I was mopping with mine a couple months ago when it stopped producing steam. I pumped it several times resulting in a really loud pop (sounded like a .22 going off) followed by a large release of steam from the housing followed by water trailing on the floor. I immediately attributed it to an overpressurization and either a housing or hose failing.
Well several months later and enough nagging from my wife, I finally delved into it. I removed the housing screws from the back side (about 8 small recessed screws). After some wrestling with the housing to free it, I was able to examine the inside. I quickly found the issue. The hose that comes off of the top of the steam chamber and goes to the mop head had indeed failed (presumably from a blockage of sediment / calcium). The hose ruptured right at the top where it connects to the steam chamber where I found about a 1/4" hole.
I was able to remove the hose. I found a long spring inside the hose. (I'm guessing it is to try to prevent blockages.) I blew threw the hose and a good size cloud of a white powdery substance came out. I ran the spring back and forth inside the hose to ensure there were no other obstructions. Fortunately the failure occured close enough to the end of the hose that I was able to trim off the rupture and resecure it with the spring clamp.
I put everything back together and now it works perfectly again. Distilled water from now on (we're on a community well system) and an occasional flush with vinegar should prevent it from happening again.
Answers & Comments
I was mopping with mine a couple months ago when it stopped producing steam. I pumped it several times resulting in a really loud pop (sounded like a .22 going off) followed by a large release of steam from the housing followed by water trailing on the floor. I immediately attributed it to an overpressurization and either a housing or hose failing.
Well several months later and enough nagging from my wife, I finally delved into it. I removed the housing screws from the back side (about 8 small recessed screws). After some wrestling with the housing to free it, I was able to examine the inside. I quickly found the issue. The hose that comes off of the top of the steam chamber and goes to the mop head had indeed failed (presumably from a blockage of sediment / calcium). The hose ruptured right at the top where it connects to the steam chamber where I found about a 1/4" hole.
I was able to remove the hose. I found a long spring inside the hose. (I'm guessing it is to try to prevent blockages.) I blew threw the hose and a good size cloud of a white powdery substance came out. I ran the spring back and forth inside the hose to ensure there were no other obstructions. Fortunately the failure occured close enough to the end of the hose that I was able to trim off the rupture and resecure it with the spring clamp.
I put everything back together and now it works perfectly again. Distilled water from now on (we're on a community well system) and an occasional flush with vinegar should prevent it from happening again.
Hi,
The mop broke...
Here is a tip that I wrote about the Euro-Pro Shark Steam Mop and why it maynot be getting steam to the head...
Euro-Pro Shark Steam Mop Problem
Here also is a link to get any of the Shark Manuals that you need.
heatman101