How Often Should You Vacuum Your Pool?

Keeping your swimming pool in its best condition requires regular maintenance and care. Just as you vacuum the floors in your home, you should vacuum the bottom of your pool to avoid unwanted buildup. This process is key to keeping your water looking crystal clear and safe for your family.

Learn more about how often you should use your pool vacuum and some other important cleaning considerations.

Why Vacuuming Your Pool Is Important

Is pool vacuuming necessary? The answer is yes! Keeping the floor of your pool clean is key to maintaining a safe and healthy swimming environment for your family.

Explore some of the reasons why it is so important to vacuum regularly:

• Controlling algal buildup: By sucking existing algae growth off the pool liner, you can prevent harmful buildup. Untreated algae can make the water appear cloudy and negatively impact your chemicals’ effectiveness.
• Making your pool more inviting: Your pool looks and feels its best after thorough vacuuming. Removing sediment and debris can make your liner shine and the water appear clearer. A clean pool is more welcoming and hygienic for swimmers.
• Maintaining your filter: Your pool’s filter is responsible for keeping contaminants in your water at a minimum. Vacuuming helps clear out debris and other material that could clog your filter and negatively impact its operating life.
• Circulating water purifying chemicals: Chemicals like chlorine cleanse your water and neutralize pollutants. Vacuuming helps circulate these throughout the pool more effectively for better purification.

How Often Should You Vacuum a Pool?

Vacuuming your pool daily is ideal. However, not everyone has the time to perform this task every day, so creating a weekly pool vacuuming schedule can suffice. Be sure to get your equipment out for a full cleaning at least two times a week and perform spot cleanings as needed.

In addition to your schedule, promptly tend to your pool when the following circumstances occur:

• Heavy use: If your family and friends spend a lot of time in the water, they probably bring grass and dirt in with them, and you may need to vacuum more frequently.
• Autumn: As the leaves begin falling at the conclusion of summer and the beginning of fall, you may need to tend to your pool more often.
• Storms: Wind and heavy rain can cause debris, such as twigs and leaves, to blow into your pool. Cleaning up after a storm is important to clear contaminants and minimize strain on your filters.
• Algae buildup: As soon as you spot algae on the pool liner, it is important to immediately vacuum it up to mitigate growth and prevent it from spreading across your liner.

Types of Pool Vacuums

Explore the various types of pool vacuums and how they work to keep your swimming pool clean:

Manual Vacuums

Manual vacuums work by attaching a vacuum brush head to the end of a pool pole and following these simple steps:

1. Fill the hose with water.
2. Seal the hose’s end with your hand and guide it to the skimmer.
3. Attach the hose directly to the pool skimmer’s suction hole.
4. Slowly move the brush across the pool’s bottom and sides to suck up the debris.

Using a manual vacuum is relatively straightforward, and they are typically the most budget-friendly option.

Automatic Vacuums

If you are looking for an effective option that operates on its own, consider getting an automatic pool vacuum. They are available in multiple variations, including:

• Suction-side vacuums: This type of automatic vacuum works by moving along the pool’s floor in a circuit, sucking up debris and directing it into the pool filter. Suction-side options are best suited for small-sized swimming pools.
• Pressure-side vacuums: These vacuum systems work with a booster pump to collect dirt and debris from the bottom of your pool in a self-contained bag. These options are easier on your filter.
• Robotic vacuums: Robotic pool vacuums are the most expensive and high-tech way to clean your pool. Some models have innovative software that analyzes and maps your pool to ensure they reach every surface.

How Long Should You Vacuum Your Pool?

If you utilize a manual vacuum, the size of your pool will determine how much time you will spend cleaning it. You should run the brush along the liner until you’ve carefully gone over every inch.

When cleaning your pool with an automatic vacuum, the process could take anywhere from two to six hours, depending on the following:

• Your pool’s size
• The vacuum’s speed
• Your pool’s condition

Never leave an automatic or manual pool vacuum running continuously. This equipment is not built to stay in the water or operate for extended periods of time.

Pool Vacuuming Tips and Safety Reminders

Consider the following tips and safety guidelines the next time you need to vacuum your swimming pool:

1. Vacuum Only Small-Sized Debris and Contaminants

You should use your pool vacuum solely for small contaminants like dirt and algae. If you try to vacuum materials that are too large, such as leaves or rocks, you may damage the vacuum system or filter.

2. Never Vacuum While People Are Swimming

Pool owners should never let people swim while a vacuum system is running. Disrupting the water can negatively impact the vacuum’s suction, and it can be a real danger. Plus, the cleaning process will go faster without anyone playing in the water.

3. Store Your Vacuum Equipment Away After Use

Once your pool is sufficiently clean from vacuuming, be sure to store your equipment somewhere it will be secure. Leaving it beside your pool can be a tripping hazard and leaves it exposed to the elements.

4. Keep Your Vacuum and Hose Submerged in the Water

During cleaning, keep the vacuum under the water’s surface. Lifting it out can disrupt the suction and make the system shut off. If you are using a manual vacuum, you’ll also need to fill your hose with water before getting started. When you turn on the system with air trapped in the hose, it will stop pumping and can cause damage.

5. Carefully Clean Out Vacuumed Debris

No matter what type of pool vacuum you are using, be very careful when cleaning out debris from any of the following systems:

• Filters
• Skimmers
• Pumps

You can avoid injury or damaging equipment by taking your time to remove and dislodge materials.

Explore Swimming Pool Products From SPQ Brands Today

From solar heating systems to colored pool lighting, SPQ Brands has a wide variety of products designed to make your swimming experience better than ever. If you need tools like a vacuum or brush, we can help you find the right options to keep your pool clean all year long.

We have decades of experience manufacturing top of line recreational products that help keep your family safe and focused on enjoying quality time together!

Are you interested in learning more? Browse our swimming pool products or contact an SPQ Brands representative today!