Vacuuming To Waste

In certain situations swimming pool water can be so dirty that the water is not worth filtering or simply cannot be filtered clean. These situations are often related to a swimming pool being left open during the winter, the construction process, a flooding event, or an extreme algae infestation.

When it is time to vacuum to waste there are few steps to follow:

1. Make sure that the water is settled out. After the winter when all the debris has settled for several months is usually when vacuuming to waste comes into play. Otherwise, use a sequestering product such as Revive or Super Floc as directed to get all the debris to collect and fall to the bottom of the floor. This will require an overnight settle period.
2. With the pump off turn off all return valves at the pad so that water does not accidentally go back to the swimming pool.
3. Remove the filter media so the canister is empty. Replace the lid on the filter.
4. Open the 'Drain to waste' valve to Open so no water can go through to the heater or chlorinator and instead is diverted to waste.
5. Attach a hose to the 'drain to waste' valve if desired so as not to flood the equipment area or basement.
6. Connect your vacuum hose and head to the vacuum pole and plate as normal being careful not to stir up the debris off the floor.
7. Turn on the pump and prime it up as normal. Draw from the skimmer only with the main drains OFF.
8. As the pump primes and spools up turn the skimmer valve to 1/2 off. This will slow the amount of water being drawn from the vacuum head and thrown away.
9. Vacuum as quickly as possible being careful not to kick up any dirt from the floor.
10. When complete allow the water to run as long as needed to run clear and free of all dirt.
11. Turn off the pump and disassemble the vacuum equipment.
12. Reinstall the filter media in the filter housing.
13. Prime up the system as normal turning the drain to waste to off, opening the skimmer and drain valves when appropriate, and finally opening the return valve back on to allow the water to go back to the swimming pool.

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