The cleaner only works if it is maintained
A full bag or canister means the cleaner is pushing water it cannot filter, and it stops picking anything up while still looking busy.
Worn tires and treads, a torn diaphragm, a kinked hose, or a hose that is the wrong length for the pool all leave whole sections of floor untouched. Suction-side cleaners also need correct valve settings; too much suction to the cleaner starves the skimmers.
When manual vacuuming is still needed
After a storm or a heavy leaf or acorn drop, when the load is more than a cleaner can process.
After a dust event, which is common here — fine silt settles as a film that a cleaner stirs up rather than collects.
During and after an algae treatment, when dead algae has to leave the pool rather than be recirculated.
On steps, benches, tanning ledges, and corners, which most cleaners cannot reach.
Any time the cleaner is down for repair or replacement.
Vacuum to waste vs vacuum to filter
Heavy loads and dead algae should be vacuumed to waste so the material leaves the pool entirely instead of loading the filter.
That lowers the water level, so it needs planning around fill water and chemistry. Vacuuming fine material to the filter simply moves your problem into the filter.
How we handle it
Weekly service includes emptying the cleaner bag or canister and confirming the cleaner is actually working the pool, plus netting and brushing every visit.
Manual vacuuming is an à la carte add-on quoted up front, because charging every pool weekly for something most pools do not need every week is not honest pricing.
