For many
homeowners having access to a central vacuum system is the
easiest way to keep the house clean and spotless. If you
want to save a little money, follow these simple steps to
install the unit yourself:
 First you have to
decide where the wall inlet valves will go by testing for
length. Use a 30-foot length of rope to test your options,
making sure that you can reach every part of the room when
vacuuming, including around furniture and in high corners.
 Plan where you
will place the inlet valves in the wall. The valves should
fit between studs or in the floor near an electrical outlet,
so that you will have access to power for the portable hose.
Keep the valves away from heating ducts, plumbing, and
wiring.
 Decide where the
power unit will go. The most common areas tend to be the
basement or an attached garage. Mount the unit on the wall
near an electrical outlet. The outlet must have its own
circuit, as a central system vacuum sucks up a lot of power.
 The tubing
installation is the most difficult part of the process. Plan
the installation from the power unit to the inlet valves.
One scenario has the tubing running along the basement
ceiling and then up through the wall to inlet valves on the
first and second floor of the house.
 Installation of
the inlet valves requires that you drill a small pilot hole
below where the valve will go, in the floor. Place a coat
hanger wire into the pilot hold so you know where it is and
cut a 2-inch hole for the inlet valve.
 Drill the first
hole for tubing, for example, in the basement. Under the
floor, measure from the wire and find the center of the wall
framing. Drill a ¾-inch hole and look for obstructions with
a flashlight. Drill a 2 ½-inch diameter hole for the tubing
if everything is clear – this will carry the dirt to the
power unit. To reach a second story, drill a 2 ½-inch hole
through the center of the wall framing from the attic
instead.
 Last, you have to
thread the wiring and tubing through the house. Cut a length
of tubing that will reach from the power unit to the inlet
valves. Attach low-voltage wire to the tubing using tape.
First, thread the wire and tubing from the basement to the
first floor valve. To reach the second story, find a space
in the house, such as a chimney or plumbing run, and thread
the tubing through that spot and down through the drilled
hole. Attach low-voltage wire to the valve's mounting plate
and cement 90-degree dual elbow fitting to the back of the
plate.
 Install the inlet
and secure the tubing. Install the valve inlet into the wall
and fix the tubing to the inlet elbow. |
