Your pool cleaner is floating due to trapped air, worn parts, or incorrect settings.
It is one of the most annoying sights for any pool owner. You look out at your beautiful pool, expecting to see your automatic cleaner diligently scrubbing away. Instead, it’s bobbing at the surface like a lost toy. This headache of a problem stops your cleaning routine cold. You’re left wondering why pool cleaner floating is happening to you. Don’t worry, you are not alone. This is a very common issue with a few simple causes.
The Usual Suspects: Why Your Cleaner Has Become a Floater
Before you can fix the problem, you need to understand the cause. Automatic pool cleaners are designed to be slightly heavier than water. This allows them to sink and grip the pool surfaces. When that balance is thrown off, they float. Here are the most common reasons this happens.
Trapped Air: The Number One Culprit
The Problem: By far, the most frequent reason a pool cleaner floats is because of trapped air. This can be air inside the cleaner’s body or, more often, in its hose. Air is much less dense than water, so even a small amount can make your cleaner buoyant and lift it off the floor.
Why It’s a Problem: Air acts like a life preserver for your cleaner. It counteracts the machine’s weight, preventing it from sinking. For suction-side cleaners, air in the hose also kills the suction needed to move and clean. You must get all the air out for it to work right.
How to Fix Trapped Air: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Turn Off the Pump: Always start by turning off your pool pump at the breaker. This stops the suction and water flow.
- Disconnect the Hose: Detach the cleaner’s hose from the skimmer or dedicated suction port.
- Submerge the Cleaner Head: Hold the cleaner itself underwater until you no longer see air bubbles escaping from the unit.
- Purge the Hose: This is the key step. Hold one end of the hose and slowly feed it vertically down into the water, section by section. This forces the air out of the other end. You will see bubbles rising to the surface.
- Confirm It’s Full: Once the entire hose is submerged, you should see water coming out of the end in your hand. This confirms all the air is gone.
- Reconnect Carefully: Keeping the hose end underwater to prevent air from getting back in, quickly and securely reconnect it to the skimmer port.
- Turn the Pump Back On: Power up your system. The cleaner should sink to the bottom and start its cycle.
Pro Tip: A popular trick is to hold the end of the hose up to one of your pool’s return jets. The jet of water will blast through the hose, pushing all the air out in seconds. Then you can quickly connect it to the skimmer.
Worn-Out Parts: When Age Catches Up
The Problem: Parts like tires, tracks, and feet on your cleaner wear down over time. These components are not just for movement; they also provide grip and contribute to the cleaner’s overall weight and balance.
Why It’s a Problem: As these parts wear out, the cleaner loses its ability to hug the pool walls and floor. Worn tracks can make a robotic cleaner struggle to climb. On some models, specific floats or weights can become damaged or waterlogged, completely changing the unit’s buoyancy. For example, a cracked head float on a Polaris cleaner can fill with water, making it heavy and unbalanced.
Troubleshooting Worn Parts
You need to play detective. Take the cleaner out of the pool and give it a thorough inspection.
- Tires and Treads: Look for smooth, bald spots. If the treads are gone, it’s time for a replacement.
- Foot Pads: On suction cleaners, these pads create the seal. If they are curled, stiff, or worn thin, they won’t work correctly.
- Floats and Weights: Check any external floats for cracks. Shake them. If you hear water inside, the float is bad and must be replaced. Ensure all hose weights are in the correct position according to your owner’s manual.
- Internal Components: For robotic cleaners, check the brushes and tracks for wear and tear.
Incorrect Water Flow or Pressure
The Problem: Your pool cleaner operates within a specific range of water flow. Too much or too little can cause problems. This is especially true for pressure-side and suction-side cleaners.
Why It’s a Problem:
- Too Much Pressure: For a pressure-side cleaner like a Polaris, excessive pressure from the booster pump can act like a jet, lifting the cleaner off the floor. It might look like it’s “wheelie-ing” or flying around the pool.
- Too Little Suction: For a suction-side cleaner, not enough suction means it can’t grip the floor. A dirty filter, clogged pump basket, or an air leak in the plumbing can reduce suction.
Adjusting and Checking Flow
Here is a simple table to guide you on what to check based on your issue.
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaner is “flying” or lifting off the floor | Water pressure is too high | Check the pressure relief valve at the wall fitting; it might be spraying water, indicating excess pressure. Adjust the valve settings. |
| Cleaner is slow or won’t stick to the floor | Water suction is too low | Clean your skimmer basket, pump basket, and main pool filter. Check for air leaks in the pump lid or plumbing. |
| Robotic cleaner isn’t climbing walls | Clogged filter or slippery walls | Thoroughly clean the robot’s internal filter basket. Test your pool water chemistry; algae can make walls too slick to grip. |
Troubleshooting Specific Cleaner Types
While the main causes are universal, different types of cleaners have their own unique quirks. Let’s break down the investigation by cleaner type.
Suction-Side Cleaner Floating Issues
These are the cleaners that plug into your skimmer. Their movement is powered by your main pool pump.
- Hose Weights: These cleaners use small weights that clip onto the hose. Their job is to keep the hose from floating and pulling the cleaner up. If they are missing or in the wrong spot, the cleaner will float. Check your manual for proper placement.
- Hose Length: The hose should be long enough to reach the furthest point of your pool, plus one extra section. A hose that is too long can get tangled, while one that is too short will pull the cleaner up when it reaches its limit.
- Air Leaks: A tiny split in a hose section or a bad connection between sections can introduce air into the line, causing floating and loss of motion. Inspect each hose section carefully.
Pressure-Side Cleaner Floating Problems
These cleaners, like the popular Polaris models, are powered by water being pushed to them, often from a separate booster pump.
- Backup Valve: This device on the main hose periodically sprays a jet of water to pull the cleaner out of corners. If it’s stuck in the “on” position, it can disrupt the cleaner’s balance and cause it to float or move erratically.
- Head Float: As mentioned earlier, this is a critical part. If the main float on the cleaner’s body gets cracked and fills with water, the cleaner will become unbalanced and won’t operate correctly.
- Air in the Line: Air can get into the pressure line from a leak on the suction side of the booster pump. If you see bubbles coming from the wall fitting where the cleaner plugs in, you have an air leak that needs to be fixed.
Robotic Cleaner Floating Nightmares
Robotic cleaners are self-contained units with their own motors and filters. They are less prone to floating, but it can still happen.
- Dirty Filter Canister: The most common cause for a robotic cleaner floating is a full or dirty filter. When the filter is clogged, water can’t flow through it properly. This can create an air pocket or disrupt the flow needed to keep it down.
- Trapped Air: Even robots need to be submerged correctly. When you place it in the pool, hold it underwater and gently rock it back and forth until all the air bubbles stop escaping.
- Jammed Propeller/Impeller: Debris like leaves or hair can get wrapped around the impeller. This can stop the flow of water that helps hold the unit down, causing it to become buoyant.
The Final Verdict: Is Your Pool Cleaner Broken?
So, is your floating cleaner a sign of a major failure? In most cases, the answer is a big, satisfying NO. A floating pool cleaner is rarely a sign that the unit is broken beyond repair. It is almost always a symptom of a simple, fixable issue.
Think of it as your cleaner’s way of telling you something is wrong with its environment. It’s a maintenance alert. The problem is usually one of three things: air in the system, a simple worn-out part, or an incorrect setting. By following the diagnostic steps we’ve covered, you can solve the mystery and perform the fix yourself in just a few minutes.
Conclusion: Keeping Your Cleaner on the Bottom Line
A floating pool cleaner is a frustrating but fixable problem. Don’t immediately assume you need an expensive repair or a brand-new machine. Start with the simplest solution first. The number one cause is always air in the hose or the unit itself. Learning how to properly submerge your cleaner and purge the air from its lines will solve the issue nine times out of ten.
If that doesn’t work, move on to a physical inspection. Look for worn tires, cracked floats, or clogged filters. Finally, check your water flow and pressure. By understanding why pool cleaner floating happens, you can quickly diagnose the cause and get your trusty cleaning companion back to scrubbing the pool floor, leaving you with more time to actually enjoy your sparkling clean pool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my pool cleaner float after I clean the filter?
This almost always means you introduced air into the lines when you reconnected everything. Turn the pump off and go through the process of purging the air from the cleaner hose by feeding it vertically into the water before reconnecting it to the skimmer.
Can a full pump basket make my cleaner float?
Yes, indirectly. A full or clogged pump basket restricts water flow. For a suction-side cleaner, this reduction in flow can be enough to make it lose its grip on the pool floor, causing it to float or move very slowly.
How do I get air out of my pool cleaner hose?
The best way is to submerge the cleaner head first. Then, hold one end of the hose and slowly push the rest of it straight down into the water, one section at a time. This forces all the air out of the far end. You can also hold the end of the hose against a return jet to use water pressure to blow the air out quickly.
Are pool cleaner hose weights important?
Yes, they are very important for suction-side cleaners. These weights counteract the buoyancy of the hose itself, ensuring it stays submerged and doesn’t lift the cleaner off the floor. If they are missing or incorrectly spaced, it can cause floating issues.
My robotic cleaner floats and sometimes flips over. What’s wrong?
First, check that its filter basket is completely clean, as a clogged filter is a common cause of floating. Second, make sure you are submerging it correctly and letting all the air escape before starting a cycle. If the problem continues, inspect the brushes and tracks for wear, as worn parts can affect its balance and grip.
Does the water level in my pool affect the cleaner?
Yes. If the water level is too low, the skimmer can suck in air. This air then travels down the cleaner hose, making your suction cleaner float. Always ensure your water level is at least halfway up the skimmer opening.
How often should I replace my cleaner’s tires or feet?
This depends on your pool surface and how often you run the cleaner. On a plaster or pebble pool, you might replace them every one to two years. On a smooth vinyl liner, they can last much longer. A good rule of thumb is to inspect them at the beginning of each pool season for visible wear.
What is the right way to store a pool cleaner?
You should not store your cleaner in the pool, especially during heavy chemical treatments or shocking. When you take it out, rinse it with fresh water and store it out of direct sunlight. For suction cleaners, it’s a good idea to disconnect the hose sections to prevent them from developing a permanent coil shape.