Do Robotic Pool Cleaners Clean the Surface?

Keeping your pool clean does not just consist of vacuuming the bottom and scrubbing the walls. An essential part of pool maintenance is surface cleaning, where leaves, bugs, and debris are often collected. This begs the question: Do robotic pool cleaners scrub the surface? In this article, we will focus on what robot pool cleaners can do for you regarding surface cleaning and how their capabilities compare with other pool maintenance tools, such as pool vacuums and skimmers.

How Robotic Pool Cleaners Function

The best robot pool cleaners are designed to vacuum clean the pool floor and walls, and in some cases, they will also clean the waterline. Using high-powered suction and smart navigation systems, they remove dirt, debris, and even algae. Pool robotic pool cleaners are often independent of the pool filtration system, which just makes it easier and more efficient.

Nowadays, robotic cleaners, such as the Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra and Beatbot AquaSense 2 Pro, feature AI-based sensors that can map out the layout of a pool or spa and change their cleaning routes accordingly. This guarantees full coverage and cleaning of the pool surfaces.

Can robotic pool cleaners handle surface debris?

Yes, but with limitations

Most robotic pool cleaners are very effective at floor and wall cleaning, but surface cleaning is not their primary purpose. Debris on the surface, like leaves, insects, and pollen, floats on the top. Robotic pool cleaners are generally submerged and meant to work just under the water’s surface, and they aren’t built to skim debris off the top effectively.

But some high-end models, such as the Beatbot AquaSense 2, can scrub lower down by the waterline and suck in debris that has stuck to the surface. This makes them more efficient than regular vacuum cleaners for pools that only clean the bottom.

Pool Surface Cleaning: Top Tools

Pool Skimmers

A pool skimmer is the easiest and most effective tool for removing floating debris from the surface. Skimmers operate by suction at the water’s surface, where leaves and other debris are captured in a collection basket. Many owners use a skimmer and a robotic cleaner to completely clean a pool.

Pool Vacuum Robots

While pool vacuum robots are most commonly focused on the pool floor, some stainless-steel high-end models, like the Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra and Maytronics pool cleaners, can also clean near the waterline, where they can pick up some surface debris.

Wall Climbing Pool Cleaners

But there is a wall climbing model like the Beatbot AquaSense 2 Pro that is great for cleaning the waterline, where debris commonly builds up. They’re great at scrubbing the walls and waterline area, where dirt and grime tend to build up around the edge of a pool.

Why Surface Cleaning Matters

It is crucial to clean the level of a pool of floating articles, as they can:

Clog the filtration system – Debris — like leaves and bugs — can block a skimmer basket and limit water circulation.

Promote algae growth: Organic debris on the water’s surface can decompose, providing optimal growing conditions for algae.

Impact water quality – Debris and litter can introduce bacteria and contaminants into the water.

If not addressed, surface debris can sink to the bottom, complicating the cleaning work of even the best robot pool cleaners.

Robotic Pool Cleaner | 8 Ways to Enhance Surface Cleaning

 Skimmer + Robotic Cleaner Combo

The robotic cleaner is used for cleaning the floor and walls, and the skimmer is used for surface cleaning.

Select A Robotic Cleaner That Cleans The Waterline

Some, such as the Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra and Beatbot AquaSense 2 Pro, are specially made to scrub the waterline, which cuts down on surface detritus.

Regular Pool Maintenance

Cleaning the pool’s skimmer basket and filter system regularly will make cleaning more effective overall. If surface debris is a persistent concern, you might want to look into an automatic skimmer.

Essential Tips for Your Pool Maintenance

How to Acid Wash a Pool

Glittery dirt or algae buildup may require an acid wash. This process usually involves draining the pool and cleaning the walls and floor with diluted acid.

✔️ How to Empty An Inground Pool Without A Pump

If you’re draining your pool, a siphon hose or a submersible pump is a good option. However, draining needs to be done carefully to prevent any structural damage to the pool.

Does Pool Robot Pick Up Algae?

Yes, most quality swimming pool robot cleaners can scrub and vacuum algae from the floor and walls of your swimming pool. However, this is not always enough, and sometimes chemical treatments are required to kill the algae growth completely.

Conclusion

Robot pool cleaners do a great job of cleaning the pool’s floor and walls but have limited  dry surface cleaning. Conversely, if you want the best surface cleaning, you should use a set of robot pool cleaners and a skimmer. For instance, cleaning models respective of the Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra and the Beatbot AquaSense 2 Pro not only allow you to clean up to the waterline but also act on any surface debris, so minimal debris remains on the pool floor at a time, ensuring the cleanliness of the area.

If you want a pool-cleaning performer for all occasions, team up an efficient cleaner like Beatbot with a trustworthy skimmer, and you’ll get amazing results. A clean pool surface means cleaner water, better filtration, and less time swimming in watery grunge.

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