Because of the individual characteristics of your pool, some additional adjustments may be required to get the best performance from your Kreepy Krauly pool cleaner.

If there seems to be a problem, check these common causes of pool cleaner problems. If you still need help, call your pool professional or call the Pentair toll-free Customer Helpline at 1-800-831-7611. You can also call us, at 800-288-7946, and speak with an In The Swim pool tech about your cleaner.

• Is the pool drain closed? Close drain.
• Is pool filter clean? Clean filter.
• Is pump strainer basket clean? Clean basket.
• Is debris blocking the bottom of the cleaner? Remove debris.
• Are there any air leaks in the hose? Replace leaky section.
• Is skimmer connector clogged? Clean regulator valve.

If Kreepy Krauly is not moving or not pulsating.

• Check that the main drain and all suction lines are closed, except for the suction line to which Kreepy Krauly is attached (usually a skimmer).
• Check for debris in the filter or [pump basket].
• Check for debris in Kreepy Krauly flapper. Debris may prevent flapper movement.
• Pool pump and filter system may be too small (incapable of providing enough water flow).
• Check that pool pump is not on low speed.

• Check the return line water flow and re-direct as necessary with an eyeball diverter.
• Check that hose is long enough to reach to end of pool.
• Check that Kreepy Krauly has proper hose balance.

• Check to ensure that main drain is closed.
• Check to ensure that a main drain grate is installed, or switch to a safety drain cover.
• If main drain is not flush with the pool floor, causing Kreepy to get stuck, use a drain cover such as the Polaris Unicover.

Find and correct the air leak that is causing the pump to draw air:

• Check the hose to ensure there are no leaks in the hose, or between hose sections.
• Check the water level in the pool; to be sure it is at mid-level of the skimmer opening.
• Check the Kreepy connection. It should be submerged so no air enters the system.
• Check the pump basket lid and drain plugs for looseness and worn or missing o-rings.
• Seal up the pipe coming into the pump with pool putty or silicone, or replace fitting.

In most pools, the automatic regulator valve supplies Kreepy Krauly with the proper amount of water flow. However, if used with an especially powerful pool pump, the valve can be overpowered.

The easiest way to reduce the power of the Kreepy is to open up the other suction lines, such as other skimmers or the main drain valve fully. If that doesn’t slow down the Kreepy cleaner enough, you can adjust the regulator valve.

• To decrease the speed of Kreepy Krauly, open up the manual bypass fully, on the bottom of the regulator valve.
• The regulator valve fits in between the skimmer and the Kreepy hose. Press it into the threaded compression adapter. The end of the valve that is marked Attach Hose, this end must point up.
• Place Kreepy Krauly into the pool and allow it to sink to the floor. Continue to feed the hose down vertically into the pool until it is completely filled with water and purged of air. Insert the hose through the skimmer opening and push it onto the automatic regulator valve, slide the hose protector into position on the hose to prevent the hose body from rubbing against the skimmer opening.
• Adjust the manual bypass on the regulator valve while the Kreepy Krauly is running by turning the bypass adjuster one click at a time until the desired speed is reached.

• Check to ensure the dive float mechanism is operating freely and the dive float restrictor is installed.
• Check the automatic regulator valve (shown here) for proper installation and ensure it is not clogged with debris.
• Make sure the water level is at the proper level, not too high or too low.
• Check to ensure your Kreepy Krauly is operating at the proper speed of between 8 and 12 feet per minute.

• Check the return line water flow and re-direct as necessary with an eyeball diverter.
• Check the automatic regulator valve for proper installation and ensure it is not clogged with debris.
• Check that hose is long enough to reach the furthest point of the pool, including pool steps.
• Check that Kreepy Krauly has proper hose balance in shallow end.
• Check to ensure your Kreepy Krauly is operating at the proper speed of between 8 and 12 feet of travel per minute.
• Check to ensure the dive float mechanism is operating freely and the dive float restrictor (Part # K12164) is installed.
• Shorten the roller bumper strap by 1/2 inch. (Pull out upper end of bumper strap from locking end clip attached to swivel head. Cut 1/2 inch off, then return bumper strap into locking end clip.)

• Check the swivel on the top of Kreepy Krauly. It should turn freely.
• Check the return line water flow and re-direct as necessary with an eyeball diverter. Aim the eyeballs down, right or left.
• Check Kreepy Krauly hose to ensure it has not become bent or kinked. It only takes one bent or kinked hose section to hinder the cleaning coverage. One way to check for kinks in your hose is to lay each section flat on your pool deck.
• The hose should be perfectly straight and flat. Do not coil the hose when taking your Kreepy Krauly out of the pool because it will retain the coil shape, forming a bend or kink.
• Adjusting the hose weight location will have an effect.

Remove dive float restrictor and install a wall climb adjuster (Part # K12065. Snap the wall climb adjuster into place to keep Kreepy Krauly on the pool's floor and away from pool obstructions. Make sure the narrow end of the wall climb adjuster points down to the drive tubes.

If Kreepy Krauly gets stuck under your pool ladder, install a Ladder Guard (Part # K12330) according to the instructions contained in the packaging. Polaris also makes a ladder guard kit that can be used on ladders or step rails.

Adjustments to speed or direction of the Kreepy can also sometimes stop it from getting stuck on a step or ladder. Removing the obstacle or shortening the hose can be used as a last resort.

Bumps on the pool floor, for sand bottom liner pools, or uneven plaster floors, are usually not a problem, but a low spot of a particular size and depth can trap a Kreepy moving at a particular speed and in a particular direction. If your cleaner is getting stuck in a low spot area, try increasing speed or altering the Kreepy direction of travel (see above), or adjusting the hose weight.

• Rough treatment can break a Kreepy Krauly, but all in all it’s a surprisingly resilient cleaner. Most commonly, it will just require a reattachment of the roller strap (Part # K12161) or the dive float (Part # K12157), or the seal or the flapper may have come loose.
• The swivel cone and bearing, (Part # K12156C) or the drive tube (Part # K12163) can become cracked, but they are easily sourced and replaced if needed. Small cracks can sometimes be repaired with superglue.

• Dogs love to chase pool cleaners, and snip at them as they move around the pool, but most won’t actually bite the cleaner hose. If your dog chewed through a hose section or two, it’s best to replace them with part K21220, the light blue Kreepy hose.
• You can make a temporary repair with duct tape until your Kreepy parts arrive.

• Sometimes debris may clog the bottom of the cleaner and prevent flapper movement or restrict flow. The flapper is part of the main body and must move freely at all times.
• You can see the flapper through the opening in the baffle plate, when you turn the cleaner upside down. Jiggle the flapper with your finger or flush the cavity with a hose to force out any debris lodged inside the main body.
• If debris is lodged inside, you can remove the flapper. First, lift the lip of the footpad and insert a flat-head screwdriver along one side of the two tabs found on the baffle plate. Push the tab inward with the screwdriver until the baffle plate releases. Place a finger into the center opening of the baffle plate and pull up until it pops out. Then pull the flapper out. NOTE: You should be able to do this without taking the footpad off.
• Once the debris is dislodges, insert the flapper back into position. Be sure that it snaps securely in place, and ‘flaps’ properly to both sides. Be careful with the Flapper, as it is not sold separately, but is only available as part of the Main Body Kit.

• When either the footpad or seal become excessively worn or torn, you will need to replace them to protect the cleaner (and your pool) from wear and tear.
• To remove an old Kreepy seal (the large disk that contacts the pool), gently tug at one side, to stretch it over the footpad. Continue pulling around the edge until it comes off.
• To install the new Kreepy seal, work it around the footpad, until it pops into the groove above the footpad. NOTE: Don’t remove the footpad first, keep it in place. Face the side up which says TOP.
• You can make a Kreepy Seal stretch more easily if it’s warmed with hot water in a sink for a few minutes. Or, place it in the footwell of your pool truck, and blast the heater!

Kreepy Krauly Classic Parts
Older Kreepy Krauly Parts
Really Old Kreepy Krauly Parts
Kreepy Krauly Hose Parts
Kreepy Seals, Star, Flower, Pleated
Polaris Unicover Main Drain Cover
Polaris Ladder Guard Set - item G-21