How to Install a Central Vacuum System

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The project you will be undertaking is basically a straightforward job that does not require special skills or tools and can be done within hours. Installation is simple, but remember; take your time and consider everything before cutting into a wall or floor, and be sure to check for hidden electrical wires or plumbing/heating equipment.

On this page, you will learn how to install central vacuum piping the proper way without the need for a central vacuum installer. Besides the installation of the vacuum piping, you will be able to learn about central vacuum power unit installation. This will allow you to properly locate where your in-home central vacuum system needs to be installed to alleviate noise pollution as well as offer the average minimum height requirements the power unit will need from both the floor and the ceiling. Each machine is different in size and may require slightly different minimum height requirements so please refer to your user manual.

If you have questions on how to install a central vacuum system in an existing home please contact our technical support line at 954-341-2760. Unless your home was built where you can run a single trunk line directly through, you should confirm you will have access from running your piping level to level. Always locate accessible areas free from obstruction that can accommodate the 2” pipeline.

Installation Tips: Do's and Dont's

System Planning & Layout - Install kits

The Power Unit is designed to be wall-mounted away from the living area of the home and connected to the living area by means of permanently installed in-wall tubing, fittings, and inlets. Use the following examples as an aid in planning the installation in either new or existing construction. You should be able to adapt the examples shown in your specific home layout.

The Ranch Style House
Here the power unit is mounted in the garage. The intake and exhaust tubing, the only exposed tubing in the installation runs up the garage wall and into the attic. The trunk line runs horizontally through the attic from the power unit to the furthest inlet location. Branch lines spread throughout the attic, connecting the trunk line to the inlet tubing. Each inlet tube is threaded vertically through an inside wall. Located in hallways, and in large rooms, the inlets are placed to provide maximum access to all cleaning areas.

The Two-Story House
A double-trunk line system is commonly used in two-story houses. The intake tubing runs up the basement wall and connects to the main trunk line, which runs along with the unfinished basement ceiling. Two first-floor inlets are connected to the basement trunk line by vertical inlet lines run through interior walls. In the center of the house, a vertical branch line runs from the basement trunk line, through stacked closets, up into the attic. A second trunk line runs across the attic and two branch lines connect to inlet lines which are dropped down from upstairs interior walls.

The Split-Level House
Like the two-story house, the split-level installation commonly calls for a two-level trunk line. Here, the power unit is located in the garage. The intake tubing runs exposed up the garage wall and into the ground level section's attic. Two branch lines connect this part of the trunk line to inlet lines which are dropped inside interior walls. A vertical branch line runs to the upstairs attic, where the trunk line branches into a T-shape. This trunk line connects to two upstairs inlet lines and to one inlet which drops through an upstairs wall and down into the third-level utility room to services this entire level.

How to Install & Vent your Central Vacuum Power Unit - View All Central Vacuums

Power Unit Location
In selecting the Power Unit Location, the following points should be carefully considered. Install the Power Unit as far away from the living area as possible, so that normal activities can be carried out without any disturbing noise that might emanate from the Power Unit while vacuum cleaning is in progress. An ideal location for the Power Unit would be the garage, where the unit's Inlet Valve will serve well when you wish to vacuum your car and the exchange of the filter will be easily facilitated. Other suitable locations can also be found in a basement, basement crawl space, furnace room, under a weatherproof sundeck, laundry room, carport, or any ventilated storage area.

The Power Unit is an electrical appliance and its location should be near an electrical power outlet. If there is no existing outlet available, a separate grounded circuit should be installed. Be sure to never overload the circuit! Check the unit's specifications for proper power supply requirements.

Installing the Power Unit - View Install Kits
The power unit is screwed to the wall with the bottom screws of the mounting bracket about 48" up from the floor to allow convenient removal of the dirt canister. For proper motor cooling, there must be at least 8" between the Installation unit and the ceiling. If mounting on plaster or panel walls, be sure mounting bolts enter studs. If mounting on a concrete wall, drill the wall with a masonry bit, and insert plastic or lead anchors. As an alternative mounting on concrete walls, 2" x 4" studs or plywood may be suspended from overhead. With the power unit mounted, strip the low voltage wire and crimp into two "slip-on" terminals provided. Connect the main tube line to the intake valve on the unit. Do not cement this connection in case you wish to remove at a future date. For top-loading units follow directions provided with the unit.

 Remember: Central vacuums must have room to breathe...DO NOT ENCLOSE THE UNIT!

Exhausting The Power Unit
Join tubing to the power unit's exhaust line and run the exhaust to the outside. The exhaust should not be vented into a wall, a ceiling, or a concealed space of the house. The best way to exhaust the power unit is directly through an exterior wall. You can also run the exhaust tubing through the attic to a roof vent.

How To Determine Wall Inlet Locations - Buy Wall inlets Here

 Always calculate later obstacles (such as furniture, appliances, additional wall, etc.) and ALWAYS OVERLAP (as shown below). You should be able to reach your complete 100% dwelling or house comfortably with the flexible hose including the highest corner at ceiling height, have easy access to stairways, you should not be using a portable vacuum to do this, it would be mad!

Don't Forget The Cars!
If it is structurally possible, install a vacuum inlet valve, near the main entry door(s) so that you can also reach outside during the summer months.
Don't have a garage, but have a carport or a parking bay near the house? You do not have to do without your central vacuum system! Install an exterior central vacuum inlet valve on your exterior wall!

How to Install Central Vacuum Tubing (SCH-20 PVC Pipe) - Buy Schedule 20 PVC Pipe Here

For Underground Tubing
If the tubing is to be buried underground, dig a trench 12 to 18 inches deep along the side of the house. Fully assemble and test the tubing and low voltage wire before filling in the trench. It is recommended that the low voltage wire installed outside be encased in a conduit which is available at most hardware stores. If the tubing is to run under the eaves, the tubing must be supported by pipe straps at least every 6 feet. On vertical sections, carefully snap-tie the low voltage wire behind the tubing.

Beginning The Trunk Line
Locate the exact path of your pipe network. Network the pipe as short as possible, as short and direct as possible. Reasonably short, but not just to save money.

Start with the inlet line that is farthest from the power unit. Place a 90-degree elbow onto a section of tubing and align it with the inlet tubing at the height it will run across the attic joists. Mark the inlet tubing where the elbow will join, allowing 5/8" for the tubing that inserts into the fitting's collar.

Now, cut the inlet tubing at the marked line. Make sure the cut is straight and even. Attach the elbow and check its fit. Then insert the first section of the tubing into the other end of the elbow.

Connecting A Branch Line
A branch line connects the inlet line to the trunk line. Attach a 90-degree elbow and run Connecting a branch line tubing from the inlet line to the trunk line. To align and measure the branch line, attach a 90 degree Tee fitting to the trunk line. Make sure the Tee connects with the airflow going toward the power unit. Align, measure, and mark the branch line for inserting it into the Tee fitting. Then, cut the branch line to length and insert it into the Tee. Check to make sure the cut is straight and even. Connect the next section of the tubing to the out-take side of the Tee fitting. Continue the trunk line until you come to another branch line junction point.

Completing The Trunk Line
Continue to run the trunk line toward the power unit, connecting all branch lines as you go along. Again, make sure you connect all fittings with the airflow toward the power unit. Bring the trunk line to the access hole you have drilled for the power unit's intake tube. Place a 90-degree elbow over the hole and cut the trunk line to fit into this final elbow. Allow 5/8" of tubing to fit into the elbow's collar. Connect the elbow to the trunk line so that it aligns with the intake access hole. You will make the intake tube connection itself after you have installed the power unit. When you are satisfied that all fittings and tubing are aligned for maximum airflow, make sure that all your cuts are square and that all joints are tight. Then, prepare the tubing and cement.

 Avoid The Following Installation Variations with a Sad Face! These unwise methods trap dirt, slow down the airflow, and accumulate debris fallen by gravity into vacuum valves installed lower than the mainline.

Assembling a Basement Trunk Line
Basically, the tubing network is assembled the same way for a basement installation. Begin the trunk line at the farthest inlet line from the power unit. Measure and cut the inlet tubing to the length required to align the trunk line with the joists or ceiling. Cement the inlet tubing and connect at the 90-degree elbow. Make all branch line connections in the same way you would an attic installation. Make sure that all branch lines enter the trunk line at an angle that is at least level with the trunk line. Make sure all the fittings are oriented so the air flows toward the power unit. Complete the trunk line to the power unit location.

Connecting Low-Voltage Wire
One of the greatest benefits of central vacuum systems is that the power unit is turned on and off automatically. Every power unit has an on/off switch that is activated by completing a circuit at the inlet valves. The power unit is turned on by simply inserting the hose in the inlet valve.

To facilitate this, low voltage wire must follow the tubing system. The wire must be 18/2 Low-Voltage Wire, which passes all electrical codes in your area. At the junction of a branch line and the trunk line, the wires must be spliced together as demonstrated in the pictures below. Each inlet valve must be able to activate the machine independently of the other valves.
Ideally, you will run the wiring and make all the wiring connections after you have completed the tubing system. Of course, the inlet wiring must be run at the time the inlet tubing is threaded through the walls.

Two of the most common methods of wire splicing are "T-Splicing" or "Looping". T-Splicing means the low voltage wire is spliced at the Tees and "Looping" consists of looping the low-voltage wire from the inlet valve to the inlet valve and joining the wires at the inlet valves. The latter is generally preferred as this method facilitates easier repair, even when the walls are boarded in, to any unraveling of connections or breaks possibly caused when the wire was stripped.

Run the low voltage wiring along the trunk line; at approximately 12" - 18" intervals, use electrical tape to secure the wire to the tubing. Then, run wiring along the branch lines from the inlet lines to the trunk line. Also, secure this wiring with electrical tape.

At the joint of the inlet line and branch line, make a two-wire connection. Use wire nuts to make the connections and Organization is key to insulate each connection with electrical tape.

At the junction of every branch line and the trunk line, cut the trunk line wire and connect it to the branch line wire. Connect this wiring in groups of three - one branch wire, one in-coming trunk line wire, and one out-going trunk line wire. Insulate all wire connections with electrical tape.

Complete all wiring connections up to the power unit's intake access hole. You will make this connection when you mount and connect the power unit. If, for some reason, you want to connect the wire as you go along, make the same two-wire and three-wire connections where required.

Secure Wire To Tubing
The low-voltage power wiring is run along with the tubing. To make sure the wire is secure and will not hang-up in the wall, use electrical tape to attach the wire to the tubing.

Using Flexible Tubing
Flexible tubing may be used to circumvent an obstacle or to make a difficult turn. Attach this tubing to the PVC tubing, cementing only the outside of the PVC tubing as you would for a hard-fitting connection. Whenever you use the flexible tubing, you must secure both ends of it with support strapping.

How To Join PVC Pipe Together

Insert the tube into the fitting, aligning the two parts as they will be installed. Mark the tube and the fitting so that you can quickly realign the joint.

Apply cement only to the outside of the tube. Dab the cement generously in an inch-wide band. Insert the tube into the fitting with the alignment marks a quarter turn apart, and then quickly push and turn the fitting to align the marks and spread the cement. Allow one minute for the joint to dry. You may also use electrical tape or duct tape to further seal the joint.

How to Cut & Glue together PVC Tubes & Fittings

Measure First
When sizing tubing, measurements should be taken from the base of the pipe located on the inside of the fitting hub. As each section of tubing is cut, it should be dry fitted before the next measurement is taken. Remember, measure twice and cut once!

Cutting The Tubing
The tubing should be cut as straight and square as possible. Rough edges must be removed with a utility knife or sandpaper.

Dry Fit Test
Once all the pieces have been cut, they should be dry fitted to check for correct fit and measure. The markings on each fitting made during measuring can be used for alignment.

Glue It Together
PVC cement actually welds the fittings to the tubing. A chemical reaction permanently joins the molecules from each surface to produce an airtight seal. Before cementing, both tubing and fitting must be absolutely free of PVC burrs, dirt, and grime. Components should be wiped with a clean cloth when necessary. Cement should be applied liberally, but to the TUBING ONLY. The cement applied to the fitting will be pushed ahead and create a rough bead on the inside of the fitting. Beads reduce airflow and could cause clogs. The tubing should be inserted all the way into the fitting and twisted a quarter of a turn to distribute the glue evenly. Excess cement should be wiped away with a rag. The glue should be allowed several hours to set before the vacuum system is used for the first time.

How To Test Your Central Vacuum Plumbing for Leaks

If the installation is done professionally, and all these procedures duly followed, it should not be necessary to run a vacuum leakage test, however, it is best to be safe than sorry!

Use a piece of wire to short-circuit the low voltage connectors at the power unit's side. When all the pipes are capped, and all the vacuum valves are closed, there should be no air coming out after 10-15 seconds. If there is still lots of air coming out, there is a leakage.

 The power unit may overheat if there is no air-flow to the unit for more than 30 seconds.

How To do a Final System Check on your new Central Vacuum Installation

Be sure all inlets are closed and the debris bag is in place if the unit is bagged. Check the switch on the power unit for manual on/off operation. Check each wall inlet to be sure contacts activate the power unit when the hose is inserted. A short piece of wire can be used to short contacts in the wall inlet together to activate the power unit. Check each wall inlet and tubing connection for air leaks. Check the power unit for leaks around the inlet tube and dirt receptacle.

Congratulations! You just finished your central vacuum installation!