Removing Your Pool Cleaner Before Swimming: Safety Tips

There’s nothing quite like a dip in a sparkling pool to beat the heat. And with the advent of robotic pool cleaners, maintaining our beloved swimming pools has become a breeze. These devices simplify pool upkeep, ensuring a clean and ready-to-use pool with minimal effort. However, it’s a common practice for many pool owners to leave their cleaners in the water for extended periods, a habit that can lead to potential hazards.

But, “should I remove pool cleaners when swimming?” Although these devices are not necessarily hazardous (most of them have low-voltage power sources and numerous safety measures), it is crucial to take the cleaner out of the pool before entering. Let’s delve into this guide and understand the potential risks of leaving pool cleaners in the water!

Table of Contents

• Why Should You Remove Your Pool Cleaners Before Swimming?
  • Entanglement Hazards
  • Poor Efficiency
  • Chemical Damage
  • Limited Warranty
  • Delayed Maintenance
• Pool Safety Considerations
• How to Safely Remove And Store Your Robotic Pool Cleaner
• Conclusion

Why Should You Remove Your Pool Cleaners Before Swimming?

Just because the water looks clear and smells fresh, it does not mean that it is safe to swim in. It is also about avoiding any form of hazard that could be in your pool to make it safe for use.

In this section, we will highlight why you should always remove your automatic pool cleaner from the water when it is not needed.

1. Entanglement hazards

Swimming with robot pool cleaners, hoses, and cords in the water creates an entanglement hazard, and children can mistake them for toys. Some cleaners have very high suction power and, therefore, can easily entrap objects. Make sure that the drain covers are anti-entrapment to avoid the entrapment of body parts, hair, and swimwear.

2. Poor Efficiency

Besides the safety issues, swimming when the cleaner is working can also directly interfere with the cleaner. Swimming leads to water agitation and may cause the cleaner to be displaced from its intended track. This could result in the cleaner missing some areas or parts of the pool, leaving the pool cleaning incomplete. In addition, swimmers introduce more pollution into the water, including sunblock, oil, or hair, which may interfere with the cleaner’s operation and contribute to debris clogging its filters.

3. Chemical Damage

If your automatic pool cleaner stays in the pool for a long time, it will stay in contact with chemicals for a longer time. No matter how good your pool water chemistry is, some chemicals are not good for your cleaner. Chlorine can cause the gradual deterioration of the cleaner’s wheels, plastic shell, and metal components. Moreover, abnormal pH levels and total alkaline levels (TA) can also cause a lot of harm to your automatic pool cleaner, as well as scaling in your pool. Thus, checking the water balance is important.

4. Limited warranty

If you read the manual’s instructions clearly, you will see that the automatic pool cleaner warranty is not valid if the cleaner is damaged by water chemical imbalance or lack of maintenance. Some cleaners’ repairs cost a lot of money, so it is crucial to take proper care of them and not leave them for too long.

5. Delayed Maintenance

Automatic pool cleaners are a breeze to use. Some automatic cleaners, like Aiper Scuba S1, can be programmed from your smartphone after you set a cleaning cycle. However, this kind of functionality also means that it is quite simple to neglect or even forget about basic cleanings and regular maintenance checkups. A full filter canister can cause wear and tear, leading to mechanical burnout. Therefore, remove your pool cleaner after each cleaning cycle and empty the bag.

Pool Safety Considerations

Summer swimming pools are a source of fun and relaxation for families, but they also pose certain risks. However, with a little knowledge and the right precautions, pool safety can be achieved, ensuring that everyone has a great time without any worries.

Here are some general pool safety tips:

Learn the basics of swimming

Learn essential water survival skills and follow the rules. Don’t leave your children unattended, and remove all the pool accessories beforehand. Don’t dive if the water is shallow above ground. Prevent slips and avoid using your phone during activities.

Maintain a safe swimming environment

It is also important to ensure good hygiene before swimming to avoid polluting the water with germs. Clean your vacuum and operate your filtration system frequently. Test pool water for chemicals and pH balance every 3–4 days.

Remove pool accessories

Do not swim in pools with missing or broken drain covers, as these pools do not have secondary safety measures. It is better to remove robot cleaners to prevent damage to swimmers. For pool cleaners’ safety, have a predefined cleaning cycle during non-swimming times to save the hassle of manual operation.

How to Safely Remove And Store Your Robotic Pool Cleaner

Automatic pool cleaners are devices that automatically clean swimming pools without any effort, and it is worth investing in one. Robot cleaners are not cheap to repair, so it is important not to void your warranty by not properly caring for and storing your cleaner.

Although it could take months or even years for pool water to affect your pool cleaner, it is always advisable not to take the risk. Look at how to maintain and store your robotic pool cleaner:

1. When you are done cleaning your pool, you should take your cleaner off and wash it, then keep it where it cannot be exposed to direct sunlight and where no insects can get to it.
2. When storing your cleaner, do not wrap the hose or the power cord tightly, as this will create twists and turns that can take up a lot of space.

You can also use a large deck box to protect your pool cleaner from the sun and heavy rain while also adding a touch of elegance to your patio.

Conclusion

Just because you can leave your cleaner in the pool doesn’t mean you should. These pool cleaners, such as robotic pool cleaners, are quite expensive, so it is wise to ensure that you take good care of them. Always rinse your cleaner after each cleaning cycle to increase its life and eliminate the risks of swimmers tangling themselves in the cords or hoses.