How to disassemble and repair a vacuum cleaner hose with your own hands, step by step instructions
Dry cleaning is a convenient and reliable way to keep your living space clean. A variety of models allows you to choose a dust collector based on manufacturer preferences, functions and financial capabilities. A breakdown of the air intake pipe renders expensive appliances unusable. How to disassemble the hose from the vacuum cleaner in order to restore it and put it back into operation, we disassemble below.
General construction of the vacuum cleaner
Structurally, the dust collection unit can be divided into two parts: a fixed unit and a mobile working element. The block contains:
- electric motor;
- compressor;
- Control block;
- filters;
- dust collector.
The cleaning process is carried out using a flexible hose connected to a metal tube handle, on which a brush attachment is attached.
How the Hose Works
The life of the vacuum cleaner and the ease of use depend on the performance of the sleeve. The length of the plastic spiral varies, depending on the model, from 1.5 to 2 meters. The suction power depends on the diameter of the pipe: inversely proportional. All working elements have two identical structural elements: an adapter to attach the extension rod and a lock to connect to the unit. The functional characteristics of the hose depend on the material from which it is made and the purpose of the vacuum cleaner.
Varieties of sleeves:
- Universal models:
- from a thin-walled frameless corrugation;
- frameless rigid plastic;
- soft wave with metallic braid.
- For washing vacuum cleaners.
The finned tubes of the cleaning devices are additionally equipped with rubber tubes for the water supply.
The main causes of failure
The design features of the sleeves determine the appearance of defects during the operation of the dust collector.
Regular bending and twisting of the tube
Frameless corrugation (soft and hard), when the vacuum cleaner is not in use, retains its shape through laying in turns. With repeated repetition of the same position in the flexible hose in places of bends, the plastic wears out faster - cracks appear. Rough handling of the hose will twist the bellows, causing them to break.
Framed air intake elements last longer. The cause of the violation of the integrity of the hull also becomes its bending in the same place.
Excessive increase in length
The longer the hose, the more likely it is to be damaged during storage and during cleaning.When it is not operational, it takes up a lot of space, it has to be rolled up in tighter turns, which will lead to cracks. During the operation of the vacuum cleaner, a long corrugation may cling at an acute angle, break. It is most likely that the vacuum cleaner will be moved by pulling the corrugated sleeve, which will lead to the coils breaking.
Strong temperature fluctuations
Cracks appear on plastic products with a large temperature contrast. Moving the vacuum cleaner from a cold to a warm room and vice versa has a negative effect on the condition of the polymer coating.
Move the device with a pipe
During cleaning, it is supposed to move the dust collection unit by the handle on the body. Most often, the vacuum cleaner is moved, taking advantage of the fact that it is on wheels, pulling the bar with a brush. Suddenly, the ripple is strongly stretched and bursts over time.
Penetration of foreign objects
The soft corrugation can be damaged by hard objects caught in the pipe during operation and stuck there. For example, when removing shards of glass, ceramics, walnut shells from the ground.
Contact with sharp objects and corners of furniture
The surface of the tube may be damaged when it hits the corner of a table, cabinet, chest of drawers. Objects with a sharp cutting surface must not come into contact with the pipe: scissors, screwdrivers, knives.
Violation of storage rules
The manufacturer attaches the instructions for use of the manufactured model, including the method of storage of the vacuum cleaner during the working period. Failure to follow instructions will result in hose failure.
Long period of operation
Polymer bellows have their own lifespan.With the most careful and proper use, the plastic will eventually lose its elasticity and crack.
DIY repair methods and instructions
The remedy depends on the location and size of the defect in the surface of the plastic spiral.
Removing the distorted area
Most often, the corrugated tube breaks at the point of contact with the vacuum or bar. To restore its integrity, the pipe is released from the fixation in the handle or the lock (depending on where the tear occurred). The pole bracket has two latches that open with a slight click. A piece of pipe came out, screwed into a plastic sleeve. The damaged part of the tube is removed, a piece of the sleeve. The sleeve is screwed into the sleeve and then inserted into the handle groove.
If damage has occurred next to the latch of the vacuum cleaner, unscrew the rest of the hose, clean the wire from the remnants of glue. The tube is cut and threaded into the latch. Adhesive application is optional, as the connection is strong enough if not pulled with force.
Apply a bandage
The dressing is applied when the tube cannot be cut due to severe shortening. To repair a plastic corrugation, use a piece of another corrugated tube of about the same diameter. The pipe is released from the clips. The damaged ends are cut off.
A piece 4-5 centimeters long is cut from the other corrugation. Connect the ends of the pipe back to back. The part of the pipe prepared for repair is cut lengthwise and turned into a sleeve. A cut pipe is placed in the sleeve, the ends of the bandage are connected and wrapped with electrical tape.
Application of the thermoset
To achieve a strong connection of the hose with a plastic sleeve in the handle, use:
- building hair dryers;
- hot glue gun;
- hot melt glue.
The clutch is heated with a hair dryer, avoiding softening. Using a gun, glue is applied to the threaded connection and the prepared pipe is inserted. Final hardening time - 24 hours.
Repair of a pipe with a power line
A vacuum's power-adjustable ripple break in the handle is easily repaired under the following conditions:
- the defect was found near the handle;
- the sheath is damaged, the wires are not affected;
- an insignificant section failed.
For repairs you will need a hair dryer and a piece of heat shrink tubing.
The hose is removed from the handle:
- the collar is snapped and pushed back;
- remove the cover on the handle;
- remove the pipe.
If the diameter of the heat-shrink tubing is smaller than that of the fixing sleeve, the hose is released from the limit switch on the side of the vacuum cleaner. Push the corrugation through the heat shrink toward the handle. Install the patch on the damaged area and, using a hair dryer, stick it to the corrugated tube. Reassemble the handle and the stopper in the reverse order.
If it is necessary to replace several centimeters of the sleeve, then disassemble the body of the support by opening access to the contacts. With the corrugated sheath, the threads stuck to it are cut. Disconnect the pipe from the limit switch, put on a thermal nozzle. Then the ends of the wires are stripped, soldered to the contacts of the handle. Cover the conductors with insulating tape. Assemble the handle in the reverse order.
Temporary fixing of adhesive tapes
For a quick repair, if a minor defect is revealed just before cleaning, use adhesive tapes: insulation, paint.The crack is wrapped, pressing against the ribs, in 2-3 layers. Such a patch will last for a short time due to insufficient adhesion of the tape coating to the plastic corrugation.
Masking tape is made from paper. To glue to the pipe you need acrylic glue, which is applied to the surface of the tape.
Paste adhesive tapes
The crack can be sealed with silicone tape used to seal leaks. The width of the tape is 2.5 centimeters, the thickness is 0.3 millimeters. A piece of the required length is separated from the roll, taking into account the application in 2 overlapping layers. To improve adhesion, the elastic film is stretched during wrapping, pressing firmly against the corrugation. There is enough heat from your hands to cure it and create a durable, sealed patch.
How can you temporarily restore
You can again make the corrugation airtight using copper wire with a diameter of 1 millimeter and insulating tape. Make 3-6 hooks with the thread, depending on the diameter of the damage. The total length of the hook is 6 centimeters, including the bent part - 2 centimeters. Use an awl to make parallel holes on the cut ends of the tube. Make perforations in the groove stepping back from the edge 2 turns. Thread the hook, twist, being careful not to tear the polymer shell. Remove excess thread, press ends against pipe.
Wrap the connection with electrical tape. Previously, the sharp edges of the twists, so that they do not damage the plastic, should be blunted with sandpaper. A similar repair can be made if the pipe and wires break.With careful handling, after such a repair, the sleeve will last for a year or two: if you do not allow stretching, twisting of the corrugation.
If the finned tube breaks in several places near the mouthpiece and the hose cannot be removed from the mouthpiece, the seal can be restored using a smooth polymer tube. The diameter of the tube must be adapted to the pipe. First, using a universal glue, fix the tube inside the mouthpiece. Then the inside of the damaged pipe is lubricated with glue and connected to a polymer insert. After drying, the connection is covered with an insulating tape.
Possible problems
The difficulty of restoring the hose depends on the model, the degree of wear and the location of the break. A vacuum cleaner with adjustable suction power cannot be repaired if the corrugated tube breaks near the middle, making it impossible to connect the wires. Often these sleeves have a non-separable spigot in the body, where the connection is made with glue.
When removing the damaged area near the handle, there may be residue of dried glue on the threads. For a tight and tight connection, it must be removed without damaging the plastic sleeve.
Rules of maintenance and operation
The life of the vacuum cleaner largely depends on the wear of the plastic. The hoses used in the vacuum cleaners are made of thin and flexible PVC with a ribbed surface.
The manufacturer's instructions contain direct or indirect instructions on how to handle the hose during operation of the vacuum cleaner:
- during storage, the position of the air intake, which cannot be separated from the body, is determined by the fixing of the floor nozzle;
- the detachable pouch after cleaning is stored in the compartment provided in the box;
- move the vacuum around the room by the handle on the body, not the hose;
- do not use a vacuum cleaner to remove sharp objects, bits of paper or fabric.
To prolong the life of the polymer sleeve, do not:
- bend it at an angle of more than 30 degrees;
- step on it, place heavy objects on it;
- store at temperatures below 0 degrees;
- place next to working heating devices (battery, heater, stove, fireplace).
When hissing or poor suction appears, lay the hose horizontally and check for obstructions with a long stick or wire. A wall bracket is available as an accessory. A metal arched gutter is mounted in a laundry room or in a niche where the vacuum cleaner is stored. The bracket design will protect the pipe from bending and bending.