Mark, I won't be buying any new vacuums. I checked my hepa filter and I think it SHOULD be renewed. I also need to have the latch repaired on the hose. You are correct. I do use my Rainbow to clean the porch, blinds, garage floor and have used the sprayer to clean my siding on the house. I still use it when it is my turn to help clean the church. I don't like using the commercial machines as They always smell, even with new bags installed. The only NEW machine that interests me the German made Delphin. I like it's unique tools and power nozzle. I had forgotten you bought that other brand of water filter vacuum a few years back.
When I take mine in for service, I think I will buy that new small nozzle to pick up water or use when you shampoo stair carpets. I need a slight repair on my Aquamate too. They replaced the belt but did not get it snapped back right.
Here is a thought: It seems most new machines that use hepa bags expect you to replace the filter once a year. My Rainbow has had a LOT of use and is 11 years old and is just NOW ready to replace the hepa, so to my thinking the water does a pretty good job or my hepa filter would have been clogged years ago. There is not any trace of dust around my exhaust and never any odor of any kind when the machine is turned on or in use.
I can see where the fans would accumulate a fine layer of dust as the water mist would evaporate during use. My filter is not clogged but with a flashlight you can now see a fine layer of dust on the filter, so I would think it would benefit from a new filter after 11 years.. No expert here and I don't think the Rainbow is the best for everyone or even the most powerful machine but mine has been well made, trouble free and for me the most important-no odor-ever.
