Having trouble with your vacuum cleaner? If yes, you don’t need an expert to do the repairing. The truth is that a vacuum cleaner is not as complicated as other big appliances. Hiring an expert might set you back hundreds of dollars. You can avoid this if you have the right tools and little knowledge on assembling and disassembling stuff. Here are some of the issues you might encounter and how to fix them.
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Poor suction
Your vacuum cleaner should pick up the dirt that you target. Sometimes, you might realize that is not happening. If this is the case, there might be a few causes. The nozzle height might not be fit to the type of floor you are vacuuming. Use the dial to properly adjust it. Depending on the unit used, you can set the level from 1 to up to 7. If this doesn’t solve the problem, check if the bag is full. If it is, empty it and your problem should disappear. If it doesn’t, chances are that the accumulated dirt is blocking the airways or filters. Clean the air filters and check for clogs.
The brushroll doesn’t spin
Sometimes, you might find that the vacuum cleaner’s brushroll fails to spin. This failure is commonly associated with the belt. This part can be overstretched, not aligned properly or broken. Check if the drive and cogged belt are in good condition and working. Replace the belts and ensure they are turning the brushroll and the power drive rollers. Other common culprits are faults related to the brushroll itself. An accumulation of dust or trapped objects might prevent it from spinning. If you find this to be the case, remove the brushroll, clean it properly and then put it back.
The motor is not working
You might encounter a situation where a vacuum fails to work entirely while everything else seems okay. Check if the motor is operating – if it is not, the main problem might be due to failure of power to reach the motor itself. If this is not the case, then the problem might occur as a result of the electronic control board having burnt out due to overheating. Before you decide to disassemble your vacuum cleaner, check first if the problem is with the main fuse. Use an ammeter to check if the power is reaching the plug. If there is no problem with power flow, try to turn the shaft inside the motor manually. Also inspect the carbon motor brushes, these may need to be changed. If the power reaches the motor and the commutator turns easily, there is a high chance the motor overheated and burnt. The only solution here is to replace it.
The unit gets very noisy
Vacuum cleaners should have a reasonable noise level when being used, but this might not be the case sometimes. If you are used with the sound made by your vacuum cleaner, you’ll notice right away if something is wrong. The sound comes from the motor location. More noise usually means a broken fan, which might occur due to the high amounts of dirt which is accumulating in this area. The sound might also come from the brush, so make sure you check both parts. If you get this from a robovac, make sure you read its manual. These devices are hard to service and most likely require professional repairing.
The unit is hard to push
At times, you might realize that pushing the vacuum cleaner takes a lot of energy. Vacuum cleaners are designed to move smoothly, so this issue can be caused by an accumulation of dirt on the base plate. Don’t sweat it. Just clean the base wheels and check if the belts are properly aligned.
Power cable faults
There are situations when your vacuum cleaner may fail due to problems with the input power. If the appliance doesn’t turn or stay on, there are either loose wires, open wires or fuse issues. If you come to realize this, switch off the power. Follow the wire connecting the vacuum cleaner to the socket. Check if there are any naked wires that are in contact with each other. Use a masking tape to cover and separate the wires.
Casing issues and more
There are lots of things that can damage the motor. Broken or bent blower fins, leaks or loose bearings are just a few. Most of the time, it is hard to detect the problem right away. The best way to prevent this from happening is to inspect your unit regularly. Replace any bent or broken fins, lubricate the bearings that turn the wheels and most importantly, cover any leaks.
In summary, your vacuum cleaner is simple, and having some knowledge in connecting wires and assembling things might prove useful. As you can see, most of the faults revolve around the motor and any other part that spins. Most of these can be easily replaced, but regular check-ups might also save you the trouble of doing a full repair.