Central Vacuum Piping: Which Option Is Best?

A central vacuum pipe is a system of conduits that joins wall inlets to the central vacuum unit. Typically, the main central vacuum unit is installed in a remote area like the basement, making these conduits necessary to distribute suction to the wall inlets and draw dirt to the dirt container or dust bag.

In the section below, we will look at the three major options available for central vacuum pipes and list the advantages and disadvantages and explain why one has become the predominant option.

Also called plumbing pipe, is a material commonly used in construction for carrying supply water, wastewater, drain water, and irrigation water. The term PVC comes from its chemical Polyvinyl Chloride. This is a commonly available plastic pipe.

PVC pipes are sized according to their inner diameters meaning that a 2-inch PVC pipe is a pipe with an inner diameter of 2 inches or 50 mm. PVC pipes are sold in standard lengths of 10 or 20 feet.

PVC pipes are designed and manufactured to carry liquids. On the other hand, central vacuum piping transports air and solid debris.

Liquids are much denser than air and easily push debris from the source to whatever destination they're meant to arrive at. However, air does not carry such force. When air encounters an obstacle, it is more probable that the obstacle will win the fight.

Additionally, PVC pipes do not have a uniform wall thickness; these discrepancies can lead to corridors where obstacles can get lodged. The reason that PVC pipes do not have a uniform wall thickness is that this metric is not a crucial part of the design for them to fulfill their intended purpose, the transportation of liquids.

This is a ribbed pipe that is highly maneuverable and eliminates the need for elbows to navigate corners. Its size is typically 2 inches.

The clear advantage of this type of piping is that it reduces the number of fittings and elbows required to pipe your space fully.

Additionally, it reduces the skill level required to make joints. Flexible pipe doesn't require any plumbing education to make joints successfully.

Flexible hoses have to be ribbed to increase their structural strength. The most significant disadvantage from this is that these ribs provide a monumental amount of friction to the air passing through them and create points at which debris can be lodged. 

Due to these critical disadvantages, professional central vacuum piping installations do not use flexible hoses.

These are conduits that are made specifically for central vacuum systems. The material of composition and the standard of manufacture, are all in accordance with strict guidelines established by the American Standard of Testing and Materials, ASTM.

These standards were put in place to ensure consistency in quality and interoperability across different brands of central vacuums.

Central vacuum tubing is labeled as such allowing you to verify that it is indeed vacuum tubing.

The thickness of these pipes is very consistent across its entire length. This consistency in internal thickness provides minimal resistance to air flow in the pipe.

If you find that the suction in your central vacuum is reduced this could be a sign of a clog. You will want to remove the clog to return your vacuum to its normal functionality.

• First, make sure that the vacuum cleaner is powered down.

• Next, remove all attachments from the vacuum hose.

• Now, detach the vacuum hose from the wall inlet.

• Run a long stiff object from one end of the vacuum hose to the other, such as a wooden dowel or a broom handle. This should push the obstacle out.

• If loss of suction persists, it means of the clog is probably within the vacuum tubing.

In this case, we advise you to contact your local vacuum cleaner service shop to get the clog out for you as beyond the wall inlet; there are many connections before you reach the main central vacuum.

Removing debris in a system with elbows and connectors requires professional equipment and specialized skills.