Should I Leave My Pool Robot in the Water? Lessons from a Wake-Up Call

I’m Nathanael Greene, a pool expert with over 15 years of experience in designing, building, and maintaining pools, now sharing my know-how as a blog writer for Beatbot. My love for pools kicked off as a kid cannonballing into my granddad’s backyard oasis, and it’s grown into a career of keeping swims dreamy.

Last August, I got a frantic call from Jake, a pool owner in Wilmington, North Carolina. “Nathanael, my robot’s acting up,” he said, his voice tight with worry. I drove out to his coastal property, where his 20,000-gallon in-ground pool shimmered under the sun. Jake had been leaving his robotic cleaner in the water 24/7, figuring it’d be ready whenever he needed it. “It’s been sluggish lately,” he admitted, showing me the unit—once a champ, now looking worse for wear. I’d seen this before: robots are game-changers, but leaving them submerged nonstop can backfire. Here’s what I learned from Jake’s poolside crisis, packed with real risks and tips to keep your robot humming.

Jake’s pool sparkled thanks to chlorine and sanitizers, but those same chemicals were quietly gnawing at his robot. “Look at this,” I said, pointing to cracked rubber seals and faded plastic on the casing. Over weeks of constant soaking, the stuff that keeps his water safe had started corroding the robot’s guts. “It’s like leaving your car in saltwater,” I told him. To dodge this, I rinse mine off with fresh water after every run and let it dry out. A quick once-over for wear keeps repairs—and headaches—at bay.

These robots are built for water, sure, but Jake’s nonstop dunking had water sneaking past the seals. “It’s not swimming right,” he said, and I suspected the electronics were frying. I popped it open—yep, moisture had crept in, messing with the navigation. “Take it out when it’s done,” I advised. “Check those seals every month, swap ’em if they’re shot.” Limiting soak time saved my own robot from a similar fate—no point tempting water to wreck the works.

Jake’s robot ran on a battery, which he loved—cordless freedom! But leaving it in the pool was draining its mojo. “It barely finishes now,” he grumbled. Chemicals and constant use were teaming up to zap the battery faster than it should’ve gone. “Charge it right and give it a break,” I told him, echoing what I do with mine. Pulling it out post-clean lets the battery chill, keeping it strong for the long haul.

Out in Wilmington’s blazing sun, Jake’s robot was taking a beating. “Feel this,” I said, tapping the casing—it was stiff, cracking at the edges from UV rays. That kind of damage can tank its structure and leave it limping. “Shade it or cover the pool,” I suggested. I store mine under a tarp when it’s off-duty—keeps the sun from turning it into a crispy mess.

Jake’s robot had fancy circuits, but water sneaking in—or a rogue power surge—could’ve been its doom. “Ever notice it glitch?” I asked. He nodded. Compromised seals and shaky pool wiring were risks I’d seen fry robots before. “Check the seals and get a surge protector,” I said. I do the same—keeps my robot’s brain safe from electrical chaos.

Jake’s pool had its share of surprises—kids’ toys, storm debris. “It got stuck last week,” he said. Those hiccups can ding up a robot or stall it out. “Clear the deck first,” I told him. Before I run mine, I scoop out the big stuff—makes the clean smoother and saves the robot from a bruising.

Down south, Jake’s winters dip low, and summers scorch. “It’s been off since the cold snap,” he said. Extreme temps can make plastic brittle or warp parts—I’ve seen it. “Store it inside when it’s not swimming season,” I recommended. My garage keeps mine steady—no cracking, no melting, just ready to roll.

Jake had been tossing his robot in a damp shed between uses. “Found some chewed wires,” he winced—critters had gotten to it. “Clean it, dry it, stash it somewhere cool and pest-free,” I said. I learned that the hard way—now mine’s spotless and tucked away properly, per the manual, so it’s raring to go when I need it.

From Jake’s mess, I shared my go-to tricks: Rinse it after every swim to shake off chemicals. Check brushes and tracks—swap ’em if they’re worn. Dump the filter after each run—keeps it unclogged. Untangle the cable and eyeball it for frays. Get the motor checked yearly by a pro. Dry it fully, store it cool and shaded. Charge smart, not lazy. Update the software when it pings. And if it’s acting funky, call in the experts. “This’ll keep it alive,” I told Jake, wishing he’d started sooner.

Jake’s robot could’ve lasted years longer with some TLC. “I didn’t know,” he sighed, staring at his cloudy pool. Leaving it in nonstop risked everything—chemical rot, water damage, UV cracks, you name it. “Pull it out after every clean,” I said, firm as ever. Regular care beats replacement costs any day. For a high-end gem like the Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra , with its five-in-one cleaning and AI smarts, I’d double down on that advice—keep it safe, and it’ll keep your pool pristine. Learned the hard way so you don’t have to—let’s keep those swims dreamy.