Hi Cprohman,
 
My best suggestion is to visit the Hoover site at http://www.hoover.com if you already haven't.  They have a parts and service locator, or something to that effect that is meant to inform you of vendors in your area if you submit your zip code.  I have never dealt with Hoover for parts and do not know what sort of time window would be necessary for fulfillment.
 
By the way how do you like the machiine?
 
Hope that helps,
 
Venson

Thanks, Venson, that website helped. It led me to a dinky hole-in-the-wall vac shop that I guess I'd seen before, but which I had forgotten existed. They told me that while other vacuum makers (including Dyson, by the way) use standard hose sizes so that they can just cut a section of hose to fit, Hoover uses odd hose sizes so standard hoses don't quite fit. They said they will have to special order the hose section as a part, but that they believe they can have it in a week or two.

I did order two of the the the hoses. Apparently the 8" long flexible hoses will cost me $15 apeiece, quite pricey for a part that you'd think would be under $1. The Floormates did a very good job when new, but they don't seem to have a very long life and/or have a high "fritter factor". We've had several problems with them, one of our own making. Once machine an employee put pinesol in, which the instructions specifically say not to do. If immediately frosted the plastic, which is no big deal, but it apparently also damaged some seals and caused that unit it lead water. Another one seems to have a plugged nozzle and puts the water down only on one side now, and the one with the bad hose is the third unit, so I don't have any that are really working properly at the moment. These don't get used that heavily, so I think that with attention, we'll manage to get 5 years out of them, but in a home, the maintenence issues may be a problem.
 
You seem to have changed you opinion on these. As I recall, when they first came out, you preferred the Swiffer, which CR apparently had rated above the Floormate. I still like them, and would like them better if they could make them more troublefree.

Mine are H-3000 versions. I'll have to look at the H-3060's and see what's different. There are other versions out there, too, such as Bissell, I think. Any comments on competition?
 
I agree that for textured floor, like ceramic tile, a Floormate or similar product is a great choice, if you have a lot of it. Try this test, which happened in my home. Spill a container of frozen lemonaide on the kitchen floor and try to clean it up. A mop will do the job, if you do it enough times (20-30???). A swiffer? I don't think that would work very well. The Floormate gets the mess up fairly quickly.

I have to say that I really really really (did I mention really?) like my Hoover Floormate H3000.  I bought it when they came out through Hoover and have not been sorry.  I too, Carmine, have used it to pick up the glass shards from broken cups etc. over the years.  I have about half hard surface and half carpet.  I have hardwood and tile to clean with the Floormate.  I have never had a problem.  I ONLY use the Hoover solution which I like by the way.  It is readily available and works very well.  I can scrub my floors in my sock feet and never get wet.  I have a two year old and a lively Cocker Spaniel so it gets its fair amount of use.  I am very happy to report NO problems whatsoever.  I store the machine with the tanks off which are stored elsewhere.  I also never leave a lid on the tanks so that they can air dry.  I always clean the brushes too.  (it is just OCD on my part!)  I recommend them to everyone and have even bought them as gifts.  I thought they were cheesy at first until I tried one.  My mop and bucket days are gone!  I like that only the clean solution is put on the floor to clean and the floor comes out so dry and streak free.  It is a great item and it is no wonder they have sold so many.  Like anything else, things last if you take care of them.  So I agree with you Carmine!
 
--Tom
North Canton, OH