How Do I Vacuum My Pool?
Keeping your pool clean, clear and free of debris is part of regular pool maintenance. The frequency required for vacuuming your pool will depend on your pool environment, the season and how protected your pool is from the wind.

- Equipment Needed
- Steps Prior to Vacuuming
- Vacuuming Technique
- Troubleshooting Tips
Equipment Needed
The pool pump supplies the suction needed for vacuuming and your filter system will trap any small particles during this process.
There is some additional equipment required to enable vacuuming of your pool such as a vacuum head, pool pole, pool hose and the vacuum plate.
If you don’t have some or any of the equipment required, they are easily purchased from your local pool shop, hardware store or online.
The typical pool will have a skimmer box that you’ll use to connect your vacuuming equipment. Some pools have a dedicated suction point.
In-floor cleaning that has suction plumbed to the main drain will need a pool professional to help you initially set-up for manually vacuuming your pool.
Vacuum Head
The vacuum head serves as the suction point when vacuuming and removing debris from the pool floor and walls.
The vacuum head attaches to both the pool hose and pool pole.
Pool Pole
The pool pole is used as the handle to control the vacuum head as you vacuum the pool.
Choose a telescopic pole with a length that extends long enough to reach all areas of your pool comfortably.
Pool Hose
The pool hose connects to the vacuum head and the skimmer suction, so that debris can be suctioned out of the pool in the same way a vacuum cleaner removes dust and grime from your house floor.
Ensure that the vacuum hose is long enough to reach from the skimmer box to the furthest corners of your pool.
Vacuum Plate
Place the vacuum plate inside the skimmer box and ensure that there is a tight seal and no air leaks between the outer edges of the vacuum plate and the inside of the skimmer surround.
Insert one end of your pool hose into the vacuum plate, the other end is connected to the vacuum head.
Connecting Directly into Suction Pipe
If your intended vacuuming method is connecting direct into the suction of the pool, having a leaf canister inline before the skimmer will trap leaves so they don’t go direct into your pump basket.
You’ll need a pool professional to help with grommets and other connections to use this method to vacuum for the first time.
Pool Pump & Filter
Ensure that your pool pump and filter is in good working condition and capable of handling the additional debris and water flow needed during vacuuming.
Steps Prior to Vacuuming
Before you start vacuuming your pool, progress through the steps below and have them become part of your routine method for vacuuming.
- Check Filter and Pump
Empty the both the skimmer and pump baskets to ensure they are clean and free of leaves and other debris.
Backwash the media filter or clean your cartridge filter elements, if it’s been a month or more since it was last done.
This will maximise suction capability and the efficiency of filtration.
- Clean the Pool Surface
Use a pool net to remove any leaves or other floating debris from the pool surface.
- Connect Vacuum Head, Pool Pole & Vacuum Hose
Securely attach the vacuum head to the pool pole and vacuum hose.
Ensure that everything is firmly joined to prevent disconnections during the vacuuming process.
- Prime the Vacuum Hose
Prime the vacuum hose by filling it with water to remove any air pockets.
- While holding the pool pole, submerge the vacuum hose completely in the pool water, keeping one end connected to the vacuum head and the other end near the skimmer or vacuum port.
- Progressively move the hose deeper in the water until the hose is completely full of water.
- Once the hose is full of water, connect to the vacuum plate or the skimmer suction direct.
- Turn the pump on and ensure there is a tight seal to create good suction.
- For general vacuuming, leave the multi-port valve on the top or side in the “Filter” position for media filters.
There is no need to make any filter changes for general vacuuming with cartridge filters.
Vacuuming Technique
Once you’ve completed the steps prior to vacuuming, you’re ready to begin vacuuming your pool.
- Choose the Start-Point
Begin vacuuming from either the furthest shallow or deep end of the pool, depending on your preference.
Slowly move the vacuum head across the pool floor, progressing from one end to the other.
Use smooth, steady motions and in overlapping rows, the same way you would mow a lawn or vacuum a carpet.
- Vacuum Entire Floor
Progress until you have vacuumed the entire floor of the pool, paying special attention to steps or hard-to-reach areas.
If necessary, vacuum the walls around the pool using the same progress method as vacuuming the floor, except vacuum from one wall to the next.
- Check Suction Intensity
Check intensity of suction at the vacuum head from time-to-time.
When doing this lift the head close to the surface, but not out of the water so it will suck-in air. If the pump sucks air, it will lose prime and it may time-consuming to re-prime your pump.
Place your fingers over part of the suction hole at the bottom of the vacuum head to determine the intensity of suction.
- Empty Skimmer Basket or Leaf Canister
Periodically check and empty the skimmer basket or leaf canister while vacuuming, to prevent them from becoming clogged with debris.
This will help with consistent suction and efficient vacuuming.
- Backwash Media Filter or Clean Filter Cartridge
If a media filter, after completing vacuuming, backwash the pool filter to remove any debris collected and trapped during vacuuming.
For cartridge filters, remove and clean the filter element.
This will help to maintain proper filtration and water circulation in the pool.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you encounter any issues or challenges while vacuuming your pool, checking the tips below will help to solve most of them.
- Loss of Suction
If you experience a loss of suction while vacuuming, check for blocks or obstructions in the vacuum head, vacuum hose, skimmer basket or pump basket.
Clear any blockages to restore maximum suction.
- Vacuum Head Doesn’t Sit Flat
If the vacuum head doesn’t sit flat on the pool floor, adjust the angle you’re vacuuming at or apply more downward pressure.
- Stuck Debris
If debris gets caught in the vacuum head, the intensity of suction may reduce or stop.
If this happens, turn the pump off, remove the blockage and re-prime the vacuum hose in the same way you did to start vacuuming.
- Cloudy Water
If vacuuming stirs up sediment and causes the pool water to become cloudy, try vacuuming slower.
Vacuuming slower will help to minimise the stirring-up of sediment.
In some cases, the pool will need to be vacuumed two or more times for it to be 100% debris free.
The pool pump supplies the suction needed for vacuuming and your filter system will trap any small particles during this process.
There is some additional equipment required to enable vacuuming of your pool such as a vacuum head, pool pole, pool hose and the vacuum plate.
If you don’t have some or any of the equipment required, they are easily purchased from your local pool shop, hardware store or online.
The typical pool will have a skimmer box that you’ll use to connect your vacuuming equipment. Some pools have a dedicated suction point.
In-floor cleaning that has suction plumbed to the main drain will need a pool professional to help you initially set-up for manually vacuuming your pool.
Vacuum Head
The vacuum head serves as the suction point when vacuuming and removing debris from the pool floor and walls.
The vacuum head attaches to both the pool hose and pool pole.
Pool Pole
The pool pole is used as the handle to control the vacuum head as you vacuum the pool.
Choose a telescopic pole with a length that extends long enough to reach all areas of your pool comfortably.
Pool Hose
The pool hose connects to the vacuum head and the skimmer suction, so that debris can be suctioned out of the pool in the same way a vacuum cleaner removes dust and grime from your house floor.
Ensure that the vacuum hose is long enough to reach from the skimmer box to the furthest corners of your pool.
Vacuum Plate
Place the vacuum plate inside the skimmer box and ensure that there is a tight seal and no air leaks between the outer edges of the vacuum plate and the inside of the skimmer surround.
Insert one end of your pool hose into the vacuum plate, the other end is connected to the vacuum head.
Connecting Directly into Suction Pipe
If your intended vacuuming method is connecting direct into the suction of the pool, having a leaf canister inline before the skimmer will trap leaves so they don’t go direct into your pump basket.
You’ll need a pool professional to help with grommets and other connections to use this method to vacuum for the first time.
Pool Pump & Filter
Ensure that your pool pump and filter is in good working condition and capable of handling the additional debris and water flow needed during vacuuming.
Before you start vacuuming your pool, progress through the steps below and have them become part of your routine method for vacuuming.
- Check Filter and Pump
Empty the both the skimmer and pump baskets to ensure they are clean and free of leaves and other debris.
Backwash the media filter or clean your cartridge filter elements, if it’s been a month or more since it was last done.
This will maximise suction capability and the efficiency of filtration.
- Clean the Pool Surface
Use a pool net to remove any leaves or other floating debris from the pool surface.
- Connect Vacuum Head, Pool Pole & Vacuum Hose
Securely attach the vacuum head to the pool pole and vacuum hose.
Ensure that everything is firmly joined to prevent disconnections during the vacuuming process.
- Prime the Vacuum Hose
Prime the vacuum hose by filling it with water to remove any air pockets.
- While holding the pool pole, submerge the vacuum hose completely in the pool water, keeping one end connected to the vacuum head and the other end near the skimmer or vacuum port.
- Progressively move the hose deeper in the water until the hose is completely full of water.
- Once the hose is full of water, connect to the vacuum plate or the skimmer suction direct.
- Turn the pump on and ensure there is a tight seal to create good suction.
- For general vacuuming, leave the multi-port valve on the top or side in the “Filter” position for media filters.
There is no need to make any filter changes for general vacuuming with cartridge filters.
- Choose the Start-Point
- Vacuum Entire Floor
- Check Suction Intensity
- Empty Skimmer Basket or Leaf Canister
- Backwash Media Filter or Clean Filter Cartridge
- Loss of Suction
- Vacuum Head Doesn’t Sit Flat
- Stuck Debris
- Cloudy Water
Introducing Effective Solutions
Simplify your pool maintenance routine with POOLWATER-PRO. Our software turns test-strips into accurate digital readings, right from your phone. Get instant alerts to know if your pool is safe to swim, plus any chemicals needed.
Introducing Effective Solutions
Simplify your pool maintenance routine with POOLWATER-PRO. Our software turns test-strips into accurate digital readings, right from your phone. Get instant alerts to know if your pool is safe to swim, plus any chemicals needed.
Your Path to Clarity
Watch this quick explainer video to see the platform’s features and how it can make pool care hassle-free.
Watch this quick explainer video to see the platform’s features and how it can make pool care hassle-free.