The one thing you want in your house to completely suck, is your vacuum. Have a clogged central vacuum that doesn't suck? Here's how to fix it.
When I first moved into my house many years ago I was pretty upset it didn't have a central vacuum. But since it also didn't have a laundry room, a dishwasher, air conditioning, or a miniature stage with velvet curtains and performing mice wearing teensy, tiny top hats, I wasn't really surprised. Disappointed, yes. Surprised, no.
I was however surprised to find out when I first wrote this post 7 or so years ago that not everyone knows what a central vacuum is. They seem to be much more popular in Canada than in the United States. In Canada for instance, Costco has a selection of 13 central vacuum systems for you to choose from. In the United States, Costco has a selection of 2.
What is a Central Vacuum?
A Central Vacuum (otherwise known as Central Vac.) is vacuum system that runs by a series of tubes throughout your house. The tubes are hidden behind the walls, with the actual vacuum canister being housed in either the garage, basement or utility room. Access to the vacuum is achieved through ports around the house. Just plug in the hose and GO. You empty the canister whenever it gets full. Depending on the size of your house and canister that could be as infrequently as once a year.
Most people have them professionally installed but it's also something you can DIY.
One day, not long after I bought my home, after a particularly hard day of fixing up the house and searching for talented mice, I laid my weary head down on the spare room bed to take a nap. Which in itself is highly unusual for me. Now I see, it was kind of divine intervention by the large appliance God in the sky.
You see, I dreamed, (and it was one of those reallyyyyy realistic dreams where you swear it's actually happening) ... that my house had central vac. It was hidden behind the bed in the spare room. In my dream.
When I woke up, I took a peek behind the bed in my spare room. No central vac. Not even a performing mouse. Just a wall.
So, the next day I went up to Costco, bought myself a central vac kit, brought it home and installed it. It's really not as hard as you think.
In Canada I'd recommend Costco for buying your kit. If you're in the States I'd also recommend Costco or Amazon if you want a larger selection.
Just don't forget that in addition to the Central Vacuum unit you ALSO have to buy an installation kit which is all the pipes and inlets you need to instal the system.
That central vacuum I installed worked for 11 years with NO problem. Suck, suck, suck. Then one day it didn't. It sucked a little, but it didn't have enough pressure to even gobble up a bit of cat fluff.
If you too have a central vac that sucks but not nearly enough you have a few options. Low suction on your central vac. can be one of a few things. It could be as simple as needing to clean your filter or empty out the canister. If that doesn't do the trick chances are you have a blockage.
Here's what you do to fix your blockage. First have a big hot cup of coffee and a popcorn sized bowl of prunes. No ... wait. Wrong blockage.
How to Unclog a Central Vacuum
Steps
1. Determine where your hose is blocked. If you get low suction at all of your outlets, it means your blockage is either in the hose or more likely, between the first outlet and your canister. If you only have low suction on one outlet, the blockage is between that one and the one that's working fine.
My blockage was between my first outlet and the canister so any of the outlets past that didn't work either.
The solution is simple and almost guaranteed to work. The only problem is ... you need a second vacuum. Something powerful like a shop vac. or a one of those little car vacuums. Which is what I used.
2. To unclog your central vac., just stick the hose from your portable vacuum into the offending central vac. outlet and let 'er suck.
The hose should just fit right in the outlet and create good suction. If not just wrap a towel or your hands around it to create a good seal.
For me, a big hunk of cat hair came up right away. I pulled it away with my fingers. Then I gave it another suck.
This time, I got cat hair and a little bit of Christmas. It was quite exciting and fulfilling.
I pulled that out too and figured I was done, but decided to give her one extra suck. And this happened ...
It may have been the most exciting thing that's ever happened to me.
And yes. That is an After Eight wrapper.
Also in that pile were some twist ties, pine needles, little bits of bark, unidentifiable gross stuff and a sequin.
With about 5 minutes of work (including dragging the car vacuum out of the shed) I got the vacuum fixed, free of charge and immediately. Had I called someone my best guess is it would have cost between $100 and $150 to have someone come out and diagnose the problem and fix it. This way, I got the thrill of seeing the actual blockage and I didn't have to listen to some repairman pretend like this was a way bigger job than it was.
The absolute BEST part of all of this was I had enough cat hair to knit those little mice some suits, plus the sequin was perfect for their Liberace tribute.
All in all. The day I unclogged my central vacuum sucked. And I couldn't have been happier about it.
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Barbie
After Eights....my absolute favorite mints....
I had no idea Costco sold Central vacs! really? I do have a rather large house, but I have ALWAYS wanted a central vac...my hubbys reason for not installing one when we built the house was just what happened to you....but now that I see it is totally fixable maybe I have a leg to stand on in getting him to get onboard with one!!
Kim
You crack me up! Framing your vac vomit. Thank you now I can start my day
LeeAnne Bloye
Damn! Wish I had known or thought of this when my non-central vac got jammed with fiscus leaves. Hmmm. Actually it is entirely possible the old one is in the garage. Even with a massive clean out and purge it might still be there way up high in hopes that the leaves would dry enough to get past the part of the hose that got stepped on and squished. Hey, you don't have a fix for squished vac hoses do you? And no, thanks to beater bars, there is no way to just get another hose - at least not for a price that is insanely close to a new vac without the hassle of replacing.
Oh yeah, and the fiscus has a new home with a neighbour now.
Laura Bee
I cleaned out my canister vac last week. The power head was an unholy mess of dust bunny corpses. And you are so right, it is exciting & thrilling in a very sick & twisted way.
marilyn
an after eight wrapper too funny..by the by karen i will come bearing gifts from triilium ridge soon..
Nicole2
Great piece of art! It expresses the drama of domestic life perfectly. And the contrast between the dirt and the upscale gilded frame is pure genius as it demonstrates the gap between the classes.
Deborah Flanagan
Hey Karen, Happy Monday. I don't have a Central Vac but I'm sorta glad you had the clog so we could read your funny story on how to unclog. (love the birdseed anecdote!) Have a good week.
D
Karen
Thanks Deborah! Yup. Don't *ever* suck up old birdseed with a wet/dry vac, LOL. ~ karen
Denise
I'm guessing you didn't intend it, but I had to wonder whether you later framed the vacuum vomit as art ... none of the earlier posts pointed it out, but it made me smile ... you being a do-it-yourselfer and all. ;-)
Susan
Ha! My suggestion was CLR! That baby needs to be bathed and soaked in CLR!
Funny about your central vac! I too unclogged my shop vac...exciting weekend we lead, eh? Everybody else goes to some expensive sunny island, burn their skin, drink wonderful umbrella laden drinks, get stuck in some god forsaken hot, humid airport because the airline is trying to go on strike and we stay home and suck! Hmmmm.... BTW knit a couple if those sweaters for my mice ...they may need them for where they are going... And it ain't a hot sunny island!:-)
mimiindublin
Karen, you should post a warning on this! I nearly vomited up my breakfast! Innocently sat down with my cuppa (it's a holiday here in lieu of Paddy's Day) but eek!
Anyway, I've recovered now, thanks. I don't have central vacuum, am AMAZED that you installed your own- WOW!
Your fella has a fantastic car vacuum, and I can't believe you hauled that gunk onto that beautiful frame to photograph it for us! You deffo deserve #1 in those awards next time for doing that!
Re Kate, I think washing soda crystals might solve your problem, just run the d/w with them in it.
Karol
At first glance of your "vomit" pic, I thought I saw a face in the bottom piece of gunk. The bottom tip looks like a nose with a closed eye just above it (to the right) so the whole pile resembles a decomposing body. Eww, and good job!
Valerie
*Hand up*
I'm with ya, girl. There is such an odd pleasure to be had from the unclogging of drains and vacuum tubes - so damn satisfying!
Annie
Ewwww.
Thanks!
Ab
Gayla T
NO No NO nonono! You can NOT have a central vac system and dancing mice in the same house! The mice would see that hole as an on stage entrance for stage left which would become off stage right when turned on. You think you had a yucky blockage now. You have no clue what that would be like. Hats, feet, noses and butts all squished into one huge lump and the show would be lights out and little Elvis has left the building. Think girl, think. Same goes with chickens. I don't think you should put one in the hen house either. Of course you would probably only lose one before the thing would be clogged beyond help. Just saying..........
Debbie Refreshrestyle
I can't wait for the mice suits :) cute! For some reason I get pleasure from seeing what comes out of a clog, it's almost like I feel cleaner? Any thoughts?
What did you make with sequins?
Debbie
P.S. I've got my daughter hooked on your blog!
Traci
I'm ashamed to admit I don't know what a central vac is....especially after reading this article and it's pretty clear I could use one (2 dogs, 2 cat, and 2 kids). Vacuuming the smallest carpeted area in my house requires 5 or 6 trips to dump the cannister! I'm continually surprised that my animals even HAVE fur left on their bodies!
Caroline
I had never even heard of a central vacuum before. Huh!! What will they think of next!
kate
okay, i've been lurking for some time and now that you've shown me your central vac vomit, I must ask: ever cleaned a filter on a newer dishwasher?
i can't find any email address, but would love to discuss this with you. I'm frustrated after two "repair" ha! men have been out and a couple of "filter cleaners" (f*ck you) later, and it is still not working right. I know what the problem is, it's the hard water that's depositing chunks of god knows what and makes all the water around here come out in a sputter if you don't clean out the filters. the problem is, can't figure this one out! help!
kate
Karen
Hi Kate - I'm not sure I can help as I've never had that particular problem, but you can email me at karen@theartofdoingstuff.com (my "Contact" button is the little envelope on the upper right corner of the site) I wish I could see the filter and whether you have access to it. Is it the filter or the hoses for instance? If it's the filter and it's possible to remove it fairly easily the solution might be as simple as soaking it in CLR once a week. ~ karen!
Laura Bee
Hi, sometimes the little holes in the arms that spin around get clogged. Tweezers worked for me. I think that's where the water comes out, isn't it?
Jenn
Karen, I'm not surprised in the slightest that you fixed your own central vac. What surprised me - nay, rocked my little world - is the fact that installing a central vac can be a DIY proejct. It had never, ever occurred to me. Seriously, NEVER.
Karen
Jenn - It depends on how big your house is and how poor your are. :) For me it was really pretty easy. It took 2 days, but that's because I only had a crappy cordless drill at the time and I had to keep waiting for it to recharge. ~ k!
Jenn
Pretty poor. Small house. This would be an easy install chez moi. OMG... I'm dizzy with the idea of it.
Karen
LOL. Lemme know if you need any pointers. ~ k!
Ray Lynch
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but...Having been in the central vac business for 39 years, I feel I owe it to my profession to comment:
1) There is a reason why "Professional Central Vac Installers" exist. They know how to install systems properly. CV systems rarely, if ever, clog. Proper airflow through pipes depends on the installation of the correct fittings in proper sequence, glued properly. There are 6 different 90 degree elbows available, all with a different radius. Use the wrong one, and you're asking for a slow building clog to develop.
2) The power unit you choose to buy matters immensely. There are numerous North American manufacturers, and all of them (except 2 of them which I would never reccomend) offer at least 6 different models, and many offer as many as 16. Why? Because homes come in different sizes. Think AC. Would the same size AC unit cool a 8,000 sq ft house that you'd use in a 1,600 sq ft house? Because if you choose to use an "Air Driven" carpet nozzle (vs an Electric Power Nozzle) you need a unit with higher CFM (cubic feet per minute).
Because a unit with a By Pass motor will last years longer than those with Thru-Flo motors. Because debris collection capacities vary, because some units need to be vented out side, some not, because filtration methods differ.
3) Is there anyone in any Mass Merchant store to talk to about these things? No. Is a choice of 2 units really covering the bases? Other than listing "Air Watts" ( a useless number ) do you know what kind of motor you're getting?
And what kind of "Attachment Kit" does a big store have? Is there anyone there to ask about the best performer given your carpets or bare floors?
There are scores of attachments to choose from, yet they typically offer only 1 or 2. Want to see someone's head explode, ask them about a Hide A Hose system!
I truly applaud a consumer who chooses to buy a Central Vac. And I have no problem with a buyer who chooses to do the installation themself. But please talk to an established CV Installer first. They will give you options that work for your home, and your budget, and be more than happy to give you install tips. And while you might pay 10 - 20% more for their product, I can 100% guarantee you that you will be glad you did.
Karen
I, on the other hand, have a website devoted to showing people how to do stuff. Women especially. I installed my central vac myself 20 years ago. It has had one clog in those years and no other problems. So just speaking from experience, if your home is small and the install not complicated this is a very doable project for just about anyone. ~ karen!
David Kennedy
My central vac was "professionally installed" and also clogged?
"CV systems rarely, if ever, clog. " - this is a very misleading statement.
I halso have a portable vacuum.. it also glogged as someone vacuumed a popsicle stick which got wedged, then loaded with dog hair.
How would selecting the proper fittings and gluing them in the correct order prevent a popscicle stick from creating a jam?
Ray
David,
I dare say that the statement I made about central vacuums "Rarely, if ever, clog" is not at all misleading. "Rarely" doesn't mean never, and "if ever", applies to probably 98% of professionally installed systems. As you can imagine, after 39 years I've heard all the horror stories about what's been causing clogs, and it's quite honestly, 1 of 2 things: A poorly installed system, or a lack of common sense by the user.
Installation: I said "proper sequence" because the 90 behind the valve should be a "short" 90 because of fit in a 2 x 4 studded wall,(or an "Extra Short" if dealing with a 2 x 3 studded wall". The larger radius Sweep 90 should be then used wherever possible when needing to make a 90 turn, also available as a sweep Tee for connecting to your vertical or horizontal run. I mentioned Hide A Hose...which is a system where the hose, when you are finished with it, sucks back into the pipe run for storage. I mention this again because the 90's, 45's, and 22.5's fittings used for the HAH systems are 3 times the radius of the other traditional 90's . Airflow, or CFM (Measured in Cubic Feet per Minute) is diminished a little bit every time that air stream encounters an 90 elbow, a 45 a 38 (used in stair runs if necessary, usually in retrofit installs). So maximizing airflow is very important. Of course, choice of the power unit and it's motor is a huge factor in airflow, but that's a whole other blog.
Gluing the pipe and fittings, and how it relates to clogs: PVC Cement sets up very quickly so doing it wrong means extra work and expense. The problem is that if you do it wrong, you'll rarely realize it. Lets say you're simply gluing 1 eight foot pipe to another using a stop coupling. Many do it your selfers will apply the glue to the inside of the fitting, and to make matters worse, they will use way to much. So when they push/twist it onto the pipe, which is a snug fitting to begin with, the pipe acts as a plow, pushing all the excess glue to the inside of the fitting, (as opposed to staying between the outside of the pipe and the inner wall of the fitting). That excess glue then drips or forms glumps inside the pipe. and that is where many clogs begin. Applied properly to the outside of the pipe, and then pushing/twisting on the fitting, even if too much glue is used, that plowing action will leave the excess glue on the outside of the pipe, where it doesn't affect anything.
Common sense: Most people, when using a portable vacuum, be it an Upright, or canister, or stick vac, when encountering a pencil, or a sock, or a ping pong ball, will reach down and pick it up, realizing that it's probably not a good idea to try to vacuum it up. While a properly installed Central Vacuum has significantly more suction/airflow than a portable, and can handle picking up larger objects than most portables, it's still a good idea to use common sense!
A Central Vacuum System is exactly that...a System. An air conditioner installed seasonally in a window, a bottle of dish soap and a sponge on the kitchen counter, or a flashlight for emergencies in the drawer, they all are extremely useful and serve a purpose.
But everyone who ever had a Central Air Conditioning System doesn't want to revert to Window mount AC's, virtually every new home built for the last 35 years has an automatic installed dishwasher, and obviously the electrical wiring systems replaced lanterns eons ago. Centrals Vacuum System are not Vacuum Cleaners anymore. They are systems, and once you've lived in a house with one , especially one with a retractable hose system, you'll realize immediately why you don't use lanterns anymore.
Unless it's not properly installed, of course! Be glad to answer any other concerns.
Marti
Thanks for the car vac story. Now I get why "The Prince" wasn't any more ticked off that time you woke him from dead sleep 3-4 times to treat his itty-bitty boo-boo: he's grown accustomed to you.
Karen
I'm presently doing something rather ... insane to the house. By some people's standards anyway. My mother asked what the fella thought of it. In fact she gasped when I told her what I was doing and THEN said "What does the fella think?". She hasn't quite figured out that the fella doesn't care what I do. He kind of expects it. ~ k!
Laura
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