More than 15 million homes in the United States plus 400,000 commercial establishments have swimming pools. These amenities need upkeeping to make them look spotless, long-lasting, and safe to use. On top of that, swimming pools need renovations every 7 to 9 years. These considerations make a pool cleaner business a profitable venture in the long run.
What Does a Pool Cleaner Do?
If you want to set up a pool cleaning business, you need to know what to expect from your clients. Your clients may be residential or commercial establishment owners who belong to an affluent class of society.
Your clients will hire you to either clean or repair their pools, or do both. They want to prepare their pools for the swimming season. Some clients would empty their pools before calling you, while others would leave it full for you to drain. In any case, you need to empty out the pool after cleaning, refill it with water, treat it with chemicals, and ensure the water has the right pH balance.
The steps you need to take to clean the pool depends on its type, size, and condition. For instance, if you service warmer areas, you will clean the pool by removing leaves, bugs, and debris.
Providing a pool cleaning service is just one way to earn. You can make more by offering “package deal” services, including equipment repair and pool renovations. Based on several small guides, pool owners are willing to pay a company that can fix leaks, replace lights, or repair broken equipment.
Daily Schedule and Earnings
Each day is different. The type of clients you have determines what your day will be like. If you have an appointment by nine in the morning for a client who leaves far, you need to prepare the equipment and hit the road at 7 am. The more clients you have, the busier you will be. You may be forced to work until midnight in some cases.
A pool service business is a $15 industry that can give you a steady stream of revenue. Only 40% of 15 million pool owners are utilizing the service of pool cleaners. This means that there’s still plenty of untapped markets for you to work on. To get a significant share of the market, you can offer a service menu for all the swimming pool problems from the smallest jobs to big remodel.
There’s no denying that pool maintenance is a daunting task. The mere thought of manually vacuuming your pool is tiring. Nevertheless, it’s an essential chore to ensure your swimming pool is in fantastic shape and safe for everyone to enjoy the entire year. Aside from this, it can help you evade costly repairs down the road and prolong its life. For this reason, it is wise to invest in the upkeep of your pool.
Vacuuming your pool manually will require some effort on your part. You have to get down to the depths of your swimming pool, scrubbing and vacuuming every nook and cranny. Fortunately, there are different types of automatic pool cleaners that can make your pool life easier.
A robotic pool cleaner is one of the most innovative cleaning equipment today. These automated are easy to use, efficient, safe, and eco-friendly. All you have to do is place the unit in the water and it will do all the wearisome job for you.
How Does A Robotic Pool Cleaner Works?
Basically, a robotic pool cleaner is an underwater vacuum cleaner. It’s a little, self-contained device that will do all the hard work that comes with keeping your pool sparkly clean.
Pool robots have an inbuilt electric motor that drives them around your pool as they clean. Moreover, they feature sensors for detecting obstacles such as stairs and walls that may hinder their operation. They can also dive to the bottom of your pool without human intervention to take care of your pool floor.
For most pool owners, a robotic pool cleaner is the best option around. Since these devices are self-contained, they will not rely on the filter or pump of your pool to do its job. What’s more, they’ll be able to suck up small to large debris with ease. All the filth collected will then go to its built-in container, which you can empty out and afterward.
Another notable feature of this automatic cleaner is that it can determine the best possible route for washing your pool for more efficient cleaning.
There are even high-end robots that you can control remotely and program using an app on your smartphone.
Other Types Of Automatic Pool Cleaners Vs Pool Robots
The other types of automatic pool cleaners are suction-side and pressure-side. Pool robots offer plenty of unique features and work independently from the main pump and filtration systems of your pool. What’s more, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that these robots can provide you with reliable and dependable cleaning experience.
Their initial cost is probably their biggest drawback in comparison to other cleaners. Nonetheless, they can significantly cut down the time and effort required for cleaning, as well as reduce your monthly energy bills.
So how do pressure-side and suction-side cleaners compare to a robot pool cleaner?
Suction-side pool vacuum cleaner
A suction-side traverse your pool floors and walls randomly by applying a suction action. This decreases the power of the filter system of your pool. Also, the unit is controlled off your pool pump.
Although this pool vacuum cannot provide you with deeper cleaning and needs monitoring, it still has a pretty good track record. Its operation is simple and will make its way at the sides of your pool getting rid of dirt and grime. Plus, it is one of the least expensive among the bunch.
Pressure-side pool vacuum cleaner
Similar to a suction-side, the scope of a pressure-side cleaner is restricted and harnesses the power of your pool pump as well. Likewise, you need to monitor it. However, it comes with a bigger bag than a suction-side vacuum for collecting dirt. Hence, it’s better at deep-cleanings and picking up larger debris.
However, one of the biggest drawbacks of using a pressure pool vacuum is that it consumes more electricity. On top of that, attaching the unit to the ports connecting it to your pool’s main filter and pump can be a bit of a hassle.
Do I Still Need To Manually Vacuum My Pool Even If I Have A Robotic Pool Cleaner?
Robotic pool cleaners are great at what they do. These little machines are very convenient and can help a lot with your pool upkeep. Yes, they can do all the work for you, but these indispensable tools are not magical. Your device can throw some debris right back into the water as it vacuums a pool filled with debris or algae.
Even if you have the most advanced model, you still have to learn how to use a manual pool vacuum for spot cleaning hard to reach areas. This is especially true if you have to deal with a nasty green infestation. Aside from that, here are the reasons why you need to vacuum your pool manually:
Your pool has a major problem like algae, that your automatic pool cleaner just can’t solve
If you don’t have the budget to hire a professional to take care of the problem
One of your biggest responsibilities as a pool owner is its upkeep. If you don’t clean your pool or ensure it has the right chemical levels every time, you’re putting everyone’s health at risk. On top of that, you’ll just hurt your wallet with costly repairs of its components over time due to a lack of proper maintenance.
Fortunately, you can save a ton of cleaning time with the help of a robotic vacuum cleaner. This pool equipment revolutionized the way we clean our pools. It’s efficient, convenient, and comes with the latest cleaning technologies.
Nevertheless, even if you have the best robot pool vacuum today, it will experience problems at one point. Your device may refuse to climb walls, get lost in a corner, or even stop moving altogether.
Before calling the help of a professional or replace your robot, you may want to first check if a simple DIY Troubleshooting can do the trick. If your unit is still under the manufacturer’s warranty, it’s advisable to call its customer service first before you do anything.
So with that in mind, here are some of the common robot pool cleaner problems and tips on how you can fix them yourself.
Go Through Your Unit’s Manual
The manual of your robovac usually includes a lot of advice and tips on how to keep your automatic pool cleaner in tip-top shape. Therefore, it should be on top of your list when you encounter a problem with your device.
Almost all robotic cleaner manuals come with a helpful troubleshooting section that’ll provide you with an idea about why your robot is acting up. It’ll also contain ways on how you can resolve the issue at hand. Furthermore, you may want to check out the site of the company to see if there are other valuable resources for your cleaner.
If all else fails, then follow the general robot pool cleaner troubleshooting guide we have here.
There’s nothing like taking a dip in your own backyard pool during the hot summer months. Aside from this, it’s excellent for entertaining and family bonding. Nonetheless, your pool needs regular TLC and cleaning if you want to keep it healthy and long-lasting.
Hiring the service of a professional pool cleaner can ensure your summer haven doesn’t turn into a nasty green swamp or a home for mosquitoes. However, hiring an expert twice a week can hurt your budget. Likewise, manual cleaning is laborious and will eat up plenty of your time.
Thankfully, you can achieve a spotless and sanitized pool without shelling out a lot on your budget with the help of an automatic pool cleaner. These pool cleaning tools come in robotic, suction-side, and pressure-side types. So you are sure to find something suitable for your pool cleaning needs. Watch this video on Leslie’s Pool Care channel to see them in action.
Keep in mind that each type works differently. Hence, it’s a good idea to understand how they work, as well as know the pros and cons of owning one. This will ensure that you’ll get a model that fits both your budget and pool requirements.
Pool circulation is a vital factor to understand before deciding on which automatic cleaner is appropriate for your pool. The reason for this is because there’s a slight difference as to how each of these devices interacts with the filtration and circulation systems of your pool.
Furthermore, one of the things that maintain the cleanliness of your pool water is to ensure it keeps on moving. It doesn’t matter how much chlorine you apply, swimming in stagnant water is gross, and no one will enjoy it. So it’s a must for your inground or above-ground swimming pool, to have a system to move its water around, as well as filter and make it swimmable.
So how does it work?
The process begins as your pool’s skimmer sucks water out. The water goes into the multiple jets of your inground pool or the single jet of your above-ground, where it is drawn back in.
As your pool pump draws the water in the skimmer, it will go into a set of pipes and in your pool’s filtration system. As the water passes through the filter, it will capture all unwanted filth, particles, and residue. And then, the pump will drive fresh and clean water into another set of pipes and back in your swimming pool through its return jet.
For the best results, it is highly advisable to run the pump of your pool 24 hours daily. However, doing so will burn. a hole in your pockets real quick. Runningit for at least 12 hours every day is the next best thing you can do. This will be able to provide you with at least one cycle of turning all the water in your pool.
Suction-side is the portion where the filter system of your pool sucks water out. On the other hand, the pressure-side is where the water is sent back to your pool.
So with that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the different types of automatic pool cleaners.
Robotic Pool Cleaners
Robotic pool cleaners are completely independent. The cleaners don’t need the help of your pool’s pump, filter, and circulation system. They have an onboard motor that helps them move around your pool while vacuuming it. On top of that, they have a built-in filter bag that you can remove and empty when full.
Moreover, these superior cleaners typically come with artificial intelligence technology. This means that your robot can map out its own cleaning path. Likewise, they are equipped with cutting-edge features in terms of mobility.
Convenience and cleaning efficiency are two of the reasons why robot pool cleaners are popular among pool owners. You don’t need to go through a lot of installation process to make your unit work. These devices are plug and play, meaning you only need to plug your robot in an outlet, program it, place it in the water, and it’ll do its task.
However, the main drawback of these automatic cleaners is its price tag. They can be quite expensive and heavier than other cleaners as well. Also, they tend to clog easily. But all of these aside, robotic cleaners from established brands like Zodiac Pool Systems LLC are extremely reliable and can last for many years.
Advantages Of Using A Robotic Pool Cleaner
Energy-efficient. Contrary to popular belief, robotic pool cleaners do not consume a lot of energy to run efficiently. In fact, your robot consumes as much energy as your regular light bulb.
Cost-effective. The initial cost of investing in one may be higher, but it’ll save you money in the long run. Aside from consuming less energy, it runs autonomously and will not require any system of your pool to operate. And since they’re so effective at cleaning, it eliminates the need to hire an expert pool cleaner.
Saves water. Robot cleaners eliminate dirt independently from your pool’s circulation pump, preventing the main filter from clogging often. This means that you don’t need to backwash as much.
Low maintenance. After a cleaning cycle, you only need to remove your device’s canister filter, empty it, and return it to its compartment.
Eco-friendly. The automatic pool cleaner is safe for our environment since it doesn’t produce toxic chemicals or harmful gases.
What To Look For In A Robot Pool Cleaner
Weight. Weight matters more than size in terms of these cleaners. Of course, your large pool will benefit from a bigger robot, but you also need to ensure that you can carry it. So opt for a lightweight unit to make it easier for you to lift in and out of your pool.
Brushes. This is one of the most vital parts of a robotic cleaner. Look for a machine with rubber brushes that rotate or hard-bristle ones. These are excellent at removing the toughest dirt and debris.
Power cord/cable. Although some newer models are cordless, most robot pool cleaners have power cords. Since they’ll move about your pool and climb walls and stairs, their cord can get tangled easily. The solution for this is to get a machine with a swivel cord.
Wheels. A 4-wheel drive with wider tires is the better choice to ensure the robot won’t have trouble navigating the slippery surfaces of your pool.
Smart features. Look for a cleaner with programmable and smart features that takes advantage of artificial intelligence. A robot with a programmable timer is handy since you’ll be able to set it up to clean any time you want even when you’re not at home.
Our Pick Of The Best Robotic Pool Cleaner: Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Pool Cleaner
The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is a superb robotic pool cleaner at a fraction of the price of the top models. Its operation is one of the simplest and works well on all types of pools for up to 50 ft long.
Moreover, it features dual scrubbing brushes, providing it with better friction at picking up small to large debris. It’s also great at washing walls and floors, which is something that you can expect from any Dolphin by Maytronics Ltd products.
Aside from these, its tangle-free cable means that the robot can move around your pool freely with ease. Plus, Its filters won’t give you a hard time. Removing, emptying, rinsing, and reloading it is pretty manageable.
There’s no denying that pool maintenance is a daunting task. The mere thought of manually vacuuming your pool is tiring. Nevertheless, it’s an essential chore to ensure your swimming pool is in fantastic shape and safe for everyone to enjoy the entire year. Aside from this, it can help you evade costly repairs down the road and prolong its life. For this reason, it is wise to invest in the upke
Similar to a suction-side, the scope of a pressure-side cleaner is restricted and harnesses the power of your pool pump as well. Likewise, you need to monitor it. However, it comes with a bigger bag than a suction-side vacuum for collecting dirt. Hence, it’s better at deep-cleanings and picking up larger debris. 
One of your biggest responsibilities as a pool owner is its upkeep. If you don’t clean your pool or ensure it has the right chemical levels every time, you’re putting everyone’s health at risk. On top of that, you’ll just hurt your wallet with costly repairs of its components over time due to a lack of proper maintenance. 
Moreover, these superior cleaners typically come with artificial intelligence technology. This means that your robot can map out its own cleaning path. Likewise, they are equipped with cutting-edge features in terms of mobility.
Energy-efficient. 