There comes a time when a pool owner needs to vacuum a pool that has large amounts of debris such as heavy algae or leaves (Usually this is the case when you first open the pool). If the homeowner vacuums like normal, they have a good chance of contaminating their filter, plugging up the circulation lines, or just clouding up their pool.
What is the solution? Those that have filters with the 6 way Multi-port valve can vacuum their pool on Waste. This position by-passes the filter and sends all the unwanted debris through the waste line. This eliminates clogging up the filter or clouding up their pool. Note: this procedure drains the pool so you may have to stop in the middle of this procedure to refill the pool.

Steps to Vacuuming on Waste:

1. Connect the vacuum head to the T-pole and then connect the swivel end of the vacuum hose (if equipped) to the vacuum head. Fully extend the T-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.

2. Connect the skim vac to the other end of the hose and place over a return fitting to purge the air from the vac hose. At this time the vac head and all of the vac hose is in the pool.

3. Keeping the the skim vac close to the surface of the of the water, make you way to the skimmer being sure not to let air into the vac hose. Place skim vac into skimmer through the top or the throat of the skimmer on-top of the skimmer basket.

4. Go to the Pool Pump area and turn the pool pump off. Change the filter valve to the “WASTE” position and turn the pump back on. You are now taking water out of the pool.
Make sure the Skim-Vac did not come loose over the skimmer basket and is securely sealed over the basket.

5. 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.
Slowly close the Main Drain valve about half way. This will be the optimal setting for vacuuming.

6. Begin slowly vacuuming like normal in the shallow end being careful not to stir up the debris.

7. As debris is collected in the skimmer basket under the Skim-Vac, and in the pump basket, 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, then resume vacuuming. Note: at this time you may need to refill the pool. Repeat as needed.

8. When you are finished vacuuming, turn the pool pump off and disconnect the Skim-Vac. Clean the skimmer basket and the pump basket. Refill pool to the middle of the skimmer opening. With the pool pump off, turn the filter valve back to the “FILTER” position. You did it. You’re back now to filtering the pool as normal.