3 Tips for Selecting the Best Pool Brush
By: Scott Morris
It has been said that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Nowhere is that truer than with pools, particularly when it comes to cleaning. A bit of light brushing will save you a considerable amount of cleaner’s fees down the road. This applies to anything from aging metal grates, which can leave rust stains on the sides of your pool, to algae and other microorganisms, which can leave unsightly green or yellow residue. Your best weapon against such challenges is, as always, the
brush–simple, inexpensive, and effective.
That said, not all brushes (and brush types) are created equal. Here are three tips that can help you pick out the perfect brush for your specific pool.
Match the Brush Type to Your Pool Surface
As you’re no doubt well aware, pools come in different surfaces, shapes, and sizes. Concrete pools are rougher, porous, and attract plenty of algae and other bacteria–which means that they can be thoroughly scoured by stainless steel brushes, wire brushes, or brushes made with a combination of stainless steel and nylon bristles. However, if your pool is backed with fiberglass or resin, such as our patented Fibre Tech surfaces, then a wire or stainless-steel brush will only leave scratches and abrade the pool surface.
Also, keep in mind that a Fibre Tech pool will require less frequent brushings than a concrete or vinyl pool, as the fiberglass surface is highly resistant to bacteria.
When in Doubt, Use Nylon
Nylon brushes are ideal, because they are non-abrasive (and thus will not leave scratches) but get the job done.
They are softer and can be used for pools with vinyl, Fibre Tech, or concrete surfaces.
Be Careful with Bristles!
However good your brush may be, it will inevitably leave bristles on the floor of your pool. Stainless steel or wire brushes, while they provide thorough cleaning, will leave sharper bristles than nylon brushes. At any rate, be sure to replace your brush when you notice that it’s shedding bristles; this means that the brush is at the end of its useful service life.
To conclude, cleaning brushes are the most underrated pool utensils today; not only can regular brushing help stave off algae and bacteria, but it can save owners a fortune later in cleaning fees. Be sure to match the type of brush to the pool surface that you have; wire and stainless-steel brushes are better for harder, rougher surfaces such as concrete, whereas nylon brushes are optimal for vinyl or fiberglass.