Yet another annoying problem with your trusty vacuum cleaner. And it’s such a simple problem too. So simple that many people don’t think to do anything about it until the problem becomes unbearable. And it usually does, as you have no doubt discovered yourself.
In the course of normal cleaning, your portable vacuum cleaner suddenly releases a cloud of dust and debris. You notice that it’s blowing more air out than it is sucking in.
Top Reasons for your Vacuum Blowing Out Dirt
1. Clogged vacuum hose
So what causes this clog? The most common cause of a vacuum cleaner blowing air is the accumulation of deep in dirt and dust in its hose. In fact, if you can hear a change in the sound of your vacuum cleaner when it releases air from an unpowered state, the most probable cause is a clog in the hose. To avoid this problem, be sure to frequently clean out your vacuum cleaner’s hose.
This will greatly increase the life of your vacuum cleaner and ensure that it is working efficiently.
2. Clogged vacuum nozzle or attachments
Another possible cause is a clog in the vacuum nozzle or other attachments. If you have recently changed your vacuum bag, you may want to check if there is dirt or dust that has been released into the hose as a result of changing the bag.
A common cause of dirt and dust clogs is the collection of pet hair. If you have pets, be sure to clean out their fur from your vacuum cleaner frequently or it may result in a clog that prevents air movement.
3. Clogged motor head
The last major cause of this problem is the build-up of debris inside the actual motor head. This tends to happen in older vacuum cleaners or if you frequently use yours in dusty or dirty environments. If no air movement occurs when the motor is running, clean out the motor head by taking off its attachment and tapping it against something like a trash can (be sure to unplug your vacuum before cleaning).
Be sure that the nozzle is securely attached to the motor head after you are finished cleaning it. If your vacuum cleaner still doesn’t work, call a repairman as it may be an issue with the actual motor.
You can avoid all of these problems by keeping your vacuum clean and checking for clogs every now and then. This will reduce the amount of time you spend fixing your vacuum cleaner and will greatly extend its life. Although it’s not fun to check for clogs, you’ll be happy that you did when your vacuum works like new again.
4. HEPA Filter needs replacing
If your HEPA filter or other vacuum filter is full of dirt and debris, this can cause your vacuum to start blowing dust. To fix this issue with dirty filters, simply take out any of the three filters that your vacuum has and replace it with a new one.
5. Brush roller full of debris
If your roller gets full of debris, it can cause suction power issues and cause the vacuum spitting out air instead.
This issue is especially common with Shop Vac vacuums.
To fix this simply remove your brush roller head and clean it out.
6. Check all other vacuum ports
Not every vacuum is the same and the overall vacuum airflow varies between each brand.
If you’ve got a new vacuum check each and every vacuum port that it has.
If you detect reduced air flow at any points or you lose suction, then it’s most likely got a clog.
You also need to quickly check the dust cup air duct, which can be full of dust and cause similar issues.
Why is my motor making a loud noise?
If your vacuum is blowing out more than its taking in, whilst making a loud noise, you have electric motor issues.
With a Bissell vacuum motor or a Shop Vac motor, you can easily access it and check it for any issues. If you can’t fix it yourself and you’re still within the warranty period then call the manufacturer.