Keeping the surfaces of the swimming pool clean at your aquatic facility is a crucial maintenance step, but it can be time-consuming. Reducing the labor required for keeping the pool clean is a goal for many facility managers, and solutions are available to do just that.
Q: How can we clean our pool more efficiently?
A: An automatic pool cleaner is a smart investment that will pay for itself quickly with savings in water, chemicals, energy and labor.
Manual pool vacuums require manual labor and rely on the pool's filtration system, requiring an inefficient amount of water and electricity to clean the pool. Automatic pool cleaners require very little labor and have their own filtering system, saving energy and water.
You also will save on chemical costs by circulating chemicals already in the pool. As your automatic cleaner filters the dirt and debris from the pool, it also mixes the water at the bottom of the pool with the water at the top, helping circulate the heavy chlorine and, in some cases, reducing the amount of chemicals used to treat your pool's water.
In addition, while traditional methods of pool cleaning can miss small debris particles, particularly in the deeper areas of your pool, automatic pool cleaners are more thorough, providing guests with a healthy, safe swimming environment. An automatic pool cleaner will easily reach all areas of your pool, including walls and waterline.
Q: We are interested in finding an automatic pool cleaner. What should we know?
A: Automatic pool cleaners are available in a range of sizes, with a variety of programs and parts, so you need to be sure you get the model that best suits your pool. To ensure maximum efficiency and cleaning, there are some things you should take into account.
The size and depth of your pool will determine what size and filtrating system you'll need. Larger pools require larger cleaning units that have higher gallon-per-minute filtering capacities, as well as a longer power cable to ensure the cleaner can reach all areas of the pool. Smaller pools can be cleaned by more efficient, smaller cleaning units.
The shape of your pool also will determine your choice. There are two types of automatic pool cleaners—those with rigid programming, and those that adjust to specific pools. Those with rigid programming have a single operating pattern that repeats—ideal for rectangular pools. Curves and irregularities, however, might cause this type of cleaner to miss spots or get tangled in its cord. For irregular shaped pools, look for a program-adjusting pool cleaner. These cleaners feature systems that collect data on your pool's specs and then adjust the cleaning program to meet that pool's needs.
Is the surface of your pool rough or smooth? Rough surfaces like concrete, pebble and aggregate will be better served by rubber brushes. Tile, glass or other smooth surfaces require PVA brushes.
Other features of your pool will also have an impact on your decision. Many automatic pool cleaners are built with sensors, timers and delay switches, and come with a remote control. But irregular features, such as bulkheads, zero-depth entry, play obstacles and other design features like safety ledges, need to be considered. Be sure to talk to your manufacturer to find out more about how your pool's unique features can be taken into account to ensure you make the best decision.