How to Fix a Vacuum That Lost Suction Does your vacuum suck at sucking? Before you throw out your machine and spend a ton of money on a new one, check out these 5 tips from Domestic CEO to diagnose and effectively fix your sickly vacuum. Page 1 of 2We’ve all seen the commercials for vacuums that lose suction. It’s true, a vacuum that doesn’t have suction is not very useful housekeeping tool. The solution presented in the commercials is to buy a better, more expensive vacuum.I would argue that it does not take a $500 vacuum to get your floors clean. In fact, for the past 5 years I have been using the same $40 vacuum in my house and it works great. Keeping your vacuum working simply takes a little knowledge of why a vacuum would lose suction.If your vacuum sucks (and not in a good way), you’ve come to the right place. Today, I have the top 5 reasons a vacuum loses suction and what you can do about it.Reason #1: The Height Is WrongThe first and most basic reason a vacuum isn’t picking things up off the floor is if the height setting for the vacuum is too high for the type of floor you are vacuuming.

There is usually a little dial or lever on a vacuum to raise or lower it. It may say “Bare floor,” then have numbers 1 through 5 on it. Bare floor is the lowest your vacuum can go and should be used for any tile, wood, or other hard flooring because it will seal the vacuum to your floor to allow for the most suction power. The lower your carpet, the closer the dial or lever should be to the bare floor setting. If your vacuum isn’t working, first try and lower the vacuum to the lowest setting and see if that fixes the problem.Reason #2: The Bag Is FullIf the vacuum still isn’t picking up on a lower setting, the next thing to check is if a full vacuum bag or collection canister is to blame for your vacuum’s loss of suction. Luckily, this is really easy to determine as the cause of your vacuum’s poor performance. There will be a fill line on the front of a bagless vacuum, and on the vacuum bag of both upright and canister vacuums. If the dirt and hair is over the fill line of either collection spot, there’s no more room for the stuff to collect.

The vacuum will continue to sound like it’s working, but won’t have any suction power to pick up the stuff on your floor. Most often, simply emptying the collection canister or changing the vacuum bag will solve a vacuum’s suction problems.If that doesn't work, it's time to check out the hose. Pages12next ›last » You May Also Like... best floor cleaner for bamboo wood floorsHow Often Should I...? best canister vacuum cleaners 2015How to Iron Like a Man Spring Cleaning Tips How to Clean a Washing Machinebest backpack vacuum cleaner australiaYou can keep your vacuum cleaner from losing suction. cleaning wood floors home remedy

Suction generated by a fan motor powers a vacuum cleaner as it pulls dirt through a chamber or hose and then deposits the debris into a bag or a cup. Some vacuum cleaners have a rotating brush or a beater bar at the end of a nozzle to help agitate and sweep dirt into the suction chamber. All of these areas must be free of obstructions and be working properly for a vacuum cleaner to remain 100 percent functional, or you will gradually lose suction. best vacuum cleaners consumer reports 2013Change the Bag The first place to look is the vacuum cleaner bag. best vacuum cleaners consumer reports 2013When a bag is full or if it has become ripped or torn, there will be a corresponding loss of suction. Even if the bag looks intact but there is still a suction loss, change it for a new one.

This way, you will know for sure that the bag is not the problem. Clean the Filters Most modern vacuums have two filters. There may be a filter to keep dust out of the motor, or a premotor filter, and an exhaust filter. They may have a plastic frame surrounding a sheet of material, or there may be a boxlike container that holds a sponge type of high-efficiency particulate air filter. Most filters are washable and, once dried, can be inserted back into place. If they are damaged, they must be replaced. Obstructions in the Vacuum Airflow The vacuum airflow begins at the tip of the hose in a canister vacuum cleaner and at the opening in the base of an upright vacuum cleaner. Stretch out a hose to full length and insert a broom handle through it. The handle will push any obstruction all the way through. Inspect the hose from end to end. Any crack, hole or kink will cause a vacuum to lose suction. If the hose is compromised in this way, it must be replaced. Conversely, turn an upright vacuum upside down to inspect the opening that leads up into the body of the vacuum.

Look for pieces of paper or hair jams that might limit the suction. If the upright has a rotating brush, remove it to gain greater access to the opening. Also, check the connections between the hose and the vacuum. A bad or loose connection will allow the vacuum airflow to be compromised, and this will cause a loss in suction. Check the Rotating Brush If the rotating brush, or beater bar, is not turning, it will seem like there is a loss in suction. The rotating brush sweeps dirt and debris into the vacuum suction airflow and makes it easier for the vacuum to pick up dirt. If the rotating brush is no longer spinning, there will be a corresponding loss of cleaning power. In most cases, the rotating brush can be removed and cleaned so that it functions normally again. Oftentimes, however, the drive belt that turns the brush may be broken and must be replaced to regain proper vacuum suction. The Motor If the motor is going bad, the vacuum will lose suction. A bad motor may sound off key, it may smoke or it will run in fits and starts.