How to Clean Your Swimming Pool Bottom And Remove Dirt?

Cleaning your swimming pool bottom and removing dirt from the bottom of a swimming pool is essential for maintaining its aesthetic appeal, functionality, and longevity. To ensure your swimming pool remains crystal clear and inviting, follow these 7 steps listed below.

1. Check and Adjust Water Level: Before starting the cleaning process, ensure the water level is appropriate.
2. Brush the Pool Bottom: Use a brush to clean the pool bottom and other components like stairs or ladders.
3. Clean Water Surface with a Pool Net: Prevent dirt from sinking to the bottom by cleaning the surface.
4. Set Up the Pool Vacuum: Connect and prepare your pool vacuum for use.
5. Vacuum the Pool Bottom: Thoroughly clean the pool bottom using the vacuum.
6. Clean the Pool Pump: After vacuuming, clean the pool pump.
7. Backwash and Rinse the Filter System: Ensure the pool filter system is clean and functioning properly.

Completing these seven steps will keep your pool in optimal condition. Additionally, understanding the causes of dirt accumulation, such as algae, insects, and sand, and implementing preventive measures like regular cleaning, using disinfectants, and a pool cover, can further maintain pool cleanliness.

1. Check The Water Level In Your Pool Before Cleaning

Checking and correcting the water level in a swimming pool is a prerequisite to cleaning the pool bottom. Natural causes such as evaporation and pool cleaning activities can reduce the water level. It is advisable to refill the pool if the water is below the optimal level, ensuring the pool pump operates efficiently. A practical tip is to let the water hose ripple over the pool edge during refilling to prevent forgetting to turn off the water.

2. Clean The Pool Bottom With A Brush

Effective pool maintenance requires the use of a classic pool brush to remove deposits such as algae and bacteria from the pool edge. This step prevents the spread of contaminants to the pool bottom. A pool brush should be part of every pool maintenance set. When cleaning, it’s important to include the pool stairs or ladder, scrubbing thoroughly to ensure no corner is missed. This thorough cleaning process is vital for maintaining longer-lasting pool water cleanliness.

3. Clean The Water Surface With A Pool Net

Following the brushing step, floating debris on the water surface should be removed with a pool net. This step is crucial to prevent the debris from sinking to the bottom. A fine-meshed net is recommended for this purpose. Cleaning the skimmer after removing surface debris is also important. Emptying the skimmer basket enhances the suction performance of the pool vacuum, which is used in subsequent cleaning steps.

4. Connect The Pool Vacuum

To properly connect your pool vacuum for maintenance, follow these 8 steps listed below.

1. Attach Telescopic Rod: Begin by clamping a long telescopic rod to the pool vacuum cleaner.
2. Hose Attachment: Attach one end of the pool hose to the vacuum cleaner.
3. Submerge for Ventilation: Ensure both the pool hose and suction cup are underwater for the ventilation process.
4. Skimmer Connection: Once ventilated, pass the open end of the pool hose through the skimmer’s flap and insert it into the suction tube.
5. Manual Filter Mode: Switch the filter system to manual mode, ensuring uninterrupted vacuuming.
6. Adjust Multi-Valve: Set the sand filter system’s multi-valve to the filtration position, which is typically at 12 o’clock.
7. Close Bottom Drain: If your pool has a bottom drain, close it to increase the vacuum’s suction power.
8. Maintain Return Flow: Keep the return flow in the pool open during the vacuuming process.

By following these steps, you can efficiently connect your pool vacuum, paving the way for a thorough cleaning of the pool bottom.

5. Clean The Pool Bottom With A Pool Vacuum

The way you vacuum the bottom of your swimming pool depends on its shape. The methods for vacuuming a pool are described below.

Vacuuming method for pools with right-angle walls and bottoms.

1. Edge Cleaning: Start by vacuuming along the pool edges.
2. Middle Section: Move the vacuum lightly over the middle, ensuring each stroke overlaps to avoid streaking.
3. Side-by-Side Cleaning: Clean one side of the pool bottom before moving to the other side.

Vacuuming method for round pools.

1. Lane Approach: Vacuum around the pool in lanes, covering each section thoroughly.
2. Overlap and Slow Movement: Whether round or angular, always vacuum in overlapping strokes and move the vacuum cleaner slowly to prevent forming dirt clouds.

These optimized steps ensure effective vacuuming of the swimming pool bottom, adapting to different pool shapes for a comprehensive clean.

6. Clean The Pool Pump After Cleaning The bottom

After cleaning the pool bottom, the pool pump needs attention. This involves switching off the pump, closing all valves, and cleaning the pump’s filter. Ensuring the seal is free of debris is crucial to prevent pool pump leaks. The pool is then returned to regular operation by opening all valves and setting the multi-valve to the filtration position.

7. Backwashing And Rinsing The Pool Filter System

To maintain the pool’s water quality and prevent cloudy water, backwashing and rinsing the pool filter system are essential steps. Follow this 9-step process.

1. Switch Off the Pool Pump: To perform a filter backwash, it is necessary to first switch off the pool pump.
2. Set Multi-Valve to Flushing: Move the multi-valve to the 6 o’clock position, designated for flushing.
3. Reactivate the Pump: Turn the pump back on and observe the water in the sight glass.
4. Wait for Clean Water: Continue until the water in the sight glass appears clean.
5. Switch Off Again: Turn off the pool pump once more.
6. Set to Rinse: Adjust the multi-valve to the rinse setting.
7. Restart the Pump: Turn the pump on again, rinsing until the sight glass shows clear water.
8. Return to Filtration: Set the multi-valve back to the 12 o’clock filtration position.
9. Resume Regular Operation: After you’ve backwashed the pool sand filter, turn the pool pump on automatic mode for regular operation.

If you use a cartridge pool filter, simply rinse it using a garden hose.

8. Check Parameters In Your Pool Water

Regular testing of water parameters is crucial for maintaining a healthy swimming environment. Focus on the following 3 parameters.

1. pH Level: Ensure the pH level is between 7.2 and 7.6.
2. Alkalinity: Aim for an alkalinity range of 80 – 120 ppm (parts per million).
3. Calcium Hardness: Maintain calcium hardness at approximately 300 ppm, though a range between 200 and 400 ppm is acceptable.

Regular monitoring and adjustments of these parameters help maintain the water balance and ensure a safe and enjoyable swimming experience.

What Causes A Dirty Bottom In Your Swimming Pool?

A dirty pool bottom is often a consequence of 4 factors that can compromise the pool’s cleanliness and aesthetic appeal. The causes for a dirty swimming pool bottom are listed below.

1. Algae: Algae infestation, a common issue in swimming pools, primarily results from insufficient filter running times or ineffective disinfectants like chlorine.
2. Colloidal Substances: These are minute particles such as sun creams, perfumes, and saliva that can pollute your pool water.
3. Insects: Attracted to water, insects can accumulate on the pool bottom if not timely removed.
4. Sand: A malfunctioning sand filter system can lead to sand depositing on the pool bottom.

Understanding these causes is pivotal for adopting the right swimming pool cleaning strategies and ensuring a clean and inviting pool.

When Should You Clean Your Swimming Pool Bottom?

Consistency and timing are critical in maintaining a clean pool bottom. The ideal cleaning frequency is influenced by 3 factors listed below.

• Daily Scrubbing: Employing a pool brush daily prevents algae and bacteria from settling on the pool bottom.
• Vacuuming Frequency: It’s recommended to vacuum the pool bottom every 2 to 3 days. However, during periods of heavy use and higher temperatures, daily vacuuming is advisable.
• Water Temperature Guide: A water temperature of 73 °F (23 °C) or above necessitates increased vigilance in pool maintenance.

Adhering to these guidelines ensures that the pool remains clean and hygienic, enhancing the swimming experience.

Do Automatic Pool Vacuums Make Cleaning Your Swimming Pool Bottom Easier?

Automatic pool vacuums revolutionize the task of cleaning a pool’s bottom. They offer efficiency and ease, catering to different pool sizes and user capabilities. The two primary types of automatic pool vacuums are listed below.

1. Filter-Dependent Vacuums: Connected to the pool’s return flow, these vacuums operate based on the pool pump’s delivery rate. They simultaneously clean and filter the dirt.
2. Electric Pool Vacuum Robots: These operate independently of the pool’s filter system and are suitable for larger pools (cable-operated) and smaller pools (battery-operated). They can clean pool walls and stairs as well.

Automatic pool vacuums are a valuable investment, significantly reducing the physical effort and time required for pool maintenance.

How To Prevent Dirt On Your Pool Bottom?

Preventing dirt accumulation in a swimming pool is achievable through 7 swimming pool maintenance tips and specific practices. The seven tips how to prevent dirt on your pool bottom are listed below.

1. Control Filtration: Set the pool’s sand filter system to filter mode. Make sure the pool pump is running for six to eight hours a day. This step is fundamental in maintaining water clarity and preventing dirt from settling at the bottom.
2. Regular Backwashing: Clean the filter sand by backwashing every 10 to 14 days, crucial for the filter’s efficiency in trapping debris.
3. Monitor pH Levels: Check the pool’s pH level regularly, aiming to keep it between 7.2 and 7.6. Proper pH balance is essential for effective pool maintenance and algae prevention.
4. Surface Debris Removal: Skim leaves and floating insects off the water’s surface to prevent them from sinking and creating bottom sediment.
5. Utilize Disinfectants: Employ chlorine, active oxygen, or algicide to kill algae and bacteria and inhibit their growth. While algaecide is optional, it is recommended for preventive care.
6. Deploy a Pool Cover: Use a pool cover, preferably a roll-up system, in the evenings to minimize dirt entry and heat loss. This step significantly reduces the amount of external contaminants entering the pool.
7. Implement Pre-Swim Hygiene: Encourage the use of a garden shower, ideally a solar-powered one, before entering the pool. Setting up a non-slip footbath at the pool’s entrance can further reduce dirt transfer, keeping the pool clean.

Adhering to these practices ensures a cleaner pool with minimal dirt accumulation at the bottom, enhancing the overall swimming experience and reducing the need for frequent, intensive cleaning.

We suggest reading our blog and using the search feature to find more information about maintaining your pool. If you have any questions about pool care, don’t hesitate to reach out to us via social media. We’re here to help you out.