How Can I Increase My Pool’s Circulation?

One of the most critical components of a healthy swimming pool and spa is circulation, which is necessary for continuing pool upkeep. Circulating involves pumping water around the pool to travel through the filtration system and be cleaned. Additionally, it aids in the dispersion of any chemicals you apply to the water, resulting in excellent pool coverage and thorough cleansing.

A few simple steps can be taken to increase circulation in your pool, beginning with angling the return jet(s) in a way that will produce a whirlpool effect. If your pool has just one jet, it’s best to point it downwards toward the skimmer’s opposite side. This will stir up the water on your pool’s floor and circulate the water.

Clean Pump & Filter

Debris can block your plumbing, filter, and pump basket after weeks and months of use (s). Your pool may need better circulation due to congestion if you find it difficult to keep it clean.

Dead Spaces

Dead areas are regions of your pool where the circulation is inadequate or where the circulation is typically neglected. These areas comprise:

1.  Around pool steps.
2. In cracks, creases and crevices.
3. Underneath skimmer(s).
4. Around ladders.
5. Deep, sharp corners in your pool’s frame.

These dead zones can occasionally be avoided. Although you can aim your return jets in these directions, you might have to manually clean these areas with a pool brush or an automatic cleaner.

How long should your pump be running?

A pool pump is a need since circulation is crucial to pool maintenance. The heart of your circulation system and your pool is your pump. Ensure you:

1. Keep the skimmer and pump basket(s) free of debris. 
2. Angle your return jet(s) to spin the water in a circular motion. 
3. Point at least one jet towards the bottom of the pool. 
4. Brush your pool at least once weekly to get all the dead spots.

Pool upkeep involves various tasks, some of which are simpler than others. While making errors is necessary for learning, some mistakes can endanger pool owners. You can maintain your pool safer, cleaner, and more effectively, operating with less mess and aggravation if you educate yourself on typical pool care errors.

• Adding shock to pool water

Concentrated chlorine is essentially what we refer to as a “pool shock” chemical. Anything that enters your pool can be bleached by chlorine at high concentrations. If your pool has a vinyl liner, adding shock directly to the water can be disastrous. The shock grains will bleach out your liner and sink to the bottom. Leaks are caused by the bleached region becoming brittle and weak. Before shocking your pool, pre-dissolve the chemical in a pail of water. Doing this will distribute the shock more equally throughout the water, safeguarding your pool’s liner, walls, and bottom.

• Cleaning algae with an automated cleaner

Pool algae management is challenging enough. When vacuuming is added to the list, you might switch out your pool for a less maintenance-intensive option. Even though it takes a bit more work, it’s simple to fix this extremely typical pool maintenance mistake. It will be necessary to use the manual vacuum. Remove the drain stopper or set your filter to “waste.” Be aware that while you are losing some water, you are also losing the algae.

Disregarding pH and alkalinity values

Your pool water is particularly acidic if the pH is very low. Your swimming pool’s equipment, such as:

1. Pump and filter for the pool.
2. Heater.
3. Automatic pool cleaner.
4. Chemical feeder.
5. Tools for maintenance.
6. Solar blanket.

Your pH remains steady when acidity and alkalinity are balanced. Make sure you test your pool water frequently because anything may quickly alter the chemistry of the water. Once everything is back in balance, adjust your levels with a pH increaser, an alkalinity increaser, and other crucial chemicals.

• Adding shock to the skimmer

Your filtration system could blow up if you do this. Chlorine and calcium hypochlorite, sometimes known as dichlor pool shock, produce a dangerous gas. Suppose you pour shock into the skimmer and have an automatic chlorinator connected to your filter system. In that case, the two chemicals will interact in very little space and have a lethal outcome. Keep your pool shock and skimmer a far, long way apart. Always add shock as the manufacturer directs while donning the necessary safety gear.

• Shocking pool during the day

When shocking your pool, the daytime is ideal for relaxing in it. Unstabilised chlorine is a shock. The sun will burn out 1 ppm per hour, which is unsuitable for pool shock, decreasing the effectiveness of your chemicals and costing you money. To give your pool shock the time it needs to work, shock at night.

• Not leveraging calcium hardness.

A clear, clean, and secure swimming pool depends on the calcium hardness of your water is balanced, like pH. And while too much will cause the water to become cloudy, a little hardness is beneficial. It helps make materials like vinyl liners, concrete, plaster, fibreglass, and filters endure longer.

To keep your calcium hardness at the advised range of 175 ppm to 225 ppm, you can use a calcium hardness increaser (200 ppm to 275 ppm for concrete and plaster pools). When you open your pool, add it to reach the desired level. Throughout the swimming season, keep checking it since splash out and evaporation can cause the levels to fall dangerously low.

• Need to run the pool system more.

Run the pool pump and filter for at least eight hours each day. This should be sufficient time for all of the water to travel through the filter, maintaining clearer water, depending on the size of your pool.

• Not testing water regularly.

One of the most crucial pool maintenance procedures is your weekly water testing, which can alert you to minor chemistry problems before they turn into severe catastrophes. So, using test strips or a liquid test kit, we advise testing your pool’s water at least once each week. Once a month, at the very least, take a sample of your pool’s water to your neighbourhood pool supply business for a thorough study.

The primary levels you should be testing for are: 

1. pH and alkalinity.
2. Calcium hardness.
3. Chlorine stabiliser.
4. Levels of sodium and total dissolved solids (TDS).
5. Iron and copper.

Knowing how your pool system functions can make it easier for you to diagnose any issues and lay the groundwork for understanding each piece of equipment, such as a pump, filter, or heater.

So how do they function?

The pump powers a continual cycle of water movement in the pool. The pump, which has an electric motor and an impeller, moves water through skimmers at the top of pools and sumps at the bottom to transport it to the filter. After that, the return nozzles get clean, filtered water (a series of small valves placed around the pool).

Knowing which pool cleaner to buy when you’re new to pool ownership might be difficult. Do you get suction or manual? Is it robotic or under pressure? The answer is contingent on several factors, including the form and size of your Pool, its composition, and how unclean it gets. Then there are additional factors to consider, such as your money and lifestyle. Do you want to spend a few hours each week using a telescopic pole to clean your Pool? Or would you want to relax in your deck chair and let a robot take care of it?

It’s no surprise that new pool owners are confused! 

But don’t worry; purchasing a pool cleaner is simpler than you imagine. In this article, we’ll go over how different cleaners function, who they’re made for, and how to pick the right one for your Pool. We’ve also included some maintenance advice to maintain your pool cleaner and in peak shape.

Pool cleaners come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Let’s review the five types of pool cleaners available before we start. While they all keep your Pool clear of leaves, dirt, and bacteria, they do it in slightly different ways. 

Manual Pool Cleaners 

The user operates entry-level pool cleaners. Connected to the skimmer box, they include a vacuum head and hose attached to a telescopic pole. You can add attachments, like scrub brushes, to deal with stubborn debris or stains. Light, affordable, easy to use, and easy to remove tiny particles, they can be hard work if you have a big or dirty pool.

Suction Pool Cleaners 

Most common automatic pool cleaners on the market. Made for small debris, they are easy to use; they clean using Pool’s filtration system, climb walls and pivot out of corners. More pricey than the manual vacuum; however, suction cleaners are easy to install, and spare parts are readily available. 

Pressure Pool Cleaners

A step up from suction cleaners. Pressure Pool Cleaners work with Pool’s water return outlet or pressure line and are designed for pools that accumulate medium to large trash. High-pressure pool cleaners offer excellent climbing ability, especially on tile and fibreglass. They can get into narrow spaces, collect more material, and are less likely to clog. Pressure pool cleaners are more expensive and require more maintenance than manual or suction cleaners. On the other hand, they last longer and come with long hoses, and parts are readily available. 

Robotic Pool Cleaners

They are expanding in acceptance and being easily understood. In contrast to other pool cleaners, robotic cleaners operate without the assistance of Pool’s filtration system and contain a motor. This prolongs the life of your pump and filters and reduces backwashing, which can help you save hundreds of litres of water annually.

Robots operate on low-voltage motors, which are more energy-efficient than conventional suction pool cleaners. This can reduce energy use to a minimum and save your Pool’s operating costs by as much as 83 per cent. Additionally, they include sophisticated filters that capture more material.

Unlike traditional pool cleaners, robotic pool cleaners don’t stay in the Pool continuously. Some, like the Baracuda Adventure, even have an auto-lift system that makes getting out of the Pool simple. On the downside, robotic pool cleaners cost more to purchase and repair than suction pool cleaners.

Picking the right Pool cleaner for your Pool

As long as they are installed properly and used frequently, all the pool cleaners in this article will do an excellent job cleaning your Pool. However, not all pool cleaners in this article are useful or even reasonably priced (such as manual pool cleaners) (e.g. pressure cleaners and in-floor systems). Therefore, we’ve chosen to concentrate on the two most common pool cleaners: suction and robotic. 

But before you choose between suction and robotic pool cleaners, you need to consider the following criteria.

Longevity

Longer-lasting and still present in the Pool while not in use are suction pool cleaners. This implies that the frame, hose, and components may suffer damage from chlorine and UV. Because of this, they might only survive 3-5 years, with less expensive ones breaking down even earlier. On the other hand, robotic pool cleaners operate for shorter times and are not left in the Pool. Because of this, they don’t go through the same wear and can last for 5-8 years or longer if they’re expensive or well-kept.

Energy Efficiency

Only when your pool pump is turned on can suction pool cleaners operate. This implies that your pump will use more electricity while the cleaner is running. Suction cleaners typically require 1000W to operate. Robotic pool cleaners only consume 180W, translating to an 82 per cent reduction in energy costs. Additionally, compared to suction cleaners, which must use Pool’s filtering system, they require less backwashing and water loss due to their built-in filter.

Speed

Suction cleaners can clean your Pool in 4-6 hours, depending on its size and degree of debris. If you don’t empty your skimmer baskets, this may take longer. While premium versions may complete the task in as little as an hour, robots take between two and three hours.

Effectiveness

Suction cleaners operate continuously while your pump is running, but they occasionally stall or tangle, in which case you must untangle them. If they are unequipped and unable to climb up steps or walls, they may also miss dirt or stains. Robots, on the other hand, can cover 90–95 per cent of the Pool and can navigate the entire space. They also offer a swivel feature and smart navigation, which quickly and easily traverse and map your Pool.

Price

Suction cleaners are inexpensive because of their widespread use and straightforward construction. Additionally, it won’t cost you a fortune to find replacement parts. However, as robots require more specialized engineering, they are more expensive, and their parts can also be. Consider this while comparing models because, in general, the less expensive the cleaner, the shorter its lifespan.

Final Conclusion

There are so many cleaners on the market, from manual pool cleaners to built-in systems, that your mind will spin. How can you determine which one is best for your Pool, then? The best solutions for most backyard swimming pools are suction and robotic pool cleaners. They are widely used, efficient, user-friendly, and reasonably priced.

Check out our table of suggested Baracuda robotic and suction pool cleaners get started. You should be able to use it to identify the best cleaner for your pool type, way of life, and price range. Here is a simple guide if you struggle between robotic and suction.