What swimming pool tools do I need and how do I use them?
When it comes to cleaning a swimming pool there isn't a single tool out there to get the whole job done. You have to think of pool maintenance equipment like you would automotive tools. There are many out there and each one serves a special purpose. We’ll go over each tool, its purpose, and how they should be used. After this guide, you should be able to start using these tools to effectively to clean your swimming pool.
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Pool Pole:The pool pole is your first priority; without it the other tools would do you little to no good. Most of the tools used in maintaining your swimming pool will clip onto the end of your pool pole. This device allows you to extend your tool reach to all of the pools surfaces (tile, walls, floor, etc). They are generally available in one, two, and three piece assemblies. Consider purchasing a high quality pool pole as it will see more use than any other tool.
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Leaf Rake: The leaf rake assists you in retrieving objects from the pool surface and pool floor such as leaves or rocks. This is commonly used to clean large debris from the pool. When using this tool on the pool surface, practice flipping the net-opening face down against water as you extend the pole out, followed by a quick retrieval. Each time to extend the pole over the pool; the leaf rake should land face down in the water. Try getting in the habit of rotating the pole a complete 360 degrees in the same direction with each extension of the pole. When trying to retrieve objects from the pool floor, keep the leaf rake moving in a forward motion. Any sudden transition from forward to backward motion will cause all of the contents in your net to release back into the pool.
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Vinyl Brush: The Vinyl Brush is regularly used to clean the pool’s surface of any clinging debris. Even when no debris appear present, the pool surfaces should be brushed. Get into a weekly habit of brushing all the pool surfaces including the stairs, tiles, walls, floor, and light fixtures. Doing this on a regular basis will extend the life of your plaster or pool surface. Think of your pool surface as if it was the paint job on a car. In order to keep the paint in good shape over time, you wash your car.
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Stainless Steel Brush: The Stainless Steel Brush is not a tool made for regular use. Its steel bristles are designed to help you scrub algae or tough debris for pool surfaces. Use small up & down motions while focusing force on one side of the brush. The steel brush is designed for plaster surfaces only. The abrasive bristles can damage fiberglass and vinyl pools. Only use a steel brush when absolutely necessary. Always attempt to remove algae or other debris with a vinyl brush first.
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Vacuum Head: The vacuum head is designed to use the pool’s filter system along with a vacuum hose to draw fine debris such as dirt from the pool floor. When vacuuming your swimming pool, move the vacuum head slowly along the bottom of the pool to avoid stirring up any fine debris. Take your time and do a thorough job. Never remove the vacuum head from the water when vacuuming; this will cause the filtration system to lose prime. Never force a vacuum head forward. If the vacuum head appears stuck, move the vacuum backwards then resume your forward motions. See vacuum hose to learn about priming.
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Vinyl Vacuum Head: Just like a regular vacuum head, the vinyl vacuum head is designed for pools with vinyl liners. These vacuum heads reduce the chance of damaging your pool liner. The same process and rules apply to both vacuum heads.
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Vacuum Head: The vacuum hose is what connects your vacuum head to the filter system, allowing suction to transfer to the pool floor via the vacuum head. Once you’ve connected the pool pole, vacuum head, and hose together, insert the pole and vacuum head into the water. Turn the vacuum head sideways so the pole doesn’t sink into the water. Once you’ve done this we’re ready to prime the vacuum hose. The goal here is to get all the air out of the hose and fill it with water. You can accomplish this one of two ways. First, you can lower the vacuum hose slowly into the water, allowing gravity to push the air out. Second, you can place the vacuum hose over a pool return and allow the pressure to fill the hose. After accomplishing this, connect the vacuum hose to either a skimmer vacuum plate or a leaf canister to protect your plumbing from debris.
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Leaf Vacuum: The leaf vacuum is another great tool for cleaning the pool. This device is a great idea when you have a lot of leaves in your pool. The leaf vacuum connects to your pool pole and a garden hose. The garden hose powers the leaf vacuum and sends shooting streams of water into the bag creating suction at the pool floor. Simply connect your garden hose, place the leaf vacuum in the water then turn the water on. Slowly move the leaf vacuum around the pool floor to draw debris into the attached net. When you’re all finished, carefully remove the leaf vacuum so you do not get yourself wet from the jets. Be sure to clean your leaf vacuum after use.
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Leaf Canister: The leaf canister is a trap designed to go in-line with your vacuum hose. As you vacuum leaves and other small debris, the leaf canister will trap everything. This tool is used to protect your pool plumbing from clogs. When you prime your vacuum hose, connect the leaf canister in-line and fill the canister with water. Then attach it to the skimmer or vacuum port.
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Skimmer Vacuum Plate: A skimmer vacuum plate is a common substitute for a leaf canister. The idea behind this tool is to give your skimmer basket the chance to catch your debris. This device works well but you’ll frequently have to empty the skimmer basket if you’re vacuuming leaves. When you are priming your vacuum hose, attach the skimmer plate to your hose. In one motion quickly remove the hose/plate from the pool to the skimmer. It’s important to do this step quickly so you do not allow air into the vacuum hose.
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Test Kit: The test kit is probably one of the most important tools for maintaining your swimming pool. While it doesn’t assist you in physically cleaning your pool, properly adjusting your chemistry regularly will save you from lots of physical labor. We’ll talk more about test kits in the next section.
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