Shop Vac (464-38-10) Canister Wet/Dry Vacuum

How to Identify and Fix Common Vacuum Problems ?

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If your vacuum cleaner keeps turning off, this could be due to the following reasons: Blockages – check the hose and head for any obstructions. Filter – always check your filters, if these are clogged this could be causing the vacuum cleaner to work harder and lose suction power.
Why does my Shop-Vac® wet dry vac blow dust back into my room? The dust isn`t being stopped by the filter and is being exhausted out of the blower port and back into the air. This can be caused by a hole in the filter, the filter not being properly installed, or the dust being too fine for the filter.
Check For Clogs or Blocks In The Vacuum

Check the hoses, the filters, and throughout the vacuum, and clean out any blockages or clogs. Vacuums will likely also have a recommended cooldown time to ensure that the vacuum won`t overheat. You will need to wait for that time before you turn the vacuum back on.

The most common problems found in vacuum cleaners are low suction force, excessive noise, burning smell, vacuum not turn on, and overheating. These issues can be fixed by either cleaning the device or replacing some parts of the device. At times, it is best to seek a professional to fix the cleaner effectively.
Your Filter Needs to Be Upgraded

Some of the best options include HEPA filters and reusable dry filters. If you don`t use a container or dust bag already, consider adding it to your vacuum to keep things neat and prolong your filter`s life.

But a shop vac has two holes. One hole near the top permits replacement air to enter the container. When a hose is attached to this hole, dirt and debris can be sucked into the container. Air circulates out another hole to equalize the constant airflow in the shop vac and keep the motor cooled as it`s being used.
You can use wet and dry vacuum cleaners like ordinary vacuum cleaners to remove dust or debris from floors and curtains. Some of the vacuum cleaners also come with an attachment that is suitable for hardwood floors and other kinds of materials.
A dry vacuum system does not use water to generate suction. A wet vacuum needs significant water flow to generate suction.
A wet dry vacuum cleaner has a revolving brush made of materials such as microfiber and nylon. This brush will take up any dry dirt on your floor while easily transitioning to scrubbing and mopping.
The bottom line is that Shop-Vac units shouldn`t be utilized without a filter. The vacuum will work without one, but it might not work better. Numerous other consequences might occur. You may create an even bigger mess than the one you needed to clean.
To fix a clog in the hose, feed one end into a garbage bag, and poke the other end with the back of a mop pole, until you push the clog material out into the garbage bag. To fix a clog in the vacuum, whether it is a canister or bag, use your finger to feel for a clog. Pull as much of it out as you can and discard.
If the filter bag or canister is too full, it cannot pick up any additional particles and will simply jam or the motor will overheat and shut down. So, when you suspect your unit is about 75 per cent full, empty it! Don`t wait until it`s packed to the brim, clean it out and prevent the breakdown.
The average life expectancy of a mid-range vacuum cleaner is about six years. You can fix or replace things like blocked filters, jammed brush rolls, frayed hoses, worn-out stick vac batteries and broken accessories yourself.
Typically, a vacuum leak will cause situations like hard starting, rough idle, excessive fuel consumption, and engine codes. You might even be able to hear a leak – sometimes a whooshing or whistling sound can be heard with the engine running.
Low suction or poor pick-up may be due to a clog in the vacuum cleaner. If you notice a change in the sound of the motor or a reduction in the spinning action, check for clogs. First, remove the Easy Empty dirt tank from the vacuum and discard all dirt and debris.
The air filter traps particles as the air travels through the vacuum cleaner. If the filter is clogged, the vacuum cleaner will not have proper suction. If your vacuum filter is clogged, refer to your owner`s manual for cleaning instructions.
Ninety percent of the time, that meant pushing around a wet/dry vac, also known casually as a “shop vac” (though that`s also a brand name).
You`ll need it—the filter prevents dust from blowing out of the top while you`re cleaning. For wet surfaces, however, you`ll need to remove the filter entirely. Liquids will damage filters, and you could even potentially ruin your vacuum if you suck up water before removing the filter.
They`re mostly not rated for continuous use, unlike full HVLP dust extraction systems so expect to see limited motor lifetime when run for many hours continuously.
We think you should get at least four years of normal use from a stick vac (using it twice a week) before its battery capacity falls below 65% to 70%. If you don`t, contact the retailer and ask for a fix. However, you shouldn`t expect to get a whole new vac.
But because of their high-powered motors and increased suction capabilities, shop vacs use a lot of power, so the run time on the battery is limited, with some heavy-duty models maxing out at around 30 minutes.
Mops are Dirty

A wet vacuum, on the other hand, actually removes 99% of soils, leaving the floor clean and free from the risk of cross contamination. The technology even does a superior job of cleaning all kinds of hard floors including uneven surfaces and grout lines between tiles.

usually it means it has overheated and the thermal override switch has activated. Why would a vacuum cleaner overheat? There are two reasons.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

I have a 5.5 hp craftsman 20 litre wet Dry vacum . I have lost the manual. & have 2 questions 1) how do I change to wet vacum from dry? Also could i use the wet mode with some water in it and let it run while I am sanding dry wall to catch the dust in the water in the container? Thanks
ANSWER : # 1 myou just take the bag out make sure ytou sponge filter is in place athe top and turn it on the power switch just turns on ,machine ther is no wet dry switch just an empty bagless cannister is all you need make sure the ball outlet in vacumn is working it stops water from overfilling cannister # 2 just use the proper bag and attachment to vacumn up the drywall dust a good building supply store has special sanding attachments for vacumn so you can sand and vacumn at the same time

Hoover u5781-900, motor shuts off (intermittent)when you shake vac or make jerky movements.If you move vac to up right position the vac starts right up.When you giggle vac, motor starts and stops no mater if you just started up or vac for ran for 45 min. Thanks Lucy C.
ANSWER : Lucy
.you have a bad connection somewhere in the unit
.this is a fire hazard and you should not use this until its been fixed
.could be a pinched wire or broken connections

Shop vacuum float rises to shut off vaccuum immediately when turned on. Is using foam filter covered by Shop vac paper filter. Vac is shopvac 86L450

Filters have been clogged with wet cat litter and now the vac will turn on but shuts off and wont cont to vaccume. can we clean/rinse the filter out. filter light has come on and then turns off once the vac shuts down.. thanks
ANSWER : Using a vacuum cleaner for wet cat litter??? Not a good idea at the best of times! The machine’s cutting out because it’s overheating. You don’t tell us the make or model of your machine – some filters are washable, many are not. Your user manual should tell you. As a general rule, cloth- or sponge-type filters are probably washable, paper ones are not. If you do wash the filter, give it at least 24 hours in a warm place to dry thoroughly before re-using.

I do not have my users manual and have never vacuumed wet with this vacuum. How do I change it from a dry to wet vacuum.
Can’t find my manual and I need to use the shop vac for water in basement, do I have to change the filter or what
lost my user manual never used it to pick up water. need to know how to puit it in wet mode i want to clean the dirty water out of my pool.
ANSWER : .Vacuuming Liquids
.1. When picking up small amounts of liquid
.the filter may be left in place.
.2. When picking up large amounts of liquid
.we recommend that the filter be
.removed. If the filter is not removed, it
.will become saturated and misting
.may appear in the exhaust.
.3. After using the vac to pick up liquids,
.the filter must be dried to reduce the
.risk of possible mildew and damage to
.the filter.
.4. When the liquid in the drum reaches a
.predetermined level, the float mechanism
.will rise automatically to cut off
.airflow. When this happens, turn off
.the vac, unplug the power cord, and
.empty the drum. You will know that the
.float has risen because vac airflow
.ceases and the motor noise will
.become higher in pitch, due to
.increased motor speed.
.IMPORTANT: To reduce the risk of damage
.to the vac do not run motor with float
.in raised position

I borrowed a Shop Vac Ultra plus wet dry vacuum to use as a dry vacuum. It needs emptying. How do I open it, and clean the filter? Thanks
ANSWER : WHEN IT FULL U WILL KNOW WHEN IT CAN **** UP ANY THING CLEAN ALEAST EVERY TWO WEEK

My oreck rinse-o-matic vac keep shutting off while i’m cleaning. I cleaned the water out and added new, I checked to see if anything was jammed up at bottom. It keep shutting off??
ANSWER : I had the same problem…kept pushing the reset button on the plug, but continued to shut off. Took it to my local electrician, who removed the plug w/reset and replaced it with a regular plug…works fine now. Must’ve been a short in the reset part…sometimes simpler is better! Cost me $7.00, lots cheaper than a new machine or the $100 repaire quote from oreck!

Power nozzle not working on my vac but does on another vac
ANSWER : If pushing the reset button doesn’t help try having your local Aerus dealer check out the 2 prongs in the power head where it all connects. Sometimes they go bad.