Saltwater vs Chlorine Pools: Costs, Pros and Cons
Saltwater or traditional chlorine? How salt chlorine generators work, upfront and running costs, maintenance, feel of the water, and which suits your pool.
How to Vacuum a Pool Manually
How to vacuum a pool by hand: the equipment you need, priming the hose, filter or waste settings, the right technique, and what to do when suction is weak.
Key takeaways
- Prime the hose with water before connecting it, or the pump will lose suction.
- Vacuum on the filter setting for normal dirt and on waste for algae, silt or flocculant.
- Move slowly with long, overlapping strokes, then clean the filter and top up the water.
On this page
To vacuum a pool manually, attach a vacuum head to a telescopic pole and hose, fill the hose with water to push out the air, connect it to the skimmer or suction port, and move the head slowly across the floor in long, overlapping strokes. Use the filter setting for everyday dirt and the waste setting for algae, fine silt or flocculant, then clean the filter and top up the water.
What you need
- Vacuum head: a weighted head with brushes suits plaster and vinyl; wheeled heads glide over smooth floors.
- Telescopic pole long enough to reach the deepest point.
- Vacuum hose that reaches the far end of the pool from the skimmer.
- Skimmer plate (vac plate) that sits over the skimmer basket, or a dedicated suction port.
- Leaf rake and pool brush for prep.
- A leaf trap (optional) between the hose and the skimmer, which catches leaves before they reach the pump basket.
Filter or waste?
| Setting | Use it for | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Filter | Normal dirt, sand and debris | Water passes through the filter and returns to the pool |
| Waste | Dead algae, fine silt, flocculant, heavy dirt | Water bypasses the filter and goes out to drain; the level drops |
| Cartridge filters | No waste setting on most | Vacuum on filter and clean the cartridge afterwards |
Sand and DE filters usually have a multiport valve with both settings. With a cartridge filter, heavy debris can clog the cartridge quickly, so check the pressure gauge as you go. Our guide to sand, cartridge and DE filters explains what each filter can handle.
Step by step
- Skim and brush first. Remove leaves with a rake so they don’t clog the hose, and brush the walls so debris settles on the floor.
- Check the water level. It should sit around the middle of the skimmer opening. If you’ll vacuum to waste, top it up first and keep a hose running.
- Empty the skimmer and pump baskets so suction is at its strongest.
- Assemble the head, pole and hose at the edge of the pool.
- Prime the hose. Lower the head to the floor and feed the hose into the water, or hold its open end over a return jet, until bubbles stop coming out. A hose full of water, not air, keeps the pump primed.
- Connect to the skimmer. Push the hose end onto the skimmer plate or into the suction port without lifting it out of the water.
- Vacuum slowly. Work from the shallow end to the deep end in long, straight, slightly overlapping strokes. Fast strokes stir up dirt and cloud the water.
- Watch the pressure and suction. If suction fades, empty the baskets or clean the filter before carrying on.
- Disconnect and clean up. Remove the hose, backwash or clean the filter, and return the valve to its normal setting.
- Top up and retest. Add water if the level dropped, then check the chemistry, especially after vacuuming to waste.
Vacuuming to waste
Vacuum to waste after you’ve killed algae, when the floor is covered in fine silt that would pass through the filter, or after using a flocculant to clear cloudy pool water. Because every gallon goes out to drain, work steadily, keep an eye on the water level and stop before it falls below the skimmer. For a pool recovering from algae, our guide to fixing a green pool explains when to vacuum and when to wait.
Technique tips
- Don’t lift the head out of the water; you’ll break the prime and have to start again.
- Overlap each pass slightly, like mowing a lawn.
- Tackle one area at a time and let clouds of dust settle before going back.
- Go extra slowly with flocculated debris, which lifts easily.
- Vacuum weekly in a typical season, and after storms or heavy use.
- Vacuum when the water is still, such as first thing in the morning, when debris has settled on the floor.
Troubleshooting weak suction
- Air in the hose: re-prime it and check the connection at the skimmer.
- Full baskets: empty the skimmer and pump baskets.
- Dirty filter: backwash or clean it; high pressure on the gauge is the clue.
- Low water level: the skimmer is sucking air; top up.
- Leaking hose or cracked plate: replace worn parts.
Manual vs automatic cleaners
A robotic pool cleaner can handle most routine cleaning and uses its own filter, so it doesn’t load your main one. Manual vacuuming is still worth knowing for spot clean-ups, vacuuming to waste and corners that automatic cleaners miss.
Frequently asked questions
Why won’t my pool vacuum suck?
Usually air in the hose, full baskets, a dirty filter or a low water level. Re-prime the hose, empty the baskets and check the filter pressure.
Should I vacuum on filter or waste?
Filter for normal dirt; waste for fine silt, dead algae or flocculant that would pass through or clog the filter.
How often should I vacuum my pool?
Once a week is typical, more often after storms, heavy use or an algae treatment.
Sources
Every article is edited by a human and checked against our editorial policy. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
Keep reading
Sand vs Cartridge vs DE Pool Filters
Sand, cartridge and DE pool filters compared: how fine they filter, cleaning, water use, cost and lifespan, plus how to tell when your filter needs attention.
Robotic Pool Cleaners: What Actually Matters When You Buy
What to look for in a robotic pool cleaner: wall and waterline cleaning, filtration, navigation, cable or cordless, maintenance and warranty.