- cleaning via the skimmer socket
Despite the advances made in every branch of science, There are basically only 3 ways to get dirt out of your pool: -
- With a net
- With a vacuum cleaner
- With the filtration system
A pool cannot be totally, 100%, cleaned in one go. The idea is to get out as much dirt and debris as possible with a vacuum cleaner (automatic or manual) and a net and then to put the rest of the dirt in suspension in the water to give the circulation / filtration system a fighting chance of grabbing it
A typical in-ground filter/pump installation is shown on the right
Skimmer Socket Method
- Turn the pump switch to ‘off ‘, set the Rotary Valve to ‘Filter’
- Close the ‘Bottom Drain’ valve; open the ‘Skimmer’ valve
- Attach the floating tube to the vacuum head, sink the vacuum head to the bottom of the pool and fill the tube with water by feeding it beneath the surface
- Take hold of the tube below the surface where it comes up from the vacuum head
- Submerge the tube little by little (imagine that you're climbing up a rope) and all the air will come out of the free end of the tube
- Remove the skimmer lid and basket and plug the free end of the tube into the skimmer socket
- Block off any other skimmer sockets
- Turn the pump switch to ‘on’
- Begin the vacuuming - edges first and then in overlapping swathes, returning along the same path to cover the entire bottom and steps. Use the tiles or your feet as a gauge to keep straight lines if you can't see the bottom of the pool
- Remove bottom debris with the net
- Brush the wall at the water level - scrub gently with the brush to loosen dirt
- Brush the sides - with downward strokes of the brush - to dislodge dirt, dust and bio-film
- At the bottom of each stroke stop about 15cm (6”) from the start of the slope to set up a swirl, pushing any settled dust away from the sides of the pool where it will settle out to be vacuumed away next time
- Remove debris from the surface and pool bottom with a net
- Now you need to clean the filter - see below for sand-filters: -
To backwash the sand filter
- Turn the pump switch to ‘off’
- Set the Rotary valve to ‘Backwash’
- Open the ‘Bottom Drain’ and ‘Waste’ valves; close the ‘Skimmer’ valve
- Turn the pump on and observe the wastewater colour in the tell-tale on the Rotary Valve
- When the water runs clear, stop the pump at the switch
- Set the Rotary valve to ‘Rinse’
- Start the pump and run for 20-30 seconds
Set everything to ‘Filtration’
Pump room - Normal Running Positions for Filtration
- Rotary Valve to ‘Filter’
- Skimmer’ and ‘Jets’ Valves fully open
- Bottom Drain Valve half open
- ‘Waste’ Valve closed
- Timer running and set for 4 hours in every 12 hours
- Always have the pump/filter running when the pool is in use
We supply all plant and equipment featured on this website. All our work is Guaranteed; Parts and Labour
For free and unbiased advice, a site visit or no-obligation Quotation*, please make initial enquiries by email. Tell us a little about your pool problem and include a daytime phone number. Thanks, we look forward to meeting you soon
Note: - Please contact our recommended pool professionals for supply and installation of all pool-related services: -
Andalusia and the Costa del Sol - Pool Safety Spain
Nerja area - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
*We only offer Quotations: - a fixed, agreed price that cannot, and will not, be increased. We do not give 'estimates', as an estimate offers the client no guarantee of final price
Share this website with other Pool Owners and Users, encourage them to read about Pool Safety, learn CPR and help them to save lives, time and money. Please help us to make every pool a safer place - by sharing this information we can cut the number of pool accidents and deaths. Please also see our Facebook page
Ken Walker - MyPoolGuru©