Short answer
Fill the vacuum hose with water so it has no air, push it into the skimmer suction, and vacuum slowly. Use FILTER for ordinary dirt, which Hayward lists as a use of the filter position. Switch to WASTE for heavy debris, dead algae or fine silt that would clog the sand, then top the pool up. Check the pressure gauge afterward and backwash if it is 6 to 8 psi over clean.
What you need
Steps
Check the gauge first
If the filter is already near its backwash pressure, backwash before you start, or the vacuum will be weak.
Choose the valve setting
Pump off. Set FILTER for ordinary dirt, WASTE for heavy debris, algae or fine silt. Start the pump.
Assemble and sink the head
Attach the head to the pole and the hose to the head, and lower it to the floor near the skimmer.
Prime the hose
Feed the hose into the water from the head end, or hold its open end over a return jet, until no more bubbles come out. Air in the hose can make the pump lose prime.
Connect at the skimmer
Push the full hose into the skimmer suction port or a vacuum plate over the skimmer basket, keeping the end under water.
Vacuum slowly
Overlapping strokes, slowly, so you lift dirt rather than stir it up. Empty the pump basket if suction drops.
Finish and check
Pump off, set the valve back to FILTER if you used WASTE, top up the pool, restart, and backwash if the gauge reads 6 to 8 psi over clean.
Filter or waste?
| Situation | Setting | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves, ordinary dirt | FILTER | Keeps your water; the sand catches it |
| Dead algae after a shock | WASTE | Fine and heavy; clogs the sand fast |
| Fine silt or plaster dust | WASTE | Some passes through a sand bed |
| Pool is overfull after rain | WASTE | Lowers the level while you clean |
Full list of valve positions: sand filter valve settings. Hayward’s FILTER and BACKWASH guidance is in its S200 manual.
Above-ground pools
Small sand filter pumps, such as Intex’s, often have a single skimmer and lower flow. Vacuum in shorter sessions, empty the pump strainer often, and expect to backwash sooner. More in Intex sand filter pumps and above-ground vs inground filters.
Questions people ask
Should I vacuum on filter or waste with a sand filter?
FILTER for normal dirt; it keeps your water. WASTE for heavy loads like algae or fine silt, because they would clog the sand quickly and some would pass back into the pool. WASTE drains water, so watch the level.
Why does my vacuum lose suction?
Usually air in the hose or a full pump basket. Re-prime the hose by holding it against a return jet until bubbles stop, and empty the skimmer and pump baskets. Also check the gauge: a very dirty filter reduces flow.
Do I need to backwash after vacuuming?
Only if the gauge has risen 6 to 8 psi above your clean pressure. After a heavy vacuum on FILTER it often has.
Why does dirt blow back into the pool while vacuuming?
Very fine silt can pass through a sand bed, and sand returning to the pool can mean a cracked lateral. Use WASTE for fine silt, and see the sand in the pool guide if it is sand.
Sources
Last reviewed October 12, 2026. Sand amounts and listings change; check your filter’s label or manual before you buy, and follow the maker’s instructions.