart as a guide for metal stain identification in pools.

Metals are certainly not the only cause of stains in a plaster-surfaced swimming pool. Leaves, berries, bugs, suntan oil, or even your water-loving dog can all contribute to staining. For plaster pool stains is to always start with the brushing and shock before going in with a bunch of trial and error stain removers.

These types of stains can be cleaned with good old fashion elbow grease using a combination of a PoolStone and pool shock. Pouring a bit of pool shock directly onto a stain works similar to bleach and is ideal for plaster surfaces.

Sequestering agents, commonly called Stain & Scale chemicals, can help keep minerals and metals in solution, locked up tightly at the molecular level, so they won’t precipitate, mix with other particles, and then attach to your pool surfaces.

Other Types Of Stains: These can include pool stains from mineral scale-like calcium and metals like copper, iron, or manganese. Minerals can come out of solution in hard water, and metals can enter from fill water that is high in metals, or from copper pipes or a pool heater exchanger – when water balance is not correct.

Removing Stains from a Plaster Pool

Granular pool shock or EZ Stain Remover for organic stains
Sequestering agents or A+ Stain Remover for metal stains
Stain Eraser or PoolStone for mineral stains
Enzymes for oily, dirty stains
Acid Washing for all plaster, tile and coping stains
Keep pool water balanced and brush often

Once again, having the correct water balance is important. Poor water balance can become corrosive or scaling, and both conditions can cause plaster pool stains by making it easy for minerals and metals to come out of solution.

How To Detect Swimming Pool leaks

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The water level in a pool fluctuates constantly due to a completely normal phenomenon called: evaporation. But how do you tell the difference between evaporation or a leak? How to detect a leak? What are the places to check first? What to do to stop the leak before calling a pool specialist.

How To Detect If You Have A Leak In Your Pool

The logical first step is an observation: Look around the pool carefully for any wet, or sunken down areas. Look in the pool to see if there are any cracks.

There are two things you can do to make sure you don’t have a water leak.

1) Use adhesive tape: place a strip of tape above the water level on the wall of the pool, and wait 24 hours. If the water level has dropped more than one centimeter, you have a leak.

2)Use a transparent container: Fill a container with a few pebbles (so the container does not float) and water. Place it on the steps or where both levels can be at the same height. Leave it for 24 hours and again if you notice that the level of the pool water has dropped more than one centimeter in contrast to the level of the bucket, you have a leak. Well, you have a leak, now what?

Now you have to detect where the leak comes from.

These two areas are where the water leak will normally come from.

1)Pipes and parts that are supposed to be sealed (skimmer, inlet pipes to filter and pump, drains and outlet pipes from the pump)
2)Swimming Pool Coating (liner, tiles, concrete/fiberglass structure)

How to spot a leak in a swimming pool

The filtration system is the first to be blamed when there is a leaking pool problem. The problem may be due to the wear of a seal or a leak at the connections. Before focusing on the pool itself, it is advisable to carefully check all the plumbing joints of the pump and filter. The leak can also come from microcracks in the filters tank.

If the problem does not come from the filtration system, the second step is to stop the pump and then close all the valves, to let the pool water level stabilize for 24 hours. The water level will stabilize just below the leak. If, for example, the water stabilizes below the skimmers, it means that the leak comes from there. If it stabilizes under an outlet nozzle, then the leak is there.

A simple trick is then to put a colored die in the water by the skimmer or outlet nozzle. Whichever one you think could be responsible for the leak If the colored water is sucked out of the pool, there is a leak.

That said, the leak can also be from the drain itself, or from the pool lining. It is therefore advisable to carefully check the coating of the pool, all around the pool, where the water has stabilized. In the case of microcracks in the coating, it will be necessary to call in a professional.

Remember to also check the soil around your pool. If you notice that the ground is muddy/damp in a particular area, then there is a leak in the buried pipes. Again, it is advisable to call a professional.

Is there special equipment to find a leak in a swimming pool

There are detectors that can help find a leak in your pool.

Pressurization pump. It makes it possible to inject air or water under pressure into the pipe and then to control the pressure inside the pipes with a manometer. Constant pressure = no leakage.Pressure drop = leak.

Ultrasonic Detector. An ultra-sensitive floor microphone detects the sounds generated by the water escaping from the pipe.

Tracer gas. Gas is injected under pressure into the pipeline to exit vertically at the surface where the leak is located. A probe is used to locate the gas particles on the surface.

Infrared Thermograph. An infrared camera visualizes and measures the temperature differences between the ambient air and the water coming out of the pipe.

Endoscopic Camera. A flexible pipe fitted with a camera allows the interior of the pipes to be explored to identify a possible water leak. Thanks to a display screen and a locator, it is possible to determine the location of the leak.

Good to know. Considering the expensive price of this equipment, it is advisable to call a professional who is already equipped with it. The price of the intervention will be lower than the purchase of any leak detector kit.

How To Repair A Leak On A Swimming Pool

Leak at the filtration pump. If the seals are worn, just buy new ones and change them. This procedure is relatively simple and can be done without the help of a professional.

Leak at parts that are sealed. If the leak comes from the seals, it is possible to replace them yourself but if the part is incorrectly installed, it is better to call a specialist who can give you the benefit of his know-how.

A leak from underground pipes. This type of leak is the most delicate of all because it is difficult to gain access to the buried pipes. Fortunately, there are repair techniques that can help stop leaks from the inside of the pipe.

A leak in the liner. If you find a microcrack in the liner, it can be repaired with a special repair kit. To use underwater, it avoids you to empty your pool. If the tear is too great, it is better to replace the entire liner with a new one.


There are products that you pour into your pool skimmer, with the pump on to seal the underground or internal pipe leaks. If the leak is small it will be sealed. How these products work is that when this solution that is in the pool water comes into contact with oxygen it hardens and stops the leak. If the leak is too big, it will not seal. then you will have to call a professional.

I hope that this article will help you in finding the leak in your pool.

How To Manually Vacuum Your Pool

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The manual pool vacuum is an essential cleaning accessory and sufficient for cleaning small and medium-sized pools.

Given its low cost and ease of use, it is also a significant part of routine maintenance, especially in the event of a failure of your automatic pool cleaner, if you have one.

Why use a manual pool vacuum?

In general, a pool vacuum cleaner, whether manual or automatic, is an essential tool for removing dirt and debris that settles in the corners and the bottom of the pool.

Where the brush takes off the dirt, the manual vacuum cleaner will also suck them up through the filtration system or directly to waste. It protects against the deterioration of swimming conditions, water clarity, and helps keep a swimming pool clean, healthy, and pleasant.

The advantages of vacuuming a pool manually

Brushing the walls and floor of the pool prevents the formation of algae.
Brushing also targets areas in the pool where dirt tends to settle.

When should you manually vacuum the pool?

During the season, when too much dirt from the use of the pool or deposits have formed in the pool because of wind and bad weather. This involves removing the dirt and deposits from the pool to help the filtration system.

After a period when regular maintenance of the pool and water treatment could not be carried out. For example, after a return to service of the filtration system at the end of winter, or after returning from vacation, or because the weather has forced you to do so (green water with algae blooms, large volumes of debris to be removed from the water).

Note that if the debris to be removed is a lot (leaves for example), it is preferable to first use the net beforehand so as not to unnecessarily clog the baskets of the skimmers and the prefilter of the filtration pump.

How to connect a manual pool vacuum?

Connect the head of the brush with the telescopic sleeve and put the connection hose in the pool. It will be necessary to get the air out of the hose, starting by connecting it to the head of the brush. If air is sucked in, the pump won’t prime.

Immerse the hose and the brush in the pool water, holding the brush handle and the other end of the hose. Remove the air in the connection pipe by placing it in front of an outlet water jet or by immersing it vertically in the pool so that the air escapes from the pipe.

Now bring the pipe filled with water to the inlet connection point, you can put your hand on the top of the pipe so that the water does not escape if that part of the pipe is out of the water.

If the pool is fitted with a brush socket, then fit the other end of the hose into the brush socket.

If the manual vacuum cleaner must be connected to the skimmer, then fit the other end of the hose onto the skimmer. In this case, and depending on the model, it could be connected either directly to the pipe under the skimmer basket or if you have a disc that fits on top of the skimmer basket called a skim vac. The suction fitting will be on the top of the disc.

Should the pool pump be on or off when fitting the vacuum brush?

If the pump is stopped and you are alone, the connection hose can disconnect itself from the brush or the skimmer and partially re-fill with air.

In this case, it may be better to have two people (one holding the hose, and one which starts the pump) or, if you are alone, to correctly position the multi-way valve and the T and D valves. Turn on the pool pump before connecting the brush.

The multi-way valve must be in the filter position if there is not much dirt to vacuum. If the bottom of the pool is very dirty, it may be preferable to put the multi-way valve on the backwash (drain) position so as not to clog the filter.

If the brush is connected to the skimmer, open the valve of the corresponding skimmer and close the bottom drain valve. This will give more suction power to the brush.

How to use a manual pool vacuum?

Not many people like to vacuum a pool. Therefore we vacuum to fast which is a mistake.

Do not hurry and be gentle when handling the brush.
Gently vacuum all areas to be cleaned. By going too fast, dust and deposits will move up and resuspend in the water. The water will become cloudy and you will not see the bottom of the pool nor where you are vacuuming. Then you will have to wait for the dirt to settle down again.

The head of the vacuum cleaner must be effective on all surfaces and please respect the pool coating: walls, bottom, corners of the pool. If the coating is a liner, use a brush head that does not pierce the coating at the corners and edges. If the coating is a shell or concrete, a brush head with rollers is recommended so as not to scratch the coating.

Here again, the fact of going slowly makes it possible to avoid scratching, piercing or making impact points when the head of the vacuum cleaner bangs on the covering.

Once the vacuuming is finished, it is, of course, necessary to dismantle the brush and the hose.

Switching the pump off necessary to be able to empty the basket of the pump pre-filter and return the multi-way valve to the “Filter” position if it was on “Drain”.

Empty and clean the skimmer and pump pre-filter baskets. Return the T-valves to their original position and, if necessary, restart the pool pump.

To conclude

As the name suggests, a manual pool vacuum involves cleaning work that is done manually. We must remember to not vacuum to fast due to the risk of sucking air and putting most of the dirt back into the water.

It is possible to take turns vacuuming, doing it as a team, or make it in the form of a game.

That said, there is nothing more effective than vacuuming the dirt from a pool than with a manual vacuum cleaner. You can do without a robot but you can never do without a manual vacuum brush. And even if its easier to call a company for the cleaning and maintenance of your pool, you should always have one on hand.