If your central vacuum system is acting up, you will either need to fix it or replace it. Fixing it is obviously the cheaper option, but it can often be intimidating to think about fixing a system when you have no idea what is wrong. It can be hard to trust a serviceman who tells you a list of things are wrong with your system when you have no way of verifying the actual problems.
The most common problem which we find customers need fixed is a reduction in suction. There are a number of reasons why this might happen, and you can save yourself a lot of time, money, and headaches by first checking a few simple things. First, check the canister – if it is full, it could be killing your suction power. If the canister is empty, check the filters. Filters which get too dirty will not allow the vacuum system to suck properly beyond them. If the filters are fine, you might want to check you exhaust. If all else fails, check for a clog.
Another common issue we encounter is that a central vacuum system will not turn on. If you are having this problem, first check if your system has an on off switch. Many systems have a switch, but you might never know as you have never had a need to use it. If you do not have a switch, check your circuit breaker. Oftentimes, a central vacuum system is on a breaker by itself or with outlets that are not used (due to the location in a basement or garage). If this is not the issue, then it could be an issue with the motor or relay. Based upon your system, there are a number of ways to test this, which can be found in most owners manuals. If it is an issue with the motor or relay, you might be able to buy the part and replace it yourself.
Should you have any other issues, you can always check the “troubleshooting” section of your owner’s manual. Even if you can not fix the problem yourself, having an idea of what is wrong will make you more confident in knowing you are having the problem fixed correctly by a professional with no extra charges. If you have any questions about troubleshooting your system, or if you have found a problem you would like help in fixing, please contact us.