What You Need To Know About Automatic Pool Cleaners

By Clark Rubber | 17th October, 2019

Automatic pool cleaners can take a significant amount of effort out of your ongoing pool maintenance. Here is what you need to know before you buy one.

Collecting dirt and debris from the floor of your pool is a tiresome job, but automatic pool cleaners can do this for you. These handy devices come in many shapes and sizes to suit almost kind of pool. Clark Rubber is sure to have the perfect one to suit your pool maintenance needs. Read on for the basics of how automatic pool cleaners work, which kind will work for your pool, and how to maintain one.

Automatic pool cleaners: The basics

Automatic pool cleaners connect to your pool's skimmer box and use the suction created by your pool's pump. They then act like a mobile vacuum cleaner, roving around the bottom of your pool picking up loose dirt or debris.

Steps might pose a problem for some automatic pool cleaners.

While its movement is random, an automatic pool cleaner ensures the majority of your pool remains clean. There are few moving parts and minimal ongoing pool maintenance, making them a worthwhile investment. However, you have to make sure you select the right kind of cleaner for your pool.

Robotic cleaners versus skirt cleaners

There are two primary types that Australians use for their pool maintenance: skirt cleaners and robotic cleaners.

Skirt cleaners use a hammer or diaphragm propulsion method to get around the floor of your pool. They scour the floor and clean some of the sides if you have curved corners in your pool. If not, there is nothing to worry about - debris can't escape gravity, and it always ends up on the floor.

With a diaphragm model, you will need to replace it once every few years - but this is not a very expensive purchase, and they are simple to install.

You will often find geared cleaners in in-ground pools, while skirt cleaners are a popular addition to all pools.

Robotic cleaners require more maintenance than their skirt counterparts, but the increased mobility you get is very beneficial. They can turn around in your pool in tight spaces, which is ideal if you have sharp corners or steps. These can catch skirt cleaners out, meaning they have to be manually moved.

You will often find robotic cleaners in in-ground pools, while skirt cleaners are a popular addition to all pools. Which model works for you depends entirely on how much maintenance you want to do and the kind of pool you have. The professionals at Clark Rubber can help you decide if you are unsure.

What to look out for with an automatic pool cleaner

While automatic pool cleaners certainly perform a large amount of your pool maintenance, you will still have to do some tasks. Automatic pool cleaners can miss spots, particularly behind steps or in areas subjected to water jets and turbulence.

As a rule of thumb, you can expect them to clean about 90 per cent of your pool's floor space.

It can be difficult to work out the point at which an automatic pool cleaner becomes a necessity, as well as what kind of device is going to work best for your swimming spot. If you don't know the answer to a question about your pool or cleaner, the team at Clark Rubber will.

Get in touch with your local store if you have any questions.