Vacuum to Waste Instructions

Expert Pool & Spa, Inc.
www.ExpertPool.biz

When you "Vacuum to Waste" you are pumping the debris you vacuum out of the pool and sending the water to the waste line, and not through the pool filter.  This method removes a large amount of water from the pool in a short time so be sure to have the pool plenty full before you begin.  This method is used for large amounts of debris and dirt.  This method will only work for circulation systems that use a 6-position filter valve.  If you have an older "Push-Pull" style filter valve you must vacuum through the pool filter.  Be sure to monitor the location where the waste line is connected to the sewer system in your home, just in case the sewer line can not handle the large amount of water and overflows.

  1. Begin adding water to the pool using a garden hose.  To prevent the garden hose from stirring up the debris on the pool floor, place it in the skimmer opening or skimmer throat.
  2. Clean the pool pump basket before you begin.
  3. Turn off the pool heater and pool cleaner pump if they are on.
  4. Remove the skimmer lid on the skimmer which is closest to the pool pump.  
  5. Connect the vacuum head to the tele-pole and then connect the swivel end of the vacuum hose (if equipped) to the vacuum head.  Fully extend the pole and lower the vacuum head to the bottom of the deep end of the pool.  Use care not to disturb any debris on the pool floor.
  6. Connect the Skim-Vac device to the remaining end of the vacuum hose.
  7. The remaining length of vacuum hose should now be placed in the water, still coiled up.  Grab the vacuum hose where it comes up from the vacuum head and just reaches the surface of the water and push the remaining hose down under the water level in increments until you reach the Skim-Vac end of the hose.  This will force the air out of the hose and fill the hose completely with water.
  8. Place the Skim-Vac (which should be connected to the end of the vac hose) over the skimmer basket inside the skimmer.  The hose may "jerk" from the suction when the connection is made.  Watch your fingers...  A garden hose may be coiled up around the top of the Skim-Vac to help hold it in place when the pump is turned off.
  9. Go to the Pool Pump area and turn the pool pump off.  Change the filter valve to the "WASTE" position and turn the pump back on.  You are now taking water out of the pool.
  10. Make sure the Skim-Vac did not come loose over the skimmer basket and is securely sealed over the basket.
  11. Slowly close the valves for the remaining skimmers if you have more than one skimmer.
  12. Slowly close the Main Drain valve until you hear the pump begin to labor.  This will be the optimal setting for vacuuming.
  13. Begin vacuuming in the deep end of the pool.
  14. As debris is collected in the skimmer basket under the Skim-Vac, the level of suction will decrease.  Vacuum performance will also decrease.  You may need to stop vacuuming and turn off the pool pump, clean the skimmer basket AND the pump basket, then resume vacuuming.  Repeat as needed.
  15. When you are finished, turn the pool pump off and disconnect the Skim-Vac and put the vacuuming equipment away.
  16. With the pool pump off, turn the filter valve back to the "FILTER" position and clean the pump and skimmer baskets.
  17. If the water level in the pool is at least half way up the face plate opening, the system can be started back up and the skimmer and main drain valves can be fully opened.  If the pool water level is less than half way, the system can be started up running with the main drain valve open and the skimmer valves closed.  Open the skimmer valves when the proper water level is achieved.
  18. Turn pool heater and automatic pool cleaner back on if desired.
  19. Test and adjust pool water chemistry.