Appliances Renovation

Home Appliance Tips: Cleaners and powertools part 3

The brush roll is supported on bearings at each end so the barrel rotates freely. Types of bearings, barrels and brushes differ from model to model as well as between manufacturers. Some manufacturers supply individual parts for the brush roll, such as brush strips, bearings and barrel; others supply only complete assemblies. The brush roll on some models may have removable brush strips, whereas others may be a solid brush roll of wood or plastic with fixed brushes. A small selection is shown here to highlight the differences.

The end bearings are of one of two types: small ball race or simple sleeve bearing. The first is prone to dust penetration causing noise or seizure of the brush roll. Cleaning and regreasing regularly will alleviate any serious problems. Sleeve bearings are also prone to dirt penetration, but although regular lubrication does help, often the shaft of the brush roll wears or the sleeve bearing hole becomes elongated by the constant pull of the belt drive. This type of problem causes the brush roll to stop rotating, resulting in poor pick-up and frequent belt renewal. In this instance, the belt acts like a fuse or weak link. If the brush roll is jammed or slow running, the motor continues to turn although in a laboured way.

The belt cannot transfer all or any movement to the brush roll and the drive pulley rotation causes the belt to heat up due to friction. In a severe case, the belt burns through in one position. With slightly impaired rotation the whole of the belt becomes worn and often tacky to the touch before breaking.

Stalling is common to all brush roll types. Carpet threads, hair and cotton are easily wrapped around the rotating barrel. If this occurs between the barrel end and the bearing plate (often called the thread guard), the resulting build-up acts as a brake and slows the rotation by creating friction. In severe cases the barrel stop rotating and the belt burns through. Cleaning this area regularly keeps the barrel rotating freely. Avoid any unsealed loose edges of carpet as the barrel rotating at high speed can unravel threads.

The brushes must be the correct length to work effectively. To ascertain if the brush roll brushes are worn and need replacing, simply place a straight edge across the mask plate and slide it slowly from one side to the other. You should feel contact along the whole length of the brush strip; if the brushes are below this level, they need to be renewed.

You can disengage the brush roll on some cleaners so that they can be used on floor coverings other than carpet, such as vinyl and parquet. In these cases, they clean only with suction without the rotating brushes. The drive belt is moved across on to an idler pulley by a moving arm and is held there until the user selects the carpet setting. Like the brush roll bearing, the idler pulley may jam or seize due to a build-up of thread and hair. Ensure the free movement of this pulley, if fitted. Remember to reset or check the position of such levers if poor carpet cleaning is experienced.

Repair and maintenance

Regular servicing of your vacuum cleaner will not only keep it working at peak efficiency but will also help you to understand your own machine. It will help to detect potential problems if you know the normal noise level of your cleaner when it is in use and how efficient it is at cleaning. This sort of information will be invaluable in determining where a fault lies and assessing the success of the subsequent repair. If a working knowledge of the machine is built up before it breaks down, much time and patience will be saved.

Various types of hidden fixings and clips are highlighted in the following illustrations, but not all variations can be included as each new model that comes out seems to incorporate another type of fixing. The use of complex plastic moulded bodies, handles and covers has increased the use of hidden fixings, some of which are, in fact, designed as safety features. Do not blindly remove screws in a haphazard fashion; take time to study the appliance and look for joints, moulding marks or inserts that may have been pushed in to cover screw heads. Often a cover is simply clipped into position and held by small plastic catches. These catches need to be eased from their position by inserting a flat-bladed screwdriver through a slot or recess.

Sometimes manufacturers use special screws to fix cases or mouldings together to deter the D-I-Y person from gaining access. Because a special tool is required their engineers will have to be called out — even for the simplest of faults! If you find such a fixing, it is worth contacting a good specialist tool shop. One widely used type of fixing is the TORX end. TORX screwdrivers can be obtained easily from a specialist tool shop.

Plastic is widely used in vacuum cleaners of all designs, but because of their heavy workload and everyday knocks and bumps the casings are often damaged. The cost of replacing some of these plastic parts can be very high, and perhaps if the machine is still working, you might think it is not an urgent matter to put right. It is unwise, however, to use any appliance that is known to be damaged. Although the damage may appear to be cosmetic, the damaged area can form part of the overall safety of the appliance. For example, it may cover cables or exposed connections. It is, therefore, wise to repair all faults and thoroughly to check any appliance that has been dropped or banged about before using it again.

Plastic casings

• Do not use excess force on clips or fixings. Before refitting self-tapping screws into plastic casings, ensure all debris/plastic swarf is removed from their threads, otherwise the plastic thread in the casing will be damaged.
• Do not use mineral oil to lubricate moulded plastic parts because it can damage the structure of the plastic and make it brittle and crack.
• Do not clean plastic mouldings with petroleum products because the surface and make up of the plastic will be damaged.
• Avoid exposing any plastic parts to heat. Do not lean them on radiators or stand them close to heating appliances.

Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)
Home Appliance Tips: Cleaners and powertools part 3

• Necessary Appliance Mending Tips
• Home Appliance Tips: Cleaners and powertools part 1
• Using, Inspecting and Repairing Electrical Appliances at home, basic rules of safety
• Why not have Steam cleaners
• Cylinder cleaners
• Energy Tips: Keep things cool
• Cylinder cleaners part 2
• Electronic Appliances Cables Organizing and Safety Tips
• Kitchen appliances environmental friendly tips: Refrigerators and freezers continue...
• Using Basic Household Electronics Safety Hints (Bathrooms and Flexible Cords)