Are we vacuuming pool properly?

Question

Our above ground pool seems to be working fine and we have vacuumed on waste because the previous owners were slobs. When we try to vacuum on filter there doesn't seem to be any suction. We fill the hose with water etc. but no luck. Also there is no water coming out of the jet (should there be?) Hope someone can shed some light. My husband is ready to get a bulldozer. Between that and the cloudiness.

Answer 1

It sounds like you need to backwash your filter big time!!! You also do not vacuum on "waste" setting as that just takes water out of your pool. Here's what you do: 1) make sure you have enough water in your pool, half way up the filter outlet, 2)backwash the filter until the backwash water is fairly clear,
3)dump in two gallons of chlorine or shock, 4) vacuum, and 5) backwash again, 6) make sure your water level is high enough as backwashing can actually drain one or two inches off your water level. 7) make sure your chemicals (PH and chlorine levels) are correct (using one of those inexpensive kits.

People who inherit pools who don't know the little ins and outs often miss a step or two and get really frustrated. It is easy to learn this stuff, but remember that there are things to learn. No one told me about backwashing your filter to remove the things the filter takes up. A neighbor told me when he noticed the out flow was weak.That's the whole point of the filter anyways, so naturally there has to be a process to clean the filter easily. Here is a link:

Answer 2

The jet circulation pump sounds inadequate to draw water off the bottom. A larger high capacity pump would solve the problem. Above ground pool pumps are designed pretty much to pull water out the top skimmers in atmospheric conditions and push filtered water into the pool. They do not have adequate suction design to pull a large column of water.

Give this some thought before your husband gives the pool it's final rightful resting place.

Answer 3

CHANGE THE SAND ! its a simple as that and its kinda cheap as well . since the previous owner was slobs chances are they havent changed it since they bought it . local pool supply will give you the specs on how much you need and the how tos . when you take the top off the filter youll see why theres no suction also itll greatly improve the clarity of the water . some water clarifier will help but the sand is the problem. also dont get sand in the center well . good luck

Answer 4

As mentioned, it sounds like the filter needs to be backwashed. However, if you have a DE filter you are going to have to recharge it after doing this, if you have a sand filter you are going to have to rinse the lines.

Do you have flow through the filter (to the outlet jets) when you are just running the filter on Filter?

Feel free to drop me a line at [e-mail] and I'll take you step by step, chemical by chemical through the proper maintenance of your pool and will tailor a schedule for you.

If you have a water test reading please include it, if not then please take a sample of water down to the local pool store and have them test for the following:
Total chlorine
Free chlorine
Combined chlorine
pH
Alkalinity
Hardness
Cyanuric acid
Total dissolved solids
Metals
Phosphates

Please include this, the gallon size of the pool, filtration system type, and any chemicals you have on hand (ingredients are best but name brands work too). Feel free to include pictures if you don't know what something is.

Answer 5

You received well meaning advice from four people, but none
of them have a nice blue hat like mine. You filter is probably clogged and if it has a backwash valve, you can backwash it,
but some diatemaceous earth filters have to be taken apart and cleaned and some cartridge filters will also. For better information go directly to http://appliancequickfix.com/
they have one great page on pool water maintenance. If the filter cleaning does not work, then you have more serious problems like clogged piping. Good Luck
Oh, yes ! If the pool is very dirty, its better to vacuum to waste, otherwise you will just clog your filter and will just have to backflush it anyway.

Answer 6

With in basic terms the hose interior the water and the pool pump working do you experience suction on the top of the hose. if not then maximum probable your situation is up flow from the Vacuum unit. additionally attempt putting the vacuum right into a clean bath of water, does it artwork there? Do you experience suction. If not then the unit is clogged and desires taken aside to repair. It says right here in high-quality print on the backside of the website..... LOL have exciting.