Vacum question from newbie

[cybercycle305]

Moved into a home with a pool, in the filter basket there are two holes. One has a flap over it with vacum stamped on it. Do I move the flap to cover the hole inorder to vacum or is the flap to be in the open position?

Hope this makes sense!!

Thanks

[Pool Helper]

You need to close the flap to get maximum suction to the open vacuum port. If you leave the flap open, the suction to the vacuum head will be too low to vacuum the pool.

If the vacuum head gets "stuck" to the pool floor because of too strong a suction, you can open the flap slightly to release some pressure and make vacuuming easier. After a couple of times you will understand whether you need to open the flap, and if so, how much.

[cybercycle305]

thanks for quick reply. One more thing...how long do you need to backwash the filter?

Thanks again

[Pool Helper]

Usually there is a small observation glass on the side of the multiport valve. When the water flowing past this turns clear then you are done with the backwash. You should follow this with a rinse of at least 20 - 30 seconds.

You could also see the clarity and cleanness of the backwash water if you have easy access to the end of the waste pipe/hose.