I had been out to the Oak Brook, IL home of one of my good customers several times to unclog her system. Any time a system clogs repeatedly, I know there is a piping issue that needs to be corrected. Walking through the basement, I found this:

This rubber plumbing fitting had been installed in place of the original vacuum fitting. The homeowner indicated that in the process of remodeling a few years ago, a line had to be moved. Apparently the homeowner or contractor did the work themselves, using this fitting instead of the proper components. While it seems to fit properly from the outside, comparing the inside diameter with that of a central vacuum sweep 90 makes it clear why this system kept clogging:

This is a 1.5” ID fitting, which ends up being about 2” OD. While a vacuum fitting is technically 2” OD, its thinner wall makes for a much larger interior diameter. With the proper fitting installed, I don’t expect this system to clog again. Fortunately, this was the only place that the system had been modified. Here’s what it now looks like :

Homeowners and contractors, it’s completely understandable not wanting to pay for a service call to move a line, if you are able to do the work yourself. However, if you opt to, please use the proper pipe and fittings! Central Vacuum has what you need for just a few dollars. Give us a call at (630) 608-0175 and we can send the fittings right to your jobsite.

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