Things You'll Need:
- TornadoPower Cloths
- Portable Vacuum Cleaner
- Plumbers Snake
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Step 1
First determine if you have a leak or a clog...
Disconnect the pipe that comes from the house to the central vac unit. Turn on the unit and put your hand over the opening directly at the central vac unit.(Using the utility inlet at the unit will not accomplish the same thing.) -
Step 2
If your suction is good, then reconnect the tubing and turn on the switch at the unit. If there is no switch, plug your central vacuum hose into one of your inlets to start the system. Then have someone completely seal the hose with their hand. You can also call 1-800-221-8227 for free technical assistance on how to bypass the relay on your system.
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Step 3
While the unit is running go to the exhaust. With everything closed you should feel almost nothing coming from the exhaust. If you feel very little exhaust, then you do not have a leak. Go on to step 5.
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Step 4
If you do feel exhaust, while your unit is still running, walk around the house and listen for air leaks in the walls, ceiling, and basement. If you locate the loud whoosh of air, you may have found the leak location. You will have to access the tubing and make a repair.
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Step 5
Now you need to determine if the clog is in your tubing or your central vacuum hose. Check your hose first by dropping a nickel in the handle end to see if it makes it through the hose to the other end. If it doesn't make it through, then your hose is clogged and can be unclogged by plugging the hose in reverse into the inlet located on your unit and turning on the system. This should aspirate the clog out. Or, remove the hose from the inlet and push a garden hose through hose to push out the clog. Most importantly, the garden hose must be turned off and there should be absolutely no water entering your vacuum hose. Or, remove the hose from inlet and drop in a heavy object such as a screwdriver to push out the clog.
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Step 6
If the nickel does make it through, then turn on the unit at the canister and insert a TornadoPower® Cloth through each inlet. If the cloth gets to the canister in one piece you do not have a blockage in that inlet, move on to the next inlet and test again. If at any time the cloth does not make it through to the unit, then you have a clog/obstruction. Even if you find a clog in one of the inlets, test all the inlets one at a time to make sure you don't have more than one clog then go on to step 9.
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Step 7
If the cloth gets to the canister but is torn or ripped you probably have a partial clog or blockage. Even if you find a clog in one of the inlets, test all the inlets one at a time to make sure you don't have more than one clog. For partial clogs go on to step 8.
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Step 8
If you have a partial clog, plug your central vacuum hose into each inlet and place you hand over the hose end in order to build up air pressure and then release. Try this a couple of times in each inlet. If you are still unsuccessful in clearing out the partial tubing clog, free technical assistance is available at 800-221-8227.
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Step 9
For full clogs, after you find which inlet run is affected, turn off your central vacuum system and then remove the dirt canister from the system. Next, plug the hose of a separate portable vacuum (such as portable wet/dry canister) into the inlet and try to aspirate the clog out. This method works most of the time.
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Step 10
Once you have unclogged your system and removed the debris, reconnect your dirt canister, and run a Tornado Power Cloth through your tubing at each valve to remove any remaining debris. It is a good idea to use these cloths on a monthly basis to prevent future clogs.
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Step 11
If your system is still clogged ... Purchase an inexpensive plumber' s snake from your local home center. It should be no longer than 15 ft. with an auger end.
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Step 12
Insert the snake into the valve until it will no longer move. At this point, give the snake right turn twists to help it pass the fittings it encounters. Once the snake refuses to move any further, begin to pull back on the snake until the auger tip comes out bringing some of the debris with it. Repeat step 9. You may have to do this several times if your system has a serious clog. Free technical assistance is available at 800-221-8227.
