Vacuum to Filter Instructions

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

When you "Vacuum to Filter" you are recirculating the water you draw through the vacuum and passing it through the pool filter and back to the pool.  This is the most common method of vacuuming and is used when the debris load in the pool is not too severe.  The dirt and debris is collected in the pool filter and pool pump basket.  This method does not remove water from the pool except for the water lost from backwashing the pool filter.

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.  Maintain the water level at half way up the skimmer opening or higher.
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. Slowly close the valves for the remaining skimmers if you have more than one skimmer.  Leave the valve to the skimmer that the vacuum hose is connected to fully open.
10. Slowly close the Main Drain valve until you hear the pump begin to labor.  This will be the optimal setting for vacuuming.
11. Begin vacuuming in the deep end of the pool.
12. As debris is collected in the skimmer basket under the Skim-Vac, and in the pool filter, 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, backwash the pool filter, then resume vacuuming.  Repeat as needed.  If you need to backwash the pool filter in the middle of the vacuuming process, open the other skimmer valves and the main drain to increase the water flow for adequate filter backwashing.  When backwashing is complete, return the valves to the optimal settings for vacuuming as described above.
13. When you are finished vacuuming, turn the pool pump off, disconnect the Skim-Vac and put the vacuuming equipment away.
14. Clean the pump and skimmer baskets then backwash and rinse the pool filter.
15. If the water level in the pool is at least half way up the face plate opening, the system can be started back up in the "FILTER" mode 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.
16. Turn pool heater and automatic pool cleaner back on if desired.
17. Test and adjust pool water chemistry.