Kool Deck Peeling and Blowing into Pool - New Owner

[Viper16]

Let me start off, new pool owner here! we just moved into this well kept salt water pool that is starting to have the kool decking peel off the concrete, I assume from age as well as the harsh ice winters we have had. In awaiting for my TF kit to arrive tomorrow and anxious to get started on balancing the chemistry, I wanted to know the best way to pickup the loose deck flakes that have settled back down on the bottom of the pool/spa? The flakes are about dime to quarter in diameter, and and thinner than dime thickness.

As I have a DE filter, I wasn't sure if using the vacuum hose and picking it out that way was best. I plan to open up the DE and clean it up for the season anyways, just didn't want to put any unnecessary strain on the the filter with these chips. There is probably a handful and a half full of these chips from the high winds we have had the last two weeks just after the ice storm. Would using the vacuum hose from the skimmer be the method for cleaning this up from the bottom? do I valve of the main drain returns to pull more suction on the skimmers?

 

[HermanTX]

Try putting a sock on the skimmer baskets. This will capture fine particles and those flakes. Now you will need to check the skimmer more frequently because it captures more debris, not letting it go to the filter.

EDIT - try using a net to pick up the items from the bottom. Alternatively, if you want to manual vacuum, then vacuum to waste so you do not put the stuff to your filter. You can set your multiport valve on front of your DE filter to WASTE.