Turn the pump off and rotate the handle CCW until it clicks into the next deep slot. Close the pool main drain valve and the valves leading to any skimmers other than the one you will utilize for the pool vacuum source. Plug the end of the vacuum hose into the skimmer port to initiate suction through the vacuum line. Let it run until it reaches its normal level. You should vacuum to waste if there is a lot of debris in the pool, especially silt, which clogs up the filter quickly, so you need to stop vacuuming and backwash or clean. I replaced the vanes and everything else in the filter and now its running great, but I have no way of vacuuming to waste. Instead it is sent straight out of the pool system, either down the drain into the sewage system or out into the yard somewhere via the waste line and a backwash hose, depending on your particular pools set up. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Shut off pump and switch the multiport valve to the Drain to. And adding a valve for waste isn't expensive, and it's probably something you can do DIY. You will have to disassemble the slide valve by opening the union and any small nuts or fittings. Once you have finished vacuuming, turn off your pump. How often should you vacuum your above ground pool? Turn off the pump. hb```a``o@ (9:l$ J>o0e|xqIFN"3:q:D+T..p8X6,2 ` Open A Pool With Clear Water In The Spring. Cartridge filters don't need backwashing, so there usually isn't a valve between the pump and the tank. It is also prudent to leave the hose running while you vacuum too. I normally check the chemical levels at this stage and add anything necessary to bring the levels to the correct reading. So you just need to remove the vacuum head and vacuum hose from the pool, clear up and put the pump back on after putting the multiport valve back into the Filter position. What's the difference between waste and backwash? fSi{9qUW0Dh"$O>i>h#+2Mj\xAHGcD{X3l?(5^c,zAgxqc>v`g9. You should just be able to put a vac hose in the skimmer and vac with the pump running. Let's look at them all, especially how you can vacuum to waste and why it makes sense. 81 0 obj <> endobj Then insert a rubber expansion plug, usually a#11 or #12, down into the valve body. Connecting the vacuum system to the pump. Vacuuming to waste is an essential part of pool maintenance. Step 2. By changing the position of the multiport to waste, you bypass the filter tank, pumping the water to an outlet pipe that removes it from the system. If you vacuum to waste, you are bypassing the filter all together and you dont run the risk of the algae bypassing your filtration and/or sanitation system and kicking back out into your pool. Step 6. You're likely to find a layer of sediment and sludge on the bottom. Turn off the pump and screw the plug into the drain plug. Unplug the vacuum hose from the skimmer port, and remove it from the pool. Step 5. How do I get rid of algae in my pool without a vacuum? We are making them sparkly again. Switch it to backwash, and you'll reverse the flow of water from the pool to wash the sand or grids inside the tank forcefully and then send the dirty water to waste. Sand filters are forgiving; however, your method is causing you more work because after vacing in the Rinse mode, you will then need to Backwash, causing even more water loss. This multiport valve allows you to manipulate the water flow through the system easily. There is a way to vacuum waste with a cartridge filter. When you vacuum a pool to waste the water does not return to the pool but instead is expelled either down a drain or into your yard. Use the rinse to clean the pool's side of the filter by sending the water in the same direction as usual, but right across the media and then to waste. The best example of this is when you first open a pool for swimming season. Flocculant will normally leave debris on the bottom of your pool so vacuuming to waste will prevent this debris clogging the filter, as would happen if vacuuming on the filter setting. Once you have done that you leave the main drain valve open all the way. As the water does not go back into the swimming pool the water level will go down as you vacuum, actually at quite an alarming rate, particularly if you have a relatively small pool. Fill your pool with water before you begin and run the pipe while vacuuming. All rights reserved. Filter to waste merely refers to the volume of filtration created. I have had hot tubs for many years and a pool for the last 9 years. Any other ways to do it? Since then I have helped many friends and neighbors with their pools and now I want to share everything I have learned with you. In the down position, the water is directed through the tank on Filter mode, returning to the pool after it exits the filter tank. This directs dirty vacuum water through the pool filter to remove the contaminants, then conveys filtered water through return lines back to the pool. Sure, you can vacuum up the green stuff like you normally would, but the problem is that when the algae gets trapped in your filter, it can cause ongoing filter issues. This is an easy one. Then, you can remove the grids, put everything back together, and when you backwash, you'll effectively run the system to waste. Vacuum as fast as possible, the water level can drop fast. a garden hose would not be good as a backwash hose, because it would put back pressure on the pump and slow down the vacuum suction. %%EOF There are not very many times you have to remember how to vacuum to waste because they are few and far between. When your turn the pump back on, you should see bubbles coming out of the pool returns indicating that you are in the FILTER mode or the RECIRCULATION mode. Even if you have to do a couple of tricks to vacuum to waste, it's usually worth the extra hassle. It is then that you appreciate just how much water your pool pump actually moves. Disconnect the drain plug and install a 1.5 hose adapter and backwash hose with a clamp. Open the pool drain valve and any valves to other skimmers that were closed before vacuuming. Make sure the backwash hose is not kinked and open the filter air bleeder before starting pump. Mate the extension pole with the vacuum head, and attach one end of the vacuum hose to the end of the extension pole. Turn on your garden hose, or let it keep running if you have left it doing this while you vacuum to waste like I do. A place where redditors can discuss all things swimming pool related. How do you unhide a post you're tagged in? If you have a backwash hose, set it up and begin vacuuming as fast as you can. If you want to keep the water clear, open your pool early in the season to avoid the Spring algae blues. Just like this. (Best to wait until the ice melts #protip) pic.twitter.com/YfGuso6NrE, About 5 months ago from Platinum Pools's Twitter, Time to give those pools a good vacuuming. Knowing how to vacuum to waste can be a huge ace up your sleeve when the bottom of the pool gets dirty, coated with algae, or at the opening of the pool season. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. When you vacuum to waste you are sending the water through your sewer line which will drain the pool slightly, but it expedites the algae removal process. Find the drain plug on the back of your filter and unscrew it. A straight sided pressure testing plug will hold stronger than a tapered winterizing expansion plug. Is it better to run your pool pump at night or day? After the hose fills with water, backwash your sand filter for 2 3 minutes, or until water runs clear. The pump is the heart of the circulation of the water, drawing water from the pool, through the pipes, and into the filter tank. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. We hope that you have found this article informative. Remember, the water level is dropping! Dont sweat, even seasoned owners will tell you that this problem isnt as uncommon as youd think. There is a method, but it can be dangerous, so read carefully. to the skimmer that you vacuumed from. What setting should filter be on when vacuuming pool? It's far better to set your valve to waste, bypass the filter tank, and send the dirty water to a remote part of your property or a nearby drain. Raise the water level in the pool to its highest point without overflowing. I have a bunch of DE at the bottom of my pool from a bad filter. How to remove air from a pool vacuum hose, Swim Universitys Pool Care Handbook and video course, Aquatix Pro Pool Step & Corner Vacuum Brush, Solar Pool Covers 19 Things to Know Before You Buy, Best Pool Cleaning Tools The Essentials. Clean as quickly and efficiently as possible to reduce water levels. A filter to waste arrangement allows the water separated in the filtration cycle to be disposed of or made usable again after it washes back. WKE7vgc9<1F0b:=-q>Hy\b[z,tBx,/ +flT\6ym;V qZ~|j8Z8_[9=];Q0%{oi?o^T8=yU?n~ ^?k6U3}S[hu>Y=. Simply follow the below steps to vacuum your pool to waste: Step 1. When one vacuums to waste, the water never enters the filter tank, but is jettisoned out the waste port, and exits through the backwash hose or pipe. I have actually adapted an old vacuum hose to use s a backwash hose to distribute the water around my garden (see photo above). If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. Monitor the water level and let it drain about 1 below the return lines. Then you'll have to open the tank again, reinstall the grids, and resume regular operation. Step 3. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. Far-reaching of super massage in our day-to-day schedule, How Cryptocurrency Can Change the Entertainment Industry, Enhancing your Cybersecurity as a Remote Worker, What To Do If Your House Is Damaged By An Act Of God. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc or its affiliates. Do I need to backwash after vacuuming to waste? Make sure you place the backwash hose near a storm drain or a place that wont erode. Leave filter running and add three pounds of D.E. You will then have to turn off the pool pump and let the water level go up again from the hose before you can start again. How do you backwash a pool without a multiport valve? Option #2is to install a 3-way valve in the pipe between the pump and filter. If your pool system does not expel the water down a drain then it will run out into your yard somewhere via the waste line. I think the drain only works when the filter is in backwash mode. As an affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Aquatix Pro Pool Step & Corner Vacuum Brush. Turn off the pump and screw the plug into the drain plug. Beautiful houseplants that also repel mosquitoes, cockroaches and other pests. Your pool's filter system starts by sucking the water into a drain or skimmer when it's in regular operation. Pac-Fab 3-way valves are under$30, and the only other materials needed are a bit of pipe and some PVC glue and primer. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Now, turn your system on, and you're effectively pumping to waste. If you have a backwash hose, Cartridge filters lack a backwash valve. Run out the backwash hose to a storm drain or an area that wont erode or oversaturate. How do you backwash a pool filter with no valve label? For multiport valves, those that have 6 settings, set the valve handle into the Wasteor Drain position. Vacuuming to waste is helpful when there is a lot of debris in the pool, especially silty dirt, that clogs up the filter quickly, requiring you to stop vacuuming to backwash or clean the filter. If you have a very dirty pool, particularly when you open it in the spring, it is likely that the only way to clean it properly will be to vacuum pool to waste. It not only cleans the bottom of the pool but also the sides and the waterline. Turn off the pump. Although both settings send water out of the pool, when you backwash the water flows backwards through the filter first but on waste the water goes directly out of the pool. Stay up-to-date with the latest safety info, regulation changes and special offers. The valve should be parallel with the pipe. Stretch the vacuum hose out along the deck beside the pool to the skimmer vacuum port. When you vacuum using the waste setting the pool water will be expelled, without returning to the pool, so the pool level will drop. Goodbye winter debris! If you have enough room between the pump and the filter tank, you can install a three-way valve in the plumbing and a hose from the outlet. When I vacuum my pool the dirt comes back in? When using multiport valves, set the handle to Waste or Drain according to the valve type. Cartridge filters dont have a backwash valve at all, because you dont backwash them, you remove them and spray them off with a garden hose. How to Clear a Clogged Skimmer Suction Line? There are quite a few different ways to use the waste valve. When the pump is run and you vacuum then the water will come out of this hole. Clean off any lubricant inside the valve body. Sometimes, having a waste setting is a convenient way to remove excess water from the pool, say after a big rainstorm. section of PVC pipe between the pump and filter, leaving 2-3 of clear pipe on both sides to connect the new valve. The Filter setting is used for light to moderate levels of pool sediment. You'll open the tank, remove the cartridge, and put the tank back together. Do you leave skimmer basket in when vacuuming pool? Can I use a regular garden hose as a backwash hose? Is this a good setup to get the dead algae from the bottom of my pool? pic.twitter.com/hoUGFyvLjJ, Goodbye Winter, hello Summer! Swimming pool vacuum valves can be controlled manually, electronically, or electromagnetically. When I first bought my house with a swimming pool, I knew nothing about cleaning and maintaining it. I was recommended Swim Universitys Pool Care Handbook and video course so I bought it and have never regretted it. %PDF-1.6 % So in this situation vacuuming to waste is the best solution to remove the algae dust from the pool after it has been killed using shock treatment. Also, it is inevitable that while vacuuming quickly to waste that some of the finer dirt particles will have been disturbed and will be floating around the water in suspension. When using a cartridge filter in your swimming pool, the debris that you scoop out of the pool pumps directly out, and the water pumps out through the backwash line, not the pool filter. Step 2. AnswersToAll is a place to gain knowledge. Almost. What Is the Setting on a Filter to Vacuum a Pool? pic.twitter.com/ADRR35LnFs, About 2 years ago from Platinum Pools's Twitter, 5900 South 77th Street For routine vacuuming, the filter valve is left in the normal Filter position. Diatomaceous Earth (DE) filters have grids or fingers inside the tank. Take off the filter lid, remove the cartridge, and replace it securely, fully tightening the clamp. Vacuuming to waste can spare your filter a lot of abuse. endstream endobj startxref It is often not possible to remove all all the dirt from the bottom since you need to vacuum so quickly. One drawback to the old mesh safety cover is that it lets in a lot of light and silt. It is important to remove debris from the pool dirt before the filter can clog up. What is the waste function on my pool filter? Doing this will prevent the water from entering the tank with the sand and eliminate it through your backwash hose or pipe. Turn the pool circulation pump off if it is on. When you notice that the skimmer is sucking air, let it rest for a while so that water can re-enter your pool. This prevents the filter becoming clogged and fine particles going back into the pool. This is how much the water level had dropped, which must have been at least 2 inches, and in no more than 5 minutes. Turn your pump back on and note the lower pressure. Raising Pool Equipment for Flood Protection, Flooded Inground Pool: 10-Steps to Recovery. I would recommend not trying to get the bottom of the pool completely clean in this first clean. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. How To Vacuum To Waste With Cartridge Filter, When using a cartridge filter in your swimming pool, the debris that you scoop out of the. These are quite expensive and it was a number of years before I bit the bullet and bought one. The vacuum end. 2022 Platinum Pool Service, LLC. Hello just back from a long August vacation, and while away I received an email from a customer about their threadbare winter pool cover. Expel the air from the vacuum hose and connect to the skimmer port after removing the skimmer basket. Roll out the backwash hose if you have one, and begin vacuuming as fast as you can manage. Do you remove skimmer basket when vacuuming to waste? Start your pool pump and let the water run until it reaches the level that you want to vacuum out the water. hVnF}LPr#rbH}g%E^@rn={hF9QAEaQ G\ 1 Vacuuming to Wasteessentially means that the pump pushes the water into the filter valve, which diverts it straight into the waste line, bypassing the filter sand, grids or cartridges. These are the pool cleaning tools I have found the most useful since I have had my pool. They are normally too small to be caught by the sand or other filter medium so if vacuumed on the filter setting they will probably just end up being redeposited back into the pool. Once finished you put the plug back in. If you are a new owner, then youve probably faced the dreaded green pool! Move the backwash hose frequently to avoid erosion and oversaturation. Cleaning your cartridge filter for the first time may seem daunting, but youll be pleased to know its not, Pool owners know that even chlorinated water can be a breeding ground for a number of pests. You may need help to pull apart the pump and filter slightly as you glue the new valve into place. pic.twitter.com/ektkMdMbZ7, Who is ready for swimming season?? Turn off the circulation pump. Cartridge filters lack a backwash valve. Fill the pool before beginning, and run the hose while vacuuming. If you try to vacuum a very dirty pool using the more usual Filter setting then it is likely that the pool filter will become clogged and may even start to allow dust particles and other debris through which will then end up back in the pool. endstream endobj 82 0 obj <>/Metadata 6 0 R/PageLayout/OneColumn/Pages 79 0 R/StructTreeRoot 10 0 R/Type/Catalog>> endobj 83 0 obj <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 0/Type/Page>> endobj 84 0 obj <>stream Using the backwash setting on the push-pull valve will send water into the tank and then waste, but it will inundate the grids with any dirt in the water. Step 3. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. Keep in mind that the water level is dropping. The Stargoods Pool Skimmer Net gets under the leaves easily. Discontinue vacuuming if the pool water level drops below the bottom of the skimmer you are using as a vacuum port. You can buy roll up backwash hoses quite cheaply on Amazon. Adjust the multiport faucet by turning off the pump and aligning the multiport faucet with the drain. How do you use the waste setting on a sand filter? It would seem that there is no way to vacuum to waste with a cartridge filter or is there? The vacuum setup sounds right. You can also buy heavy duty, firehose type of hose, in 2 diameter, that will last much longer. His articles have appeared in major print outlets such as "Popular Mechanics" and "Invention & Technology." Vacuum your pool just as you would vacuum your living room, picking up debris or algae as you go. Start your pool pump and let the water run until it reaches the level that you want to vacuum out the water. Dont flood the neighbors! Vacuuming to waste is also helpful in some other situations: After the water is cleaned and processed by your filter, it passes through return pipes that bring it back to the pool. Glue a short piece of pipe to the valve, and clamp a length of backwash hose to the pipe. Since you dont backwash them, you would need to remove them and wash them with your garden hose. What filter setting do I use to vacuum your pool? If, like me, you get plenty of leaves at the bottom of your pool then a good leaf rake/net is a must. A clean and healthy pool filter is vital for ensuring the pool water is free from dirt and debris. Its no different than adding your fresh DE into the skimmer. So, you have to get creative if you want to run the system to waste. If you vacuumed on waste, you will need to turn your filter to the rinse setting, turn on the pump and let it run for about 30 seconds, and then turn the pump back off. Following the discharge of a filter or the construction, rebuilding, or upkeep of a filter. Reset the valve lid to allow the water to flow straight through the valve for normal filtration, or take a hard 90 turn and go out port #3. Submerge the open end of the vacuum hose to flood the hose with water, pulling the remainder of the hose into the pool as it fills with water and sinks. It would be best to let the backwash port on the filter just blast out into the yard, if it does not cause any erosion or spraying on furniture or into the pool. In the up position, the water enters the waste line as it exits the filter. Once in awhile though, the how to part gets a little fuzzy in the old memory bank. Step 4. Using the filter setting will save water, but. *BYS-?K&+zSF6K*_n5_?Suz>7fTnb]repa/,WtkUC Dirty pools are home to all kinds, Why does swimming pool water get cloudy every now and again, even with the water filter working round the clock? It would seem that there is no way to vacuum to waste a sand filter or is there? You'll have to stop the system, purge the excess pressure, and open the tank according to the manufacturer's instructions. To begin vacuuming your pool: This option allows you to vacuum the algae up and send it out through the backwash line, avoiding getting algae into your filter sand. 113 0 obj <>stream hbbd```b`` "dd"I~0&5o0 QlBT\ 2/Xd-6d${V00m Ig`\ > Continued vacuuming may suck air into the system requiring the pump to be primed and air purged from the filter and lines. Step 1. Rotate the lever on the filter multiport valve to the Waste setting. you can vacuum the pool to waste. Do you need a vacuum for above ground pool? Since there's no way to bypass the tank entirely and keep the grids clean, you can open the tank and remove the grids. When you notice that the skimmer is sucking air, let it rest for a while so that water can re-enter your pool. The best method for pumping to waste on a system that doesn't have the correct valves is to install one. We thank you for the opportunity to share this information with you. Since the water containing the dirt does not pass through the filter if vacuuming a pool to waste there would normally be no need to backwash afterwards. Ive read that you can take the vanes filter out of the filter and close it back up, vacuum and then clean out the filter housing but I really dont want to have to take the whole thing apart again. Remove the plunger from the slide valve housing or body by loosening the large union nut, small bolts or nuts on the top, under the handle. Then, you'll clean up any lubricant you find and use an appropriately-sized rubber expansion plug to block the valve body. Dont forget to roll up your backwash hose too. Connect the pool vacuum hose to the vacuum head (already attached to a pole of course) and lower it into the pool. I therefore let the swimming pool settle down for 24 hours, allowing all the finer dirt to resettle on the bottom, and I then give the pool a thorough vacuum on the filter setting. Make sure to empty all skimmer baskets. If the push pull plunger falls down, into the filter position, use vice-grips or a small wrench to hold it in place. Bypassing the filter tank can spare it from a dirty vacuum. Cloudy pool water is a much more common occurrence than youd imagine. One end of the valve will receive water from the pool. Bet the first to get the best offers delivered directly to your inbox. There sometimes no waste setting on a cartridge filter, at least in a Hayward system, so you cannot filter to waste. When using multiport valves, set the handle to Waste or Drain according to the valve type. pic.twitter.com/Z35mgGbkua, About a year ago from Platinum Pools's Twitter, The liner laser was out again today! The concern of how to vacuum to waste with a cartridge filter arises frequently and results in many confusing answers. The other reason you may need to vacuum to waste might be if you have had a heavy infestation of algae.