Having issues with your vacuum cleaner? Have a look at this quick guide to solve your troubles. 

 

Before automatically thinking your vacuum is broken and needing a replacement, there could be a quick fix e.g., Cleaning out the vacuum or checking for blockages. The first thing that you need to check is the hoses, filters and rollers. When these get blocked or clogged, it can cause a loss of suction, rendering your vacuum useless. To inspect these parts, firstly unplug your vacuum, then turn it over and see if you can manually spin the roller. Look through the nozzles to see if they are obstructed and have any debris stuck. Also, check the filter to see if it’s full or covered in dirt and dust. Look for clogs in the hose attachments as well. It could be a case that a larger item has been sucked in and is clogging up a hose, not allowing any suction to pass through. A quick trick to finding out if a hose is clogged or not is dropping a coin through. If the coin falls through the hose when detached from the vacuum, there are no blockages, if it doesn’t, then there may be a larger item stuck in the hose. 

 

If the roller at the bottom of the vacuum stops spinning, unplug the vacuum and flip it over so that you can see the underneath (the part that rolls over the floor). Open the bottom plate, usually by removing a few screws, and check if the belt is cracked or broken. If so, you may need a replacement.  

Have a look at the plug and wire. As vacuums are often used daily, wear and tear is bound to happen. With ongoing use, your cord or plug may become worn down, damaged or cracked. If you notice any damage to the cords and plugs on a vacuum, do not plug it back in and report it as broken. 

 

A simple reason your vacuum may not be working is that the bag is full. Certain types of vacuums like Henry Hoovers use bags inside of the chamber to catch and hold the dirt. This bag needs replacing when it fills up as there is simply nowhere else for the dirt to go, so it won't lift. If you have a bag vacuum, unplug it and undo the clip to open the bag compartment. Slide out the cardboard collar on the bag that connects it to the vacuum, then slide on the collar of the new bag and close the compartment. If you have a bagless canister vacuum, unclip the canister, open the lid, and dump the debris into a bin. Do this outdoors so you don’t get dust everywhere. 

 

Vacuums come with filters that sometimes may need to be replaced or cleaned. There’s usually one where air blows out when the vacuum is running and, if it’s a bagged vacuum, where the bag connects to the appliance. If the filter is dirty, take it outdoors and tap it against a hard surface to knock out dust and debris. Some filters can be rinsed under cool water after you've knocked loose most of the debris. After rinsing your filter, let it dry for at least 24 hours before reinstalling it. Change the filter(s) every 3-6 months to keep your vacuum running efficiently. 

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