A backyard pool can add much enjoyment to a home. With all that fun, comes some work. A pools surface and water must be kept clean in order to provide a safe place to take a dip. To help with the cleaning of the pool's surface, there are a number of automatic cleaners that are available for today's pools.

In general, there are three ways to keep the pool clean. An automatic cleaning system, an in floor cleaning system and a MANual cleaning system. Just like the pool filters, each has their advantages and disadvantages. As you may have guessed, the MANual has the least expensive up front cost as there is no additional equipment to purchase. With this system all cleaning is done by hand, brushing/scrubbing the surfaces of the pool. Although the up front cost is less, the overall cost may be greater as much time is spent each week maintaining the pool by hand.

An automatic system utilizes a little robot like vacuum that travels the surface of the pool. The little robot like cleaner has a hose that ultimately attaches to the pool pump. The suction from the pool pump drives the automatic cleaner sending it in a random movement, ultimately scrubbing the pool’s floors and walls. This little guy is at work about 6 hours a day, trying to keep your pool clean. Some people do not care for the automatic pool cleaner as the cleaner and the hose remain in the water and must be removed prior to swimming. In addition, in most pools there are areas that the pool cleaner cannot reach such as the steps and the swim aways. Therefore additional scrubbing on a weekly basis is required.

The third type of cleaning system is an in floor cleaning system. This type of system utilizes multiple heads that pop up from the pools surface and direct high water pressure in a circular pattern ultimately making the dirt waterborne. The waterborne dirt then is circulated and deposited within the filter. This type of system requires engineering design for the system to work properly. Although this system boasts the least amount maintenance required on regular basis, this convenience does come at a larger up front cost.

No matter which system you choose, routine maintenance will be required. Even the best designed in floor cleaning system is likely to need routine sweeping or cleaning in some of the trouble spots.