Tips for a Plugged Central Vac Pipe

A central vac system replaces a pull around vac.

A central vacuum cleaning system is an advancement in house cleaning technology. Instead of lugging around a vacuum cleaner, the hose plugs into a hole in the wall. the internal piping leads to a central canister vacuum, so all you have to do is move the vacuum head. When the piping gets clogged, however, trouble happens. The central vac pipes have to be cleaned out, but luckily this is not a hard job.

Vacuum Back

Professional home builder and columnist Tim Carter recommends to vacuum back the clog. To try to vacuum out a clog, remove the central vac unit from the piping. Attach the nozzle of a powerful vacuum cleaner to a wall opening. Turn the vacuum on, and reverse vacuum out the pipe. This should vacuum back the clog, freeing the pipe.

Plumber Snake

If the vacuum back method does not work, rent a plumber's snake at your local tool rental shop. This is a long thin flexible wire, and you work it into the pipe. The snake is turned by a small motor, and catches the clog on its head. Disconnect the central vacuum unit, and work the snake in from the house opening, then the vacuum side opening. The snake should catch the clog, and you can pull it out slowly.

Blow Out Method

If you can reverse the flow of the central vacuum unit, try to blow the clog out. If you can't, rent a large industrial vacuum that has a blower feature. Many wet and dry vacuums have an outlet that blows out the vacuumed in air. Disconnect the central unit, and attach the blower side of the vacuum cleaner to the pipe.

Pipe Cutting

If the clog is truly stuck and all other options fail, you may have to cut the pipe where the clog is. Most home central vac systems are made out of plastic pipe, so a hacksaw is needed. Cut the pipe where the clog is, and re-glue the pipe, with a outside coupling, after you remove the clog. This is major surgery, and should only be done after all other methods fail. If you are not wiling to do this, a qualified plumber can do it for you.

References

• Ask The Builder: A Central Vacuum Gets the Dirt Quietly