Home Garden

Hoover SteamVac Deluxe Will Not Pick up Water

The Hoover SteamVac Deluxe is a deep cleaner meant for upholstery, stairs, carpet and hard floors that has five rotating brushes, two speeds and can clean both in a forward and reverse direction. The carpet cleaner adjusts automatically to the floor surface being cleaned and has two separate tanks to keep clean and dirty water separate. However, if it will not pick up water, some troubleshooting might be required.
  1. Full Tank

    • When cleaning with the Hoover SteamVac Deluxe, the cleaner sprays cleaning solution and water onto the floor or carpet and then suctions the now-dirty water back up. If the dirty water tank becomes too full, the unit can no longer suction up water. If the dirty water, or recovery, tank appears to be full, turn off the power on the carpet cleaner, and press down on the lever to release the recovery tank. Carry it to a sink and empty it out. Rotate the handle to close the lid back onto the unit, and then set back on the SteamVac, pressing down on the handle to lock it in place. Note that the unit will not work if the tank lid is not firmly in position.

    Empty Tank

    • If the clean water tank on the machine has not been filled with hot water and cleaning solution, the machine will not dispense the cleaning solution when the trigger is pressed. It also will not suction up any water since there was none dispensed in the first place. Verify that the clean water tank has been filled with 1 cup of cleaning solution and 1 gallon of hot water. A built-in measuring cup is on the tank lid for measuring the cleaning solution.

    Blockage

    • Another possible reason why the machine won't suction up dirty water is if there is an obstruction. Turn off and unplug the carpet cleaner, and then disconnect the hose. Remove any obstructions, using a long wooden handle if necessary to push blockages through the hose. Reconnect the hose, and restore power.

    Tank Panel

    • A front panel on the recovery tank is removed prior to using the upholstery tool with the carpet cleaner. The panel on the upholstery tool is then slid into position in the front of the recovery tank. Once the upholstery tool has been removed from the unit, if the original recovery tank front panel is not returned to position, the machine will not suction properly and may leak. Replace the recovery tank panel before using the machine after the upholstery tool has been used.