Keeping your inground pool clean is integral to enjoying the water all season long. You can use several types of pool cleaners to help keep your pool looking and functioning in excellent condition.
Manual pool cleaners require physical effort to operate. They often attach to poles, providing more reach for your pool cleaning needs. This equipment includes:
You can use a hand-held vacuum across the pool’s bottom surface and walls to suck out debris. This tool gives you more control, permitting you to focus on dirty areas. A hand-held vacuum includes an extendable telescopic pole, hose, plate and head.
The plate attaches to one end of the hose and goes into the pool’s skimmer basket, allowing it to catch debris and prevent them from moving to the pump and other pool plumbing components. You can also get a manual vacuum brush instead of a head with wheels.
Before you begin vacuuming, set the filter valve to the normal setting for light cleaning tasks and the waste option for larger debris.
You can attach a leaf skimmer to an extendable telescopic pole for easy reach. Use this tool to manually catch and remove leaves and other debris from the pool. Routine skimming prevents debris from sinking to the bottom or reaching the pump and filter.
Brushes are also compatible with extendable poles for sweeping the bottom of the pool, the steps and the walls to remove debris. You can use a brush to gather debris in one place before manually vacuuming.
Some of the most popular pool cleaners have an automated system, making it easier to keep the pool clean. Here are three kinds of automatic pool cleaners.
Robotic cleaners for inground pools can crawl along a pool’s floor to thoroughly clean dirt, debris or algae. They function as robotic pool vacuums as they scrub and suck up any gunk in inground pools. Robotic pool cleaners operate independently of the pool’s filter and pump systems.
Using the robot is a great alternative to manual pool cleaners because the robot does all the work for you. With proper care and maintenance, robotic pool cleaners can last several years before needing a replacement.
A suction pool cleaner is another automated system. It connects to your pool’s central filtration system and uses the suction from the system to move the cleaner around to collect unwanted debris in the pool. The cleaner’s hose often connects to the pool’s dedicated suction line or skimmer.
When deciding between a suction pool cleaner versus a robotic one, consider the size of your pool and its needs. Suction pool cleaners may be sufficient for smaller pools and smaller debris compared to a bigger pool that needs more attention.
Another automated pool cleaner is the pressure-side cleaner. A pressure-side pool cleaner has its own filter and discard bag, which it uses when cleaning the pool of debris. It uses an existing pressure line to move around the pool as the dirt gets loosened and guided into the filter bag.
Inground pools can also have an in-floor cleaning system built into the pool during construction — they are difficult to add to your pool later. These systems use pop-up cleaners that remain flush with the pool floor until cleaning time. Then, the pop-ups spray pressurized water to move debris floating in the pool toward the main drain or skimmer. They often can change the spraying direction to target debris anywhere in the pool.
The many types of pool cleaners can help you maintain your pool’s looks and efficiency. Whether you use one or a combination of the tools, you will have regular pool cleaning options.
When you need assistance with your new device or want an easier way to clean your pool, count on Lotus Pools. We offer professional pool maintenance services for pool owners in the Chicago area. Schedule a service call or contact us online to learn more about our pool cleaning services.
