In-Floor pool cleaners are a system of pop-up heads on the floor of the pool that rise and spray in sequence. A manifold or distribution device changes the flow of water across banks of jets located in the steps and floor of the pool. The succession of jet banks directs debris towards the deep end, where it can be sucked up by the drains and skimmers. They are sold as an option to the more common type of pool cleaner that rolls around the pool floor, and vacuums debris into an attached bag, or in the case of suction cleaners, sucks it into the skimmer or pump basket.
The main benefit of an In-Floor pool cleaner is “no hoses, no equipment” in the pool. That can be a big selling point for the person who hates to see any kind of clutter.
Circulation is another giant part of it’s advantages; not only making the pool a passive solar heated pool but also makes the equipment and materials that much more effective. The usual turn over of a pool is about 4 complete turns. With the circulation of an in-floor system it only takes about 2 turns, thus making everything that much more effective. Any debris in the pool that gets near the drain is gone in a flash!
Another benefit is unlike automatic pool cleaners that require pool owners to manually brush or scrub away at their beach entries and shallow areas, an in-floor cleaning system takes care of this troublesome task for you. With in-floor cleaning systems you get better circulation with clean filtered water. This means that instead of trying to pick up all the debris your cleaning systems is flushing the dirt and debris on the surface of your pool up and through the skimmer. The circulation system works on all levels of your pool from steps to the deep end.
So, why not purchase a Pool VAC instead? Although Pool Vacuums work well to a point, their overall performance is limited. Unlike an In-Floor Cleaning System, a Pool VAC cannot clean steps, benches, or maintain both your pool and attached spa simultaneously. In addition, if your pool is custom designed with bar stools, tables, sun shelves, or fountains; the VAC can become tangled around these structures.
Not only do In-Floor Cleaning Systems provide exceptional efficiency in obtaining your pool’s cleanliness, they also make your pool’s maintenance process virtually effortless. Needless to say, an In-Floor Cleaning System will ultimately save you, as a pool owner, time and effort down the road.