Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Pool Vacuum
A swimming pool is a wonderful place to relax and spend time with your loved ones. Whether it be playing fun games or just splashing water, it’s always a delightful experience. But it’s not all fun and play when it comes to owning a pool. It needs to be maintained with regular cleaning and for that you would require the right equipment and supplies to do a great job. There are many important factors to consider while selecting a pool cleaner which would give you an upper hand in selecting the right one.
Before understanding the factors to consider while buying a pool cleaner, it is important to know the types of pool cleaners available. Knowing the pros and cons of each type will help you make a better decision in choosing one which is the most suitable for your needs.For starters there are two main types of pool cleaners – Manual and Automatic. Below are the factors to consider before choosing the right pool vacuum for you.
Manual Pool Cleaners
These pool cleaners require human effort to clean the pool. They provide greater control when it comes to cleaning the pool as you can specifically target areas which require more cleaning. They are further classified into the following types:
1. Pool brushes
Pool brushes are highly efficient in cleaning hard to remove dirt from the floor of the pool, sides or even the steps. It is a great equipment to have along with an automatic cleaner to properly clean your pool and keep it crystal clear.
2. Pool skimmers
A basic pool cleaning equipment which is a must have along with other manual or automatic cleaners. It is basically a long rigid pole with a net attached to its end. You can use pool skimmers to skim the pool surface and remove any floating debris or leaves. A very handy tool for pool cleaning, however, using it alone is not enough to clean the entire pool.
3. Pool vacuum
As the name suggests, the pool vacuum is a long pole with a vacuum attached to its end. It is used in conjunction with the pool filtration system. Once lowered inside the pool, the vacuum sucks in the debris from the floor and transfers it to the filtration system. It is great for cleaning small pools.
Automatic Pool Cleaners
These types of pool cleaners require very little human effort when it comes to cleaning the pool. according to Linton’s In The Garden, automatic pool cleaners are easy to use, worry free and highly capable to clean pools of any size. They are further classified into the following parts:
1. Pressure side pool cleaners
This type of pool cleaner is highly uses pressure from a booster pump or a pool pump to clean the pool. There is bag attached to the cleaner which helps collect debris and dirt while the cleaner moves across the floor. They are usually mounted on wheels for better movement.
2. Suction side pool cleaners
As the name suggests, these cleaners use special suction pumps to suck dirt from the pool floor and walls. The debris is then transferred to the pool filtration system using a hose connecting the cleaner to the system. Once lowered into the pool the cleaner does its job on its own by rapidly moving across the floor and the sides of the pool and cleaning it with its brushes as it moves.
3. Robotic pool cleaners
Robotic pool cleaners are the most efficient amongst all pool cleaners. They have an inbuilt filtration system along with a pump which is used to suck debris from the pool. Robotic cleaners consists of a control unit which needs to be connected to a power outlet in order to turn it on. Once on it automatically moves across the floor and wall collecting dirt as it moves with great efficiency. Their cleaning path is highly customizable which helps you target the dirtiest areas of the pool.
There is a pool cleaner for every budget and doing careful due diligence before buying one will help you find the best one for your needs.
Factors to consider:
Based on the method of cleaning and the amount of time you are willing to spend on cleaning the pool, it is very important to take the following factors into consideration while choosing a pool cleaner.
1. Energy consumption
If you are wary of high energy consumption while using a pool cleaner then it is highly advisable to go for a robotic pool cleaner as it is very energy-efficient. Other cleaners with supplementing parts such as a booster pump can drastically increase energy consumption.
2. Hassle free use
If you are someone who prefers a pool cleaner that does not come with a long instruction booklet on how to use it then you should definitely consider an automatic pool cleaner. Apart from switching it on, you don’t really need to do anything. Once lowered into the pool the cleaner will automatically clean the floor and walls quite efficiently as you watch from above.
3. Size of the pool
The size of your pool is an important factor to consider while selecting a pool cleaner. If you own a small size pool then it is ideal to go for a manual pool cleaner. You will have more control in the cleaning process as you can effectively target the dirtiest areas of your pool and clean it in the least amount of time possible. However, if you own medium to a large sized pool, then going for an automatic cleaner makes sense as it would be time consuming to manually clean the pool.
4. The Filtration system
Some pool cleaners such as suction side ones depend upon the pool filtration system to do its work. If you don’t want to burden the filtration system of your pool, then consider pool cleaners with its own filtering system. Pressure side pool cleaners are equipped with its own filter bag whereas a robotic cleaner has its own filtration system.
5. Efficiency
Whichever pool cleaner you choose, it should be able to do its job efficiently so that the water remains crystal clear and free from dirt and grime. Manual cleaners are best for small pools and does a great job in keeping the pool clean. On the other hand a robotic cleaner is ideal for cleaning a large pool.
6. Ability to climb walls
Some cleaners only clean the floor of the pool. You might have to manually clean the side walls in that case using a brush. This is okay if you have a small size pool, but in case of medium to large sized pools it is better to choose a cleaner with the ability to climb walls.
7. Durability
It is highly advisable to buy a cleaner which is durable so that you don’t have to worry about replacing it anytime soon in the near future. The best indication of durability is to check the cleaners length of warranty that they offer. Longer warranty periods indicate better durability.
8. Suction power
If your pool has the tendency to accumulate lots of dirt, then it is better to invest in a cleaner with high suction power. Suction power is measured in gallons per minute (GPM). Anything above 70 GPM is good enough to remove those stubborn dirt off the floor.
9. Micron value
Microns is the unit in which debris and dirt are measured. While considering pool cleaners with inbuilt filtration systems, you need to look for low micron value. The lower the micron value the better it is. Don’t bother reading terms like mesh and fine on the cleaner. Look out for the micron level.
Considering the above factors carefully will help you easily choose a cleaner that is ideal for your pool. You can also ask your friends and family who own a pool to get further insights into what types of cleaners work best for them. To sum it up in a sentence a good pool cleaner is the one which does the job with minimum effort and gives your family a clean pool to have fun in.