Best Way to Clean Bottom of Above Ground Pool

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Who wants to swim in a dirty pool? No one, right? That’s why we have this detailed resource on the best way to clean bottom of above ground pool.

But can you just remove the leaves or insects that settle above the pool? Well, while this is one way of maintaining a clean pool, you will realize that fine matter settles to the bottom of the pool and forms a layer of sediment.

So it would be best if you got rid of this dirt. Not sure how to go about this? We got you in this complete guide!

Let’s get started.

Equipment to Use for The Bottom of Your Pool Cleaning

The first step to effectively clean the bottom of the pool is by gathering the right equipment and cleaning tools. Having proper tools prevents you from damaging the pool during the cleaning process. Now the choice of a cleaning tool depends on the method you intend to apply.

The following are some of the equipment you could use to clean the bottom of the pool ;

1. Pool Vacuum

A pool vacuum allows you to clean your pool quickly and efficiently by sucking up all the dirt and debris on the floors of your swimming area while scrubbing off algae.

A vacuum is made of a hose that links to the skimmer, a vacuum head, and a telescoping pole. The skimmer helps to suction debris through the vacuum head and hose, collecting it in the filter’s strainer basket.

The function of a telescoping pole is to allow you to direct the vacuum head across the pool floor. If you need to reach the center or corners of the pool, you can extend the pole as it is adjustable.

2. Skimmer System

A skimmer system uses suction power to remove debris from the water as it is an automatic cleaning device that connects directly to the pool’s skimmer.

3. Pool Brushes

A pool brush allows you to maneuver around the floor surfaces of your above-the-ground swimming area while removing debris and dust particles. Be keen on the choice of your brush to avoid damaging the floors.

How to Clean the Bottom of the Pool

Even when the pool is clean, and the water is sparkling, the debris at the bottom may look unappealing and awful to swim in. So it would be best if you cleaned it. But how do you go about that?

Now that you know the equipment to use to keep your pool cleaned, here are the various ways to clean it;

1. Brushing The Pool

Brushing is an effective way to clean your pool’s bottom. However, it can take up so much of your time as you need more than a few attempts to get rid of all the debris. But you will eventually get your desired results.

Often when you clean your pool’s walls, the debris travel to the bottom of the pool, where it clings. So what you need to do is brush the dirt using a suitable brush into a small pile in one pool area.

You should ensure that you do it slowly to avoid stirring the dirt up, causing it to settle elsewhere, or having its suspension going into the pool water. Once all the debris or sand is in a pile, you should gently sweep it into a dustpan and slowly remove it out of the pool.

To ensure that you maintain the cleanest pool, brush it at least once a week.

2. Vacuuming The Pool

Today, vacuuming, especially through the use of an automatic vacuum cleaner, is less time-consuming and an effective way to keep your above-the-ground pool free from dirt. A pool vacuum attaches to the pool’s filter system to move debris out while moving around automatically, so you don’t need to do any work.

To vacuum the bottom of the pool, follow the following steps;

Step 1: Attach the Vacuum Head to a Pool Hole

It would be best if you connect the vacuum head to the end of a pool pole to allow you to move around the entire floor of the pool. If you plan on vacuuming your above-the-ground pool manually, then ensure that the vacuum head has brushes or rollers to remove all the dirt.

Step 2: Secure a Hose to The Vacuum and Put it in The Pool.

When you are done attaching the pool vacuum head to the pole, insert the swivel end of a vacuum hose into the head. It would be best if you then placed it into the bottom of the pool near the skimmer water return outlet. Make sure you lean the pole against the side of the pool so that it will not fall into the water.

Step 3: Place The Other End of The Hose in The Skimmer Hole

Fill the free end of the vacuum hose with water by holding it in front of the skimmer return outlet. You should then insert the free end of the hose into the return outlet, but first, ensure that no bubbles are coming out from the vacuum head.

Step 4: Vacuum The Pool

It would help if you moved your vacuum along the bottom of the pool to remove sand and debris. To ensure that you pick up all of the debris and cover the entire floor, you should take your time. To achieve the desired results, overlap your strokes as you move them to cover each area twice and pick up all the debris.

Keep vacuuming once each week to ensure that your above-the-ground pool remains clean.

3. Skimming and Filtering The Pool

Filtering and skimming are some of the best ways to help you keep the bottom of the pool clean. This is because it is easy to apply and inexpensive. To skim and filter your pool, you should;

Run the Filter Pump at least 8 Hours a Day

A filter pump is designed to circulate water throughout the pool and pass it through the filter to remove debris and impurities. Therefore to ensure that it keeps the pool clean always, make sure that the filter pump is running for at least eight hours a day.

Backwash The Pool when the Pressure Rises

You should backwash your sand or DE filter for your above-ground pool to reverse the water flow through the system and flush it out so it stays clean. See, dirt and debris sometimes become trapped in the filter system, which can leave you with dirty water in the pool.

However, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding the backwashing procedures for the pool. You may need to turn a valve to the proper setting.

Clean the Cartridge Filter when the Pressure Rises

The best above-ground pools use a cartridge filter. Therefore, make sure that you clean the cartridge filter periodically to ensure the system works properly.

While cleaning, turn off the filter, remove the cartridge, and use a garden pipe to clean it. You may further check the manufacturer’s instructions for your cartridge filter system to determine the normal pressure setting, so you know when to wash the cartridge.

Clean the pump basket weekly

Every pool filter pump has a basket that collects all the dirt and debris filtered out. Every once in a while, remove the basket from the pump, dump out the contents, and wash it out if necessary.

To determine how to remove and clean your pump basket, always consult your filter system’s manufacturer’s instructions. Then, make sure that you reposition the basket correctly and secure the lid after cleaning it so the filter system will run properly.

What makes the bottom of the pool dirty?

So, no matter how much you clean your pool, you will often come across brown stains at the bottom of the pool. Ever wondered what the cause of these stains could be? Here are a few ideas;

1. Dry Organic Matter

Now, although you remove dry leaves and twigs floating on your pool, you will often see a greenish-brown stain. The stain is often caused by the residue leaves that move to the bottom and sit there for a while if not cleaned.

2. Ineffective Filtration Systems

When dirt particles and debris pass around the pool, they may entangle themselves around the filter. Now, dirt on your filter gets in the way of the system functioning properly. This results in debris building up at the bottom.

So if your pool bottom is always dirty, consider checking the condition of your filters. You can use a pool filtration cleaner to clean filters based on their usage.

3. Algae

Greenish brown stains on your pool indicate the presence of algae. Algae occur naturally and are often found in soil and plant debris. However, it can grow in pools due to factors such as;

• Poor water circulation; low flow or dead spots in the pool
• Poor water balance; pH, Alkalinity, Calcium, and Cyanuric levels
• Poor water sanitation; low or inconsistent chlorine levels
• Poor water filtration; short filter run times, or an ineffective filter

If these factors are not eliminated, algae may multiply, keeping the pool bottom dirty.

4. Food Particles

Your family will not only delight in an afternoon swim. They want to enjoy their favorite snack while at it. Unfortunately, food particles end up falling into the pool water, causing mold and fungus build-ups at the bottom of the pool, hence a dirty pool.

5. Hard Water

Proper chemical levels in your pool are important in keeping it and your family healthy. However, the presence of too much magnesium and calcium in the pool results in the occurrence of hard water, which in turn causes scaling.

Scaling refers to the white residue that occurs when calcium hardens on the surface of the bottom of your pool.

How To Prevent Debris From Getting Into the Pool

Cleaning the pool bottom can take a lot of your time. Besides, you may have to hire an expert to do the work for you, which may be expensive. So why not make things easier for yourself by keeping the debris from getting to the pool in the first place?

Here are a few tricks you could try to help with that;

1. Invest in a Pool Cover

A pool cover works perfectly to safeguard your pool from debris that gets in during strong winds. When it is windy, you are likely to see unwanted debris on the pool floors as wind serves as a carrier for dirt particles.

2. Maintain the Pools Chemical Levels

Your pool’s chemical levels determine the cleanliness of your water. Therefore, you must maintain a proper range of the PH and chlorine levels. To achieve this, every pool owner should;

• Constantly check the chemical levels using a digital test strip reader.
• Adjust the chemical levels when necessary to achieve the optimal range.
• Keep a steady amount of chlorine in the pool using a floater. Remember, excess amounts of chlorine result in hard water, which in turn causes scaling.
• Regularly add shock to the pool to remove contaminants.

3. Empty the Skimmer Basket Regularly

A skimmer basket attached to the wall removes light debris and dirt that’s in the water. To ensure that the skimming basket does not become clogged, therefore fail to capture debris, ensure that you clean it out regularly.

Conclusion

The brown stains on your above-the-ground pool can be a turnoff when you want to go for that afternoon swim. Besides, the debris that accumulates on the floors of the pool can endanger the health of your family.

Therefore you must keep the floors clean at all times. As a pool owner, you can either brush your pool’s floors, filter and skim them or vacuum the surfaces to remove debris. Alternatively, you can find and hire an expert to do the work for you.