Why does my vacuum blow dust into the air?

[mikegg]

I just got a new Bissell vacuum, specifically this one.

When I unplugged the pipe to vacuum high places, dust starts flying out of the hole. See images below. Am I doing something wrong or is this just a terrible design?

 

[Leros]

Doesn't really make sense. Is the carpet brush still spinning when you unplug the tube?

 

[mikegg]

Doesn't really make sense. Is the carpet brush still spinning when you unplug the tube?

Yes, it still spins.

 

[Leros]

Yes, it still spins.

1) You probably have a switch or something to run just the vacuum without the brush spinning. Figure out how to do that. I've seen vacuums where the switch is three way (off, vacuum only, vacuum + brush). I've also seen vacuums where the brush is disabled if the vacuum is in the full upright position.

2) Any dust flying off that brush should have already been sucked up by the tube. Does your vacuum not have good suction? Is the filter clogged? Or are you moving the vacuum around with the brushes spinning?

 

[BoomerD]

1) You probably have a switch or something to run just the vacuum without the brush spinning. Figure out how to do that.

2) Any dust flying off that brush should have already been sucked up by the tube. Does your vacuum not have good suction? Is the filter clogged? Or are you moving the vacuum around with the brushes spinning?

I looked at the manual at Bissell.com. The brush keeps spinning. No shut-off for it. Seems like a stupid design to me...but whacha speck? It ain't a Dyson!

 

[Leros]

I looked at the manual at Bissell.com. The brush keeps spinning. No shut-off for it. Seems like a stupid design to me...but whacha speck? It ain't a Dyson!

That is dumb. Even then, the brush shouldn't be throwing dust up into the air if you're not moving the vacuum around.

 

[mikegg]

1) You probably have a switch or something to run just the vacuum without the brush spinning. Figure out how to do that. I've seen vacuums where the switch is three way (off, vacuum only, vacuum + brush). I've also seen vacuums where the brush is disabled if the vacuum is in the full upright position.

2) Any dust flying off that brush should have already been sucked up by the tube. Does your vacuum not have good suction? Is the filter clogged? Or are you moving the vacuum around with the brushes spinning?

1. No such button. I've checked every inch of the thing. Tried it in upright and bent. The bottom brush runs regardless.

2. It has great suction. Filter doesn't seem clogged. It's brand new. Not moving it around.

 

[Leros]

1. No such button. I've checked every inch of the thing. Tried it in upright and bent. The bottom brush runs regardless.

2. It has great suction. Filter doesn't seem clogged. It's brand new. Not moving it around.

So where is the dust coming from? Logic dictates that any dust being thrown out the back by the brush should already have been sucked up by the vacuum. Unless you're just getting very small amounts that build up over time, which would make sense as a little bit of dust would fly off the brush every now and then even if the majority had already been sucked up by the vacuum.

 

[MrPickins]

Clean your floor better and the dust wont come out...

 

[mikegg]

So where is the dust coming from? Logic dictates that any dust being thrown out the back by the brush should already have been sucked up by the vacuum. Unless you're just getting very small amounts that build up over time, which would make sense as a little bit of dust would fly off the brush every now and then even if the majority had already been sucked up by the vacuum.

I found a hole that on the bottom that directly connects to the hole blowing out dust. There is no filter in between.

I think this is just a really bad design.

 

[Leros]

That hole sucks up dirt when you're vacuuming like normal.

I'm starting to think you might not be qualified to own a vacuum.

 

[mikegg]

That hole sucks up dirt when you're vacuuming like normal.

I'm starting to think you might not be qualified to own a vacuum.

Wait, so why make the hose detachable then?

How can I use the hose without dust blowing out?

 

[Leros]

Wait, so why make the hose detachable then?

How can I use the hose without dust blowing out?

Well, it sounds like the brush is going to keep kicking up dirt when you have the hose removed. Nothing you can do about that. Although if your floor is clean, it shouldn't be pulling up too much stuff.

 

[mikegg]

Well, it sounds like the brush is going to keep kicking up dirt when you have the hose removed. Nothing you can do about that. Although if your floor is clean, it shouldn't be pulling up too much stuff.

Then it's just a terrible design.

 

[Leros]

Then it's just a terrible design.

Yes it is. I've never seen a vacuum without a way to disable the brush.

 

[akshatp]

Buy a Dyson

 

[Leros]

What does a $400 vacuum have over a $100 vacuum?

 

[AMCRambler]

Cuz it sucks...Heh

I think you need to RTM on how the accessory hose works. You're doing it wrong I think.

 

[mizzou]

my old dirt devel has a plastic flap that closes the hole when I want to seperate the tube and use it to reach narrow/high places

 

[BoomerD]

Cuz it sucks...Heh

I think you need to RTM on how the accessory hose works. You're doing it wrong I think.

Sadly, no.

http://www.bissell.com/assets/0/132/134/228/cc6d7f5f-cbf6-45b4-98dc-de5604199ff3.pdf

 

[Anonemous]

there's no switch for hose/floor? Even my $35 Optima DX has a switch for hose/floor.

 

[phucheneh]

Er...the motor is gonna be on the side with the canister...brushes don't make a seal...so there's no air pressure coming out of that hole...

...clean out the underside of the vacuum? I can't fathom a cloud of dust coming out of there.

Also, if there's no way to turn the brush off manually, are you sure there's not a little microswitch or something where that hose goes in? Look for a little movable piece of plastic, or something else that could constitute a spring-loaded button.

 

[BoomerD]

Er...the motor is gonna be on the side with the canister...brushes don't make a seal...so there's no air pressure coming out of that hole...

...clean out the underside of the vacuum? I can't fathom a cloud of dust coming out of there.

Also, if there's no way to turn the brush off manually, are you sure there's not a little microswitch or something where that hose goes in? Look for a little movable piece of plastic, or something else that could constitute a spring-loaded button.

Sadly, no.

http://www.bissell.com/assets/0/132/134/228/cc6d7f5f-cbf6-45b4-98dc-de5604199ff3.pdf

NOTICE:
the floor brush will continue to rotate
while you use your vacuum for above
floor cleaning.
to prevent carpet
damage, do not lean on the vacuum
or let the powerfoot tilt forward.

CAUTION:
the rotating floor brush continues to rotate
while tools are in use.
to reduce the risk
of injury from moving parts, always move
the cleaner with the carrying handle at
the back of the cleaner.
always place
vacuum cleaner on floor with handle in
upright position when using tools.
neverplace your fingers under the cleaner
when it is running.
never place power
-
foot on furniture or uneven surfaces.
do not place vacuum cleaner close enough
to objects to pull them into rotating brush

 

[phucheneh]

Sounds like he needs to make some modifications.

Open vacuum, connect suitable switch to power feed for brush motor. For best results, use the kind with the red cover that looks like it arms missiles.

 

[BoomerD]

Sounds like he needs to make some modifications.

Open vacuum, connect suitable switch to power feed for brush motor. For best results, use the kind with the red cover that looks like it arms missiles.

You mean like this?

:biggrin: