Pool cleaners are a great time-saving device and help keep your swimming pool sparkling clean. Suction pool cleaners simply connect to the pool pump and don’t require any power to clean the pool. However, you have to know how to maintain your suction pool cleaner for it to continue working effectively.
I recommend the use of a suction pool cleaner because they are inexpensive, easy to use and clean the pool reasonably well. However, you must take the time to learn how to maintain your suction pool cleaner to give you trouble-free cleaning.
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How Do Suction Pool Cleaners Work?
Suction swimming pool cleaners work using the suction pressure generated from the pump motor. The pump draws water from the pool’s skimmer box and passes it through the filter cleaning the water before returning it the pool. A suction cleaner attaches to the filtration system through the skimmer box in the same way as manually vacuuming a pool.
The pressure created by the pump forces water through the suction cleaner head to drive the cleaner around the bottom of the pool. The water pressure causes a rubber diaphragm valve to open and close making the cleaner jump forwards while sucking up water and debris. The cleaner moves randomly around the pool eventually covering every part of the pool surface including up the walls.
What is the difference between a suction and pressure pool cleaner?
Both types of cleaners work in a similar way using the pump pressure to drive the cleaner around the pool. A suction cleaner simply sucks the dirt and debris off the bottom up the vacuum hose and into the filter. The filter will become dirty and will require cleaning.
A pressure cleaner collects the dirt and debris and stores it in a bag. This type of cleaner creates less work for you as you won’t have to clean the filter as often.
How to Use a Suction Pool Cleaner
Suction pool cleaners are a popular pool accessory because they are very easy to use. Purchase your pool cleaner online and it arrives at your residence within a few days. Open the box and assemble the cleaner according to the assembly instructions.
- Attach the suction cleaner to one end of the pool vacuum hose.
- Lower the cleaner to the bottom of the pool.
- Remove the air in the vacuum hose. Push the hose underwater to expel all the air from the hose. Some people prefer to push the hose up to the outlet jet and let the water flow push out the air.
- Ensure the hose is completely full of water with no air pockets.
- Attach the vacuum plate into the skimmer box over the skimmer basket.
A vacuum skimmer plate allows you to connect your vacuum hose to the skimmer box for cleaning. The vacuum plate fits into the skimmer box creating a seal over the skimmer basket. The vacuum hose attaches to the top of the vacuum plate. When you vacuum the pool the water passes through the skimmer box and basket trapping larger debris in the skimmer basket. This prevents large items of debris entering the pump and filter.
- Connect the other end of the vacuum hose to the top of the vacuum plate in the skimmer box.
- Turn on the pump motor.
- The suction cleaner will move around the pool removing dirt and debris.
- Leave the pump running for at least 1 to 2 hours so the cleaner covers the whole pool.
- Afterwards, maintain your suction pool cleaner buy washing in fresh water and storing away out of the sun.
When to Use a Suction Pool Cleaner
Is it OK to run a pool pump 24 hours a day?
You can run the pool pump 24 hours a day if you want to but that’s really unnecessary to maintain a sparkling clean pool. It’s like leaving a light on 24 hours when you don’t need it on during the day time.
You need to run the pump long enough each day to filter all the pool water. Most pumps will turn over all the water in your pool in 8 hours.
How many hours a day should I run my pool pump?
Run your swimming pool pump for 8 hours per day to completely turn over the water in the pool through the filter. When your pump motor was installed it was selected to completely filter the capacity of your pool in around 8 hours. It’s important to clean all the pool water each day to prevent algae, bacteria and other contaminants from taking up residence in your pool. The pump running time can be split into two or three different times. For example, run the pump for 4 hours during the day and 4 hours at night.
Read our article on how many hours to run the pool pump
Should you leave the pool cleaner in the pool?
The best way to use a pool cleaner is to place it in the pool early morning. Run the pump for two hours. Then remove and store the cleaner. The pool is now ready for the day.
However, many people leave their suction pool cleaner in the pool all day. When the pump comes on automatically the pool cleaner will clean the pool. This is fine while the pool is not in use. When people want to use the pool remove the cleaner.
When you leave a cleaner in the pool 24/7 the cleaner will wear out much sooner. The cleaner will be over used. There is no need to suction clean a swimming pool 3 times a day. Also, the cleaner is subject to pool chemicals which will eventually wear down the plastic and rubber components.
If you don’t want to maintain your suction pool cleaner only use the cleaner a few times a week and remove it from the pool after use. Always rinse the cleaner in fresh water to remove chemicals and store out of the sun.
How often should you vacuum your pool?
I recommend to manually vacuum a pool once a week. If you have an automatic pool cleaner then you should put the cleaner in the pool at least 2 or 3 times a week for at least 2 or 3 hours each time.
After a storm or a windy day there can be a lot of dirt and dust blown into the pool. When the dirt has sunk to the bottom I recommend to vacuum it or use a suction cleaner to remove it as soon as possible. When the pool is really dirty it’s better to vacuum to the waste drain so you don’t have to clean the filter afterwards. However, you will have to add some more water to the pool to correct the water level.
How to Maintain Your Suction Pool Cleaner
Suction pool cleaners are simple devices and usually require little maintenance. The most common issue with this type of cleaner is the diaphragm becomes worn out or torn. The diaphragm is a piece of hard rubber or silicone that sits inside the cleaner unit. It’s the mechanism that opens and closes to allow the cleaner to move around the pool when attached to the vacuum hose. Purchase a replacement diaphragm online for most suction pool cleaner models.
Suction Pool Cleaner Moves Too Slow
When the cleaner is moving too slowly or not moving at all check the following:
- no air pockets in the hose
- hose connections are not leaking
- vacuum hose has no splits or leaks
- filter pressure is low
- filter is clean & water is flowing
- skimmer basket is clean
- diaphragm inside the pool cleaner is not torn or stretched
Suction Cleaner Moves Too Fast
This is usually not a problem with suction cleaners. After you clean the filter the cleaner will move faster because the water flow rate is higher.
Some suction cleaners have a speed control that you can adjust to alter the water flow through the cleaner.
Suction Cleaner Floats above the Bottom
This would be caused by the cleaner containing an air bubble or the hose weight needs to move closer to the pool cleaner. If the hose is too short it can also cause the cleaner to not reach the far end of the pool and float above the bottom.
Cleaner Not Covering the Whole Pool
When a cleaner is not cleaning the whole pool it’s usually due to the vacuum hose being too short. Add an additional length or two to the hose and check if that solved the problem.
Sometimes the vacuum hose is too long so remove a section or two and check if that solves the issue.
Cleaner Does Not Climb the Walls
The suction cleaner comes with a float on the vacuum hose that is adjustable. Alter the float distance away from the pool cleaner until the cleaner is able to scale the walls. Usually the float is about 50 to 60 cm (20 to 24 inches) from the cleaner.
The hose length may also be too short. Try adding an extra section to the length of the hose.
Cleaner Moves Around but Fails to Clean
When the cleaner is moving around it is getting adequate vacuum pressure from the pump. Check the following:
- suction diaphragm inside the pool cleaner is not torn or stretched
- vacuum hose is not leaking
- there is no damage or wear to the cleaner’s suction head
- there is no damage or wear to the brushes
- vacuum hose is collapsing and needs replacement
Suction Cleaner Fills with Leaves
The basic models of suction pool cleaners do not handle large leaves very well. They can become blocked if they suck up to many leaves.
There are some models of suction cleaners that have a leaf collection container where the cleaner stores sucked up leaves.
If your pool does get many leaves consider trimming back trees and/or get a pool cover.
Pool pressure cleaners and robotic cleaners are better at handling leaves.
Suction Pool Cleaner has Lost Pressure
A cleaner losing pressure can be caused by:
- obstructions in the vacuum hose eg leaves
- a dirty filter
- low water level in the pool
- air in the filtration system
- blocked skimmer basket
- blocked pump basket
- a leak in the vacuum hose
Cleaner has Become Noisy
A noisy suction cleaner can be caused by:
- a leak in the vacuum hose
- the filter is dirty causing high pressure
- the skimmer basket is blocked
- the water level is too low causing air sucked into the skimmer plate
- suction diaphragm inside the pool cleaner is split
- obstructions in the vacuum hose eg leaves
Cleaner gets stuck
Apart from getting trapped in a corner suction cleaners very rarely get stuck in a pool. If this happens check:
- a leak in the vacuum hose
- the skimmer basket is blocked
- suction diaphragm inside the pool cleaner is split
- the filter is dirty with inadequate water flow
Conclusion
Suction Pool Cleaners are one of the most popular swimming pool accessories because most people don’t want to spend their spare time cleaning. They want to relax and enjoy their beautiful swimming pool. If you have any problem with your suction cleaner always first check the diaphragm for splits, holes or maybe it’s fallen out of position.