Basic maintenance can add years to the life of your vacuum
If you’ve been working in property management for any length of time, you probably already know that commercial vacuums are often seen as ‘disposable’ items, even when they’re expensive: They’re used by multiple people cleaning up all kinds of different floors and messes, and when they stop working after a few months or a year, it can seem easier to just replace them, especially if you don’t have an in-house maintenance team who can repair them quickly.
However, the truth is that with just a little bit of preventive maintenance, commercial vacuums can deliver good performance for years – saving you a lot of money, and helping to contribute to your building’s sustainability efforts.
5 tips for extending the working life of your commercial vacuum
- Clean & unclog the attachments regularly. The most common reason that vacuums stop working is simply that the attachments (especially the rollers) get clogged with hair and threads and simply stop turning. Using scissors to cut the threads and hairs, and cleaning out the various attachment heads on a regular basis will prevent this.
- Change the bags! When vacuum bags aren’t changed regularly, they get stuffed with debris. What’s more, when an overstuffed vacuum bag meets even a little bit of moisture, it can become hardened. The machine will actually start spitting dirt back up, and can also overheat – both of which will cause the vacuum to stop working. Replacing vacuum bags as soon as they are more than half full will add years to the working life of your machine.
- Pay attention to what’s going in there. Coins, small toys, socks, even a toothbrush – you’d be surprised at what commercial vacuums will suck up when you aren’t looking, and all of it can cause damage. A few moments spent on picking up larger objects before you start vacuuming can make a huge difference.
- Change the motor belt: The belt is flexible and can eventually become too stretched out to properly turn the rotors, which will cause your vacuum to function much less efficiently. Replacing it annually will extend the life of your vacuum and give you better results. (It isn’t difficult: The instructions will be included with the paperwork provided with the vacuum, and it’s easy to order the right belt.)
- Avoid moisture during use and storage: Vacuums hate moisture: It’s bad for the belt, the motor, and all the surfaces along the inside of the suction area. Don’t use your vacuum when cleaning up damp messes, and ensure you’re storing the vacuum in a dry place between uses.
Repairing your vacuum could be easier than you think
We know that one of the reasons vacuums get replaced rather than repaired is because of the downtime: You need your vacuum on a weekly or even daily basis, and can’t afford for it to be ‘in the shop’ for long.
That’s why we’ve introduced our ‘loaner’ program! We’ll pick up your broken vacuum and drop off a ‘loaner’ you can use while we repair your machine in our Hamilton shop. Then we’ll drop it back – and you never lose a day of cleaning! (What’s more, you’ll be making a smart contribution to your organization’s sustainability efforts by reducing the need to purchase brand-new machines.)
Want more information?
Whether it’s vacuums, floor scrubbers, or any other cleaning machinery, we can show you ways to get more out of your cleaning and maintenance spend. So get in touch – we look forward to hearing from you!
