I'm not sure if this is a dumb question, but how do we use the vacuum on our pool

[ThePoolGuy]

Do you have a Krepy crawly type cleaner ( vaccum cleaner) or a Polaris type cleaner and what Filter do you have?

If you got a Krepy crawler, you can just plug your vacuum hose into it...this is nice for vacuuming up leaves since most people install the leaf catcher with their KC. If you got a Polaris type cleaner, you'll need to plug into a skimmer and probaly sink a hose. Also if you got two skimmers, you may want to cut the other skimmer off if you got a valve for it or use a tennis ball to plug it up with. You can also shut off the main drain to do this as well. This will help increase the suction. Now you may want to keep an eye on the pump basket if you're vaccuming up a lot of leaves without a leaf catcher. The pump basket will get clogged up...you should notice the suction slowing down when this happens. Just shut the pump off and empty the basket to continue vaccuming. You also have to keep an eye on the pressure...I usualy back wash a sand filter before I vaccum a pool. It all depends what the Pressure is on a DE as to wether or not I BW it before/after hand. I'm not sure on a cart since I never mess with them.

Once you get vaccuming, keep an eye as to not let the vaccum head surface to much or to long. This could cause the pump to loose prime. It's usualy when you're vaccuming the top step or have a Hottub connected to the pool but have to jump the wall to clean it. If it happens, just be cool, the pump should gain prime in a few secs.

Hope it helps.
ThePoolGuy