Automatic Swimming Pool Cleaners

With the many varieties of swimming pool cleaners available today, it can be a daunting task to choose which type of cleaner will best suit your needs.This article is intended to supply you with the information necessary to make an informed decision on which cleaner will work best in your situation. Understanding the advantages and shortcomings of each type of pool cleaner will help clear up the confusion in choosing the right cleaner for the application.


Automatic Pool Cleaners - Pressure Side: An automatic pool cleaner that's pressure side oriented is driven by water pressure from the pool pump itself which actually drives the pool cleaner around the pool collecting trash into the collection bag. This type of cleaner or pool vacuum may be ran by the main pump, or from an individual pump dedicated just for this purpose. Positive attributes on a pressure side automatic pool cleaner would be that it affords one more time in between pool filter cleanings. This is due to the fact that the pressure side cleaner doesn't allow trash to be pulled into your pump basket or pool filter. Obviously, the automatic pool cleaner that operates on water pressure would be the route to go if your pool is surrounded or has trees nearby.

Dedicated pump - "Pros": It will increase the capacity for your cleaner to do a better job collecting trash, etc. into the cleaner bag. For example, the suction power will be stronger enabling the cleaner to pick-up better and also improving the handling of larger debris.

"Pros" of the non-dedicated pump - Cost of pool cleaner type should be less expensive. Installation cheaper due to less components (booster pump and dedicated line for cleaner) All trash collected is deposited into the automatic pool cleaner bag. Collection of larger trash more efficient. Provides ease in filter maintenance.

Pressure-Side Automatic Pool Cleaner "Cons": Shortcomings in the area of scrubbing/cleaning pool walls. Cleaner does not act as a moving filter suction apparatus. Does not filter sediment and small particles into cleaner bag.

Automatic Pool Cleaner/Suction-Side: What drives this type of cleaner to move about the pool and vacuum as it goes is suction itself. This cleaner works as a moving filter. A bonus to this type system is as it is cleaning it brings water in taking it through the filtration system. This provides a quicker water turnover in less time.

Suction-side type pool cleaners would be cheaper to purchase due to the lack of additional parts that would be required, ie. plumbing/pumps. Much more minute particles would be picked-up with the suction method and carried directly into the filtration system preventing finer pieces from slipping through the cleaner bag as in the pressure-side type cleaner. Some of these suction-side automatic pool cleaners agitate as they move about the pool. This agitating motion helps in scrubbing the pool reducing the amount of pool brushing needed. This pool cleaner would be your best bet if your are not dealing with a lot of large pieces of trash or debris.

Suction side automatic pool cleaners operate off the suction created by the pool pump. They are usually connected to a skimmer in the pool and as they move along the pool floor debris is sucked up and trapped in the swimming pool filter. If your pool is such that gets a fair amount of leaves and larger debris in it, the filter and pump basket will need to be cleaned regularly using this type cleaner. On the positive side they are capable of removing smaller particles much better than pressure side cleaners that use a net type bag to contain the debris they pick up.

Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaners: This type of cleaner is driven by electricity that runs the motors inside the unit. You will need an outdoor GFCI outlet to plug the unit into. A transformer which plugs into the outlet converts the electricity to a low voltage necessary for the operation of the automatic pool cleaner.

This type of pool cleaner usually has computer chip aided intelligence whereby any problems with the cleaner may be registered for review. This chip aids the pool cleaner in learning the shape of the pool. There is a separate pump within the cleaner that provides the operation with the ability to vacuum trash, etc. into its own filter system. During the automatic pool cleaner operation a spot here or there may be missed, this is where the units that come with a remote comes in handy. Via remote simply direct the robot to the missed area(s) for spot cleaning.

Unique to the Robotic pool cleaner is the fact they not only scrub the walls; but, clean the tile line as well. As previously mentioned there is a self contained pump inside the unit that vacuums trash and debris. As an added benefit this helps to supplement the water circulation. While the automatic robotic pool cleaner is the most costly it is an excellent purchase in the long run. This type of pool cleaner is one of the best in picking up small particles of sediment, sand or small debris.

"Cons" of the Robotic pool cleaner: The cost of an robotic automatic pool cleaner can be pricey as previously mentioned. The price range is somewhere between $700 and $2,000+. The manufacturer recommends removal from the pool after each use. If there is a malfunction of the unit, more than likely one would have to ship it off for repairs.


This about sums it up on the various types of automatic pool cleaners. I have tried to convey the merits/shortcomings of each type of unit. Hopefully this information will assist you in selecting the right pool cleaner for you and your family.

Inground Pools

An inground pool offers much more than just a cool place to relax during the summer. There are so many features that can be added to an inground pool, that it can become a work of art ,,adding to the overall beauty of your home and landscape.

Things to consider before building an Inground Pool

I think a lot of people just jump on the inground pool wagon trying to keep up with the Jones.Granted an inground pool in your back yard does carry a certain degree of notoriety, but you need to consider the work involved in maintaining a pool before taking the plunge.
There are a lot of options available to help out in the area of pool maintenance, and your pool contractor will be glad to discuss these with you.
As a master pool builder, I always recommend a cleaning system. There are many different varieties available and they will cut down on the time you spend working on your pool and add to the enjoyment of ownership. Some of the robot cleaners use a proprietary pump (or booster pump) just for the cleaning chore. These are far superior to the robots running off the pool pump and I recommend that even if you don't want to spend the extra money right away for the better robot at least make sure to have your builder add a line for it while the pool is being constructed. This will save you a lot of money should you decide to add a cleaner later.
If you make the choice to build a gunite pool (concrete) you may choose to go with an in floor cleaning system. This is essentially a series of pop-up spray heads (much like lawn sprinklers ) in the floor of the pool. They are on a timer and they pop up during routine cleaning to move debris around to help ensure that it is picked up by the filtering system.
While these types of cleaning systems have made great improvements over the years I personally feel they are overpriced for the job they do and more often than not, homeowners are dis-satisfied with their performance.
Chlorine generators are making a big debut in todays pool industry and rightfully so, while they are expensive initially the savings can be quite substantial over the long run. This is something to consider at construction time. While it can be easily added later you will save quite a bit by doing it when building the pool.
Automation; I could write a chapter all by itself on this and I find it so useful that I personally will not build a poo/l spa combination without it. Here again there are several different manufactures of automatic systems. Most are good and it's really just a matter of personal preference. If you choose to go automatic you'll probably use the system your builder recommends.
All in all an inground pool can add value to your home and provide a relaxing environment for you, your family, and guests.

Be sure to check out our sections on Vinyl Liner Pools, Fiberglass Pools, and Gunite Pools to help you decide which inground pool may be right for you.