How do you remove sediment and sand from the bottom of the pool?
Have you noticed that sand and other debris accumulate at the bottom of your pool? Be assured, this sediment is perfectly normal. To keep your water clean, it will therefore be necessary to regularly clean your pool. So, how do you clean the bottom of a pool and remove this sediment? What equipment should you use? This guide will provide you with all the answers to your questions.
Why do you have sand and other sediment at the bottom of your pool?
Sediment at the bottom of a pool is normal, but it can also be the sign of a filter or algae problem. It is therefore important to get rid of sediment by regular cleaning and monitoring.
Where does the earth and sand that settles at the bottom of your pool come from?
Even if it is normal to have some sediment at the bottom of your pool, you must surely wonder where this sand comes from. Deposits in a pool come primarily from the environment: the surrounding vegetation, insects, the dust of nearby works, etc. If, in addition, your pool is surrounded by earth or lawn, this dirt will be even more present. These elements settle above all on the surface of the water, but they can also find their way to the bottom. The sand at the bottom of the pool may also be carried by the wind, which transports very fine particles of dust and plants that fall into the pool.
Lastly, this sediment may also be carried by bathers, especially the dirt that can be brought in under their feet when they walk around the pool. The more frequently your pool is used and uncovered, the more cleaning it will require to stay clean, whether at the surface or at the bottom of the pool.
And what if it is caused by faulty filtration?
If the quantity of dust and sediment at the bottom of your pool does not seem normal, it is possible that there is indeed a problem somewhere. The appearance of a large quantity of dirt in the pool may be a sign that the filtration is faulty and is not retaining the finest particles, which settle at the bottom of the pool.
To make sure that your sand filter is working properly, check that:
- The filter is not clogged;
- The strainers are not damaged or worn out;
- The filter does not contain too much sand (no more than 3/4 of its height);
- The distributor does not contain sand.
Beware of algae at the bottom of your pool!
If the bottom of the pool seems cloudy, green, or even sticky, your problem is not due to sand, but to algae. Algae is a major problem in a pool and can be the cause of hygiene problems. You must therefore not allow it to proliferate.
To get rid of algae from the bottom of the pool, you should:
- Brush the pool bottom with a telescopic brush, possibly using a cleaning product;
- Run the cleaning system (manual vacuum or robot).
- Perform a chlorine shock treatment.
- Add a dose of algaecide to the water to prevent algae from reappearing and developing.
How do you clean the bottom of a pool?
There are two possibilities to clean the bottom of your pool: manual or automatic. A pool robot has the advantage of cutting down on physical effort and time, but manual cleaning is less costly.
A manual vacuum cleaner
A pool vacuum cleaner is the manual solution to clean a pool. It is operated by a telescopic handle to enable you to brush and vacuum the pool. A manual vacuum cleaner connects to the skimmer or pool suction outlet. It can also be fitted with an independent filter unit.
The main advantage is the price: it is the most economical technique, but also the most strenuous because you will have to do it often and it takes a little elbow grease. However, it may be entirely sufficient for a small above-ground pool, or you can use it in case your robot breaks down. To use it, connect it and vacuum the entire surface area of the pool, with a slow and ample movement.
Electric robots
Electric robots are often considered to be a sure bet for pool cleaning. They connect to an electrical socket (unless they are battery powered) and then immersed. Equipped with wheels or caterpillar tracks, they move though the pool and filter the water. They are equipped with a tank to store debris and therefore do not need to be connected to the pool filtration system.
Electric robots have two functions: they brush and suck up impurities, thus enabling optimally effective cleaning. Very effective for the removal of the debris that settles on the bottom of the pool, some models can also take care of the walls and waterline, or even angles and steps. Lastly, for a more eco-friendly solution, you can even choose a solar-powered electrical robot.
Hydraulic suction robots
Hydraulic pool robots connect to your pool filtration via the skimmer or pool suction outlet. They are powered by the hydraulic force of the filtration system, enabling them to move independently. They suck up impurities, which then pass into the pool filtration unit.
The main advantage is the price: they are the least costly automatic devices. However, they move slowly and randomly, and require you to run the filter pump to enable them to clean the pool. They are thus less efficient than electric cleaners, even if they are quite effective to clean the bottom of the pool.
Hydraulic pressure robots
Hydraulic pressure robots are very similar to hydraulic suction robots and are also powered by hydraulic force. They connect to a nozzle or pool suction outlet, which in this case must be equipped with a booster pump. They include an onboard filter and recover debris in a bag that must later be emptied.
They are a little faster than hydraulic suction robots, but, like them, they are particularly adapted to cleaning the pool bottom. It will thus be necessary to complete their action by brushing the walls and cleaning the waterline. They are more costly than hydraulic suction robots, since they require the installation of a booster pump, but they are durable and can be used for many years.
How can you clean your pool more easily with a flocculant?
A flocculant is a water treatment product that improves filtration. It restores a crystalline aspect to the water and disinfects it. It can be used for a one-off treatment, as a complement to chlorine to eliminate very fine particles. A flocculant clumps together the finest particles to enable the sand filter to capture them.
To use a flocculant correctly, check that it is compatible with your installation and make sure you respect the recommended doses.
How do you choose the best solution to clean the bottom of your pool?
A manual vacuum cleaner, a hydraulic system or an electric robot – how do you make the right choice? Electric robots are the most common choice: they facilitate cleaning, do it more effectively, and adapt to numerous pool configurations.
Of course, there is no miracle answer: the best will be the one that is the most suitable for your situation. So, you should start by asking yourself what is possible with your pool: is it equipped with a pool suction outlet, a pump, a filter? An above-ground pool, for example, may not have all the features that enable the use of certain robots. You should also make sure that the equipment is suitable for the pool liner.
Then consider the effort that you are prepared to put into the cleaning of your pool, and, of course, the budget that you will be able to dedicate to it. Do you agree to spend more time if that means saving money by investing in more economical equipment?
Lastly, the way you use your pool will also play a role in your decision. If you bathe very regularly or have children who do not always remember to wash their feet before entering the pool, you will certainly appreciate the peace of mind that an electric robot provides, and you will enjoy your pool a little more serenely.
In-floor automatic pool cleaning
There is another way to clean your entire pool: in-floor automatic cleaning. This system uses the principal of reverse hydraulic circulation. Nozzles are installed at the bottom of the pool and regularly send pressurized jets of water to prevent any sediment from forming at the bottom of the pool. Dirty surface water is then pumped by the skimmers to pass through the filter.
This type of cleaning can be programmed and can be used over the entire pool with no effort, even in less accessible places like corners. Their main disadvantage: you must plan it when the pool is being installed or during major renovations.
Can sand be removed from the bottom of a pool without a vacuum cleaner?
If you do not want to invest in an electric robot, you will at least need a manual vacuum cleaner. Avoid cleaning your pool with just a skimmer net, which is not enough to get rid of the sediment at the bottom of the pool.
For effective cleaning, you may combine the use of a manual vacuum cleaner, a brush with a telescopic handle, and use a product, such as a flocculant, if necessary.
Do you use your pool regularly? You will not regret the purchase of a robot, which will save you time while ensuring that your water is always clean.
How do you prevent too much sediment from building up at the bottom of your pool?
Even if thorough pool cleaning is inevitable and dust will necessarily appear, it is nevertheless important to adopt certain best practices to prevent the build-up of too much debris in the pool.
Of course, the first thing to do is to cover the pool when not in use. For this purpose, you can use a simple bubble cover or a tarpaulin. A bubble cover has the advantage of preventing heat loss. You can also install a pool enclosure or a mobile bottom. Nevertheless, be careful: neither a tarpaulin nor a bubble cover ensure the safety of the pool.
The surroundings of your pool can also enable you to keep your pool cleaner. The immediate surroundings can be equipped with tiling, stone slabs or a wooden deck to avoid walking on earth or sand before bathing. You can even install a footbath and a solar shower to enable bathers to wash quickly before entering the water!
Lastly, good maintenance is important: regularly clean the sand filter to enable it to continue to operate effectively. Neither should you neglect pool cleaning to prevent sediment from building up and becoming more difficult to remove.
Regular pool cleaning is important. This is what enables you to continue bathing in clean water and to prevent the appearance of algae. Of course, you will have to remove the sand and other sediment that accumulate at the bottom of the pool, but don't forget to also properly clean the walls, waterline, surface and the steps. By purchasing a suitable vacuum cleaner for your usage and your pool, you will simplify the task and be more effective.
