When a vacuum cleaner and the vacuum brush attached to it are working properly, the vacuum cleaner is arguably the most effective way to clean a carpet. Since it is such a hard-working machine, there is always required maintenance and room for malfunctions. The fact is, the most common reason for vacuum cleaner failure is a roller brush in the vacuum that is not turning properly. These are the five steps to fix your vacuum brush roller.
Step 1 – Find an Appropriate Work Space
If you don’t want to risk losing screws when you dismantle your vacuum cleaner, you should find a flat, hard surface where you can work. Make sure that the vacuum cleaner’s power cord is unplugged. Next, place the vacuum cleaner flat onto your work surface. Keep a bowl nearby to hold the screws and other small parts.
Step 2 – Test the Brush Roller
Find the brush belt where it is attached to the brush roller and check to be sure the belt is in place on the roller at one end and on a metal spindle on the other end. Check to see if the belt is loose, cracked, or stretched out. This will cause the roller to not spin as it should.
Step 3 – Fix broken or Unattached Belt
If the belt is broken, you will need to replace it. If you don’t have a spare belt, take the broken belt with you to a hardware store or vacuum cleaner shop and buy several new belts, using the old belt from your vacuum cleaner to guide you in buying one that is the right size. In connecting the new belt, you will need to remove the roller from the vacuum cleaner. (refer to step 4 below)
Step 4 – Fix a Jammed Brush Roller
Another common roller issue is that it gets hair, yarn, or other debris wrapped around it, jamming it up. Locate the flat plate at the bottom of the vacuum cleaner to get your jammed brush roller back in operation. Remove the screws that secure the plate to the vacuum cleaner, then remove the screws and the plate. Move one end of your roller towards the vacuum cleaner and then slip the belt off. The roller should snap out of its position when you give it a tug. The channel where the roller was placed should be checked. Remove all debris, slip the belt in place on the roller, then replace the roller and give it a few turns to make sure it is now free.
Step 5 – Reassemble Your Belt and Brush Roller
Snap the roller into place, connect the belt to the spindle that turns the belt, and plug the power cord in. With the vacuum cleaner still lying in a position where you will be able to see the roller brush, turn on the vacuum cleaner to be sure the belt is now operating as it should. The brush roller must be turning. Finally, unplug the vacuum cleaner again, replace the plate and the screws that hold the plate in place, and you are ready to operate your vacuum cleaner.
