The main purpose of a vacuum cleaner is to agitate fibers in a carpet and suck up any debris. There are six different reasons a vacuum can lose suction, a plugged vacuum hose, bad motor, full vacuum bag, or cracked or damage hoses. Purchasing a vacuum cleaner can be a costly expense while repairing the suction on the unit can be virtually free. Most suction loss problems on a vacuum can be easily fixed or remedied with common house hold tools and very little technical expertise.
If your vacuum losses suction, the first and easiest solution is to check the bag. If the vacuum cleaner bag is full suction will be greatly reduced and the unit will become ineffective. A vacuum cleaner works by passing air through the bag fibers leaving dirt and debris behind inside the bag. If the refuse bag becomes full, airflow is restricted, limiting the amount of air passing through the vacuum bag resulting in loss of suction. When replacing the vacuum bag always consult your owners manual to insure that the vacuum bag seals with the vacuum inlet hose. If your vacuum cleaner bag is not tightly sealed to the vacuum inlet hose you will decrease the air flow through the bag resulting in loss of suction.
The second and sometimes most common reason for loss of suction on a vacuum is a plugged vacuum hose. If the hose becomes plugged, air flow will become restricted. To unplug a vacuum hose detach it from the machine and inspect the inside. If there is a restriction in the hose, remove it with your fingers and replace the hose onto the unit. If the hose is long and the debris is hard to get too, a broom handle or other long object can be passed through the hose to dislodge the debris. Most vacuum cleaners contain more that one suction hose, so make sure to check each one by process of elimination. Another area that can become easily plugged on a vacuum cleaner is under the lower base of the unit by the roller brush. Large debris can get caught in this area and restrict air flow to the hose.
If your vacuum refuse bag is not full and the suction hoses are not plugged the next thing to check is the condition of the hoses. Many hoses are made from plastic which can easily tear or crack. If your vacuum cleaner shows signs of wear or are cracked they need to be replaced. Even the smallest hole in a vacuum hose can leak enough air to greatly diminish the suction potential of your unit. Replace your vacuum cleaner parts with OEM parts from the original manufacturer to ensure the tightest fit.
Most vacuum cleaners contain filters. Filters are used as a last line of defense to remove dust and smaller debris particles before the air is recycled back into the environment. If vacuum cleaner filters become dirty or plugged they also can decrease the amount of air traveling through the unit. Some filters can be easily rinsed with water whereas others need to be replaced. It is important to check your owners manual before rinsing a vacuum filter.
The last and probably least common problem for a vacuum cleaner to loose suction is a bad or failing vacuum motor. Over time vacuum motors lose power due to worn carbon brushes or long term damage. A vacuum cleaners worst enemy is moisture. If water or moisture is sucked into the vacuum motor it will greatly diminish the amount of suction the unit has. Replacing a vac motor can be a costly and time consuming ordeal. In some cases, replacing a vacuum motor can outweigh the cost of buying a new vacuum. Vacuum suction is measured in water lift which can easily be measured by using a water lift gauge. If the water lift measured in inches, falls below half the original water lift specifications for the unit, it is time to replace your motor. Most vacuum cleaner repair shops carry this type of equipment and can easily tell you if it is time for a new vac motor.
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