A central vacuum system that’s installed in a building or residence is intended to last for 25 to 30 years.

However, despite the fact that it is designed for long-term usage, a central vacuum system should be taken care of in order for it to operate smoothly and remain durable.

Without proper maintenance, the system can only last for ten years or less, costing you more money rather than helping you save.

How to Maintain a Central Vacuum System

Here are the steps that you should follow when it comes to central vacuum system maintenance:

1. Clean the dirt receptacle
2. Replace the vacuum bags
3. Clean the filters
4. Unclog the motor, piping and hose
5. Store the hose after use
6. Clean the roller brush and vacuum accessories
7. Be cautious with electrical issues

Clean the dirt receptacle

If you don’t like using vacuum bags, it is strongly advised that you empty the dirt receptacle of your central vacuum before or after each use.

Most dirt receptacles or collection pails have windows or indicators that let you know how much dirt is captured inside the vacuum. However, it’s still a good idea to empty your collection pail every time you use your vacuum. This prevents dust and debris from accumulating in the unit, which can slow down or damage the motor.

A dirt receptacle can be cleaned and emptied by following these simple instructions:

1. Before removing the collection pail, make sure the power unit is off.
2. To remove the pail from the power unit, simply twist it off.
3. Dispose of the contents in the pail.
4. Rinse and wipe the container. Allow it to completely dry before reattaching it to the power unit.

Replace the vacuum bags

As soon as vacuum bags are filled to 75% of their maximum capacity, they need to be replaced.

Allowing a bag to get filled beyond 75% will prevent new particles from entering it. This will cause the motor to be clogged and noisy, reducing the vacuum cleaner’s performance and suction.

Depending on how frequently you use your central vacuum, you only need to replace the vacuum bags once or twice a year.

Here are some steps for replacing collection bags if you’re using a bagged central vacuum:

1. Be sure to turn off the power unit before replacing the collection bag.
2. Remove the top cover plate from the power unit.
3. Carefully remove the bag from the pipe and dispose of it.
4. Cover the pipe completely by sliding the new collection bag over it.
5. Put the top cover plate back in place.

Clean the filters

Filters that are dirty make it harder for a vacuum cleaner to suck in air, which causes the motor to struggle and operate louder than it should. Your motor will overheat and suffer from damage if you let this continue.

Keeping your filters clean will help them to continue capturing debris and enhancing the air quality inside your home.

Depending on how often you use your vacuum, vacuum filters should be cleaned at least every three months and replaced every six months.

How to properly clean a paper or cloth filter

1. Remove the collection pail and the vacuum bag from the power unit.
2. Put a big plastic garbage bag over the power unit’s lower half. Hold it firmly in position.
3. Take hold of the filter’s bottom from outside of the bag. Shaking the bag well will cause the dirt to fall inside of the bag.
4. Remove the plastic bag from the power supply gradually carefully.
5. Reattach the collection pail to the power unit.

How to properly clean a plastic or foam filter

1. Remove the vacuum bag, filter, and collection pail from the power unit.
2. If the filter is plastic, simply give it a good rinse. If the filter is made of foam, rinse it with cold water until the water is clear.
3. Place it aside and let it fully dry. The drying time of a foam filter is roughly 24 hours.
4. Place the filter, vacuum bag and collection container back on the power unit.

In addition to cleaning, it’s important to regularly check the filter to make sure it hasn’t been punctured or torn.

Unclog the motor, piping and hose

Your vacuum’s suction power will be decreased and the motor will overheat if you use the vacuum while the motor, pipe, or hose is clogged. Always check the suction of your central vacuum before using it, and make sure there are no obstructions in the motor.

To clean the motor, simply grab the big chunks of debris that are clinging onto it by hand or use a dry cloth to dust it.

To remove blockages from the pipes, take the following steps:

1. Turn on the central vacuum by pressing the on/off button on the power unit, then check the suction from each inlet. Check each inlet individually, starting with the one that is closest to the power unit, until you identify the one that is lacking suction.
2. To get rid of the blockage, carefully push an electrician’s fish tape into the inlet. You can also use another  vacuum to remove the obstruction from the pipe by inserting its wand end inside the inlet while your power unit is off.

If the hose becomes clogged, here are instructions that you can follow:

1. Put the wand end inside the utility inlet of the power unit.
2. Turn on the power unit using the manual switch while holding the hose firmly in place to cover any extra air gaps. After that, the obstruction should be swiftly sucked out.
3. If the hose is still blocked, you can clear the obstruction by putting a garden hose or an electrician’s fish tape through it. Just do it carefully to avoid cutting the hose.

Store the hose after use

Here are some tips for storing the hose:

• Do not store the hose in direct sunlight. It must be used and stored at temperatures above 40 °F (or 5 °C).
• Always hang the hose up when it’s not in use using the hose hanger that’s included in the vacuum kit.
• Before storing, separate the hose from the wand.

Clean the roller brush and the other vacuum attachments

After using your roller brush a few times, you will notice that things like hair, lint, and thread are tangled in it. These problems stretch the belt, which stops the roller brush from spinning as it should. However, with frequent cleaning, the roller brush will continue to spin properly and capture dirt and debris effectively.

To clean the roller brush, just follow these steps:

1. Depending on the type of vacuum that you have, you can either remove the brush from the power head or leave it in place. To remove it, just lift or take off the plate, then slide the brush out of the slots on either side.
2. Cut the debris that is entwined around the brush with scissors and remove it from the bristles where it is holding on to.

Other attachments for vacuum cleaners include the retractable wand, crevice tool, dusting brush, and upholstery brush. These tools must also be cleaned because they collect dust and debris like the roller brush.

Simply cut and remove hair strands or strings from the bristles of the vacuum attachments, and then wipe off any embedded debris.

Be cautious with electrical issues

The following are possible electrical issues with a central vacuum system:

• If the voltage is either below or above the recommended working voltage, if there is a significant current drain, or if the rotor is locked, the power unit won’t operate. The LED beside the on/off switch will blink if this occurs and until the problem is fixed.

• If the circuit board becomes too hot, the power unit will not work and the LED will be off.

Press the on/off button, unplug the hose, or wait for the temperature to lower if any of these problems occur. If problems continue, get in touch with your local authorized service center.

Other Tips for Central Vacuum System Maintenance

• Never attempt to pick up anything that won’t fit through the vacuum attachment or hose end. Debris from construction cannot be collected using the central vacuum.

• Do not connect anything else to the central vacuum’s power supply. Make sure that the system is powered by a circuit that perfectly matches the unit’s electrical requirements.

• Dust off the power unit with a fresh, soft cloth. A water or liquid cleanser could produce an electrical shock, therefore AVOID using them.

• To ensure consistent, effective cleaning, use one inlet at a time.

• Avoid stacking anything on top of the power unit because doing so could block the motor’s access to cooling air, resulting in an overheated motor.

• Read a manual or get in touch with an authorized dealer for more details on how to maintain a central vacuum system.

Now that you know how to maintain a central vacuum system, you should be able to get years of trouble-free cleaning performance from your own central vacuum system.