Why Is My Henry Hoover So Hard To Push?

If your Henry Hoover is difficult to push across the carpet, there probably isn't anything wrong with the vacuum.

Henry has strong suction and, on some carpets, the standard floor tool can form a tight seal against the surface. The result is a floor head that feels almost stuck to the carpet.

There are a couple of free things you can try first, plus an upgrade that can make a big difference if this is a constant problem.

Why Is My Henry Hoover So Hard To Push On Carpet?

The problem is usually the combination of Henry's suction and your particular carpet.

On some carpets, especially thicker or softer types, the floor tool sits very closely against the surface. The suction then pulls the floor tool down onto the carpet and makes it difficult to move backwards and forwards.

This is why the same Henry may be perfectly easy to use on one carpet but extremely difficult to push on another.

3 Ways To Make A Henry Hoover Easier To Push

1. Open The Suction Control Valve

The easiest solution is to use the suction control valve on the bent metal handle.

Modern Henry vacuums have a single motor speed, but opening this valve allows additional air into the pipe and reduces the suction at the floor tool.

• Locate the suction control on the bent metal pipe.
• Open the valve slightly.
• Try the floor tool on your carpet again.
• Adjust it until the floor tool becomes comfortable to push.

For many people, that's all that's needed.

The downside is that you're deliberately reducing the suction reaching the floor tool. If you'd rather keep Henry's suction while making him easier to use on carpet, there is another option further down.

2. Don't Use The Hard Floor Brushes As The Permanent Fix

Henry's standard floor tool has a pedal that raises and lowers the brushes.

• Brushes up – normally used for carpets
• Brushes down – normally used for hard floors

Putting the brushes down on carpet can make the floor tool easier to push because it lifts the suction opening slightly away from the carpet.

However, I wouldn't use this as the permanent solution. The brushes are intended for hard floors and can quickly collect hair and debris when used on carpet.

3. Upgrade To A Henry Airo Brush

If your Henry is constantly difficult to push on carpet and you don't want to reduce the suction, the Henry Airo Brush is the upgrade I'd consider.

Instead of dragging a standard floor tool across the carpet, the Airo Brush uses Henry's airflow to power a rotating brush bar.

This gives you several advantages:

• Much easier movement across many carpets
• A rotating brush bar to agitate the carpet fibres
• Particularly useful for picking up pet hair
• You don't have to solve the problem simply by opening the suction valve

So if opening the suction valve solves the problem, there's no need to buy anything. But if you're fed up with fighting the standard floor tool every time you vacuum, the Airo Brush is a worthwhile upgrade.

Is The Henry Airo Brush Worth It?

It depends on your floors.

If your standard Henry floor tool moves easily across your carpets, you probably don't need one.

But if you have carpets where the standard head constantly sticks down and becomes tiring to push, the Airo Brush can make Henry much easier to use. The rotating brush bar is also useful in homes with pets or where hair tends to become embedded in the carpet.

Why Is My Henry Easy To Push On Some Carpets But Not Others?

Different carpets allow different amounts of airflow around the floor tool.

A carpet that allows plenty of air underneath the tool may be very easy to vacuum. A thicker or softer carpet can create a much tighter seal, causing the floor head to grip the surface.

This doesn't necessarily mean there is anything wrong with your Henry or the floor tool.

What Should I Do If My Henry Is Suddenly Hard To Push?

If Henry used to move easily across the same carpet and has suddenly become difficult to push, check the floor tool before buying anything.

• Check that nothing is trapped underneath the floor head.
• Make sure the pedal and brushes are moving correctly.
• Check that the floor tool hasn't become damaged.
• Make sure you're using the correct floor-tool setting for the surface.

If everything is working correctly and the problem is simply strong suction against your carpet, try opening the suction valve first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Henry Hoover stick to the carpet?

The suction can create a tight seal between the standard floor tool and certain types of carpet, making the vacuum difficult to push.

How do I make my Henry Hoover easier to push?

Start by opening the suction control valve on the bent metal handle. This reduces the suction at the floor tool and can make it considerably easier to move.

Should the brushes be up or down on carpet?

On the standard Henry floor tool, the brushes should normally be raised when vacuuming carpet. The lowered brush position is primarily intended for hard floors.

What is a Henry Airo Brush?

The Henry Airo Brush is a carpet floor tool with a rotating brush bar powered by the vacuum's airflow. It agitates the carpet as you vacuum and can be particularly useful for picking up hair and pet hair.

Does the Henry Airo Brush need electricity?

No. The rotating brush bar is driven by the airflow from the vacuum, so there is no separate electrical connection or motor cable required.

Is the Henry Airo Brush good for pet hair?

Yes. The rotating brush bar helps lift hair from carpet fibres, making the Airo Brush particularly useful in homes with pets.

Will an Airo Brush make Henry easier to push?

On carpets where the standard floor tool forms a strong seal and becomes difficult to move, an Airo Brush can make vacuuming considerably easier while also providing brush-bar agitation.