Roomba robot vacuums are a household name when it comes to robot vacuums. Roomba robot vacuums keep our homes clean and dust free through its vacuuming. However, one is within their rights to wonder how the Roomba handles the stairs case. So, will Roomba fall downstairs?
All robot vacuums, including the Roomba model, have built-in cliff and proximity sensors. These cliff sensors can detect steep slopes and drop-off points, preventing the robot vacuum from rolling down the stairs or off the cliff. Therefore, primarily your Roomba robot vacuum won’t fall down the stairs.
This article will discuss how Roomba handles the stairs and what you can do to ensure your robot vac doesn’t fall off the stairs. Let’s dive into it.
Will Roomba Fall Down Stairs?
Primary, the Roomba robot vacuum won’t fall off a cliff or spill down the stairs. Roomba robot vacuums are fitted with cliff sensors that detect these drop-off points and prevent them from falling. Combining the cliff sensors and mapping technology ensures that your robot vacuum is safe from falling.
The cliff and other sensors are on the bottom of the Roomba robot vacuum. Cliff sensors work by sending infrared signals to the floor and receiving back information on the perceived distance.
Once the Roomba senses a “cliff,” it backs off from that ledge. This keeps your Roomba from falling down the stairs or edge.
In the early Roomba days, cases of Roombas falling down the stairs were reported. However, that has since changed with technological advancement in the robot vacuum world.
Robot vacuums now use the start of the art sensor technology, and some models now come with a camera onboard. A Roomba can’t fall down the stairs.
With that said, you still have to take good care of your Roomba robot vacuum to keep its performance at optimal levels. It is worth noting that some users have reported their Roomba models confusing dark carpets for cliffs and causing the Roomba to be stuck on the spot.
How Do I Keep My Roomba from Falling Down Stairs?
Your level of maintenance significantly impacts how long your Roomba lasts. With proper care, the Roomba lasts long enough for you to see the value of the money spent. A Roomba falling down the stairs can damage some of the delicate parts or dismantle the Roomba if it falls from a high point. So, how do you stop Roomba from falling down the stairs?
- Frequently clean the Roomba Cliff sensors
- Replace faulty cliff and proximity sensors
- Use the virtual wall barrier
- Keep the Roomba house map updated
- Place a barrier on the staircase
Frequently Clean the Roomba Cliff Sensors
iRobot recommends cleaning your Roomba robot vacuum. With the nature of its work, dust and gunk always accumulate on its parts and require cleaning either weekly or bi-weekly.
The dust and dirt accumulation on the cliff sensors prevents them from sending and receiving back the infrared signals. Dirty cliff sensors can easily cause your Roomba to spiral down the stairs.
To clean the cliff sensors, turn the Roomba upside down; the sensors are located on the castor wheel sides and to the side of the front bumper. Use a soft dry cloth to wipe off any dirt or dust that might have accumulated on the sensors.
Frequently cleaning your Roomba vacuum saves you many troubleshooting issues and keeps the Roomba running longer. Not only should you clean the cliff sensors but also the charging contacts, brushes, and filter.
Replace Faulty Cliff and Proximity Sensors
Apart from the older Roomba models, the newer ones 600, 700, 800, 900, I, j, and s series are all fitted with cliff sensors. From time to time, one or more of your Roomba cliff sensors runs faulty. Replace the faulty sensors to keep the Roomba highly functional and extend its lifespan.
With a broken cliff sensor (s), the chances of your Roomba going over a cliff are very high. Well, unless you prefer to replace the whole thing other than one or two cheap sensors. Once you establish that your Roomba sensors are faulty, the sooner you replace them, the better.
The Roomba cliff sensors are relatively cheap and are readily available in the market. Ensure you get the right one for your Roomba model, as they aren’t all universally compatible.
Read Also: Can I use the Roomba on multiple floors?
Use a Virtual Wall Barrier
If your Roomba model lacks the cliff sensors or you need to prevent the Roomba from coming into contact with the stairs, the virtual wall is the perfect answer. The virtual wall barrier creates an invisible wall barrier preventing your robot vacuum from crossing. This keeps your Roomba cleaning within the set virtual walls.
The Roomba virtual wall works by emitting infrared signals that tell the Roomba where it can and can’t go. Through the virtual wall or halo modes, you can keep your Roomba robot vacuum away from areas you don’t want to be cleaned.
The virtual wall barrier runs on batteries providing flexibility in the places you can place it. This provides a convenient way to keep your Roomba away from the stairs and cliffs.
Keep The Roomba House Map Updated
The recent Roomba models have the latest imprint mapping technology and can easily map your whole house. Roomba robot vacs with mapping technology map out your home into different zones. You can name and create no-go zones from the map preventing your Roomba from going near the stairs.
If your Roomba is new, send it on a clean everywhere job, and it will map out the house as it cleans, and after a few runs, it provides a clear map on the iRobot app. You can now customize the map to create restricted areas.
On the other hand, if you do rearrange your floor layout, you can reset the Roomba map and train the robot vacuum again. They learn quickly; you will have a new home layout map in no time.
Place A Barrier on The Staircase
How often have you resulted to the manual way of doing things? Like Alexa completely refusing to turn on the lights for some time and having to go over the switch and turn it on manually? Manual means tend to guarantee that things will work, and so is using a physical barrier on the staircase.
You don’t necessarily need to place a big barrier; using a rug, toy, or seam binder can work the magic. However, be sure that your Roomba detects and turns away from it. Otherwise, you risk Roomba going over the barrier and tumbling down.
Using an object that your Roomba can’t over guarantees it won’t tumble. The Roomba can complete scheduled tasks while you are away from home with no risks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Roombas Go Up and Down Stairs?
Roomba vacuum cleaners can’t go up and down the stairs. The robot vacuums are fitted with cliff and proximity sensors that detect these drop-off points and keep Roomba from going over them. Roomba models cannot navigate the staircase and have to be aided up and down.
For your Roomba to clean upstairs and downstairs, you must help it over the stairs as it can ascend or descend. Once on the respective floor, send it out by pressing the “clean” button. It’s also advisable to move the Roomba along with the docking station to have a place to return home.
What Can I Use to Block Roomba?
You can use a Roomba virtual wall or a physical barrier to block off your Roomba vacuum cleaner. With the Roomba virtual wall or halo modes, you can keep your Roomba robot vacuum from crossing over to restricted areas. The Roomba virtual wall emits signals to your Roomba in the desired location.
How Do I Use Roomba with Two Floors?
Roomba’s newest models can map up to 10 different floors and store them. You take your Roomba to the new floor and start it. Starting the Roomba from a home base on the second floor ensures that the Roomba has a place to return home.
If the Roomba has never been to that floor before, it will recognize it (After all, it’s a clever device). Roomba will start mapping the new floor. Give your Roomba a couple of attempts, and it will finally have a complete map of your new floor.
You can even use your Roomba in different homes if you own more than one home. With a good setup, your Roomba will yield a good investment return.
Final Thoughts
Roomba robot vacuum will not fall down the stairs. These robot vacuum cleaners come fitted with cliff sensors that keep the Roomba from falling off a cliff or an edge. Under rare circumstances, the cliff sensors may fail or be blocked off by an accumulation of dirt and cause the Roomba to fall off the stairs.
Unfortunately, Roomba falling off the stairs isn’t covered by the Roomba limited warranty and is termed “negligence” on the user end. Therefore, you can’t use your warranty to claim a replacement if your Roomba tumbles down the stairs. Thus, ensure that you give your robot vacuum a thorough cleaning from time to time. You can also use the Roomba virtual wall to keep the Roomba away from the stairs.
