Vacuum cleaners are a heaven sent for homeowners but they are also one of the most used and abused appliances at home.
Their hoses, for example, are often dragged around the floor and even stretched to their limits.
This often leads to the hoses getting damaged and leaky, which usually ends up with a vacuum cleaner that no longer has a strong suction power.
Are you ready to fix your broken or split vacuum cleaner hose? Here is an easy step-by-step guide to do it:
Fortunately, you don’t need to resort to throwing away your hose or even replacing the entire vacuum cleaner when this happens. In fact, fixing it is quite easy so you don’t have to have it serviced by a professional.
Step 1: Find the leak
Before doing anything, the first thing you have to do is assess the damage of your vacuum cleaner hose.
The presence of a leak is quite easy to spot as it affects the efficiency of your machine in terms of suction power. Knowing where the exact leak is will help determine your next steps.
Step 2: Cut if off
If the split or leak happens to be very close to one end of the tube, fixing it is pretty easy.
All you have to do is remove the plastic connector attached to the tube then cut off the tube just right above the leak using a utility knife. Simply replace the plastic connector back into the tube then reattach it to your vacuum cleaner.
Unfortunately, there are certain vacuum cleaner models whose plastic connectors are designed to be fitted to the machines. When these connectors could not be removed, it is impossible to do a repair using this method.
Step 3: Gather the necessary materials
Now, if the leak happens to be somewhere in the middle of the tube, the fixing process you have to follow will be a slightly longer and more complicated one.Â
First off, you will have to gather the necessary materials to get the fixing done.
Among the things that you will likely need include a wire coat hanger or a broom with a long handle that fits through the tube.
Also make sure to have a utility knife, duct tape and some talcum powder handy.
This process will be a little messier as it is likely that the hose and vacuum cleaner itself will still have dust and debris inside them. If you are allergic, put on your gloves, mask and working clothes. Also make sure to protect your floors!
Step 4: Prepare the affected area
Before putting the patch on, clean out the leak area with liquid soap to remove any grease or dust. Avoid getting any liquid into your machine unless you are working on a wet/dry vacuum cleaner.
Step 5: Seal the area
Once the affected area has been cleaned and is already dry, you can finally proceed with the fix. First, you will need to put chalk or talcum powder into the affected area using the broom handle.
Slide the handle inside the tube until you are able to see the talcum powder through the crack.
Next, you can already cover the leak with a duct tape, making sure that the entire area is well covered. The process isn’t quite done yet as you are left with a sticky side of the tape exposed inside the tube.
Leaving it as is will only allow debris and dust to accumulate, causing clogging in the future.
To remedy this, simply spread chalk or talcum powder on the floor and let your vacuum cleaner suck it. This last process will also help you double-check if the leak has been properly sealed.
Patching the leak in a vacuum cleaner hose is considered to be a temporary fix only since it is likely that the patch will peel off due to the power of the machine.
It probably won’t be long before the fix gives in and you will have to do the process all over again. However, it certainly beats having to shell out money.
But, just in case the leak becomes irreparable, the best remedy is always to get a brand new vacuum cleaner hose that will make cleaning much easier again.
Last Updated on February 14, 2021 by Gemma Tyler
Gemma Tyler is a freelance journalist with 15 years of experience writing for consumer publications. She has tested and reviewed a wide range of household items from vacuum cleaners to washing machines and dehumidifiers to steam irons. Her attention to detail and exhaustive testing certainly makes her an expert in her field.
