How To Fix A Vacuum Cleaner With No Suction
When your vacuum stops sucking dust, dirt and debris, a very likely cause is a blockage or clog somewhere.
This is how a modern vacuum cleaner works: air is pulled through the bag, through the tube attachment and through the base, which contains the spinning beater bar, in that order. With a clog or blockage somewhere in this route, or even a defect as small as a broken bag, the vacuum cleaner cannot function properly, at the very least.
So how do you fix a vacuum with no suction?
It’s easy and you won’t always need the help of a professional, but you will need:
- A Flathead screwdriver
- A garden hose
- A Philips screwdriver
- A needle nose pliers
The Procedure
- Scrutinise for signs of suction. If applicable, detach the tube attachment from its cradle and turn on the vacuum. Determine whether there is suction by placing your palm to the tube’s end. If you can feel some suction, however little, it means the air tube might be clogged.
- Check the vacuum bag. Sometimes low suction could be a direct result of the bag being too full. If this is the case, replace it with a new one and recheck the suction power to see if there’s any improvement.
- Check the tube attachment. Detach it completely from the vacuum. Again check the suction power, this time placing your palm at the point where the tube connects to the vacuum. If there is good suction at this point, the tube is probably blocked or clogged.
- Try shaking the dirt out of the tube first. If it doesn’t work, use a hose to run water through the tube – hot water is preferable. If you have a pressure nozzle, use it. Run the hose from one end of the tube, then through the other end. Repeat the procedure till all debris is dislodged. Let the tube dry before reattaching it to the vacuum cleaner.
- Check the air hose located at the base of the cleaner. You only need to use your eyes with this because the hose is typically pretty short and any blockage can easily be visible. If you notice blockage, try to wipe it out with a wet cloth or sponge attached to a needle nose pliers or a similar tool. In case the debris is clogged and won’t come out with simple wiping, use hot water to clean the hose and make sure it dries completely before reassembling the vacuum.
- Check the intake port at the base near the beater bar. By just turning the vacuum over, you will be able to see a blockage. Again, use a needle nose pliers to reach the clog.
Using these tips should allow you to get your vacuum cleaner up and running again in close to no time! For more information, contact the experts at The Vacmaster!