Is your automatic pool cleaner doing its dirty job, or is it just stirring up the dirt, slipping on the steps, and getting stuck in a corner?
It is inevitable that your automatic pool cleaner will develop a problem at some point in time. This is true whether you have a robotic, pressure or suction pool cleaner. It is essential that the automatic pool cleaner is working at its best, otherwise it might not clean the pool effectively. Dirt, debris and algae will start to multiply. What can you do if your automatic pool cleaner is not working as it should?
Why is the robotic pool cleaner not doing robot moves in the swimming pool?
Traditional automatic pool cleaners operate with either suction or pressure power from the pool pump or a booster pump. In contrast, a robotic pool cleaner has its own internal motors and water pump. If a robotic pool cleaner has stopped moving around the swimming pool, then the problem is probably electrical.
Generally speaking, robotic pool cleaners have a standard cleaning cycle of between one and two hours. Thus, it might have stopped because it has finished its cleaning cycle.
If a pool robot suddenly stops working before its cleaning cycle is completed, then there must be some kind of problem. You should probably start by taking a look at the power supply unit. Is it blinking its lights in disbelief? You might have to dust off the robot’s user manual and see if it says something about that. Also, check if the power supply is still plugged into the wall outlet, and that the circuit breaker switch has not tripped.
The problem might not be the power supply. Instead, the floating power cable might have been chewed on by the dog during the night. Moreover, the floating power cord gets twisted and turned a lot during normal operation, so inspect the cord for visible damage.
Next, you should clean the filter cartridges and inspect the pool robot’s drive tracks to see if it is still in good condition, and free from debris. If the robot still refuses to work, then either the power supply unit or the internal motors might have quit working. At this point, you should probably call either the retailer or the manufacturer, unless the warranty has expired.
What is causing the robotic pool cleaner to slow down or get stuck?
The most common issue would be that the filter bags are full and need urgent cleaning. Other reasons why the pool robot is moving like a sea snail might be loose or worn out drive tracks and belts. Do an inspection of the tracks and belts for proper tension and alignment.
Similar to other automatic pool cleaners, a pool cleaning robot can sometimes get stuck on the main drain, a pool ladder, or the steps. Not much you can do about it, except for giving the pool cleaner a little nudge in the right direction.
Why is the pressure pool cleaner folding under pressure?
A pressure pool cleaner will not get far without water pressure, so the first place to look for trouble is the filter pump and the booster pump. They should both be pumping water, otherwise the pool cleaner will not have enough pressure power for moving around the pool.
A pressure-side pool cleaner that is moving too slow might not have enough water flow. You should inspect the filter screen that is located in either the wall attachment or the hose section. Most pressure pool cleaners require a booster pump, so take a look at the booster pump. If the booster pump is doing fine, then check the pressure hoses and the water pressure at the pool cleaner head.
Most pressure-side automatic pool cleaners have wheels and drive belts. See if the wheels are turning freely, since sand or tiny rocks can get stuck in the wheels or other parts of the pool cleaner head. Also, replace worn tires and drive belts.
There are a few possible causes for a pressure pool cleaner that does not clean the whole swimming pool, such as blocked thrust jets, the length of the pressure hose, wheels that keep slipping, a full debris bag, or even strong water flows from other pressure return line nozzles.
If the feed hose is getting all twisted up, then it is probably too long. Another reason for entanglements could be that one of the wheels is not turning together with the other wheels. Moreover, too much pressure might also cause the automatic pool cleaner to race around the pool, chasing its own tail and tying itself up in knots.
The last point to remember is that pool hoses can develop a physical memory, if it has been stored for a long time. The solution is to lay the hoses in straight lines out in the sun to warm up and release all that coiled tension. However, some hose sections might be so bad that it needs to be replaced.
Why is my suction pool cleaner skulking in the corner of the pool?
That creeping, crawling idiot is probably trying to shirk its duty of cleaning the swimming pool! Of course, there might be other reasons why it is not working.
A loss of suction power is the first thing to consider. If the pool filter is clean, and the pool pump runs normally, then the problem might be a poor connection. Make sure that the pool cleaner hose is connected securely to the skimmer, or the dedicated vacuum line. In addition, inspect the hoses for any signs of a serious air leak. Likewise, the skimmer might also be suffering a blockage. Therefore, check and clean all the filters, pipes and pool cleaner heads.
Besides an air leak, an obstruction in the hoses or the vacuum intake of the pool cleaner head can also cause it to stop working. Inspect the flapper, or diaphragm, for sticks and stones that might stop it in its tracks.
A slow and sulking suction pool cleaner might be experiencing a clogged pool filter or an obstruction blocking its vacuum intake opening.
Suction problems can also be the result of the main drain or secondary skimmer drawing too much vacuum power away from the suction pool cleaner. You might have to reduce or even close down the flow from those areas to increase vacuum suction for the pool cleaner. Conversely, if the suction pool cleaner is moving too fast, then you need to open up the main drain until it operates at a slower speed.
The most common reason why a suction-side automatic pool cleaner does not clean the entire swimming pool could be that the hose is too short. The pool cleaner hose needs to be measured so that it has enough hose sections to reach the furthest point from the skimmer (or vacuum line) with about three extra feet.
Suction pool cleaners often get stuck on pool ladders. Accordingly, ladder guard rings that fit on the pool cleaner head are either included in the box, or sold separately. Alternatively, you might install a ladder guard kit on the pool ladder to prevent the suction pool cleaner from getting stuck.
Why is my automatic pool cleaner shooting for trouble?
If you are having trouble with your automatic pool cleaner, and feel like shooting it instead of troubleshooting it, then it is time to get some professional help. That is, assistance for the automatic pool cleaner, not you. Call the company that made that piece of unmentionable debris, or contact a local pool professional.
Then again, the automatic pool cleaner might simply need more tweaking or a replacement for a worn out part. Although, an old and creaky pool cleaner might need to be replaced altogether. In that case, you can read my guides for choosing the best automatic pool cleaner for either an above ground pool or an inground swimming pool.
At the end of the day, it is great to dive into or splash around in a clean swimming pool. Therefore, an automatic pool cleaner is worth the money and the troubleshooting necessary to keep it working.
Photo by Joshua Sukoff on Unsplash