Shark Steam Pocket Mop not steaming

[niclonnic]

I have a Shark Steam Pocket Mop (originally owned by my dad's girlfriend) and it has been working beautifully, until now.

I tried using the Shark to steam the downstairs bathroom/laundry room floor, and it sounded like steam was barely coming out, even though the tank was full of water. I touched the pad, and it was cool to the touch. The mop was smearing water over the floor.

However, the entire body of the Shark became VERY HOT to the touch, so I unplugged it before it caught on fire. Afterwards, upon closer inspection, the mop was leaking some water on the floor, especially after removing the mop head. I don't know how to fix this.

Is there a way to fix this steam mop? Or just throw it out and look for a different floor cleaner? I have mostly laminate downstairs, along with some area rugs. The bathrooms and laundry room have vinyl flooring, while the stairs and upstairs are all carpeted.

 

[huskyvacs]

Have you been putting tap water in it? If so, start using distilled water to fill it. It sounds like the steam channels are clogged with calcified water, which is why it's building up inside the body of the mop because it has nowhere to go. You will have to run straight vinegar through it and let it run to flush all the gunk out.

I had to do the same to a Shark steam iron I found at Goodwill. It was packed with calcium deposits.

 

[vexorgtr]

The handle on that is a pump... to put water into the heater and then to the jets. Something is clogged, or the pump isn't pumping.

 

[niclonnic]

huskyvacs

I tried your suggestion by filling up the tank with pure white vinegar and running the mop to try and flush out the openings.

Initially, I went outside and pumped the handle several times, and a lot of steam came out. But then, it stopped and steam came out of the body of the mop and the upper handle. Now the blue power light intermittently flashes and just turns off. I think it's safe to say that this steam mop is dead.

I also wanted to add that some other small appliances in my house have also started leaking this year. We used to have a Ninja Coffee Bar, but it lasted only two years before an internal component stopped working, causing water to leak all over the place and onto the floor. We just threw it away a couple weeks ago. Keep in mind, I don't drink coffee, but everybody else in my house does.

A month ago, my dad received a "Breathe Easy" humidifier as a gift which was an "As Seen on TV" product. It only lasted a month before it leaked water all over the place.

That's my two cents on products in my home that have leaked.

Here are some pics of the places on the steam mop where steam was coming out.

 

[huskyvacs]

Hmm, yeah I guess the pump died. A lot of stuff now uses cheap rubber tubing inside and it often just melts from the heat. It's how they get you to buy the same one over and over again multiple times a year. I even had a cheap $25 Mr. Coffee coffeemaker do the same thing, so it isn't just major players doing this.

 

[dustin]

Not the pump but the steam generator/boiler unit likely clogged with hard water and blew one of the plastic hoses. I had one shortly after they came out (the original Shark steam mop) and someone had put Murphy's oil soap in the water tank.. The stuff had turned to concrete inside, actually had to use a drill bit to clear the boiler out. The steam outlet had plugged up, causing pressure to build in the tubing and blew one of the plastic tubes leading to the tank. It was able to be saved but I didn't like it so it went in a yard sale for $5.

 

[niclonnic]

Further inspection

I decided to perform an autopsy on the Shark by unscrewing 8 screws on the back. There was an additional small screw, along with a metal C-clip, that held the handle on. After that, the back of the mop just lifted right off.

I took a close look at the guts of the Shark (pun intended), and everything's connected firmly. However, one of the hoses is corroded. No wonder the mop's not steaming! You can see the corroded hose in the pics below.

 

[lesinutah]

Hey

I love sharks but there steam mops are pos's.there are 2 steam vaccuum mops I'd recommend. The Bissell symphony I have had for 4 years and it cleans tile and hardwood floors amazingly.
The other is the Bissell crosswave. I don't own one I have used one s friend bought. It seems to me newer model fancy led lights and double the price.
Ditch the shark and get a symphony. It vacuums too.
Les

 

[madman]

They should be ordinary vinyl hoses. Perhaps reinforced vinyl hoses, with some kind of braiding around them. Go get some hose from home depot. Probably 3/8" ID hose.

 

[lesinutah]

Hey

No this problem will keep happening as this model is that. Go online look for Bissell symphony refurbished or maybe even new. It would run maybe $50. I use it twice a week 600 square feet on tile and bathrooms. Same in basement about 600 SF.
We have maybe 309 SF of oak flooring and we used everything on it and this cleans would brightens it up and does hurt wood actually makes it healthier.
But sharks will keep breaking and my symphony has ran 4 years without even smallest problem. I know it's a quick fix but invest now and said he pain later.
Les