Vacuums
How to Identify and Fix Common Vacuum Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced Vacuum Technicians :
Vacuum cleaners are fairly simple machines. They need power to be transmitted to the vacuum to create a suction force that lifts debris. So, the usual areas that cause suction loss include the wrong height setting, stuck rollers, a faulty gasket, a broken vacuum belt, a filled bag, or a clogged hose.
All vacuum cleaners operate based on air flowing from the opening at the cleaning head or tool, through the vacuum cleaner and the bag and/or filter system and then out the exhaust port. This airflow is created by the vacuum motor, which also may be referred to as the suction motor.
We have two possible ways of adjusting the pressure in a vacuum system: first, by changing the pumping speed (altering the speed of the pump or throttling by closing a valve); second, through admission of gas (opening a valve).
The most common problem with a vacuum cleaner is also the easiest to remedy: clogs in the hose or attachments. Also the electrical cord, motor, switch, fan, brushes, and motor bearings can all need repair or replacement. The drive belt may need replacing; and the attachments, hoses, and filters may need unclogging.
Gravity and friction are the two main forces that make vacuum suction work. While gravity pulls molecules in the air toward the earth, creating an atmospheric pressure, the suction cup and vacuum pump cause a pressure difference, attaching both surfaces.
The suction power is to be measured at the end of the tube of a complete vacuum cleaner (i.e. with tube, hose and filters – but without nozzle). Some manufacturers show the results from measurements made at the suction of the actual vacuum cleaner.
The Suction Control Valve or SCV is responsible for the control of fuel pressure inside common rail engines. It allows only the required amount of fuel to be pumped through the system.
Suction is the air pressure differential between areas. Removing air from a space results in a pressure differential. Suction pressure is therefore limited by external air pressure. Even a perfect vacuum cannot suck with more pressure than is available in the surrounding environment.
The most common cause of vacuum pump failure occurs due to broken belts, electrical problems inside the unit, or vacuum hoses that fail.
Improper inlet conditions are one of the most common reason pumps fail to produce their expect pressure. Inlet issues may also cause ongoing reliability problems. One culprit is air entrainment or lack of prime. It is important to make sure that system is designed so that liquid floods the pump to prime it.
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.
Although you should leave some vacuum pump repair to an expert, there are things you can do to diagnose and fix faults in the equipment. A vacuum pump repair facility may offer services to train you internal maintenance men to do various levels of pump repairs.
Suction pressure is the negative difference in pressure between two places that drags liquid or gas from a higher pressure state to a lower pressure state. The suctional force in plants is caused by transpiration. This force aids the plant in obtaining essential minerals from the soil.
If the filter isn`t clean, it can impact the performance of the vacuum. Dirty vacuum filters can restrict airflow so the suction won`t be as strong.
Clogs Cause Vacuum Spitting
What`s happening with your vacuum cleaner is that a clog has built up and debris being agitated by the roller is spitting out or stirring up dust without sucking it in.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
I purchased a brand new Eureka Pet vacuum, sorry don’t know exact name but it the one that has the self cleaning duster on it. Last night I used the vacuum on my carpet, it was working fine until I accidently sucked up the corner of a scarf that was hanging off a couch. I shut the vacuum off, pulled out the scarf and and resumed vacuuming. Much to my dismay the suction on the vacuum had ceased. Can you tell me if there is a reset button on the vacuum? The vacuum does not appear to be damage
ANSWER : If the motor is running, there should be suction. Possible problems depend on whether it’s a canister or upright and are:
.A clog in the hose, UR or canister. Detach hose. Drop small coin in one end and lift hose causing it to roll out the other. If it does, no clog in hose. Drop same coin into hose opening on power head. If it rolls out, no clog in PN.
.Broken fan blades, UR. Needs to be taken to shop for repair/replacement.
.
.A reset button is for use if the motor isn’t running, so won’t have anything to do with the suction.
.A clog in the hose, UR or canister. Detach hose. Drop small coin in one end and lift hose causing it to roll out the other. If it does, no clog in hose. Drop same coin into hose opening on power head. If it rolls out, no clog in PN.
.Broken fan blades, UR. Needs to be taken to shop for repair/replacement.
.
.A reset button is for use if the motor isn’t running, so won’t have anything to do with the suction.
Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums
Dirt devil vacuum cleaner–trouble vacuuming dirt and pet hair on carpeting –is the problem with the spinning brush which contacts the floor, not contacting the carpeting?? I thought (when I bought this vacuum) that the aforementioned brush was adjustable to various heights of carpeting. Sometimes, it seems like nothing is being vacuumed up –unless I have just put a new bag on the vacuum… Do I need or can I replace the spinning brush on the bottom of the vacuum so it kicks up and vacuums
ANSWER : Try replacing the belt. Rubber belts stretch out after about a year.
Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums
Need Kirby Generation 3 Vacuum cleaner manual. Vacuum is not picking up dirt from floor. Seems to have enough suction to inflate the bag, but when you check the suction under the vacuum, there seems to be extremely litle suction.
ANSWER : If your brush roll is turning and your bag is not overly full, then the only other thing it can be is a clog where the bag connects to the vacuum. Turn the plastic part out away from vacuum and lift off to see if you have something clogging it. It would have to be something big, but not so big that it could not get past the fan. As a rule of thumb, KIRBY never clogs. I suspect that your belt is stretched out and your brush roll is not turning while on the carpet so the brush roll is just in the way rather than brushing your carpet to pick up dirt.
Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums
I have an Ecectrolux Epic canister vacuum. As soon as it starts sucking, the vacuum cuts off. I put a new filter and bag in, but it doesn’t seem to help. If I open the front where the bag goes, take the bag out and depress the safety button the vacuum will run. Need some help or direction.
Thank you
Thank you
ANSWER : Try this.
.Disconnect hose. Turn machine on and place hand over intake. If it shuts off immediately, first try turning dial on top of machine so largest dot matches up with arrow. Turn on and place hand over intake again. If it still shuts off immediately, the “control valve assembly” is worn or broken and needs replaced. Don’t try this yourself.
.Take your complete machine to the nearest authorized Aerus Electrolux shop, or call and ask someone to pick it up. There’s no extra fee for this, or delivery upon repair.
.The repair/replacement should include a complete cleaning of your vacuum in the labor, but ask the service manager to be sure.
.The shop nearest you can be found by typing your zip code into the indicated space on the site listed below.
.
.http://www.aerushome.com/storelocator/
.Disconnect hose. Turn machine on and place hand over intake. If it shuts off immediately, first try turning dial on top of machine so largest dot matches up with arrow. Turn on and place hand over intake again. If it still shuts off immediately, the “control valve assembly” is worn or broken and needs replaced. Don’t try this yourself.
.Take your complete machine to the nearest authorized Aerus Electrolux shop, or call and ask someone to pick it up. There’s no extra fee for this, or delivery upon repair.
.The repair/replacement should include a complete cleaning of your vacuum in the labor, but ask the service manager to be sure.
.The shop nearest you can be found by typing your zip code into the indicated space on the site listed below.
.
.http://www.aerushome.com/storelocator/
Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums
Lost suction my DCO7 lost suction in the hose I started taking it apart and cleaning it and looking for clogs (probably more than I should have) and when I put it back together it has awesome suction in the hose but no suction in the base. It just pulls the pine needles up (christmas tree) but they never appear in the “bag” compartment and when I look they are just all gathered in a clump in the bottom by the brush.
ANSWER : Hi.
.
.Remove the sole plate turn the 3 plastic screws to unlock & lift off.
.
.Now remove the blockages that have accumilated from the oppening of short clear hose.
.Check you can turn brush roller & check belt.
.
.Now reassemble switch on pull handle back & look under machine is brush spinning ?
.
.If not check the knob on side of machine is in drive (D) position.
.
.http://dysonmanuals.llc.nu
.
.Chris..
.
.Remove the sole plate turn the 3 plastic screws to unlock & lift off.
.
.Now remove the blockages that have accumilated from the oppening of short clear hose.
.Check you can turn brush roller & check belt.
.
.Now reassemble switch on pull handle back & look under machine is brush spinning ?
.
.If not check the knob on side of machine is in drive (D) position.
.
.http://dysonmanuals.llc.nu
.
.Chris..
Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums
Suction problem I have a Hoover Widepath Fold Away, 12 amp motor vacuum cleaner and the problem I am having is every time I vacuum, the vacuum gets clogged up with carpet. I am probably only able to do one stroke then it gets clogged and I have to stop and unclog it or it spits it out on the carpet. This is very frustrating and I don’t get much vacuuming done. Please can you help me. Thank you. Gwen email is [email protected]
ANSWER : Get rid of the carpet its shredding and falling apart.no sence in vacuuming old rotten carpet.or try using a vacuum without a brush roller and just suction
Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums
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.
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
.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
Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums
No suction i have a hoover supreme wind tunnel vac and its relatively new and the suction, well……sucks. It wont pick anything up! I am extremely frustrated! I picked up a ball of fuzz off the carpet and held it under the vacuum and it still wouldn’t **** it up. I then shoved the fuzz up INTO the vacuum. It fell right back out. I may as well not even vacuum. Please help!
ANSWER : I have found more vacuums on the way to the dump because they were full. Check. Is it full?
.If not the air way is clogged.
.If not the air way is clogged.
Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums