Swimming pools are becoming a common feature in many of today’s homes. Unfortunately, more often than not, these pools (whether below or above-ground) do not come with a top, leading to dirt and other debris collecting on the floor. Fortunately, one can vacuum off the dirt easily with tools like an Intex pump.

To hook up the Intex pump to pool vacuum, start with screwing the hose adaptor onto the pump and attach a hose connection. Next, turn the hose connection clockwise for a tight snag. Then, hook the hose’s free end to the correct connector on the vacuum head and screw-drive the clamp tightly.

Nevertheless, it would be futile to explain how to hook up a pool vacuum to an Intex pump if you do not understand how the pump works nor using a pool vacuum. Therefore, we’ll take some time to take you through the two activities.

What Is A Pool Vacuum?

A swimming pool vacuum is a piece of equipment that cleans up dirt and other debris from your pool. It suctions up all the dirt – just like a regular vacuum cleaner would do – through the vacuum head and out via a hose and telescopic pole.

The biggest joy of pool ownership is the entertainment drawn from swimming. But the fun abruptly ends when dirt collects in the pool and hence the need to clean it. Unless you want a swamp of green algae and mosquito larvae, you must invest in a sound pool cleaning system.

You might hire a pool cleaning service if you lack the time, but if you do have the time, then you should acquaint yourself with one of the two primary pool vacuum systems common on the market: manual and automatic.

Manual pool vacuum system

Any piece of equipment tagged as manual means it requires external effort to do the work. For example, if you opt for the manual pool vacuum system, you need to move the vacuum head around inside the pool to scoop up all the dirt.

Think of this system as the home vacuum system that you use for day-to-day floor cleaning. Most of these systems are manual, meaning they require you to move them around.

Automatic pool vacuum system

On the contrary, an automatic pool vacuum system operates independently. This, therefore, precludes the need for a telescopic pole. Instead, the vacuum system consists of a vacuum head that connects to the filter system through a hose. The system exploits negative pressure to move independently on the pool’s floor.

How A Pool Vacuum Works?

Whether the vacuum system is manual or automatic, the working principle is similar. Both systems suck dirt out of the pool using a vacuum head using negative pressure. 

When using a manual pool vacuum, first attach the correct end of the telescopic pole to the vacuum head. As you may recall, the pole enables you to move the vacuum head around the pool. 

Then, attach the vacuum hose to the vacuum head and, using the telescopic pole, lower the gadget into the pool while keeping one end of the vacuum hose outside the pool. You’ll then create a suction force manually and start guiding the vacuum head towards the dirt.

On the contrary, most automatic pool vacuum systems come with a pump. The pump has two main tasks: to create a suction force and to return water into the pool after filtering out dirt. For example, an Intex pump runs the vacuum head and the filtering system and completes the cycle by rerouting the filtered water into the pool.

However, it is worth noting that simple manual pool vacuum systems do not require a pump. The problem is that some of them drain water out of the pool, and you might want to refill after the cleaning exercise. 

How The Intex Pump Works?

Intex pumps come in different configurations. Some can even clean your pool without a vacuum head. For instance, the pump takes in water from the pool through an in-built filtering system and returns the water. However, this simple pump is ideal for cleaning fine dirt that often hangs in the water. 

That is why you might need to use a vacuum head to get rid of dirt on the pool’s floor. The vacuum connects to the pump via a hose, where the vacuum head takes in dirt-filled water and into the pump’s filtering cartridges. The cartridges trap the dirt and recirculate the clean water.

But before you think about how the pump works, you should know how to set it up. At this juncture, you should read through the product’s manual carefully. This should help you avoid unnecessary tampering with the product, voiding the warranty.

Step 1: Unpack the Pump and Its Ancillaries

Reach into the packaging and take out the pump, hoses, and connectors.

Make sure to unpack in a clean environment to avoid accidental loss of tiny connectors.

Step 2: Hook Up the Hoses to the Pump

After unpacking, you’ll notice that the pump comes with two hoses – this varies depending on the size and type of pump; the hoses might even be four. Then, arrange the pump in the manner illustrated in the manual and attach the hose nuts. 

To remove air from the hoses, gently unscrew the filter housing and listen for a hissing sound. When the hissing sound stops and water begins to guggle through the filter housing, this means the air is out entirely, and it is time to screw the housing back. During this process, please ensure to place the pump higher than the water level in the pool.

While at it, remember to keep the release valves in place to avoid accidental ejection of water.

Step 3: Connect the Hoses to the Pool

Most Intext pumps come with two hoses: one takes in dirt-filled water, and the other recirculates water into the pool. So, connect the two hoses to the pool, but ensure that the inlet hose (the hose bringing dirt-filled water) is fixed at the bottom connector, while the recirculation hose is connected on the upper side.

It helps to remember that the hose from the vacuum head will connect to the pump through the inlet hose. So the vacuum will suck in the dirt-filled water and direct it into the Intex pump’s filtering system.

Step 4: Power on the Pump

If you have a smaller Intex pump, you’ll quickly notice that the power cable is short. But if you have a long power cable, you do not have to shift the pump closer to the socket. 

A standard Intex pump manual advises consumers to connect the power cord to a GFCI protected socket. Such an electrical outlet protects the pump from power surges and supplies a standard voltage to the motor.

Useful Tips And Conclusion

Pools come in different sizes, which impacts the time required to clean. If you have a large pool, you’ll need to buy a bigger pump and perhaps invest in an automatic vacuum system. 

Moreover, the vacuum system and the pump require constant attention for better operation. For instance, always read through the product manual before commencing the cleaning operation. Ensure you understand the best practices with a pool vacuum, the pool, and the pump.

Also, you may recall that one needs to expel air from the pump and vacuum system beforehand. This is because air bubbles might undermine the optimum operation of the pump’s filtering system. They will also degrade the suction force in the vacuum head.

Above all, go about the cleaning task gently. Patience will prevent disturbing the water. Disturbed water clouds with dirt and spreads it to other parts of the pool. As such, it appears that using an automatic pool vacuum system could be the ideal decision.

Sources

https://home.howstuffworks.com/how-to-use-a-pool-vacuum.htm

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