Now that you have a pool, you probably want it to be a beautiful feature in your garden and always ready for a swim whenever you feel like it. But to keep it that way, it needs to be kept clean. Even if you have a pool cover that protects against leaves and debris, you still need to clean the pool from algae and dirt to make it pleasant and fresh to swim in. The question then is how much time you are willing to spend on cleaning to keep your pool in top condition. Are you ready to do all the work yourself? Or perhaps you are considering investing in something that can take care of it for you?
What is a pool robot?
An automatic pool robot is like a small vacuum cleaner for the pool. It is programmed to move around the bottom by itself and suck up dirt, leaves, and clean. Some robots can even climb the pool walls and go up the stairs. Sometimes they also clean along the waterline.
Pool robots can roughly be divided into two groups. The first group is powered by electricity or battery. The second group is connected to the overflow drain (skimmer) and powered by the suction from the pool pump. Both types work the same way, circulating water through a filter to capture debris and dirt.
Electric pool robot
Electric pool robots have their own motor and connect with a long power cable. They have a bag or basket where they collect the debris, which you then empty and rinse out when the cleaning is done. These robots are not connected to the skimmer or water outlet, which means the regular filtration system still works to keep the surface clean while the robot cleans the bottom.
Many of these robots are very smart and can calculate the pool's surface area. They are also programmed with different cleaning programs to make the cleaning as efficient as possible.
What should you consider when choosing a pool robot?
The first thing you need to consider is the pool's size and what material it is made of. Some pool robots are only suitable for certain pool sizes. Additionally, they are designed with different undersides to fit different types of pool materials. For example, a robot with soft foam material is suitable for fiberglass pools and pools with a liner. On the other hand, a robot with brushes is better for concrete or mosaic pools.
Pool robots also vary in intelligence level and have different programming and accessories.
How often should you run a pool robot?
How often you need to clean the pool depends on your usage. The more often you swim, the more dirt is brought into the water. During warm days, it can be good to let the pool robot work more often, even daily. If you do not use the pool as frequently, cleaning once a week may be sufficient. The duration of the cleaning varies depending on the model. Some pool robots have quick programs for fast cycles.
When the temperature starts to drop, it is important to monitor the water temperature. Pool robots work best at at least 15 degrees Celsius.
So, how much time are you willing to spend on pool cleaning? If you prefer not to do the work yourself, a pool robot may be the solution for a worry-free holiday.
