How to Set Up and Manually Vacuum a Pool (Above Ground vs. Inground - Semi-Inground)

Quick Start (Read This First)

• Vacuum slowly. Fast vacuuming stirs debris into a cloud.
• Prime (fill) the vacuum hose with water. Air in the hose can cause the pump to lose "prime" or weak suction.
• Watch the skimmer basket and filter pressure. If flow drops, stop and clean skimmer and/or pump basket / backwash as needed.
• Know when to vacuum to “Filter” vs. “Waste.” When the filter multiport valve is set to “Waste”, it bypasses the filter and sends water out—great for heavy silt or floc, but you’ll lose water; so keep an eye on the water level in the pool if you filter to "Waste".  When vacuuming to "Waste" you may want to slightly overfill the pool to accommodate for the water loss while vacuuming. 
• These are Generalized Steps and may not apply to your swimming pool or system as swimming pool installation and filter plumbing installations vary.