The one downside to this pool robot is that it is not designed to clean walls. Then I connected the vacuum and proceeded to slowly move across the glass pieces. So that said: If you have a smaller pool, we cant look past the value offered by the Dolphin Nautilus CC. Correct chemical balance for a vinyl lined pool, Fact #3: Wrinkling of Liners in Indoor Heated Pools. If you have an abrasive pool surface such as pebble, youll need a cleaner that is strong enough to scrub the surface clean, and durable enough to tolerate any wear against the cleaner skirting. On the other hand, robotic pool cleaners dont function as intended or expected all the time. Its critical to understand what may cause a liner to be susceptible to damage during cleaning. Unlike traditional fibreglass resurfacing methods such as painting, rendering or re-glassing, your new Aqualux interior could have your pool ready for swimming again in just a day and a half and in some cases, you can even recycle your water. Finding the best robotic pool cleaner for vinyl pools, Best robotic pool cleaner for an above ground vinyl liner pool, Best robotic pool cleaners for in-ground vinyl pools, Best robotic pool cleaners for Small to mid-size vinyl pools: up to 30 feet, Best robotic pool cleaners for large vinyl liners: over 30 feet, How to choose the right robotic pool cleaners for vinyl pools. If this happens, there is no reversing of the process, and the life span of the liner is greatly reduced. Fading above the water level is just weathering from the sun constantly beating down on the plastic resin surface of the Fibreglass gel coat. The beige film has no significant effect on the appearance of the print, but means the seams look better and gives the pool a little more depth of colour. The brushes on a robotic pool cleaner that spin furiously to lift dirt, debris and algae are usually made of soft rubber, as are the wheels or tracks that drive the robot. There are scenarios when robotic pool cleaners can damage vinyl liners. If you are renovating or installing a new PVC lined indoor pool, consider the type of PVC liner you are using.
This is because the chlorine used to keep the pool clean over all the years is also an oxidising agent, and it will speed the aging process as it oxidises the fibreglass gel-coated surface to become bleached and faded looking. You must consider repairing or replacing the vinyl liner before using the cleaner. A majority of robotic pool cleaners available today are suitable for vinyl liners. Robotic pool cleaners can be as light as 11 lbs. Thus, you must pay extra heed to this entire waterline part. A basic rule of thumb is to quickly dip the strip in and out of the sample container (not straight into the pool) and hold it still (dont shake it or flick the water off) just hold it still for 15-20 seconds. AquaForce is a specialist reinforced PVC fabric which is suitable for use in indoor pools. To put it simply, this is one of the best pool cleaners on the market. AquaForce features an internal reinforcing layer that keeps the fabric stable in indoor pools, and virtually eliminates the risk of wrinkling. It happened to me just last week and this was the second pool fence panel to shatter in three years! However, these cleaners dont use wheels or tracks with sharp threads. Quite easy really, and only takes about 7 minutes. (9 kg). Concrete vs. Vinyl Liner Pools: Which Is Right For Me? Robotic pool cleaners are the easiest and most effective way to attain and sustain spotless floors, coves, steps, and walls. The first time, it just made a mess over my timber deck, but this time, a lot of glass fell into the pool. If you have a soft surface such as PVC, the suction cleaner can rub and wear the surface over time, and if it doesnt move evenly over all parts of the pool, you may see its common path in form of a wear track, usually around the wall to floor junction. As with anything, maybe take the very worst and the very best with a pinch of salt.
The other one (much more simple) is cord length. Robotic pool cleaners made for vinyl liners use a soft material, like rubber, for the brushes and scrubbers. Or, it could be caused by algae feeding off debris in an area from overhanging foliage or just a basic lack of enough chlorine to maintain the water balance. You dont have to worry about any scratching, slicing, or piercing action on the vinyl liner! But generally, with a Dolphin pool cleaner, you can buy with confidence.
This is why pool owners are typically better off going for a good robot pool cleaner, even if it can come with a higher price tag.
While the wheels or tracks movement, vacuum action, brushing, or scrubbing may not damage the floor or walls, the same abrasion may be too much around the waterline. If you look closely at a section of affected PVC, you can see the surface is weakened, and prone to forming tiny cracks that can develop into larger tears. Some features to look out for in higher end automatic pool cleaners include: Final thoughts on choosing the best robots for vinyl pools, brushes on a robotic pool cleaner that spin furiously, 15 Best Dolphin Pool Cleaners | Every Budget | Every Pool Type, Proscenic 850T Review | A Great Budget Robot Vacuum, Best Robot Vacuum For Thick Carpet | 7 Great Choices, Top-loading filter cartridges (and different filtering systems, from a micro filter bag to a booster pump filter), Quality filter bags (ranging from the more common debris bags to more high-end bags that can hold all the dirt particles and leaves in its cleaning path through the pool water), Cleaning capabilities on different surfaces (from vinyl pool floors to tiles). For example, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus from Maytronics is the robotic cleaner that both my brother-in-law and I currently use. For a higher price, theres also the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus with a variety of features (from an excellent filter system to high suction pool cleaning capabilities). They make cameras, other companies make pool cleaner robots, its good to stick to specialist brands. The main 2 reasons are the smart navigation wont properly scan the pool to know where to clean, so a software issue. This means you can be assured that your Aqualux pool finish has been expertly manufactured to suit Australias harsh climate. In 1990 ABGAL were the first company in Australia to use a single ply robotic cutting system to fabricate vinyl products. If your Fibreglass pool is over ten (10) years old it is probably starting to show some signs of surface degradation both above the water level and below the water level. While I have said a lot about Dolphin in this article, it is worth pointing out the one thing they seem to struggle with is customer service.
Robotic pool cleaners usually have tracks and wheels made of plastic, rubber, or composite material, depending on the manufacturer and model. Last but not least, protruding or loose broken parts of robotic pool cleaners can cause excess abrasion. Robotic or suction? The most common hindrances are the steps and unusual contours of the pools layout. Some more stubborn types of algae like black spot, need to brushed before the addition of chemicals as their outer surface forms a protective barrier to chemicals. To remove the metals, you need to dilute concentration by using a chelating agent or draining a substantial amount of the pool water and re-filling with fresh water (without metals). If you do have a problem, while they are happy to sort it, it seems making that initial contact can sometimes be a bit of a frustration for many people. The concept of a robot being more compatible with all pool surfaces comes from the fact they are only used for a short period of time BUT you need to make sure you have the correct tracks and rollers for your pool surface finish. The most effective way to solve these leaks is with the installation of a flexible, waterproof membrane such as a pool liner, or an Aqualux pool finish. (5 kg) or heavier than 20 lbs. These metals can be introduced by ionic sterilising systems or even from a water source (town water through an old copper pipe or bore water) that contains a higher than normal level of metals when filling or topping up the pool. We have our own chemist with almost 40 years experience, employed to make sure each manufactured batch of Aqualux is carefully monitored and quality tested to meet our strict standards. Once this dye staining has occurred, the stain can be lightened sometimes with the addition of high levels of chlorine introduced into the pool, but usually the staining is permanent and cannot be removed. The correct chemical balance varies depending on your pool interior finish. One of the questions we ran into a lot while putting together our robotic pool cleaner buyers guide was: What is the best robotic pool cleaner for vinyl pools? At home test strips are a convenient way to keep tabs on your water quality most people will do these weekly, with a proper test with their pool shop once a month. But it is still one of the easiest surfaces to keep the pool balanced and looking good ready to swim. In mass-produced products there will be the odd pool cleaner with faults, so be sure that the product has a solid warranty. There are three main causes of what appears to be staining or marks on a pool interior surface. However, the Dolphin robotic pool cleaner price isnt inflated and still offers excellent value. PH, total chlorine levels, ventilation and bathing load are all thought to be contributing factors. So first off, lets take a quick look at above ground pools. Most liners are made from a PVC film. While its not common, its certainly not unusual for glass pool fences to suddenly shatter without warning. Provided the correct chemical levels and good water circulation are maintained, it will be removed permanently. Some products perform well under certain conditions, and others just dont make the grade and it is all in the chemistry. A week later, I am very happy to report that my pool fence company has replaced the panel, and my Aqualux pool finish was up to the challenge, and proved tough enough to withstand the glass and has no cuts or leaks! The best vinyl liners available may lastabout 20 years. It really is a matter of opinion. Thats why the formula is the key and how chemistry makes all the difference to making your pool finish longer lasting. Its one of the things you hope never happens to you. Worn out parts from leaving the cleaner in the pool at all times can lead to breakdowns as well.
Luckily, this time around they found themselves in contact with a reputable pool builder. Its worth noting if you are looking for a great value robotic pool cleaner but have a pool over 35-feet, there is also the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus available which is a similar robot, just beefed up for bigger pools and great value when compared to other cleaners in its size bracket. For domestic purposes, for a vinyl-lined pool or Aqualux Pool finish, we recommend the following levels: Free Chlorine 1 3ppm (Non-Heated Pool) or 2 4ppm (Heated Pools). A pools vinyl liner at or around thewaterlineis usually the most vulnerable because the portion remains exposed. Glascon pools have a concrete base, and use a rolled fibreglass sheeting for the walls. Often, when a fibreglass pool is being emptied for renovation, as the water level drops, you can see the full extent of the degradation, and the gel coat is often in much better condition above the normal water line than below. I placed two skimmer socks inside the skimmer basket to trap any glass fragments and stop them flowing through to the filter. However, in the last few years, robotic cleaners have become quite affordable, so are gaining popularity with pool owners. Recommended levels for a vinyl lined/Aqualux pool: Free Chlorine 1 -3 ppm (non heated pool). In fact, you will struggle to find an above ground pool cleaner that does. This is why testing your pool water frequently to make sure it is balanced is so important! Pick the features that are important to you. They need to be cleaned every time they do a full pool clean. DO NOT use these levels on any other pool finish. Also, the water parameters or poorchemistrycan adversely affect the vinyl. But all pools are different, and no cleaner is perfect (there is usually a corner or step, or some other spot in every pool where the suction cleaner always seems to miss!). (Normally into a thousand pieces all over the pool deck and sometimes inside your swimming pool!). The Aqualux difference starts with the chemistry. On the other hand, if you have a soft and flexible surface finish such as vinyl, you need to ensure a robotic cleaner has no sharp edges, and that the tracks and rollers are gentle enough to not cause wear on the pool finish. By the addition of an algaecide or a super dose of chlorine, the algae will die and then it can be brushed off the pool surface and permanently removed. Standard vinyl liners last for about5 to 10 years. This will start in an area where water circulation is not good, like the deep end or comers of the pool. In such cases, robotic pool cleaners may continue to brush, scrub, and move their wheels or trucks in one place. By brushing and breaking the outer surface, it allows the chemicals to more easily kill the algae so it can be removed. If you re-adjust the PH and the stain re-appears, then this confirms it is caused by a high concentration of a metal in the pool water. The Sigma is designed for any type of pool, including granite and pebble, so while there is no doubt you will get a great clean, it may be a little bit of overkill. It has outstanding cleaning power while being up to 8 times more efficient when compared to many other cleaners. If you spend a lot of the summer out of your house, attending kids baseball camps or out a lot for work, maybe one with automatic robotic pool cleaners would be beneficial, so you know it will clean without any input, however, if you are home a lot, this may not be so important. So the first thing you have to consider is size, while a robot that is designed for 50-foot vinyl pools can clean a 20-foot one, you cant take a robotic cleaner designed for a 20-foot pool, let it loose in a larger swimming pool and assume it will take longer, sadly it doesnt work like that. Naturally that pool builder has since left the Brisbane area, and not covered by insurance, the homeowners were left to sort out the mess themselves. However, any anomaly can change this, whether its the condition of your vinyl liner or the functions of the robotic pool cleaner. If your pool has been overchlorinated or kept at incorrect chemical levels, this degradation will occur much faster than it should have. Which we are coming onto in a moment. Still, a robotic pool cleaner can get stuck at one place inside your pool. Now the effect of the cleaners on your pool finish. However, like all objects, robotic pool cleaners are reasonably weightless due to the buoyancy effect while in the water. However, if the wheels or tracks continue to run in the same spot, the liner surface may suffer some or significant wear and tear. No rough edges or scratches or scuffs to worry about. A pools layout, vinyl liners condition, and variable factors in a given setting can cause problems. All three layers are homogeneously bonded together during the manufacturing process. If you are renovating or installing a new PVC lined indoor pool, consider the, However, under certain environmental conditions (likely to be found in an, PH, total chlorine levels, ventilation and bathing load are all thought to be contributing factors. If you are familiar with the popular brands, like Dolphin, Zodiac, Hayward, Pentair, or Autobot, most of them have several robotic pool cleaners that are fit to use with vinyl liners. Is there a special type of liner for an indoor pool? However, when the home owners approached some pool builders for quotes to repair the pool, one told them resurfacing with pebble would be effective, and add more value than a vinyl liner. Thats right you need to clean the cleaner! While most cleaners themselves may not cause damage to your vinyl liner, this isnt to say that a liner may not be at risk when using a pool cleaner robotic or not. All of the Dolphin models above have a minimum of a 1-year warranty as standard, with the more expensive pool cleaners sometimes having up to 3-years. As I mentioned earlier, while a robot that is advertised to clean pools up to 50-feet would have no problem with 30-feet vinyl pools, it doesnt work the other way. For more info, see my About Me page. If youre taking it to your pool shop for testing, go straight there dont stop off at the shops on the way there, as your sample can degrade after a period of time even 15 minutes in a hot car can skew your results. The problem is, for 8 or more hours a day in summer, the suction cleaner is rubbing over the pool surface. So, you need not worry about a robotic pool cleaners weight on vinyl liners. By carefully monitoring the performance of the pool finish, and adjusting the chemistry little by little, Aqualux has become the ultimate flexible pool interior for the Australian environment. A common question is, why cant I just leave it on longer? This worked a treat! It has taken many years of testing and expertise, and the end result remains a closely guarded secret that many try to immitate, but none have sucessfully reproduced. If you want the clean look of a pool without a hose and cleaner 99% of the time and happy to rinse off the cartridges after every clean, then a robot will suit you. As youd expect, the more features you want, the more expensive the robot gets. And when you do finally take the vacuum out, no one ever lays the hose out nice and straight, to minimise any effects of hose kinks on the cleaners performance. Well, there is a good reason for that, pool cleaners are what they do, they have been doing them for years, and you can generally trust that when you are buying a Dolphin pool cleaner, you are purchasing a quality product backed by a warranty. It is a well-built robot for pools up to 50-feet. to be permanently fused. Plus you have to wrestle with the cleaner and hose when you want a quick swim as most pool owners just dont bother to remove the vacuum from the pool. If the liner fabric begins to absorb water, it eventually expands the PVC, which then causes wrinkles to form in the pool. Remember, no cleaner is perfect, but they sure beat having to set up the vacuum hose, handle and brush and cleaning the pool manually yourself! Backyard Pool Guy is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. After years of above ground pool fun, we took the leap and got our first in-ground pool installed. Safety Tips for Owners, The vinyl liners in residential pools can be. Costing many thousands of dollars to install, the pebble interior lasted around 12 months before it failed. However, under certain environmental conditions (likely to be found in an indoor pool) the fabric of a standard PVC liner can sometimes start to absorb water. AquaForce liners can be fitted to any pool shape, as the liner is cut and shaped in the pool on site, allowing it to be fitted over steps and benches and down into deep ends of all style of pools. Traditional PVC liners can be delivered to site fully welded in one piece, but AquaForce reinforced PVC liners are always fabricated on site, as they do not stretch or form to the pool shape. In some instances, a robotic pool cleaner may get stuck without any obstruction due to some mechanical or electrical failures. This kind of damage may be cosmetic or structural. The owners were happy with the price, and couldnt be happier with the result. At least once a month we hear from someone who has a fibreglass walled pool, who has made the mistake of resurfacing it with pebbles. But all in all, this robot offers outstanding value. The UV in the suns rays attack the plastic and cause it to degrade and fade over time to the point where the surface becomes rougher and may start to attract stains and even develop osmosis. The scrubbing action of this material is effective, but its softness and flexibility prevent scratches, dents, peeling, chipping, or cracking. Modern robotic pool cleaners with wall climbing features can clean the entirety of your vinyl liner. Theres no doubt that whether you have inground pool or above ground swimming pools, youll have to splash a little cash for a quality robot. *The product links in this post are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase after following one, I make a small commission from the sale at no additional cost to you. He uses his on his vinyl liner pool and I use it on my concrete pool. You may also want to consider the Dolphin Proteus DX4 as a great value choice. The pebble finish cracked and fell off after 12 months. I'm a fun-loving husband and father of 3 that enjoys spending pool days with the family! This flexible, stretch fabric relies on the structure of the pool, and the weight of the water to maintain its shape. However, I love the fact that my pool has NO cleaner in the water most of the time and no annoying tick, tick sound or the surface of the water rippled all the time. The obvious thing that the Dolphin Nautilus CC robotic pool cleaners are missing is the connectivity of remote control or Bluetooth, which enables manual control should you see a spot that the robot hasnt managed to clean properly. So there you have it, our recommendations for the best vinyl pool cleaners you can find. It leaked, it cracked and then it literally fell off the walls. So which is better to use? The third, (and very rare cause of staining), can be microbial activity under the interior surface of the pool. Its cleaning cycle and ability to clean up dirt, debris, algae and other impurities is also a necessity too. But while it is true that a robotic cleaner can be used in any pool, not every robotic cleaner is suitable for every pool. Can I use a robot pool cleaner in my vinyl pool? The surface also develops a rough feeling to the skin, and is no longer smooth like it was when it was new. If you have an abrasive surface, this will wear the cleaner skirt and some other parts.
If youre using test strips, take care to follow the instructions from the manufacturer. One example would be the Dolphin Nautilus CC. The performance isnt up there with the E10, but it is still a nifty little machine and a few $$s cheaper. We actually have a full review of the Dolphin premier here. On both occasions, we have been fortunate that no one was near the pool at the time, so all weve had to deal with was replacing panels and cleaning up the broken glass. Last update on 2022-05-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. I Googled how to clean glass from your pool and there were a few articles, but not many relating to an exploding fence panel so I thought I would share my experience to help others. The Science Explained, Do All Swimming Pools Need To Be Grounded? The wrinkles usually start on the floor of the pool, but can be all over the whole liner. Some robotic pool cleaners may float on the pool if there is trapped air inside. Regardless of whether it is an above ground pool or an inground pool, the water in a vinyl finish pool all needs to be balanced and stabilised, and regularly checked for imbalances. Click here to check the latest price of the Dolphin E10 on Amazon. As of today, all Coral Sand print above ground pool liners will have a change of the base film colour from white to beige. So in my opinion, if you are on a budget or dont mind swimming with the hose and cleaner, or removing it every time you swim, a suction cleaner will work for you. In the past, almost everyone used a suction cleaner or pool vaccuum, and we all became accustomed to swimming around the hose, and listening to that tick tick tick sound whenever we were near the pool!