|
This is why pool cleaners
and maintenance experts recommend cleaning your pool as often as
possible. Chemicals are designed to scrub the waters of unwanted
pests and pathogens, but larger items will usually require some kind
of mechanical action. There was a time when most of this maintenance
wad conducted by hand using a series of brushes, nets and vacuums,
but today that work has largely become the province of autonomous
robots. If you have come online to learn more about what these
clever machines can offer – and how to differentiate them – you may
be interested to learn how many options exist.
The most basic pool cleaners are also the most passive. Usually they
connect to existing wall returns and float on the surface of the
pool, dragging the bottom for debris and collecting anything that
floats into a net. Devices such as these can save you considerable
time and money – they tend to be inexpensive, and most experts agree
they do a serviceable job of removing major contaminants such as
leaves, twigs and toys from the pool. Because they often use
pressure to “blow” items off the walls of your pool, however, it can
take some time for such items to float down and find their way into
the net.
More active cleaning devices tend to propel themselves along the
bottom of the pool using water jet propulsion. The advantage here is
that you get vacuum action and proximity in your cleaning efforts –
two key elements to ensure everything finds its way into the bag.
The disadvantage with many of these machines, of course, is that
operating along the bottom can make them miss floating debris along
the way, which most homeowners cite as the least appealing part of a
dirty pool. Mid-range items may come with also belt-drive motors
that may smudge your pool’s bottom on turns, so it’s important to
consider weight and torque when making an investment of this kind.
If you really want to opt for an elite experience, you can always
look for top-of-the-line products that come with unprecedented
automation built in. Many of these include sensors to map your pool,
attachments for stairs and powerful vacuum action that can make
quick work of everything from coins to snails. Some of the most
advanced versions even offer a hybrid feature, alternately floating
to the top of your pool and returning to the bottom for a final
pass. A wide variety of filters, oversized intakes, scrubbers and
jets makes such products something like all-terrain vehicles, and
most operate considerably faster than their less expensive
counterparts.
That said, the most important investment you can make in your pool’s
health is time itself. Although pool cleaners have grown
exceptionally good at what they do, the surest way to lighten the
load is simply to exercise some common sense as a pool owner.
Consider removing overhanging branches and clear the surfaces near
your pool if you don’t want every storm to deliver tremendous
quantities of natural debris. You may also want to install a basic
outdoor foot wash or shower to keep all your visitors clean of dirt
and dust. Finally it’s wise to check the filters manually once a
week, as simple pump action may be catching the vast majority of the
debris.
Looking for a new pool cleaner is not unlike shopping for a car –
it’s easy to get overwhelmed by outrageous claims and shiny chassis.
Stick with the basics of what you need and anticipate the coming
seasons with good yard work and you should be able to save a lot of
money on this essential purchase. |
