Now that you have a Vacuflo central vacuum installed, chances are you couldn’t be happier. With a central vacuuming system, you no longer have to worry about lugging a heavy vacuum cleaner from room to room; you simply plug a hose into the preinstalled inlet on the wall. The dirt and debris are carried to a large filtration system in an out-of-the-way area—such as a basement or garage—which only needs to be emptied every month or so.
Not only are you saving time and money with your central vacuum, but you’re probably enjoying better air quality than ever before too. Traditional vacuum cleaners tend to churn up the air around them as they work, throwing dust and debris everywhere. Since central vacuum power units are far away from where the cleaning is being done, they don’t have this problem. Not only that, but the motor on a central vacuuming system is far more powerful and can get a lot more cleaning done in less time.
Even with all these benefits, of course, it’s still possible you’ll occasionally happen upon a problem you need to fix. Here are a few tips for Vacuflo central vacuum troubleshooting:
Problem: The Unit Will Not Turn On
If your unit will simply not start, it could be due to any one of several issues. Often, the fix is a very simple one. If you plug the hose in and the system doesn’t turn on, it could be due to a faulty hose or an electrical issue.
Tips:
- Start by checking to see if the hose is clogged. If there’s some kind of blockage inside of the vacuum, the power may cut for safety reasons.
- If this doesn’t seem to be the case, try checking the inlet that the hose is connected to. It’s possible that particular inlet is dead and needs to be fixed; try connecting the hose to another inlet.
- The problem may be with your circuit board, or the hose itself may be damaged. Do a thorough—and very careful—inspection of all your circuitry and wiring. If you notice any burnt or damaged wiring, contact a technician immediately.
Problem: Weak Suction or No Suction
Central vacuum motors are very powerful and get a lot of suction, part of the reason they’re so effective at cleaning your home. If you notice the suction is reduced or, worse, there is no suction at all—despite the motor being on—then it could be because of one of the following problems.
Tips:
- The most likely cause of reduced suction in your central vacuum is simply a full dust canister. While the dust canister in a central vacuum is much larger than that of a portable vacuum and doesn’t need to be emptied as often, it will still fill up over time and eventually need to be cleared. Check your dust canister to make sure it’s not full.
- You’ll also want to make sure your canister is tightly latched shut. If it hasn’t been latched properly, chances are it won’t be able to form a proper vacuum. This will affect the suction in your central vacuum. You will also want to check if the gaskets are in good working order and are properly attached. Damaged gaskets will also affect the unit.
- Check to see if there is blockage elsewhere in the unit; look to see if the cloth filter, foam filter, and screen are clear. If any one of these filters has become clogged, it can hinder the operation of your central vacuum.
Problem: The Unit Will Not Turn Off
If you have started your central vacuum and it seems to be working fine, but you can’t seem to turn it off, this could be a problem with your 24-volt circuit.
Tips:
- Go to the unit itself and disconnect one of the 24-volt wires (there should be two of these.) If the unit stops when you do this, it’s possible the two wires are in contact somehow and should not be.
- If the unit does not stop when you disconnect one of the wires, it’s possible you have a defective circuit. In either case, you may need to contact your Vacuflo dealer.
Problem: The Pipes in the Unit Seem To Be Leaking
Sometimes, the unit seems to be working fine but the pipes themselves appear to be leaking. This, of course, will affect the performance of your central vacuum unit and could be caused by damage from an outside source.
Tips:
- First, attempt to locate the source of the leak. A leak doesn’t necessarily mean your unit is damaged. A part could have been installed incorrectly, or it could have been removed and reinstalled improperly. This is especially likely if you recently had major work done on your house. Very often, contractors hired to do housework don’t quite know what to do with a central vacuum and can cause problems as they go about their tasks.
- Check the manual for your device. If you are having trouble locating the source of a leak, chances are you are missing or forgetting an inlet or part of the unit somewhere. Since it’s a central vacuum, it’s very large and is a massive system within your home.
- Central vacuums have also been known to be damaged by gardening or the growth of tree roots. If you’ve had a major gardening project done recently, it’s possible it affected your vacuum unit. Look near where the project took place to see if any pipes or inlets were affected.
Problem Not Listed Here?
The problems listed in this article are merely some of the most common things people question when attempting Vacuflo central vacuum troubleshooting. If you have an issue not listed above, don’t hesitate to contact Gary’s Vacuflo. We’ll send a technician down to answer your questions and make any necessary repairs.