Swimming pool vacuums, or cleaners, are an essential part of pool maintenance. There are many different types of makes and models on the market, so how do you know which model is best for your pool? Before we can answer that question, it is important to understand what exactly it is that you are looking for, the cost you are willing and able to pay upfront versus later down the line, the size of your pool, and how much manual work you want to do.
Automatic swimming pool vacuums are generally broken down into three different types: suction side, pressure side, and robotic cleaners. Each has different pros and cons, and so deciding which is best is in large part up to your preferences. Let us tell you a little about each.
Suction side cleaners attach a line to your pool skimmer and filtration system, and then suck up debris from your pool floor and walls. These are generally the cheapest types of pool vacuum cleaners, and work well for small to medium sized pools, as there is less space to clean, so they don’t need to run as long.
Pressure side cleaners use a separate pump or booster pump to move the cleaner around the pool, where debris is loosened up by the pressure and moved up into a filtration bag that can easily be removed, once filled with unwanted debris. These cleaners are great at picking up larger debris, such as leafs and sticks, which makes them valuable if your pool is under many trees, or you have a well shaded yard.
Robotic pool cleaners are the major type of pool cleaner, and generally the most recommended, as they do not add any extra wear and tear to your current pool plumbing system, are energy efficient, quiet, and quick at pool cleaning. The downside is that they are more expensive, will cost more to repair (such as if damaged by a child or pet), and they are more easily clogged by larger debris.
Now that you know a little about each of the three main types of swimming pool vacuums, call us at S & H Pools to talk over what might be best for your specific pool and lifestyle.