How do you treat the tools that make you money? 

It’s 5am and they open at 6am. You still have a lot to do and then it happens…. The vacuum shuts off. This is one of your best customers. You must finish; no excuses. What do you do?

Have you ever been in this situation? Would you want to face this problem? Here we go again, time for another costly vacuum repair.

Why would you drag that dirty, old and worn-out vacuum into a facility where your customer expects and demands pristine results? You wouldn’t expect someone to clean your home this way… Would you?

5 Keys to Optimal Equipment Performance

1. Cleanliness

Not only is appearance important –it sets you apart from your competition. The equipment you bring into a facility is a representation of you. Dirty, old, and worn out equipment not only looks bad, it is bad. Clean is what you provide. Your equipment should be as clean as possible.

2. Excess Soil Removal

80-90% of soil is brought into a facility from outside. Stopping soil at the door is key. Proper floor matting systems at entrances coupled with the proper vacuuming techniques using appropriate accessories are crucial to extend the working life of your equipment.

3. Filtration

Vacuuming not only removes loose soil from carpet and hard surfaces, it also acts as an air filter. A vacuum with the proper filtration is designed to remove dirt, dust, pollen, pet dander, and other airborne allergens and then contain them. Poorly designed filtration systems, overfilled disposable bags, and dirty filters allow these allergens to exhaust back into the air and re-deposit on surfaces and carpets.

4. Safety

To avoid electrical shock or short circuiting, be sure power cords are in good condition. Tears in cords look bad and they are a safety hazard. A power cord poorly secured or fastened to the handle is not safe. A power cord wired incorrectly is not safe. A broken plug is not safe. Forget the electrical tape – replace it! 

5. Application

Do not use a vacuum cleaner outdoors or to vacuum liquids unless it is designed for this purpose. Moisture can cause erosion to internal components and metal parts. Moisture can also cause dirt and dust to cling to the side of hoses, resulting in clogs and reduced suction. The presence of moisture inside the vacuum can lead to mold and mildew, and in turn, odor problems.

Proper maintenance will keep your vacuum working and cleaning efficiently. Maintaining your vacuum cleaner properly can reduce more costly vacuum repair and replacement. Perform preventative maintenance proactively to avoid more severe problems.

The 12 Point Vacuum Preventative Maintenance Plan

1. Lubricate wheels, casters, friction points, and handles
2. Adjust brush height for effective soil removal and bristle life
3. Clean dust and debris from the motor assembly
4. Polish the armature to revive power
5. Clean fan and fan housing
6. Replace worn vacuum tools and power heads
7. Check and replace worn belts and brush agitators
8. Replace paper bags
9. Clean exhaust filters, motor filters, cloth filters and washable filters
10. Replace HEPA filters if applicable
11. Check power cords for tears, exposed wires, or plug issues
12. Clean the inside and outside of cloth filter bags

Well maintained and clean equipment will not only perform better and run longer, it will make a lasting impression. By practicing proper vacuum maintenance, you increase the lifespan of the vacuum, protect the health of the operator, and provide a cleaner facility for the customer.

Are you tired of throwing away money on costly vacuum repair? Ever feel like there's got to be some way to eliminate loss of productivity due to equipment downtime? Ready for a better way? Click the link below and request a free 20 minute consultation to understand how the Action SmartSite­™ Optimization program can make these problems a thing of the past.