Why Does My Pool Cleaner Keep Falling Over? Admittedly, you may have the best robotic cleaner in the world, but conditions have to be just right if they are to work properly. Out of the box, these machines may need a bit of setup; inside the water, certain other factors have to be met. Failure to meet them means they cannot perform optimally(or at all). If your pool cleaner flips over or does the wheelies in operation, here’s what you need to know:
The water level in the pool is probably too high. When the water level is close to the coping, the robotic pool cleaner, while working on the pool’s walls, may hit the coping and fall over. While this is not the only reason why your pool cleaner may fall off, it is the most plausible cause and is a major reason why a pool cleaner will flip.
Also, pool owners have found that air in their pool cleaning unit can cause it to do wheelies or flip over. In essence, when you take out your automatic pool cleaner, make sure to remove the air in the unit before using it. Asides from flipping your pool cleaner, trapped air may prevent the unit from functioning correctly. To remove the trapped air, hold your pool cleaner just below the water surface and shake until all the air exits as bubbles.
Why Won’t May Pool Cleaner Climb(Pool) Walls?
Most pool cleaners are programmed to clean the pool floor as well as the walls. If your unit isn’t climbing walls to clean it, check the settings.
If you have a robotic pool cleaner, the problem is likely an incorrect setting. Make sure that the unit is set on wall and floor cleaning mode. Depending on the model, you need to toggle through the cleaning options using the unit’s buttons or remote control(if applicable).
Sometimes temperature plays a critical role in your pool cleaner’s behavior. If the water is too cold, pool cleaners may find it hard to climb the walls. The water has to be over 60 F(15.5°C) for robotic pool cleaners.
Additionally, water in the unit’s handle can be a reason why a pool cleaner won’t climb the walls. If the handle is filled with water, the additional weight may be enough to pull the unit from the wall as it operates, breaking the suction. Check that the handle does not have leaks that admit water into it. If it does, you should try replacing it.
Why Is My Pool Cleaner Not Moving?
If your suction pool cleaner stops moving, inspect the cleaner hose. If it’s not firmly fixed to the suction line in the cleaner line. If, however, the cleaner hose is attached firmly, you may need to check for something else: holes/leaks In the hose.
Holes in the cleaner hose will significantly reduce the suction power of the vacuum and as such, your cleaner may stop moving. Make sure that there are no holes in the hose; replace the hose if you find one.
Additionally, suction side pool cleaners are susceptible to blockage at the ‘throat’. They are suitable for tiny particles like sand; they struggle with and get clogged by troublesome debris like leaves, twigs, etc. Check that the device is not clogged or connected improperly.
If, however, your robotic cleaner is immobile check that it is connected properly to the power outlet. If the robotic pool cleaner is moving in short, jerky strides, its belt drive may be bad. You can easily buy a replacement belt drive to replace the bad one. However, the belts may be in top condition. In that case, check that they’re not being obstructed by troublesome debris like twigs and hair.
Why Is My Pool Cleaner Moving Slowly?
For starters, there’s likely a clog somewhere; clogged pool intake, pool filter, or skimmer. A clog in any of this hardware may cause your pool cleaner to operate sluggishly, and if not addressed quickly may lead to bigger problems. To correct this problem, you need to check and clean the unit’s intake, filter, and skimmer basket – It’s better to clean all three to be on the safe side.
To clean the unit’s intake:
- Turn off the pump.
- Take the pool cleaner out of the water.
- Flip the unit over and take out any obstruction from the intake.
- Do these until there are no more obstructions in the intake hose.
Additionally, a full skinner basket may reduce the pump’s water pressure, and since your automatic pool cleaner relies on water pressure to operate, it will operate slowly. In that case, you need to clean the take-out skimmer basket and empty it. Depending on the cleaner model, the method for removing the skimmer basket varies from model to model. If you need help, please consult your user manual.
Do Robotic Pool Cleaners Pick Up Algae?
Robotic pool cleaners are great for keeping the pool clean at all times without demanding all your attention. They can systematically work to pick up a range of debris without issues – and that includes algae. Many of the models have brushing technology to help them clean your pool floor, edges, wall, and even steps. That said, robotic pool cleaners are versatile for ridding your pool of any dirt that a manual pool vacuum would – only without human supervision
A robotic cleaner model is powered by an electrical motor that is equipped with a filter canister and even a pump. Hence, they’re extremely versatile, self-contained, and don’t rely on the pool’s water pump to work. Having electrical components doesn’t make them dangerous because they’re thoroughly insulated, so you can rest assured that they’re safely cleaning your pool and picking up the algae.
To help them perform excellently, many of the robotic pool cleaner models come with smart navigation technology that enables them to move around the pool unhindered, evading obstacles as they go. They do this by learning the shape of your pool and raking the most effective routes to clean your pool. Smarter models can learn what parts receive the most dirt(hotspots) and focus more attention there; if it’s algae, they’re sure to pick it up.
What Are The Best Pool Vacuums For Algae?
Pools come in different shapes and sizes, and if you’re having algae trouble, automatic pool cleaners have stepped up to the game. Whatever kind of pool you have: above-ground or in-ground, geometric or irregular, there’s a pool cleaner for you. Here’s what we recommend:
XtremePowerUS 75037 Automatic Wall Suction Vacuum Pool Cleaner
The XtremePowerUS 75037 is an easy-to-maintain pool cleaner that is also great for ridding your pool of early algae. Like most suction side pool cleaners, It does not require electricity to operate but rather, attaches to the existing filtration system to function.
First-time setup for this model is extremely easy, so you can be off to a great start. The XtremePowerUS 75037 is also great for cleaning pools of any size and shape, making sure that every debris gets collected, and keeping your pool sparkly clean.
Pros
- Cleans every corner
- Easy maintenance
- Efficient cleaning performance
Cons
- Heavy
- Performs poorly with larger debris.
Intex 2800IE Automatic Above Ground Pool Vacuum Cleaner
The Intex 2800IE is ideal for vacuuming an above-ground pool and can keep your pool algae-free with its efficient vacuuming power. It is, however, not suitable for in-ground pools. The Venturi suction feature of this unit ensures that your pool floor is kept clean and free from algae growth. With the Intex 2800IE, you can be sure to experience problem-free pool maintenance.
Pros
- Reliable and efficient.
- Value for money.
- Clean the entire pool.
Cons
- None
Hayward Poolvergnuegen –896584000-518 Automatic 2-Wheel Suction Vacuum Pool Cleaner
The Hayward Poolvergnuegen-896584000-518 is a two-wheeled suction pool cleaner that is easy to install and use. But don’t let the hard-to-pronounce name deceive you, this pool cleaner is quick; it can clean pools in less than 10 minutes. It comes equipped with a self-adjusting turbine vane that allows it to efficiently utilize the power from the water pressure. It can easily pick up debris including algae, leaving your pool healthy and clean.
Pros
- Operates silently
- Quick Cleaning
- Durable
Cons
- Expensive
Why Is My Pool Cleaner Not Climbing Pool Walls?
Most automatic pool cleaners are designed to clean the pool floor as well as the walls. If your pool cleaner no longer climbs the walls or has trouble doing so, you may still troubleshoot by adjusting the pool cleaner’s cleaning pattern and speed. Adjusting the cleaning pattern may produce different results, but depending on what you get, you can fine-tune it until you get the settings right.
Check that there are no suction or pressure leaks in the hose connecting the cleaner. A leak may lead to a reduction in cleaning power and speed, and this is a major reason why pool cleaners don’t climb walls as they should. A healthy hose will give the pool cleaner all the traction it needs to climb the wall and vacuum efficiently. Also, make sure the hose is not blocking the cleaner’s path. Incorrectly placed hose floats can tangle the pool cleaner.
Suction Cleaner Does Not Cover The Entire Pool. Any Help?
First things first, is your hose length sufficient to take the pool cleaner around the pool? For your automatic pool cleaner to cover the entire pool, your cleaner hose must be long enough to go from the skimmer up to the farthest corner of the pool with an additional 3 feet to spare. If not, you need to add extra hose sections(just enough to spare 3 feet) to the cleaner hose length. If you add too much length, you might have to deal with another problem: hose tangling.
Additionally, you should inspect the return nets of your pool cleaner unit. If your pool cleaner’s return jet is pushing water towards the pool floor, you may need to adjust it. Ideally, the return jet should be positioned so that the unit can move in a random pattern to clean your pool. The 5 o’clock or 7 o’clock positions usually do it for most pool cleaners. If you’re confused as to the right position of the water jet, you need to consult your owner’s manual.
If your pool receives a lot of leaves due to its location, you should consider getting your hands on a leaf canister. A leaf canister is great for capturing troublesome debris like leaves so that your pool cleaner has no trouble cleaning your pool. Otherwise, consider investing in a robotic pool cleaner. They are completely self-contained and have a larger opening to pick up leaves and other debris without difficulty.
Should My Pool Cleaner Climb The Walls?
Most automatic pool cleaners have the ability to scrub your pool floor as well as the wall. And to scrub the wall, they have to climb. To do this, the develop strong suction pressure to grip the walls while using brushes or other specialized hardware to scrub and clean the walls.
However, the pool cleaner doesn’t necessarily have to climb the wall if you don’t want it to. If it comes equipped with the ability to climb walls, you can still set it up to only clean the floor. You may need to consult your owner’s manual for exact steps for your model. Originally, pool cleaners only had to climb walls because they needed to navigate around the pool. They didn’t have return jets like modern pool cleaners.
If you pool cleaning unit is climbing the wall too much, it may be because of increased suction pressure, and may be due to either of the following:
- The skirts or tire threads have worn out. Hence, the suction pressure beneath the machine is more than usual, offering too much grip.
- The pool cleaning unit may not have enough rotation. Ensure that the pool cleaner is the right size for your pool.
Final Thoughts on Why Does My Pool Cleaner Keep Falling Over?
As a pool owner, it’s important that you get your hands on a pool cleaner that can efficiently clean your pool and is easy to set up. More importantly, you want to buy a pool cleaner that spends more time cleaning than it does falling over. If you have that bit sorted out and your unit still has trouble cleaning your pool walls, refer to this article to see the reasons and possible fixes for it.
