Vacuum cleaners...in some households they may be used every day and not as much in others. However over time like most things, will eventually begin to fail and the cleaner is no exception, amongst other faults it will occasionally suffer from a reduced suction.
When this occurs there are five usual suspects you can investigate to find the cause.
We have this article to help you diagnose the five most common probable reasons as to why your cleaner no longer wants to do its job.
Safety First! Please make sure your appliance is switched off before beginning any maintenance work.
Is It Full?
We understand that this might be common sense, however through our everyday busy lives we may sometimes forget to check the most simplistic things. If you have a loss of suction it is always worth first checking that the bag is not full. If the bag has began to reach its threshold then of course the cleaner will start to reduce its suction. This can also relate to bagless models, if the dirt cup has been filled then of course the suction will be reduced.
Look For Tears!
Another common fault especially with paper bags are tears and holes. Relatively common, simply sucking up a sharp item could easily cause a tear in the bag. Perhaps some water has been hoovered up causing the bag to become damp - not only will this weakening it leading to damage.
So nice and simple - always check your bags, if you have checked and noticed that the bag is full or torn then replace it with an empty bag and you should be able to witness the difference...however if the suction loss persists the problem could be then be due to another fault.
Blocked Filters
Many cleaners will have both a pre and post motor filter when either become damaged then the airflow will reduce. If you are faced with damaged filters then the simple resolution would be to replace them. Luckily we have replacement filters for a large selection of brands of vacuum cleaners.
Clean Your Filters!
Many manufacturers now supply their cleaners with washable filters - these can be identified by a tap icon or it will state that they are washable. If your pre motor filter has become clogged by dirt and dust this will drastically limit the suction. If your filter is washable then rinsing it under some cold water will help clear the buildup of muck it's collected. Once rinsed it is recommended to allow the filter to air dry for about 24 hours.
If your filter is not washable then unfortunately you will need to replace it. For non washable filters check your user manual for information on how often to replace your filter. Many manufacturers will recommend 6 months to replace your filters.
Blockages
So you’ve checked your bags, which are fine, you have inspected the filters and they are far from needing to be replaced. So why is you vacuum still not sucking up? Well let us talk you through another common cause to a faulty cleaner…
Blocked Hoses
If you have been doing the housework and accidentally sucked up a large, thick sock or other item, it’ll most likely become lodged within the hose. Don’t panic because yes you have just blocked the hose leading to zero suction power but using a wire coat hanger and being careful you can fish out the offending item.
If you are unsure where in the hose the item may be stuck, just give the hose a little squeeze up and down from handle to brush and you should easily find the stuck item.
In tandem with blockages you could have an issue with.
Airflow
Damaged Hose
Over time the hose will perish - especially with compact cleaners. When used to clean your home these are pulled about by the hose and of course eventually this will lead the hose to become damaged. If not sealed even the slightest hole will allow the airflow to leak reducing the suction limiting the cleaners efficiency.
Uprights can also suffer from air flow, where the hose and base unit sit any gap will lead to a loss of suction.
And finally, not as common but still one to look for:
The Motor
After investigating the above possibilities and all seem ok turn your eyes to the motor. Buried in the vacuum but easy to access the motor can is crucial to the smooth running of your cleaner. It is the key component without it you’ll have no suction.
Worn Carbon Brushes
However don’t instantly fear that the motor has passed its life expectancy because it could be a simple fix of replacing the carbon brushes. You can see explain further the use of a carbon brush and how to replace it here one of many other guides we have in our advice centre.
Regardless of filled bags, dirty filters, hose blockages, airflow faults and damaged motors or worn carbon brushes. eSpares can help supply most replacement to get your vacuum cleaner back up and running.
Now that you have identified what is wrong with your vacuum, find the right part on our Vax spare parts and accessories page.
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