Robot cleaners on pebble and aggregate finishes

Pebble and aggregate finishes are textured, and that changes how a robot moves and how its parts wear. Makers say it can be tougher on the machine. Whether yours is rated for it is a question for the manual.

What the finish is

An aggregate finish uses small stones mixed into a cement base. A pool builder describes the finish as an exposed aggregate containing small pebbles, stone or glass, applied over the concrete shell.¹ One maker defines a well-known brand of it as small natural pebbles embedded in a cement-based surface.² The result is a bumpy floor and wall, rougher than smooth plaster.

What the texture does to a robot

One maker says this finish is harder on tyres, tracks and brushes than smoother finishes.² A second maker says textured concrete may call for suitable traction and durable brushes.³

Then there's the dirt. A maker says dust, sand and dead algae don't always sit loosely on top of this finish.²

Brushes and tracks

One maker says different surfaces may require different brush materials, and that textured surfaces may need durable brushes.³ Which brush suits your robot is a question for the manual. Check it. If the manual is silent on pebble or aggregate, ask the maker which brush and track set they pair with a textured surface before you run it.

What to check in the manual

• Does it list pebble, aggregate or a rough finish by name?
• Which brush and track set does the maker pair with a textured surface?
• How often should brushes and tracks be checked for wear, and when should they be replaced?
• Read the warranty, in case it mentions surfaces.
• Does the manual describe the wall and waterline cleaning on textured finishes?

If the manual doesn't mention pebble, ask the maker. Keep the reply in writing. If you're unsure which finish your pool has, a local pool professional or the original builder can tell you. That answer is worth having before you compare any robot's manual with your pool, so get it first.

Wear that you can see

Look at the tracks and brushes now and then. Flat tread and frayed bristles are signs. They show up first at the parts that touch the pool. Swap them as the manual says.

A smoother cousin of this finish is covered in the plaster guide. To work out which finish you have, start with your coping and wall. The waterline band is covered in tile lines and waterline surfaces.

Run it only when the pool is empty of swimmers, and keep to the manual on power supplies near water.