If you’re getting ready to install your first central vacuum, then you’ll need to pay special attention to the central vacuum pipes that you choose. The performance of your entire system is dependent on every component working together, and the pipes that are installed are just as important as the main unit itself.
With the wrong pipes, you could experience poor suction, leaks, blockages, and you will risk the need for costly repairs to bring your system up to spec.
Learning the essentials of central vacuum pipes will help you to make the right decision when you install your new vacuum.
Before choosing the right pipes for a central vacuum, it’s important to make a distinction between central vacuum piping and PVC plumbing pipes.
The market for pipes can be extremely confusing at times, especially when it comes to the differences between plumbing pipes and central vacuum pipes. Despite many manufacturers and hardware stores now offering adapters to connect PVC vacuum pipes to PVC plumbing pipes, you should never actually use plumbing pipes in your installation.
The reasons are simple.
Plumbing pipes have been designed to carry low-pressure liquid waste, not high-pressure air that is laden with dust and debris. Because plumbing pipes carry liquid that can move easily, they are not manufactured with the same precision as PVC central vacuum pipes. Using central vacuum pipe adapters to connect plumbing pipes to a system could lead to poor performance, blockages, and other problems.
When you are purchasing pipes for a central vacuum installation, look for ‘Schedule 20’ marking. This indicates that the pipes are designed, manufactured, and suited for use with a central vacuum. Pipes labeled as Schedule 40 may look similar but are intended for plumbing applications.
Never take the risk, and always rely on precision engineered thin wall PVC 2” O.D. piping. Piping can be purchased in 5-foot lengths to offer maximum versatility.
Just as it is important to choose pipes specifically designed for vacuums, you should also use custom central vacuum pipe fittings and adapters.
Fittings, adapters, couplings, and pipe straps for central vacuum systems have been designed and manufactured to very specific tolerances. Edges of connectors, couplings, and adapters are perfectly smooth so that connections will not collect dust and debris that could lead to blockages later.
There are several different options that you can choose for a complete home layout, and the only real limitation on the size of your system will be the power of your main unit. Y-fittings, elbow fittings, straight couplings, 3-way couplings, and 90-degree sweep connectors can all be purchased for reasonable prices.
Specialized fittings like trim rings and inlets are also readily available, allowing you to install inlets that are both efficient and aesthetically pleasing.
If you’re interested in the vast range of central vacuum pipe adapters and fittings, you can start to explore the range at Think Vacuums today.
Even now that you know more about central vacuum pipe fittings, adapters, and the pipes themselves, you may still want an easier solution for installing your vacuum. If you want a quick and easy way to get the pipes and fittings that you need, then you could consider an all-in-one central vacuum system.
Complete systems are designed to suit standard home sizes, and there are several different options available, depending on how much space you need to cover. Complete central vacuum systems are offered from some of the top manufacturers, including DrainVac, PurVac, NuTone, and others.
Whether you choose to select your central vacuum pipes individually, or if you go for the convenience of an all-in-one system, you should always remember that the quality of your pipes is critical. When you take the time to choose the right pipes, fittings, and attachments, you’ll get powerful suction, easy cleaning, and reliability for many years to come.
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