Upper Filter gets clogged quickly

Fine dust from sparkle will clog a bag or filter very quickly even though the bag is not full or even close to full. The air can't pass through the bag so it is popping the door open. Drywall dust can ruin a vacuum motor very quickly. I use a shop vac style vacuum with a cartridge filter that still clogged up after just a few minutes of vacuuming the dust but I can take the filter outside and hit it against something and use a small soft brush to clean it.

Hi there! If the filter is clogged this will cause the vacuum to lose suction and possibly shut-off. Below are instructions to checking and cleaning your filters.

1. Remove the dirt cup. Twist off the dirt cup lid.
2. Remove the filter cartridge from dirt cup.
3. Separate the foam and cartridge filters. Wash foam filter under running. Allow 24 hours to air dry outside the vacuum.
4. Tap the excess dirt out of Hepa filter. Hepa filter may also be washed. Allow 24 hours to air dry.
5. Check the secondary filter by removing the filter cover from base. Rinse the foam filter under running water until it runs clear. Allow 24 hours to air dry.
6. The red baffle tube inside of the dirt cup is apart of the filtration of the vacuum and needs to be cleaned as well. Twist out the baffle tube by turning 1/4 turn clockwise. Remove any hair or debris wrapped around baffle tube. Baffle tube can be rinsed if needed. Allow to dry thoroughly.

If the filters are too dirty they may need to be replaced. With regular maintenance the filters should be replaced about once a year. Follow the links below to order replacement filters for your UH20020.

Primary Filter
Exhaust Foam Filter

Hope this helps!

No, just paper filter or round cartridge, whatever is on there. Foam only for wet vac.

Hi,
When doing fine dust you need to get the paper filters that slide over the foam one and then also get the bag that slips right over the hole coming into the tank... this combination will get you dust free...

heatman101

Check the following after unplugging the power cord from the outlet.
- Check for suction at the back of the unit, after removing the hose where it attaches to the back of the vacuum. If there is NO suction, the machine will need to be taken to a local Service Center for inspection.
If there IS suction at the back of the machine with the hose removed, please check the following:
Unplug the unit from the outlet.
- Check the Pre and Post-Motor filters for debris. Dirty filters can restrict airflow. The pre-motor foam filter is square and located in a pull out tray underneath the dirt cup. The foam filter may be hand washed in cold water with mild detergent. Reinstall the filter when it is completely dry. The post-motor HEPA Media filter is rectangular and located on the side of the machine. Note: The white HEPA Media Post-Motor Filter is not washable.
- Ensure the dirt cup is empty.
- Check the upper tank for build up or clogs.
- Twist the inner cyclone to the left and pull down
- Wipe the inside of the upper tank and separator plate with a
damp cloth moistened with water or mild cleaning detergent.
- Once the inner cyclone is dry, lock back into the machine by
pushing up and turning to the right.
- Put the dirt cup back in
- Check for good suction at the end of the upholstery hose. If there is good suction, make sure the hose is firmly connected to the lower hose on the back of the vacuum. If there is no suction at the end of the hose, check the hose for splits, cracks or clogs.
- Make sure the brush is rotating. If it is not, remove the access plate and examine the brush, and belt for damage. The access panel can be removed by lifting the 4 tabs located at the bottom of your machine. Lift tab 1 then 2-4 tabs to remove the access panel.

CLEARING CLOGS
- Detach the upper hose from the machine. Insert a broomstick into the hose to push any obstruction through to the opposite end.
- Remove the screw from the left side of the lower hose on the back of the unit, and straighten this section of hose by pulling it down or lay the unit out flat, and roll the unit on its side with the lower house towards the top side. Look through the hose for any obstructions. Push a broom stick through the lower hose to unclog.

Your wet/dry vac came with 2 filters.
Paper for dust and dirt and Foam for wet/dry use.
If you left the paper filter on and tried to vacuum a wet surface, you most likely shredded your paper filter and clogged the outlet vent above your water shut-off float.
You should always use a filter to prevent clogging of the cyclonic impeller blades next to the motor. When extracting water or moisture you will need to use the Foam filter to prevent water from collecting in your fan blade area which then creeps to the motor eventually causing it to seize up.

Open the vac as though to change the cone and remove the plastic inner cone with the slotted screw at the bottom.. Underneath you will find a 5" disk , likely coated with fine dust.
That is the one which needs to be changed. Around that disc will be three more screws holding the upper housing onto the vac. These ones are accessible from inside, if changing the motor.
Below the handle of the vac there is a serial number ring and three screws in an offset triangle. If you remove these and the rubber cover for the toe switch, the vac housing will come off. This will reveal the `foam or cotton ``muffler``. You can replace it or wash and dry it if foam. It acts as a muffler more than a a filter....

Check the filters. If you have a foam filter, they clog quickly. Wash it and dry it completely before you use it.

Okay simple. You should have 3 filters. A foam, plastic and a round paperish filter. Foam filter goes around black air filter which goes in the bottom removable tank and then the grey one goes in the upper tank and twists in

Take off the front top filter (the clear plastic peice where it says eureka) there should be two filters inside, the bit of foam and the peice it's attached to.

I clean both parts in warm soapy water and let dry, that always fixes the problem for me.