Low and MAINTENANCE are two words that are rarely associated with pool ownership. In years gone by, the work required to keep a pool in tip top condition and looking the right colour whilst being safe to swim in was enough to turn some people off the idea of pool ownership.

However, with pool equipment manufacturers racing to incorporate time saving technology into their products along with internet integration and Apps, we asked Hayward National Sales Manager Phillip Fitzgibbon whether it really is now possible to spend longer in your pool than working on it.

How would you describe a low-maintenance outdoor area and pool? What would be some of its defining characteristics?

For us, in the equipment world, low maintenance means installing and utilising equipment that takes the hard work out of pool ownership.

For busy homeowners with a pool, what are some of the most simple and easy cleaning, maintenance and automation protocols?

Probably the quickest and easiest thing that you can do to make maintenance easy is to cut down on the time and effort it takes to clean your pool. You can do this by investing in an automatic pool cleaner. These will remove debris and scrub the pool for you, all you have to do is remember to empty it. The new AquaVac 650 Robotic Cleaner from Hayward has even done away with filters, meaning you can stay away from the mess and empty it with the touch of a button.

Investing in pool automation will really move your pool ownership experience to the next level. Automation will test, control and balance the chemistry of your pool automatically. It will also give you the ability to check the status of your pool from your smart phone, saving you the work of testing and adding chemicals manually.  You’ll also have the ability to control the features of your pool and spa from your smartphone, so no more running around turning on heaters, switching valves or turning on and off pumps.

Are there any specific Hayward Pool Products that you’d recommend for a busy homeowner? Why?

Hayward OmniLogic pool and backyard automation is the perfect system for a busy homeowner. It provides an easy way to control the chemistry of your pool and spa, as well as the heating, lighting, water features and any other pool or backyard equipment required by the user. The system takes the hassle out of pool ownership by bringing together all the elements of a modern energy efficient pool and allowing the user to control it with an App. With the an OmniLogic installed you can quickly and simply get your pool running exactly how you like it, at the touch of a button. If you lead a busy life and are worried that you won’t have time to maintain your pool, this system does the work for you, leaving you the time to enjoy your pool rather than work on it.

A massive thorn in the side for busy homeowners is pool cleaning. Even with a robotic pool cleaner it can be a very messy affair and often require the user to get changed into old clothes before they empty the filter box and hose down the dirty filters.  The new AquaVac 650 Robotic cleaner from Hayward is the first RoboticPool Cleaner in the world to use Hydrocylonicfilterless technology. Because the AquaVac 650 doesn’t rely on filters, there is nothing to clean. To empty you simply lift out the canister and with one button it empties the contents with no washing or cleaning required, keeping you away from the mess.

In terms of pool filters, are there any specific functions homeowners should look out for?

The two most common types of pool filter are Sand and Cartridge. Figure out which type of filter is right for you. There are pros and cons to both sand and cartridge filters which can have an impact on how much time you have to spend maintaining them. Ask your pool builder, retailer or service technician for advice before you make your decision, provide them with as much detail of the environment the pool is set in as possible, in particular the type of material you will be filtering (dust, leaves etc).

Do you have any advice on simple ways to monitor a pool’s PH levels?

Many pool automations systems on the market now have the capability to monitor a pools PH levels. Installing one of these systems is by far the easiest way to keep track of your pools PH levels. The Hayward OmniLogic Automation system and Aquarite Chlorinator can actually be configured to dose the pool in order to maintain the correct operating chemistry.

Have you noticed any trends regarding easy pool cleaning techniques? If so, why do you think these trends have emerged?

The trend in easy pool cleaning techniques has been towards Robotic Pool Cleaners. Cleaning a pool is something that owners often see as the most time-consuming element of maintaining their pool. Robotic Pool Cleaners do the hard work for you, simply put it in the pool, press a button and away it goes, leaving you to get on with your daily life.

What is the purpose of pool automation, and how can this process be made simple for busy homeowners?

The purpose of pool automation is to improve the ownership experience of pool owners by cutting down on the maintenance required and allowing the pool to be used without having to spend lots of time and effort on preparation.

Many owners install a pool to improve the lifestyle of themselves or their families, in the past they have been unable to fully enjoy this change due to the work required to maintain and run a pool. Automation removes many of these time consuming and labour intensive tasks so the owner can enjoy the lifestyle improvements that a pool can bring.

It is now possible to have all functions of pool automation available at the touch of a button and from your Smart Phone, this allows complete freedom to the pool owner. They can access their pool from anywhere as long as they’re connected to the internet. So rather than having to manually switch valves or press buttons around the pool, the owner can do this from the comfort of their sun lounger, you can even get your pool up and running before you arrive home from work, allowing you to get straight in and make the most of your evening.

How can a pool’s location impact on what sort of maintenance is required for it?

The location of a pool can have a big impact on the maintenance required. The biggest impact is on what ends up in the pool that you then need to clean or filter out and the equipment you need to do this. For example if your pool is located under heavy foliage it may mean that your pool suffers from lots of debris that requires cleaning.

For homeowners travelling in the future, what sort of protocols and or equipment should be in place to ensure their pool remains safe and functional while they are away?

A pool automation system will monitor and dose your pool automatically ensuring that the pool remains safe while you are away from the property. The Hayward OmniLogic automation systems will give you the capability to monitor the chemistry and behaviour of your pool remotely and even send you alerts if certain parameters are breached. This provides pool owners the peace of mind that their pool is being looked after even in their absence.

For pool cleaners, would you recommend a robotic or suction cleaner? Which would be most beneficial for a busy homeowner?

The current trend is for Robotic Pool Cleaners. They offer a solution to pool cleaning that requires very little work from the owner, simply throw it in, press a button and away it goes. All you have to do is empty it when its full.Suction cleaners are still a very popular choice when it comes to pool cleaning. Although they require a little more effort to set up, they are very reliable, require little maintenance and do a fantastic job of cleaning a pool.

How would a pool covering be beneficial for a busy homeowner? What function do these play?

A pool cover is a great way to cut down the time it takes to get your pool up and running before a swim. A pool cover helps to keep the pool clean, Keep in the heat and prevent evaporation. They are a must when it comes to running an energy efficient pool.

Do you have any final advice for busy homeowners looking to keep their pool in good condition?

When choosing your equipment make sure that you are comfortable with understanding how it operates, modern systems can appear complicated and this can be off putting to some people. The last thing you want is to be standing around scratching your head trying to figure out how to get your filtration running when you could be in the pool splashing around. However, if a system is set up in accordance with the needs of the pool owner and a good handover is provided by the installer, pool automation can truly transform your ownership experience and turn it into the dream you always hoped it would be.