Roomba Maintenance

If you read our first article on the Roomba, you would know it does a great job of controlling pet hair. We’ve owned our Roomba since 2015 and we use it almost every day. It is still going strong. We did finally change the battery in it at the end of 2018. Roomba only requires minor cleaning, on a routine basis, to keep it performing like new.

Prior To Each Use

Every time, before use, the AeroVac Bin (dirt receptacle) needs to be emptied. The filter inside needs to be removed and gently tapped to dislodge the bulk of the dust and dirt that has accumulated on it. By doing this our Roomba performs very well for several months. Every 2 or 3 months we do replace the Roomba filter.

Monthly Roomba Maintenance

You may also need to clean the rotating brushes (bristle brush and beater brush), as well. If you have residents in your home with long hair, pet or human, some of that hair will find its way to the floor. Roomba will find that hair and pick it up. The downfall is that the hair will wind around the brushes, which requires them to be cleaned periodically. That interval would be determined by the amount of long hair in the house. Materials like string and yarn would have the same effect.

This hair can be removed, with the brushes in place, by cutting it with a pair of scissors and pulling it free. There is also a tool that slides over the brush, which cuts it and pulls it free, but the brushes have to be removed to use it. Removing the brushes is not a difficult thing to do and, even though it may take a little more time, allows for a more thorough cleaning.  Keep the rollers free of this hair build up allows it to clean more effectively. 

Video: How To Clean The Roomba Brush

This short video demonstrates how to use the iRobot tool to clean the brush. It’s easy to do and should be done periodically. Especially when someone with long hair lives in the home.

Periodic Roomba Maintenance

The filter and the brushes are the main maintenance items. However, hair does manage to find its way into nooks and crannies. So anytime you have it apart to clean the brushes, take the time to clean any hair you find. A shop vac works great.  We even had hair work its way under the single, non-drive, caster wheel on the bottom of Roomba. That swivel wheel got so much hair under it, it would no longer swivel. This can interfere with how well Roomba turns and it could cause some scratching on hardwood surfaces if the caster wheel begins to wear.  If the caster wheel shows signs of wear, it should be replaced.

If the caster wheel ever shows any sign of resistance to swiveling, its time to remove the wheel and clean all the hair from under it. To remove the wheel you can insert a small screwdriver and gently pry it up. It should come right out, allowing you to clean the hair out, and then snap back into place.

The only other issue we have had is one of the three brushes break off on the spinning side brush. This brush can be replaced by removing the screw that holds it in place and replacing it with a new one.

Roomba Battery Replacement

After 3 years of nearly daily use, we noticed our Roomba was not running nearly as long as it used to.  We decided it was time to replace the battery.

We were surprised at how much more Roomba picked up. The increased runtime and stronger vacuum power made a big difference. If you run your Roomba as often as us, I would recommend looking for signs of decreased dirt collection after a couple of years. Changing the battery will definitely improve performance.

To Replace the battery all you have to do is flip Roomba upside down and remove the bottom cover.  Remove the edger brush and there are four screws that hold the bottom cover in place.  The cover screws are marked with a small triangle.  After the screws are removed the cover lifts right off, exposing the battery.  The battery just lifts out.  It’s that easy.  Drop in the new battery and reassemble.

Video: Battery Replacement

Here’s a short video that will show you just how easy it is to replace the battery in a 600 series Roomba vacuum.

Parts We’ve Replaced

• Parts Kit (Roomba 600 Series)
• Replacement Battery (Roomba 600 Series)
• Wheel/Caster Assembly (Roomba 600 Series)

All of these parts are items that have a normal service life and need to be replaced from time to time. They are readily available and relatively easy to change. Many of the Roomba iRobot 500/600/700 series parts are interchangeable.  Be sure to include the “series number” in your parts search and you should be fine.

After two years of heavy use, it was time to change some of these parts out.  I thought I would share with you just how easy it is to do. I purchased the parts needed for our 600 series Roomba in a repair kit from Amazon.  In less than a half hour, I disassembled, cleaned the unwanted hair and dirt, and reinstall the new parts.  There are several other parts available from iRobot to keep your Roomba operating efficiently.  

Maintenance Updates

The Roomba is designed with many replaceable parts. That includes the major components like the drive wheels and the brush cleaning system. When the time comes to replace any of these parts on our Roomba, I will update this post to share those repairs with you.  I’ll include the necessary parts and the steps needed to install them, so check back frequently.  Until then, Roomba is on duty keeping our home clean. It can do the same for you!

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