Trouble-shooting Your Automatic Pool Cleaner

When it comes time to open pools in the spring, we get lots of calls from customers saying that their automatic pool cleaner is not working properly.  More often than not, the cleaner seems to get stuck in a pattern where it only cleans part of the pool.  Here’s a helpful hint: when you store you cleaner for the winter, don’t roll up the hoses if you can avoid it.  If the hose is actually a series of small hoses that slide together, separate them and keep them straight.  If you have a single hose, try and avoid rolling it up.  If you have to, unroll it in the spring and let the sun warm it before rolling it back up the opposite way.  Pool hoses are a lot like your garden hose-they develop memories and if they aren’t given a case of pool amnesia, they won’t let the cleaner go everywhere.  Cold water contributes to the stiffness so the cleaner always works a little less than perfect in cold water.  Lastly, remember that an automatic cleaner is designed to keep a clean pool clean, not to clean a filthy pool.  If you had a cover disaster and your pool is loaded with debris, vac it out by hand first.  It will extend the life of your automatic cleaner and in the long run, your pool will get straightened out quicker and with less hassle. -Stacey