While vacuuming, you might notice a worrying decline in the functional efficiency of your machine. If the machine has not suffered any mechanical damage, then the most probable explanation for its low performance is the clogging of the vacuum cleaner hose. It’s natural for your cleaner’s hose to clog, particularly after vacuuming an extremely messy floor.
A thorough diagnosis should be your first step to resolving the clogging problem. You should first try to replace, or clean your filter and see if the efficiency is restored. This step is important because it helps you rule out other probable causes of poor suction power. If this doesn’t work, then you must begin the unclogging process.
Why Your Vacuum Clogs
- Sucking in excessive pet hair and debris.
- Functional defects of the filters.
- Poor maintenance of the machine.
- Inappropriate usage of the cleaner.
- Vacuuming on wet and dirt-saturated surfaces.
Tips for Cleaning a Clogged Vacuum Hose
1. Use a Powerful Shop Vacuum to Draw Out The Clog
Another vacuum can be the solution to your clogging problem. You simply apply its suction power on the clogged part and hope that it comes out. A strong vacuum is more effective when the clogging is at the attachment hose, or the hose suction port.
The suction power of your cleaner should concentrate its intensity at the attachment hose and the hose suction port in order for it to maximize its efficiency. You should always check the consistency of the suction at all times in order to tell whether the clogs are building up in your vacuum.
2. Use a Bent Wire to Remove The Clog
You can also remove clogs by simply using a bent wire. Carefully insert the bent wire into the affected area and twist it methodically in order to entangle the clogs on the wire. You should then pull out the wire as you continue to twist so that it can pull out as much dirt as possible.
Clogging is usually caused by excessive accumulation of pet hair, and debris of all sizes, which compromise the suction effectiveness of your machine. However, you should be very careful when using the wire to avoid destroying the delicate parts of your vacuum. Remember that modern vacuum cleaners are highly complex and can be ruined by clumsy procedures.
3. Remove Stubborn Clogs With Hard Objects
Some stubborn clogs may need a little force to push them out. You can use a piece of stick, or the handle of your broom, to push out such clogs. When you are using an object to push out your clogs, ensure that the force you apply is minimal to avoid causing any unnecessary damage.
First, you should ascertain that the parts you target are the ones affected by the clogging. Hard objects are appropriate for removing large debris that usually lodge into the tight areas. It’s highly recommended that you avoid using any kind of sharp object for this procedure.
4. The Water Solution
If you suspect that your hose is clogged and you really want to get it back in good working order, water can be your ideal solution. You must detach your hose from the vacuum and fill it with water while holding it in a U-shape position. After that, rinse each end alternately in order to soak and loose the clog.
For effective results, you should consider soaking the hose with hot water. Empty the hose, connect it the nozzle of your garden hose and let a powerful jet of water flow through. The clog should come out easily on the other end of the hose. This procedure is only efficient when the clogging occurs within the hose.
Conclusion
Unclogging your vacuum cleaner is a procedure that begins with a diagnosis of where the clog is. Bent wires, broom handles, water, and other vacuums are some of the tools you can use to unclog it. However, you should avoid using excessive force that can cause more harm than good.
How to unclog the 30-feet hose of the HOOVER GUV (L2310) vacuum cleaner:
I made it with reverse suction.
Because the hose itself is threaded like a screw, I could unscrew the canister-side black bushing from the hose. I plugged the hence separated bushing back into the canister, let the blank hose end alone and turned myself to the nozzle end of the hose. Here, a midsize flat-blade screwdriver allowed me to brutally force the inner bushing out of the nozzle body: It’s just a snap-in connection. Without further using the nozzle body, its bushing remains on the hose base.
By chance, this bushing fits quite tightly to the other bushing that still sits in the canister. I switched the motor on and pressed the nozzle bushing against the canister bushing. A remarkable plop noise indicated the clogging bulk shooting into the canister. So the hose was clear again, I could re-assemble it and save 85±10 bucks for a new replacement hose.