If you own a vacuum cleaner, it is essential to know some ways to solve common vacuum cleaner problems.
In as much as vacuuming is a chore, it makes a home appealing and attractive for living. It is a crucial activity to ensure cleanliness and freshness in your home. However, at times you can find that your vacuum stopped working.
Is your vacuum cleaner not working? Read on to find out more about common vacuum cleaner problems and the various ways of solving them.
Common Vacuum Cleaner Problems
Low Suction Force
Low suction is quite a common vacuum cleaner problem. If your vacuum cleaner has low suctioning pressure, it becomes less effective. You might find yourself spending a lot of time vacuuming a single spot, and still not receiving the level of effectiveness you normally get on normal suction force.
There are several issues causing low suction force in a vacuum cleaner. These are:
- Blocked Filter – Vacuum cleaners filters are quite the masters in catching dust and dirt particles, and pet fur from surfaces and retaining them to prevent re-release into the air. After a while, it is recommendable to clean the filter to remove these particles or fur. But what happens when you don’t clean the filter for a long time? It affects the suctioning power. You can fix this by cleaning the filters, or replacing them if they are worn out.
- Full Vacuum Bag – It is common for you to overlook a full vacuum bag as a cause of low suction power. But it is actually one major cause of this problem. If you experience low suction power, consider checking if the bag is full, and if it is, empty it or replace it if necessary.
- Blocked Floor Head, Neck, or Hose – Another common cause of low suctioning pressure in a vacuum cleaner is a blockage. Therefore, ensure that you check for any blockages in any of these parts.
- Clogged Brush – Occasionally, the vacuum cleaner brush becomes clogged with items such as human hair and pet fur. The clogging may affect the suctioning pressure and it is up to you to clean the brush to solve the issue. It is vital to clean the brush regularly to prevent low suction force and other problems that may arise from the brush clogging.
Excessive Noise
There is a normal range of noise your vacuum cleaner produces. The noise mostly is minimum and just convenient for the cleaner to handle. At times, your vacuum cleaner may begin producing louder and excessive noises.
So, is your vacuum cleaner making loud noises? There are several reasons that may cause this problem. Some of them include:
- Blockage – Your vacuum cleaner may produce excessive noise as a result of blockages in the floor head, neck, or hose. Any blockage can force the vacuum cleaner to use excessive force in an attempt to produce enough suction power. It can result in the production of excessive noise. To fix the problem, you will have to find the blockage and remove the materials to clear up the area.
- Motor Problems – Another cause of excessive noise in a vacuum cleaner is issues with the motor. Such issues can be a result in detachments in the belt or hose. Any detachments result to a noisy vacuum cleaner. If left unchecked, the vacuum cleaner may cease its functionality. You can fix this issue by detaching the vacuum cleaner to check for problems in the belt or hose. Re-attach them properly to fix the noise problem.
- Air Leaks – Just like in blockages, air leaks cause the vacuum cleaner to use excessive force to maintain the suctioning pressure. It may result in the cleaner producing excessive noise. You can fix this by finding the spot with an air leak and replacing it. You can also seal the affected area.
Overheating
It is common for a vacuum cleaner to overheat especially after vacuuming for long periods without a break. However, at times the cleaner may overheat to an extent hot air and smoke is emitted. The cause of this issue is a fault in the electrical system especially in the motor. For overheating cases, it is essential to contact a professional instead of trying DIY fixes. You should have the technician replace the motor system with a new one and most probably it will fix the overheating issue.
Burning Smell
The burning smell issue is another typical issue faced by vacuum cleaner owners. It’s caused by a worn-out motor belt. The burning smell can also be as a result of the rubber belt burning due to the loss of elasticity. All in all, the belt is worn out and needs replacement.
To fix the burning smell problem in a vacuum cleaner, you will have to replace the motor belt. You can do this by detaching the vacuum cleaner to get to the motor belt. You should then carefully remove the belt. Then you can softly clean off any burnt rubber parts for the motor before replacing the old belt with a newer and tighter belt. Chances are, the burning smell issue will be fixed.
Vacuum Can’t Turn On
A vacuum cleaner that can’t turn on is one of the most frustrating issues you can ever deal with during vacuuming. However, it is an easy problem to fix. If your cleaner is not turning on, check its connection to the power source to see if it is functioning properly. For traditional vacuum cleaners, you can check if the connection to the power outlet is done properly. If not, you should connect the cleaner to the power source and test it again.
For robot cleaners such as the Dreame robot vacuum, you should check to see if the batteries are charged and properly connected. If it is not, you should charge the device to power it up. If you have checked the power source and confirmed it is connected effectively yet the cleaner still does not turn on, it means the device requires new parts or total replacement. You should refer to the manufacturer's manual for troubleshooting tips. If there is no manual, do not attempt a DIY, rather contact a dealer, or replace the vacuum cleaner.
Conclusion
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.
