How do I maintain my pool cleaner?

At Lighthouse we offer a repair service for Zodiac pool cleaners.

A large number of repairs that we see are not due to faulty units, but due to poor maintenance of the cleaner. 
Proper, regular cleaning can often be the difference between a large bill for parts and labour, and a functioning machine.
This fact sheet illustrates what can happen if a cleaner is not kept clean, how you can tackle this without returning it to us, and what you need to remind your customers that they should do.

1. Keep the filter basket clean!

This filter basket was in a cleaner returned to us as giving Error 3. There was nothing actually wrong with the unit, except for an inch of sludge sticking to the basket, and copious amounts of hair wrapped around the wheels and impeller. This prevents the motors from turning as quickly as they should, stopping the unit from sticking to walls and preventing it from sucking up any more dirt. 

Cleaning the basket out with a hosepipe, or under a tap, is easy. Use an old toothbrush or dish brush to give it a scrub – this gets rid of any fine debris lodged in the holes of the filter. Cleaning with vinegar once a year is a great tip.

2. Remember, cleaners are for maintaining a clean pool. 

They are not a substitute for a brush and manual clean, especially at the start of a season.

3. “My cleaner won’t climb walls!”

There’s several reasons for this. Occasionally it’s due to a genuine fault, but we have known this be due to obstructed impellers, the client leaving the unit on “floor only” cycle, and slippery walls coated with algae. Don’t forget, they often look like they are trying to climb, and don’t – the cleaner will only climb the wall once every 4 times it comes up against it.

4. Using the cleaner in a natural pool

This can often make cleaners really dirty, because natural pools do get their share of organic debris. The ultra-fine filters can’t cope and clog easily. Ask your client to consider purchasing one of the coarser filters and do a cycle or two with this in place, before switching out for a finer filter.

5. Basic maintenance is fine, but there are some things you shouldn’t do. 

Removing the impeller cover and the impeller is easy, and worth doing to remove hair tangles and debris. Changing tyres and brushes is also easy – the manual tells you how. Do NOT attempt to shorten or repair cables, plugs or motors though – these are sealed against water ingress, and disturbing the seal is likely to result in damage.

Cleaner do’s and don’ts:

• Don’t Do

• Don’t allow pets to chase or bite the cleaner and cable. Do regularly clean the cleaner

• Don’t use the cleaners in ponds. Do inspect the cable and filter basket for damage annually

• Don’t leave the cleaner in the pool all season. Lift it out of the pool at the end of a cycle. Do read the manual

• Don’t leave the cleaner in the water if you shock treat the pool Do clean the filter basket with a weak acid solution (white vinegar) annually