What is an Automatic Pool Cleaner?
An automatic pool cleaner is a machine that cleans the floor and walls of your pool so that you don’t have to do it manually. There are 3 versions of automatic pool cleaner but by far the most popular in South Africa is the suction cleaner which uses the power of your pool pump to remove debris and dirt from the floor and walls of your pool.
How does a Suction Pool Cleaner work?
Suction pool cleaners are powered by the water flow of your pool pump when it is turned on. As water passes through the cleaner, a diaphragm or hammer located at its centre is rapidly open and shut, this pulsating motion causes the automatic pool cleaner to move around your pool, picking up debris from the floor and walls of your pool as it passes.
COMMON PROBLEMS THAT PREVENT YOUR AUTOMATIC POOL CLEANER FROM WORKING PROPERLY
The Pool Cleaner Is Not moving
This is usually associated with suction problems caused by either a blockage or air in the vacuum hose. The first thing you want to do is to make sure that the water level in your pool is high enough that it covers the weir and return jets. Next verify that the hose of the cleaner is securely attached to the suction line of the weir or the dedicated cleaner line (if your pool has one) and, that the weir lid is on and correctly fitted.
Inspect the cleaner hose for air leaks either between joining points or splits and tears in the hose itself. Next check the diaphragm of the pool cleaner for blockages or tears. We always recommend turning the pump and filter off during these checks, as you don’t want the pool cleaner to suck air into the system which could prevent water from being drawn in as it should.
Lastly, check that air is getting into your pool pump through the pump cover. To see if this is the cause, turn on the pump and look through the plate to see if there are bubbles inside the pump itself. If you see any, the O-ring seal on the cover might need to be replaced.
The Pool Cleaner moves Too Slow
The most likely cause for this is the pool filter, skimmer basket, or a clog in the pool cleaner intake or hose.
To clean the intake, first, switch your pump off before removing the cleaner from the water, then flip it over and remove any obstructions from the intake hole. You will also want to make sure there are no obstructions in the hose during this inspection.
Next, clean the skimmer basket of any leaves and debris and return the basket. A full skimmer basket will reduce your pump’s water flow, causing your automatic pool cleaner to slow down as a result.
By far the most common cause for an automatic pool cleaner to be slow or stop altogether is a congested pool filter, luckily this is easy to diagnose, simply turn off your pump and set the multiport to the “bypass” or circulate position and turn the pump on again. If the pool cleaner now works as it should, the pool filter is to blame.
We recommend changing the sand in your pool filter every 3 – 5 years depending on the conditions surrounding your pool.
The Pool Cleaner does Not cover the entire pool
The solution to this problem is a lot simpler than you may think. In order for the pool cleaner to be able to reach all areas of your pool, the hose should be long enough to reach from the weir or dedicated suction line to the farthest point in the pool with 1 meter to spare. If the suction hose is not long enough, add more length to reach every part of the pool.
Air bubbles are appearing at the Return Line
This is often caused by holes in the hose or ill-fitting connections which create bubbles at the return wall-fitting. Loose connections can be tightened and secured with O-rings. Hose sections that leak can be replaced or repaired with silicone.
The bottom of the Pool Is Not getting cleaned
If your pool cleaner is moving correctly but isn’t cleaning your pool as it should, damaged brushes or worn out suction vents could be to blame.
It’s not uncommon for these parts to need periodically replaced. Therefore, if your pool bottom looks grimy, change the suction vents and brushes before doing anything else.
The Pool Cleaner Won’t climb the walls
If your pool cleaner is unable to clean the side of your pool walls, this could indicate that there is not enough water in the pool, the hose is too short, or that the pool cleaner float position needs to be modified. On average the pool float should be at least 60cm away from the pool cleaner, however, changing this distance might allow climbing.
The Pool Cleaner climbs the walls Too Much
This often happens when the skirts underneath the machine become worn out increasing the suction. The simplest remedy is to replace the skirts.
The Pool Cleaner floats above the Pool floor
The cleaner should be heavier than the water and not float. To solve this problem eradicate any air from the cleaner head and hose.
A broken pipe
The pipe that runs between the weir and the pump must be airtight in order for an automatic pool cleaner to work properly. If there is a break in the pipe, the pool return will blow bubbles back into the pool. This could be the problem If your pool loses water when the pump is switched off.
If you’ve tried everything and your pool cleaner is still refusing to cooperate, it may be time to give us a call. One of our pool technicians will happily be able to assist you with further troubleshooting or repair.