Should You Backwash While Vacuuming Pool?

When it comes to maintaining a clean and healthy swimming pool, there are several tasks you need to perform regularly. Two of the most important of these are vacuuming and backwashing. However, many pool owners wonder whether they should backwash while vacuuming, or if they need to perform these two tasks separately. In this article, we will explore the answer to this question and provide you with some tips for keeping your pool in top condition.

What is Backwashing?

Before we can answer the question of whether you should backwash while vacuuming your pool, it’s essential to understand what backwashing involves. Backwashing is a process in which you use your pool’s filtration system to flush out dirt, debris, and other contaminants that have accumulated in the filter over time. During backwashing, you reverse the flow of water through your filter, causing the water to flow backward and out of the pool through the waste line. This process effectively cleans the filter, helping to improve water circulation and overall pool hygiene.

What is Vacuuming?

Vacuuming, on the other hand, is the process of manually removing debris and dirt from the bottom of your pool. While your pool’s filtration system can remove small particles from the water, larger debris like leaves and twigs will eventually sink to the bottom, making it necessary to manually remove them with a pool vacuum. A pool vacuum is a tool that is attached to your pool’s filtration system and uses suction to remove dirt and debris from the pool floor. Vacuuming is an important aspect of pool maintenance, as it helps to prevent the accumulation of dirt and debris, which can cause skin and eye irritation and reduce the effectiveness of your pool’s sanitization system.

Should You Backwash While Vacuuming?

The short answer to this question is no. While it may seem like a good idea to backwash while vacuuming, doing so can actually cause more harm than good. Backwashing removes dirt and debris from your filter, but it also removes water from your pool. This means that if you backwash while vacuuming, you may end up removing more water from your pool than you intended, which can throw your chemical balance off balance and cause pool water loss. It’s also important not to vacuum your pool immediately after backwashing because the water pressure may build up and cause damage to your filtration system.

How to Backwash and Vacuum Your Pool Properly

So, if you shouldn’t backwash while vacuuming, what is the proper way to perform these two essential pool maintenance tasks? Generally speaking, you should backwash your pool’s filtration system once every two weeks or when the pressure gauge on your filter reaches 8-10 psi above its normal reading. To backwash your pool, follow these steps:

1. Turn off your pool’s filtration system and turn the multiport valve to the “backwash” position.
2. Turn on your pool’s filtration system and run it for 1-2 minutes, or until the water in the sight glass is clear.
3. Turn off your pool’s filtration system and turn the multiport valve to the “rinse” position.
4. Turn on your pool’s filtration system and run it for 30-60 seconds, or until the water in the sight glass is clear.
5. Turn off your pool’s filtration system and turn the multiport valve to the “filter” position.

Once you’ve completed the backwashing process, you can safely vacuum your pool. To vacuum your pool, follow these steps:

1. Attach the pool vacuum to your pool’s filtration system according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Turn on your pool’s filtration system and adjust the vacuum to the appropriate suction level.
3. Slowly move the vacuum across the surface of your pool, making sure to cover every area of the floor.
4. Turn off your pool’s filtration system and remove the vacuum attachment.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the key to keeping your pool clean and healthy is to perform regular maintenance tasks like backwashing and vacuuming. However, it’s important to do each of these tasks separately and to avoid backwashing while vacuuming, as doing so can cause damage to your pool’s filtration system and throw your chemical balance off balance. By following the proper procedures for backwashing and vacuuming, you can ensure that your pool remains clean and inviting all season long.