Vacuum Cleaner Belts
Replacing Vacuum Cleaner Belts
Most vacuums work by not only creating suction but by also brushing the carpet to loosen the dirt so that it can be sucked up. In order to brush up the dirt, the vacuums have a long cylindrical brush that spins at a high rate of speed. For the vacuum brush to spin it is attached to the motor by a belt. Vacuum cleaner belts are made of thick rubber, usually about half an in thick and is a continuous loop. These belts have a shorter lifespan than the vacuum cleaners do, so it is likely that you will have to replace the belt in your vacuum cleaner at least once.
Finding the Right Belt
Different brands and models of vacuum cleaners will need different brands and models of vacuum cleaner belts. The owner's manual for your vacuum cleaner will tell you what model belt it needs. If you no longer have the owner's manual for your vacuum cleaner, you can take the old belt with you to either an electronics store that sells vacuum cleaners or a vacuum cleaner store. Write down the make and model of your vacuum cleaner before going to the store. Many times the belt packaging will have the makes and models of vacuums that belt will fit. Having your old belt will help you confirm that it is the right width and thickness.
Belt Removal and Replacement
There will probably be at least one piece of the vacuum cleaner that needs to be taken off in order to give you access to the belt. It is best to check your owner's manual for the correct steps to replacing its belt. If you do not have your owner's manual, you can probably find instructions online for replacing vacuum cleaner belts for your make and model of vacuum cleaner. On many models, you will need to take off the bottom of the vacuum cleaner. The brush typically sits in grooves on either side of the vacuum base and will easily slide out once the bottom is removed. When putting the new belt on, it will offer some resistance when sliding that side of the brush back into place. Steady pressure will get the end into place Keep your hand on it while placing the other end in to keep the belted end from popping back out.
An important part of vacuum cleaner maintenance is the occasional replacement of the belt. Replacing the belt at the first sign of trouble or deterioration can prevent bigger problems from occurring. Vacuum cleaner belts are inexpensive and replacing it when needed will prevent expensive problems from coming up. Failure to replace the belt can result in burning out the motor. Replacing the belt is easy to do, vacuum cleaners are designed so that the consumer can do it themselves.