I love automatic pool cleaners and think that every pool you service should have one. There are many companies that charge more for pools without cleaners or just don’t take them on. I try to sell one to every customer or drop a “rental” unit into any pool without one. They just make your day so much better out on your route.
There are several benefits of having an automatic cleaner in every pool. The first is that it will save you a lot of time at each pool. Look at it like having your manual vacuum and hose in the pool all week long and you are vacuuming the pool 8 hours a day. You would not stand there vacuuming for 8 hours each day and that is why they call them automatic cleaners. Depending on the type depends on how it is connected or not connected to your pool. But essentially that is what it will do for your week in and week out.
It also will leave your pool swim-ready each week which is great if your clients use the pool throughout the season. Again, get the image of you vacuuming your pool all day and you can see why your pool will be good to go at any given time. This will allow you to focus on more important things and with the automatic cleaner running in the pool you won’t need to waste time and energy vacuuming a pool each week.
With the automatic cleaner running you can focus on other aspects of the pool service like balancing the pool correctly and spending more time adjusting the water chemistry based on the LSI chart or app.
Having a cleaner running can also prevent staining on the pool surface. Sometimes dirt will have metal ions in it and leaves will certainly stain the pool bottom if left there for a long period of time. A staple or other small metal piece can also fall into the pool and I have seen pools saved from a rust stain by an automatic cleaner picking up the small metal item.
The bottom line with more pools with automatic cleaners the quicker you can get through your day. This means you can add more service accounts to your day and increase your overall profit in your business. That is why it is not a bad idea to have some cleaners of your own that you can drop into customer’s pools on a rental basis. You can either charge them a little more or call it a wash since you are saving that much more time at their pool. I also like dropping in cleaners I rebuild after salvaging them from other service accounts. These are cleaners I take out when I sell a new one or a cleaner a customer has sitting in their backyard. Suction cleaners are easy to repair and reuse and if you have been doing service for as long as I have, you have a ton of extra hoses for them.
Here is a rundown on the three types of cleaners available for your pool.
Suction Side Cleaners:
This is the most familiar type of cleaner for most consumers and the most popular type. A suction cleaner works off your pool's existing pump and attached to the skimmer or a side/ vacuum port in your pool. Depending on the pool and type of debris this can be the most effective and cost-effective cleaner type for you. Most suction side cleaners retail for $400 or less.
The Suction side cleaner is the one most popular on my pool route as they are affordable, effective and there are a lot of different models to choose from. In most cases, I will suggest a good suction side cleaner since they are also easy to set up and easy to repair when something breaks.
Pressure Side and Return Side Cleaners:
Pressure Side cleaners are extremely effective. They have a large debris opening and a large bag on top for debris. They can clean a large pool in 2- 3 hours or less. The drawbacks are that they need a separate booster pump installed and a dedicated return line. So usually Pressure Cleaners are installed when the pool is constructed or remodeled.
Return Side Cleaner (Polaris 360):
The Return Side cleaner is a great option if you have a newer pool with 1 1/2" threaded return lines. This cleaner connects right into your existing return lines and works much like a Pressure cleaner with the exception that no booster pump is needed. I have these on several accounts and love them.
The only major drawback is that since you need to restrict one or more return jets to generate enough pressure the skimming action of the pool is reduced. It is not a deal-breaker but something to be aware of. So, if you have lots of large debris in your pool and think a Pressure Side cleaner would work, try a non-booster pump Return side cleaner as an alternative to remodeling your pool.
ROBOTIC POOL CLEANERS:
My opinion of Robotic Cleaners has changed over the recent years and now I would suggest them along with Suction Cleaners and Pressure Cleaners. One reason is that robotic cleaners are more reliable, and the manufacturers signify this by offering up to a three-year limited warranty, some offer a two-year bumper to bumper warranty if purchased from a retail pool store. The overall design of robotic cleaners has improved so the motors, belts, and drives all are longer lasting.
Another great benefit is that running a robotic cleaner in your pool cost less than $1.00 a day as it converts the 120 volts power down to 12 volts, so they are the most affordable cleaner to operate. Since they also pump anywhere from 60 to 80 gallons of water per minute, you can run your filter less as the robotic cleaner circulates your pool water. For a larger pool, this is a great bonus.
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