Whether you are using a shop vacuum cleaner or a central vac, there is a chance that the suction could be compromised for many reasons. Suction power is one of the most important functions of a shop vac.
This function requires a lot of energy and when the suction power decreases, there are a few possible causes that could have caused this.
And if you are a shop vac user or possibilities that you are going to have one then you are in the right place!
In this article, we are going to make you explore the common causes for losing suction power of your shop vac and possible fixes too.
Stanley Wet/Dry Vacuum, 6lb, 4HP
Causes for Losing Suction of a Shop Vacuum and Fixes
When you are using a shop vacuum, one of the most important things to keep in mind is that there is a point where suction will no longer be strong enough and the vacuum will lose its ability to suck.
When suction starts to weaken, it’s vital that you figure out why this is happening and solve it before you continue vacuuming with the machine.
Here are some common issues that reduce the suction power of a shop vac and fixes as well:
Clogged Filter
A clogged filter is a common problem for Shop-Vac machines. Dust and debris pile up on top of filters due to continuous usage of any vacuum, especially a shop vacuum.
To prevent these filters from getting clogged, use the vacuum cleaner to remove dust and dirt from the immediate area instead of using a brush attachment. If your vacuum cleaner doesn’t have a brush attachment, buy one that does.
You have to change the disposable bag every time you empty it. When you’re done cleaning and unplugging your machine, make sure to leave any used bag tags in place so they don’t get sucked into the machine while it’s running again!
Stanley Wet/Dry Vacuum, 4lb, 4HP
Brush Bar Is Jammed
Losing suction of a Shop Vacuum is a common problem that happens when a brush bar is jammed and it clogs the vacuum cleaner. When the suction power of a shop vacuum is reduced, other parts of the cleaning machine can also get clogged.
Make sure that your vacuum has enough airflow. If there’s not proper airflow around the machine and it gets clogged up with dirt/dander and loses suction power and then it will be difficult for you to clean it too.
Blockages in the Hose
If a Shop-Vac loses suction, one of the things to check is the hose. The hose clogged is one the most common causes for a Shop-Vac to lose its suction. The following are the main causes of hose clogging:
Blocked Drain: This is caused by objects getting directly in the drain opening.
Clogged Hose: This may occur when leaves and tree branches block the hose or when a clog forms in the hose itself.
Leaky Nozzle: If this happens, a leak develops inside the nozzle and causes it to stop turning off completely, becoming blocked unexpectedly when you turn it on again.
Foam Blockage: This may occur if you put too much foam into your Shop-Vac’s tank, causing some of it to stick in the venturi tube, preventing air from entering, and causing a blockage.
So, to prevent suction loss of your shop vac, make sure that there are no blockages in the hose!
Stanley Wet/Dry Vacuum, 4.5HP, Premium
Faulty Power Cord
A faulty power cord can be the cause of a shop vac losing suction. It happens when the plug becomes loose, bent, or broken.
This can also happen if there is an electrical current in the area where you have plugged it in and if there is a split in the wire when it’s plugged into a wall outlet.
Change the power cord of your shop vac if it gets a fault to get rid of any power shortage problem and lose suction as well.
Damaged Motor
Recently, there have been reports of the shop vac losing suction or even completely stopped sucking up dirt as soon as it is turned on.
One thing that should be checked is to make sure that the power cord isn’t damaged and if that doesn’t work then a damaged motor could be the issue.
A damaged motor is one of the causes why a Shop-Vac loses suction power. This could happen when a Shop-Vac has been stored for too long with its bag off, exposing the motor to too many variables that could damage it.
So, to fix the suction loss of a shop vac, you have to change the motor if it gets damaged.
Full Dirt Bin
As your Shop-Vac needs to pick up larger particles, it will require more airspeed and thus; more suction. The problem with that is that the dirt bin fills faster and faster, and eventually causes the Shop-Vac to lose its suction.
This is a problem that can be fixed easily by emptying out your dirt bin before you start using your Shop-Vac again, or by getting a new one that has a bigger dirt bin.
Improperly Attached Parts
A Shop Vac losing suction is a common problem that many people experience. Some of the causes for this are not attaching the hose properly or using a noisy power nozzle. All the parts have to be assembled according to the manual of the product.
For example, many people are unaware that the vacuum’s hose should be detached from the intake. If it is not, the suction power will decrease and cause your vacuum to lose suction.
So, you can prevent losing suction of a shop vacuum by assembling all the parts properly and always taking care of your shop vac correctly.
Vacmaster Professional, 12gal, Premium
Tips to Prevent Your Vacuum from Losing Suction
A lot of the time, people use their shop vacuum cleaners incorrectly. They get clogged and have a hard time getting their vac to work again.
Shop vacuum loses suction normally when the filters are clogged. This can happen if you constantly use hard surfaces to clean your vacuum cleaner.
However, to help prevent your vacuum from losing suction, here are some basic tips.
– Do not clean the filters with any hard surfaces, as this can result in a loss of airflow and a clogged filter. Using only soft clothes is recommended for cleaning the filters.
– It is important to regularly replace the filters on your vacuum cleaner, especially if they have been used frequently.
– When using a wet mop or using the steam cleaning option of your vacuum cleaner make sure that you completely dry it before storing it away in its original bag or container so that mold and mildew do not grow on it
– Use the right type of bag
– Check your filter before use
– Maintain the correct amount of water in your machine
Conclusion
Shop vacuum cleaners are a popular option to clean a large floor of a shop, garage, or any other space. It can help make clean-ups easier and faster.
However, it has some limitations too, for example, loss of suction power. When the suction power of a vacuum cleaner gets loosened, it will be difficult to use it on any surface. This can be a hazard for both human beings and pets.
To prevent this, it is important that you understand what causes a vacuum’s suction to decrease. We have shown all the possible reasons and fixes for losing the suction power of a shop vac and hope, it will be helpful enough for you.
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