Central Vac Systems?

[twintubdexter]

Harley, I can sympathize with your Aunt. I tripped over that hose several times even though I was athletic and as graceful as a premiere ballerina.

 

We bought the house in 1997 and it was built in 1970. The central system had some milage on it for sure. When running there was hissing at all of the inlets which I assume meant some loss of suction. I do have to admit that a central vac would be great here in the desert. That damn sand gets in everything, and I mean everythng.

 

[washer111]

We *Had* It

Our previous home had a Valet Central Vacuum System, from 1987.

Prior to our purchase of the home, the home was a rental, and some previous tenants (stupidly) used the system to vacuum dog-leavings from around the house/yard. Seriously.
So the system needed some TLC when we moved in. She worked as good as anything until 2007 or so, when we had a new motor fitted to the system. The newer motor was clearly less powerful, and sounded like it was straining most of the time. Nonetheless, it still worked a treat.

We'd be happy to have another. No fuss with exchanging the electric cord as you move through the house, dragging around a heavy canister, trying to work it over bumpy tiles and electric cords. The largest benefit for us was with the Slate tiles in our previous home, it made it difficult to move a vacuum around the place. So the central unit was convenient (and the house was 5 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, laundry, study, kitchen, dining, games formal dining).

 

[twintubdexter]

That is a new low for renter stories. How can anyone be so stupid to use a vacuum, central or otherwise, to clean up dog poop? I'm sure where ever that vac's motor unit was located didn't smell like the roses in May.

 

[tomturbomatic]

At a townhouse complex at the Yacht Club in Annapolis, MD, a foreign-born maid used the central vac to suck the kids' offerings out of a non-working toilet.

 

[danemodsandy]

That DOES Beat All.

The worst renter story I have doesn't begin to compare with that.

It was a house where it was discovered that the tenants who had vacated left a huge roach infestation. Investigation showed that the cucarachas' food supply was about a third of an inch of bacon grease in the bottom of the oven.

A self-cleaning oven. And yes, it was in working order.

 

[davey7]

Our swanky neighbors had a central vac system in their house (completed in '72) - it was always cool to open the outlets and feel the suction. Wonder if it's still in use.

 

[luxflairguy]

Everyone should try a central vacuum! I grew up with one and in my adult life have never had a home without one. Little to no noise, no "dog" smell from an overstuffed bag, far less dusting and despite what some of you have written the suction of the 70's machine is right up there with the machines of today.
How do I know? I cleaned homes for over 30 years and used almost every brand on the market and sold and installed them for over 10 years.Today's machine ARE more powerful, but older machines coupled with the new larger diameter hoses (1 3/8) and the latest and best electric carpet nozzles will out perform any canister or upright on the market. People who complain about the long hoses and lack of suction aren't using well maintained systems or don't want to give up their Hoover's or Electrolux's. I did that years ago and have never looked back.
As a cleaning professional using a canister or upright you have to push or pull the body around furniture and such wasn't always easy. With the central vacuum hose, you just glide it around. Most hoses are 30 feet long and you can clean roughly 25 feet in either direction from the valve. I can't imagine going back to pulling an Electrolux and a 5-6 foot hose around anymore. Somethings always nipping at my heels! There are some wonderful power units out there today and they install far easier that before. Couple them with the right tools and you've got a winning combination! Did I mention that the average life for a central is 25 years? Motors for units sold in the 60's and 70'2 are still available and newer outlets are too. How easy is it to find parts for your older vacuums? To me, it's a win-win combination!