5 Steps to Take to Prevent Breaking Your Vacuum Belt

Vacuum cleaners are vital to any home or business, so you should care for your vacuum belt the way you do your car. Nothing is more frustrating than to be half way through cleaning house on Saturday morning, when a burned rubber odor fills the air. Usually, a shrill sound pierces the air that is followed by silence. This is the tell-tale sign that your vacuum belt has broken. Here are a few tips to help avoid these problems:

Step 1: Change Vacuum Belts Regularly

Your vacuum belt is under a tremendous amount of stress. It is a rubber band that stretches between a spinning shaft and a brush roller. The spindle is turning 10,000 rounds per minute. The brush is constantly raking through dirt and debris. Expect it to wear out sooner or later. Some manufacturers say to change the belt every six months. Others suggest that efficiency decreases after three months. The rule of thumb is to change the belt every six months, depending on your manufacturer's instructions..

Step 2: Use the Proper Model

If you change the belt and it continues to break, check the part number because you may be using the wrong one. Vacuum belts may appear the same size and shape, but the smallest variation can change the way it operates. It may be too wide for the shaft, or too small for the roller. Find your model and serial number online and investigate the problem. If the specific belt is not sold in local stores, order it from an Internet site.

Step 3: Inspect the Roller and Fittings

Your belt may be breaking because debris is keeping the brush from properly seating. This can cause the belt to spin and overheat. Excess hair or strings can build up and interfere with the roller so it important to keep it clean. Also, insure that the belt is even on the shaft because a crooked belt may start to fray.

Step 4: Avoid Coarse Debris and Carpet Edges

If the vacuum cleaner comes into contact with cords, cloth or carpet edges, the roller hangs up and the vacuum belt spins. This friction will heat the belt to the point that it snaps quickly. Even if your belt is the more efficient gear style rather than flat or round, it can still snap if the brush becomes jammed. Be aware of your surroundings when using the vacuum cleaner.

Step 5: Choose a Beltless Machine

Vacuum cleaners are primarily an appliance that uses vacuum force to pick up dirt and spills. Upright models, some hand held versions, and broom vacuum cleaners have belts and rollers to brush waste from carpets and other surfaces. Canister vacuums have no rollers, relying only on suction and brush handles. You should think of the advantages of the different types when you are choosing a machine.