Difficulty vacuuming Smartstrand

[Jon]

We have a new Beam central vac and new Smartstand low pile carpret. It takes two arms and lots of force to get the power head to move forward. Having never had central vac before, I assumed that it was the suction and power of the Beam central vac that caused the resistance so I just acceted it. However, it has gotten worse and when I looked on the bottom of the power head, a black residue was on several places on the bottom and in the bristles. The installer of the central vac is mystified as is the dealer who sold us the Smartstrand. Even a brand new Beam power head would not move forward without effort. I cannot figure out if the black residue is coming from the beater bar due to friction or coming from the polymer green carpet. The carpet itself looks fine. I have tried an Electrolux canister and a Mielhe and both have the same problem. Any ideas about solving this mystery? There are only a couple of posts about this problem on the internet on Fixya.
Thanks.
Jon

[Daris Mulkin]

Jon said We have a new Beam central vac and new Smartstand low pile carpret. It takes two arms and lots of force to get the power head to move forward. Having never had central vac before, I assumed that it was the suction and power of the Beam central vac that caused the resistance so I just acceted it. However, it has gotten worse and when I looked on the bottom of the power head, a black residue was on several places on the bottom and in the bristles. The installer of the central vac is mystified as is the dealer who sold us the Smartstrand. Even a brand new Beam power head would not move forward without effort. I cannot figure out if the black residue is coming from the beater bar due to friction or coming from the polymer green carpet. The carpet itself looks fine. I have tried an Electrolux canister and a Mielhe and both have the same problem. Any ideas about solving this mystery? There are only a couple of posts about this problem on the internet on Fixya. Thanks. Jon

Check and see if the roller is going in the reverse direction. Meaning it should be throwing the soil toward the back of the power head. If not you are fighting against the roller or brushes.
If it is you may have to reverse the belt if there is a twist in it. Reverse the twist. Not knowing anything about that type of vac I'm just guessing.

Daris

[Isabella Flooring]

From going to classes and being a Mohawk dealer, I my opinon, It's not the smartStrand Polymer...The smartstrand polymer has been out longer than alot of people know. even named differently.

I would go with what Daris has mention, their is to much tension, drag some where.

I would also have to ask what the oz. weight of your carpet 25oz 40oz 60oz has alot to do with it.

[Peter Kodner]

As Isabella said, knowing the nature of the carpet will help. Very heavy pile? What is the texture, i.e. plush, Saxony, frieze, etc.? This is the first I have ever heard of anyone having a problem with a power head attachment.

[ortiz34]

I'm mystified too, hmm...scratches my chin thinking

[Jon]

Thanks Daris for your suggestion. The roller on the powerhead is going in the correct direction. A new, out of the box Beam powerhead, plus other vacuums are mentioned in my post, all have the same problem.

[Jon]

Peter and Isabella,
I do not have the oz. info but can probably get it on Monday. The carpet is a frieze. The info on the back of the sample piece we have says: BP592 Harker Commons, Mowahawk SmartStrand BCF P.T.T. Polyester

[Isabella Flooring]

Jon said We have a new Beam central vac and new Smartstand low pile carpret. It takes two arms and lots of force to get the power head to move forward. Having never had central vac before, I assumed that it was the suction and power of the Beam central vac that caused the resistance so I just acceted it. However, it has gotten worse and when I looked on the bottom of the power head, a black residue was on several places on the bottom and in the bristles. The installer of the central vac is mystified as is the dealer who sold us the Smartstrand. Even a brand new Beam power head would not move forward without effort. I cannot figure out if the black residue is coming from the beater bar due to friction or coming from the polymer green carpet. The carpet itself looks fine. I have tried an Electrolux canister and a Mielhe and both have the same problem. Any ideas about solving this mystery? There are only a couple of posts about this problem on the internet on Fixya. Thanks. Jon

After reading your post again, My suggestion would be A enexpensive Hoover from wal Mart $89.00 and see how that preforms, I feel you have to much suction and a heavy weight carpet, Remember, Just because you have a Central Vac and a powerhead, Doesn't mean you have the BEST vacuum for your carpet.

As I have said earlier, A inexpensive Hoover could out preform a kirby, I can purchase 20 Hoover's for the price of 1 kirby.

[rgfloor]

I realize you have a Mohawk carpet but this is a snippet from Beaulieu, and both Shaw and Mohawk have similar disclaimers. It is not about the manufacturer, but the style of carpet.

"Certain carpet constructions such as Frieze, Shag and Berber tend to be sensitive to brush agitation, which can cause the pile yarns of these carpets to burst and become fuzzy. Beaulieu recommends suction-only vacuum models or vacuum models equipped with an adjustable brush and beater bar that can be placed where it will not come in contact with the carpet's pile yarns. Vacuums should be adjusted to the correct height setting for these carpets. " The link follows.

Carpet, Flooring - Beaulieu, Bliss, Coronet, Hollytex

The problem you are having with the vacuum is that it is trying to eat the fibers. Wrapping them around the brush if you will. While you may not see any damage, it IS happening. As an inspector I can't tell you how many I have seen absolutely destroyed by a vacuum.

[Curt Durand]

Important? Black residue? Remember excess yarn lubricant? Possible build up, soil entrapment and clogging of the vacs brush action. Test for excess yarn lube.

[Daris Mulkin]

Curt that was going to be my next suggestion but you beat me to it.
So how do you test for that?

Daris

[Curt Durand]

Tim Smith taught us to do a distilled water agitation of a tuft with the latex bud cut off in a test tube. Look for "excessive" sudsing. Qualitative field test only. Send a sample off to one of the labs would be the best idea.

[ortiz34]

ah good ole smartstrand

[Peter Kodner]

Curt Durand said Tim Smith taught us to do a distilled water agitation of a tuft with the latex bud cut off in a test tube. Look for "excessive" sudsing. Qualitative field test only. Send a sample off to one of the labs would be the best idea.

Curt, glad you brought up a lab. I too was taught the shake and look by Tim. I have had my hands slapped a few times mentioning lubricants in a report. One higher up at a mill has stated any inspector who makes a definitive statement about excess lubricant based on a field test will no longer do work for them. Some lubricant will always be present on finished goods and we cannot accurately makes a determination of how much. Also, there is no standard for acceptable levels, each mill sets their own.

I am wondering if there might be several issues with the original goods here. The comment about the installers knee being the color of the carpet indicates a dry crocking concern too me. I'm wondering if dye stability was ever looked at?

[Nick Arrera]

You and i both know that is such a crock peter .
Never their fault .