If your central vacuum system stops working, it can be a lengthy and costly process attempting to find the right company to fix it. But finding the right company to do the work also means understanding what needs to be done so that when you search for the right people to do the job, you know which ones are prepared to do it right. So if you’re looking for central vacuum repair in Vancouver, WA, there are many things the company you hire should be ready and able to do.
The Right Tools
Any company doing central vacuum repair in Vancouver, WA, is going to need to be properly equipped with a sufficient workspace and the right tools to get the job done correctly.
Specifically, if a company is doing central vacuum repair, the technicians will need scissors, duct tape, multi-meter, cleaning cloth, Phillip’s head and flathead screwdrivers, pliers, among other tools.
Replacing the Suction
If your central vacuum system isn’t working properly, there’s a good chance that the suction—or lack thereof—is the cause of your issues. The suction of a central vacuum system works by having fans generate the power to suck up the dirt. Generally, the most common reason a central vacuum system doesn’t work as it should is because something is obstructing the path of the suction.
Any central vacuum repairer in Vancouver, WA, should know that if there’s indeed an obstructed path to the suction mechanisms, it will lose a portion of its efficiency. So if the suction issue is being fixed, it’ll entail eliminating any and all blockages.
Take Care of the Filters
All central vacuum systems have filters that the dirt and debris sucked up must pass through. In most cases, there are multiple filters. If there’s an issue with your central vacuum system not functioning properly, these filters might need to be washed or replaced—depending on your particular system and the filters it requires.
The filters could also be impacted by the outer casings being blocked, which prevents the air from even getting to the filters. The outer casings should be tested by attempting to drain water through them. If the water doesn’t drain easily, then the outer casing is defective and must be replaced.
If the Filters Are Washed, They Must Be Washed Properly
For starters, filters must be washed in cold water only, as hot water could permanently damage them. Filters should be rinsed and tapped out a minimum of 10 times, and whoever is doing this needs to make sure there’s no water that remains stuck inside the filters. The filters should be left to dry somewhere safe, and they must be dried out completely and naturally, with nothing but the surrounding air (do not attempt to use a drying mechanism of any kind).
Blockage Removal
Generally, if there is a blockage in a central vacuum system’s pipe, it’s because it picked up objects like paperclips, screws, or pieces of plastic that are obstructing and causing the blockage. A technician should check for this immediately with an extendable wand or by pushing a broom handle through any paths. This should clear out most potentially obstructing items.
Finally, the last step should be using a screwdriver to remove anything covering the pipe so that a closer look can be taken. Once everything is removed, the technician will have the ability to see if there’s anything obstructing the pipe’s path more deeply. If there’s still any dirt or debris trapped anywhere, this is where it’ll be, so taking this step allows for it to be seen and removed.
Fixing the Pipe
If the entire pipe—or even just a piece of it—is damaged, then it needs to be replaced as quickly as possible. This will entail cutting a new piece of pipe to use as a replacement, as well as using PVC glue on the exterior of the existing tubing of the pipe. The PVC glue should not be applied at all to the coupler, which should be installed to the piece of pipe after the glue has been used. More PVC glue should be used to bond the exterior to the new piece of pipe tubing you are installing, which should be twisted and attached to the coupler. This process should be repeated as many times as necessary, based on how many pieces of pipe or tubing need to be replaced.
If the Power Unit Won’t Turn On
This is an issue that’s common with central vacuum systems, and the owner of the central vacuum system often has no idea how to handle it. This is yet another reason to hire professionals for repairs, as they’ll know exactly what to do. Namely, they’ll begin by checking the house circuit breaker to see if it tripped, because that in and of itself could be causing the issue. If the circuit breaker is indeed tripped, then they’ll turn off the central vacuum unit and reset the circuit breaker, turning it back on only after the reset. If the circuit breaker trips again after that, it may indicate that your house circuit doesn’t have the necessary voltage to capably run the central vacuum system you’re using.
Regardless, you should always try to hit the reset button first before panicking or trying anything drastic. If none of these measures work, you may want to try using a screwdriver to cross the low voltage wire from the relay at the unit. If you do this and it results in hearing a click, that likely means your motor needs to be replaced. If you tried all of the aforementioned measures and you don’t hear a click, that’s probably an indicator that you need a new relay. If you haven’t called in the professionals yet, now’s the time to do so. Contact a central vacuum company, such as Gary’s Vacuflo, to make replacements and repairs and get your system running again.
