I recently had a friend ask if installing an a&a infloor cleaning system was actually worth the extra cash during their pool build. It's a fair question because, let's be honest, pool equipment isn't exactly cheap, and when you're already dropping a significant amount on a backyard oasis, you want to know if these upgrades actually deliver on their promises.
If you've ever owned a pool with one of those clunky robotic cleaners or a suction-side vacuum that looks like a giant blue octopus roaming the bottom, you know the struggle. They work, sure, but they're also kind of an eyesore. That's where the infloor system comes in. It's basically the "set it and forget it" version of pool maintenance, and while it's not magic, it's about as close as you can get in the world of pool care.
How the Whole Thing Actually Works
At its core, the a&a infloor cleaning system is pretty much like a sprinkler system for your pool floor. Instead of having a vacuum that moves around, you have a series of pop-up heads that are strategically placed all over the bottom of the pool, on the steps, and even on the benches.
The heart of the system is the water actuator valve. This is the "brain" that sits near your pump and filter. It takes the pressurized water and rotates it through different "zones" in the pool. When a zone is active, the heads in that area pop up and shoot a stream of water across the floor. This pushes dirt, leaves, and debris toward a deep-end drain or a specialized debris canister. Once that zone's time is up, the heads retract flush with the floor, and the next zone takes over.
It's a simple concept, but the engineering behind it has to be precise. If the heads don't rotate correctly or if the timing is off, you end up with "dead spots" where sand and silt just sit there staring at you.
The Aesthetic Factor
One of the biggest reasons people go with an a&a infloor cleaning system is simply how it looks—or rather, how it doesn't look. If you've spent thousands of dollars on beautiful glass tile and a custom pebble finish, the last thing you want is a tangled hose and a plastic robot sitting in the middle of the pool when guests come over.
Because the heads sit flush with the floor when they aren't working, they're practically invisible. You can choose colors that match your pool finish, so they blend right in. It makes the pool feel much more high-end and "resort-style" because there's nothing cluttering up the water. Plus, you don't have to worry about kids or dogs getting tangled in a vacuum hose while they're swimming.
Circulation is the Secret Sauce
We always talk about "cleaning," but the real secret benefit of the a&a infloor cleaning system is circulation. Most standard pools pull water from the surface (the skimmer) and push it back through returns near the top. This leaves the water at the bottom of the pool cold and often poorly treated with chemicals.
Since the infloor system pushes filtered, chemically treated water out through the floor, it circulates the entire body of water from the bottom up. This is a game-changer if you have a pool heater or a heat pump. Instead of the warm water just floating on the top six inches while your feet freeze at the bottom, the system pushes that heat throughout the whole depth. It makes the pool much more comfortable and can actually save you money on heating costs because you aren't losing all that warmth to the air right away.
Is it Truly Maintenance-Free?
I'd love to tell you that you'll never have to touch a brush again, but that's not quite the reality. While an a&a infloor cleaning system handles about 90% of the heavy lifting, you'll still need to do a little bit of work.
Every once in a while, a stubborn leaf might get stuck in a corner that the heads can't quite reach, or a heavy storm might dump more debris than the system can handle in one cycle. You'll also need to empty the debris canister. This is usually a large basket located on the deck or near the equipment pad that catches all the junk the system sweeps up. If you let that get too full, the pressure drops, and the cleaning heads won't pop up all the way.
The system also has moving parts, and like anything else, they can wear out. The gear kits inside the actuator valve are usually the first things to go after a few years. Luckily, they're pretty easy to swap out, even if you aren't a DIY expert.
Comparing it to Robotic Cleaners
When you're weighing your options, the biggest competitor to the a&a infloor cleaning system is the modern robotic cleaner. Robots have gotten really good lately—some even climb walls and scrub the waterline.
However, the robot is another piece of equipment you have to store. You have to lug it out of the garage, drop it in the water, and then remember to take it out before you have a pool party. It also has a cord that can be a tripping hazard.
The infloor system is just there. It runs whenever your pump is on. You don't have to think about it. For a lot of people, that peace of mind and the saved "hassle factor" is worth the higher upfront cost of the installation. You can't really "add" an infloor system later—it has to be plumbed in while the pool is being built—so it's a "one shot" decision.
Keeping the System in Top Shape
If you already have an a&a infloor cleaning system, there are a few things you should do to keep it running smoothly. First, keep an eye on your pump pressure. If the pressure is too low, the heads won't have the "oomph" they need to push dirt toward the drain. Usually, this just means your filter needs a backwash or a cleaning.
Second, check the heads occasionally to make sure they're rotating. If you notice a head is always pointing in the same direction every time it pops up, there might be some grit or a tiny pebble jammed in the mechanism. Usually, you can just pop them out with a special tool, rinse them off, and click them back in.
Lastly, make sure your pump run times are long enough. The system cleans in cycles, moving from zone to zone. If you only run your pump for two hours a day, the system might only get through half the pool. You want to make sure it has enough time to complete several full rotations to ensure every inch of the floor gets a good blast of water.
Final Thoughts on the Investment
So, is it a "must-have"? Probably not. You can certainly keep a pool clean with a $20 brush and a manual vacuum if you have the time and the patience. But if you're looking for a way to actually enjoy your pool rather than working on it every weekend, the a&a infloor cleaning system is a solid investment.
It's about making the pool experience as seamless as possible. There's something really satisfying about waking up in the morning, looking out the window, and seeing a crystal-clear pool floor without having to do a single thing. It's one of those luxury upgrades that you might feel a little guilty about spending money on at first, but once you see it in action—and realize how much time you're saving—you'll probably wonder how you ever lived without it. Just keep an eye on those gear kits and keep your filter clean, and it'll likely be the best teammate you've ever had in the fight against pool algae and debris.