TECH TROUBLESHOOTING Suction pool cleaners

Like everything else, pool ownership involves a fair bit of tech these days, and it might not always run smoothly. There’s often a simple solution to what looks like a complex problem and that’s where we can help. Before you tear your hair out, we’ll run through some common issues, possible causes and potential fixes for pool equipment problems. This issue’s tech troubleshooting topic is… Suction Pool Cleaners.

Today’s pool cleaners are designed to offer trouble-free cleaning and maintenance of your pool. With continuing advances in technology, cleaners have become pretty smart in the last decade or so. While they still easily suck up any loose debris from the pool floor, they can now also scrub walls, floors and the waterline, manoeuvring through the pool using smart navigation. Many options also feature remote control access via a smartphone app. On occasion, your suction cleaner may not perform as expected — but the solution will often be an easy one. Here are some simple troubleshooting tips to help get things rolling — and cleaning — again.

Problem Possible cause Action

Problem Possible cause Action

No power. Plug in or turn on power.

The bearings may have seized if the pump has not been run for a month or more.

Pump won’t start up

Pump is noisy

Pump basket does not fill with water

Filter pressure rises rapidly giving a short time between cleans

Poor filtration in a salt pool

Sand is returning to pool

Poor filtration in a system that uses cartridges

Take pump to your pool shop for bearing replacement.

Thermal overload switch may have turned off and there is no water in the pump. Check the for reason for lack of water — eg, is the pool water level too low or has the pump lid O-ring perished, allowing air to enter? Wait five minutes, push the button on the pump and then turn pump on.

The impellor is jammed. Take pump to your pool shop for cleaning.

Time clock faulty. Replace.

Bearings worn. Take pump to your pool shop to replace bearings.

Pump lid O-ring is perished or lacking silicone grease. Grease or replace O-ring.

Pump basket full of leaves. Clean the pump basket.

The impellor is jammed. Take pump to your pool shop to be cleaned.

Air leak in suction line. Take pump to your pool shop for inspection and advice.

Sand or cartridge is old. Clean sand or cartridge with a proprietary brand filter cleaner. Replace sand that is more than five years old. Replace ‘feathery’ filter cartridges.

Sand or cartridge is scaled up. Clean with proprietary brand filter cleaner.

Not enough sand in filter. Replace all the sand.

Reduced water flow. Check for air leaks, clean sand with proprietary brand filter cleaner and clean baskets.

Pump running time too short. Increase running time to eight hours a day.

Air in filter. Open air release valve (if fitted) until water comes out.

Channels through sand — a sign the sand is probably more than five years old. Use filter aid or — ideally — replace sand.

Dead algae in the pool. Dead algae too fine for the sand or cartridge to filter out. Use proprietary brand clarifier or filter aid.

The filter is too small. Replace.

The skimmer basket or pump basket is full of leaves. Empty and clean.

Faulty multiport valve. Call service technician. Broken laterals in the filter. Call service technician.

The cartridge dirty, possibly coated in scale and body fats. Clean cartridge using a proprietary brand filter cleaner.

Physical damage including tears, holes or cracks. Replace the cartridge.

Cartridge has reached the end of its service life. Replace the cartridge.