When you become a pool owner, one of the hardest decisions you will face is how you want to keep your pool clean. The reason this decision is a challenging one is due to the many choices in pool cleaners available today. You will want to choose the cleaner that will clean your pool the best and comes at a price you can afford. One of the most economical choices in pool cleaners is a suction device. This article will cover the basics of suction cleaners, including how they work and the pros and cons of using them for your pool

How Do Suction Cleaners Work?

Suction cleaners use your pool's own suction ability to power themselves around the pool. The suction power may come directly from your pool's skimmer or from a dedicated side port. A suction cleaner acts like a moving drain that pulls water through your filtration system so it is circulated more rapidly. Debris is sent into your filter and basket, which is great if you typically have small debris and a headache if your pool consistently has larger debris like leaves or sticks falling into the water. In this case, a leaf trap is a must to catch larger debris and prevent it from clogging your filtration system.

Suction cleaners tend to cost a bit less than pressure cleaners, and they are usually easier to install. You can also find suction cleaners that scrub the sides of your pool walls for extra cleaning action. This is not a feature that is available with pressure cleaners. Suction cleaners can also be adjusted to fit with the specific needs of your pool in terms of traffic patterns and flow volume.

Advantages and Disadvantages

As with other types of pool cleaners, the suction cleaner has its good and bad points. It is important to understand both sides of the coin so you can determine if this type of cleaner is the best choice for your specific needs. Advantages of a suction cleaner include:

• Suction cleaners are the least expensive type of cleaner on the market

• There is no need for a dedicated pump, like there is with a pressure cleaner

• You can find suction cleaners with the ability to scrub the walls of your pool

• They are easier to install and easier to maintain than other types of cleaners

There are also some drawbacks to the suction cleaner, which include:

• They do not work well if you get a lot of large debris in your pool

• If your filter is not clean, the suction cleaner will not work as well

• You may need to clean your pool more often with a suction cleaner

Overall, the suction cleaner is probably the most popular type of cleaner on the market today. This is probably due to the fact that the suction cleaner is the least expensive and the easiest to maintain. It also does a fair job of keeping pools clean and safe. Suction cleaners come in a variety of styles so you can find one for any size and shape of pool.