Vacuums
How to Identify and Fix Common Vacuum Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced Vacuum Technicians :
Why is the vacuum is blowing dusty air out of the back? Simple: the bag or canister is full and the vacuum has nowhere to store the dust it is collecting. Empty the canister or bag. If that doesn`t fix it, the vacuum filter needs to be cleaned or changed.
The most common cause of loss of suction is that the filters have become blocked. They may require cleaning or replacing. Another cause could be that the vacuum cleaner hose is blocked.
If your vacuum is leaving dirt behind, or even spitting dirt back out while cleaning, it`s usually due to a blockage. It sounds like you`re experiencing this from the base of your machine, so we would suggest having a look at this video here, on removing blockage from the cleanerhead.
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.
You may think you`re getting rid of the dust, dirt, and pet dander that trigger your allergies, but sometimes you may be stirring them up instead. One study found that some vacuum cleaners throw fine dust and germs back into the air, where they can set off allergies and spread infections.
Certain vacuum cleaners spit fine dust and bacteria back into the air, where they can spread infections and trigger allergies.
Dusting first is particularly important if it has been some time since you dusted. The duster will become filled with particles and large clumps of dust will drop to the floor. Once upon a time, cleaning experts recommended vacuuming first. Old-style vacuums would kick up so much dust that dusting was done last.
If you`ve recently remodeled, don`t vacuum up sanding residue or other tiny particles — you`ll need to use a more durable machine (like a shop vac) instead. “Fine dust will clog the filters or bag right away,” says Forte, and then the machine might begin spewing dust back into the air.
If your house is dusty when you finish vacuuming, this is a sign your vacuum cleaner is releasing excess dust and contaminants into the air when it`s operating. The most effective method that can be utilized to eliminate dust is investing in a HEPA air filtration system.
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!
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.
Fine particles. Fine particles are no match for even the strongest vacuums. Construction dust, makeup, used coffee grounds, fireplace ash, and other fine particles can burn out the motor and be released back into the air. It`s best to sweep these items up to keep your vacuum – and yourself – safe.
Particles that evade elimination in the nose or throat tend to settle in the sacs or close to the end of the airways. But if the amount of dust is large, the macrophage system may fail. Dust particles and dust-containing macrophages collect in the lung tissues, causing injury to the lungs.
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.
Vacuuming every day, or even a few times a day, is not going to create any long term problems. `But,` you might be thinking, `doesn`t the brushes spinning over the carpet on a beater bar wear it out? ` Sure, but a very small amount.
The science behind why damp dusting is more efficient than a dry cloth comes from the fact that a damp cloth introduces capillary force to the dust particles. In short, the damp cloth draws the particles in and lifts dust from the area instead of moving them around.
In order to keep your home`s air quality top notch, you should be dusting at least every other week, if not weekly. Choose a time each week, like Wednesday after you pick the kids up from soccer practice, to dust your house, or dust a certain area each day.
A buildup of dust in your home is often the result of poor airflow. A combination of poor airflow and infrequent cleaning can lead dust and dust mites to settle comfortably into several areas in your home. “Dust mites live in mattresses, pillows, and upholstery,” Dr. Cajigal says.
How Ceiling Fans Trigger Dust Mite Allergies. Dust mites breed in dusty areas. Ceiling fans easily become dusty, and mites accumulate on the blades of the fan. When the fan is on, it blows dust and mites all over a room.
The final method for learning how to store rice long term is to use vacuum-sealed bags or containers. Vacuum-sealing won`t ensure as long of a life span as freezing or using mylar bags, but it can give white rice a storage time of five years and brown rice a storage time of two years.
Dyson vacuums come with a five-stage filtration system to achieve 99.97 per cent filtration of particles as small as 0.3 microns, which ensures that the dust you`re sucking up remains trapped in your vacuum, and only clean air is expelled back into your home.
Microfiber cloths
For general dusting like wiping down the table, counter, or another smooth surface, a microfiber cloth works wonders. While other cloths simply move dirt and dust from one place to another, the tiny fibers in microfiber cloths collect and trap more dust than cotton cleaning rags.
Your filters get clogged with bacteria, dust, smoke, mold, and other particles. These can all affect the air quality in your home as well as the performance of your vacuum`s cleaning abilities, if the filter is clogged you will find the suction and general performance of your vacuum will be minimized.
Clogs in a vacuum hose are not uncommon because, over time, any buildup in the pipe can cause hair and fibres to stick inside which, in turn, trap larger debris thus causing a blockage and subsequent drop in suction.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
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.
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Unbeknownst to me, someone took the bag out of my Kenmore Progressive vacuum and failed to replace it. I have been vacuuming without a bag for months, and today the vacuum stopped sucking. When I opened up the front to replace the bag, tons of dirt and dust came pouring out. I thoroughly cleaned the vacuum, put in a new bag, but still no sucking power. Just dust coming from the rear vents where one of the filters is. Is the vacuum ruined, or is it a simple solution of buying a new filter?
ANSWER : Sounds like you need to buy a new motor. All that grit and dust will ruin a motor and I’m surprised it lasted as long as it did.
.This is where a vacuum that won’t run without a bag would have been nice. (Aerus for one)
.This is where a vacuum that won’t run without a bag would have been nice. (Aerus for one)
Read Full Q/A … : Vacuums
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.
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Dust….dust….dust Hello, I recently bought a house with an older Electrolux Central Vac system. I’m unfamiliar with them, so I’m not sure how to deal with this: I cleaned up some mortar dust with it, and noticed not too long after that when I went into the garage, there was a fog of dust. The hose from the unit is venting into the garage. Is this normal? I have since used it for everyday household cleaning and each time I go back to the garage to a cloud of dust. Is there anything I can
ANSWER : Http://geeksquad.fixya.com/ThreadView.aspx?prdid=113662&thid=662824
.Dust….dust….dust
.Posted by Kitkatman on Jun 11, 2008
.Hello,
I recently bought a house with an older Electrolux Central Vac system. I’m unfamiliar with them, so I’m not sure how to deal with this: I cleaned up some mortar dust with it, and noticed not too long after that when I went into the garage, there was a fog of dust. The hose from the unit is venting into the garage. Is this normal? I have since used it for everyday household cleaning and each time I go back to the garage to a cloud of dust. Is there anything I can do? Thanks
.
.Hello,
I would advise you to ALWAYS to FIRST UNPLUG YOUR VACUUM before beginning any service procedure. It sounds to me that the unit you have may have to be vented outside as I am not familiar with this particular unit, or it could very well be that it is missing a filter or the filter you have inside already is shot and is in need of replacement or on some central vacs there are paper filter that go over the cloth type filter. Again, I am not familiar with this older unit but feel free to contact the Electrolux Factory or Manufacturer and give them the model # and the serial # for the unit and they will have a breakdown of if it should be vented and what type of filtration it should be using. So if you need further assistance, please feel free to contact your local vacuum cleaner dealer in your area or in the yellow pages, or contact the factory phone number or website to further assist you with your questions.
.http://electrolux.com/ Customer Service 1-800-896-9756
.Electrolux Home Care Products – North America
.P.O. Box 3900 Peoria, IL 61612
.Thanks, Don the Vac Man
Go Ahead. Use Us.
.
.Dust….dust….dust
.Posted by Kitkatman on Jun 11, 2008
.Hello,
I recently bought a house with an older Electrolux Central Vac system. I’m unfamiliar with them, so I’m not sure how to deal with this: I cleaned up some mortar dust with it, and noticed not too long after that when I went into the garage, there was a fog of dust. The hose from the unit is venting into the garage. Is this normal? I have since used it for everyday household cleaning and each time I go back to the garage to a cloud of dust. Is there anything I can do? Thanks
.
.Hello,
I would advise you to ALWAYS to FIRST UNPLUG YOUR VACUUM before beginning any service procedure. It sounds to me that the unit you have may have to be vented outside as I am not familiar with this particular unit, or it could very well be that it is missing a filter or the filter you have inside already is shot and is in need of replacement or on some central vacs there are paper filter that go over the cloth type filter. Again, I am not familiar with this older unit but feel free to contact the Electrolux Factory or Manufacturer and give them the model # and the serial # for the unit and they will have a breakdown of if it should be vented and what type of filtration it should be using. So if you need further assistance, please feel free to contact your local vacuum cleaner dealer in your area or in the yellow pages, or contact the factory phone number or website to further assist you with your questions.
.http://electrolux.com/ Customer Service 1-800-896-9756
.Electrolux Home Care Products – North America
.P.O. Box 3900 Peoria, IL 61612
.Thanks, Don the Vac Man
Go Ahead. Use Us.
.
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
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I have a Kirby G4 Vacuum Cleaner – MOdel G4 D. I have never had any problems or repairs done to it in the past ten plus years that I’ve had it. This is an upright vacuum. I was vacuuming the carpet floor and was not having any trouble at all. I switched the vacuum off and moved it into a different room. When I tried to turn on the vacuum, it would not turn on. I checked with different outlets, used both front attachment and hose attachment. Checked the front part of the motor/ spiral case. This
ANSWER : Hello,
.My educated guess is that it’s either the switch or the power cord. Here are a couple of guides to help with diagnosis and repair…
.
.http://reviews.ebay.com/COMMON-PROBLEMS-WITH-THE-KIRBY-VACUUM-TROUBLESHOOTING_W0QQugidZ10000000003800312
.
.http://reviews.ebay.com/REPLACING-THE-POWER-SWITCH-ON-ANY-KIRBY-G-SERIES-VACUUM_W0QQugidZ10000000003752018
.
.Hope this helps!!
.Marci
.My educated guess is that it’s either the switch or the power cord. Here are a couple of guides to help with diagnosis and repair…
.
.http://reviews.ebay.com/COMMON-PROBLEMS-WITH-THE-KIRBY-VACUUM-TROUBLESHOOTING_W0QQugidZ10000000003800312
.
.http://reviews.ebay.com/REPLACING-THE-POWER-SWITCH-ON-ANY-KIRBY-G-SERIES-VACUUM_W0QQugidZ10000000003752018
.
.Hope this helps!!
.Marci
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My electrolux oxygen canister cuts on and off. I have to open and close the vacuum, or take the base of the hose off and then re-insert. I have to do all these things before it will start up again. I sometimes shake the hose around, then it will come back on. If I try to dust with the dust brush (like a lamp shade or shelf) and the suction pulls against the object, the vacuum goes off for awhile. Sometimes I’ll have to reset the vacuum by unplugging the electric cord. I never get to finis
ANSWER : Maybe you should have taken it back to that shop, it appartently isn’t fixed. I would have replace that board, don’t believe in modifing, you usually end up with other problems, like you have. One thing to check is maybe you have a partial clog in the hose or wands. A clog would cause this shutting off, then restarting after it has cooled down. If this has a hepa filter, and it has a reset for that filter, press it to see if that is the problem. But I know that board would cost you approx. $90 to $100 just for the part.
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The original belt on my upright Kenmore Progressive broke and I replaced it with the spare that was in the vacuum. The vacuum and spare belt are about 10 years old. Then the spare broke after one vacuuming session and there was a burning smell coming from the vacuum. I ordered new belts and replaced it with the new belt. It seems to be working fine with no smell. I checked the belt after I vacuumed the family room and although it was in tact, the belt was very hot. Is that normal? Should t
ANSWER : The belt heats up due to the friction, as well as being in contact with the shaft of a hot motor. It is normal.
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