Wanna Meet My Central Vacuum System?
The Modern Day central vacuum in the Cross House.
This was installed by the previous owner, Bob Rodak.
I have never used it. Almost immediately when I began restoring the house in 2014, I partially dismantled the system. Now though, with the big push to finish all the wiring and plumbing, the vac system needs to be put pack in use.
I Googled Modern Day and…blessedly…they still exist and I can order new tubing and other parts.
Now, I have wanted a central vac system since I was about 15. Yes, I was a weird teenager. And it is a thrill to think that, after a wait of five decades, my yearning will be soon be realized! This all reminds me of The Great Peacock Adventure.
Ross excited!
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We added an Electrolux central vac system to our house about 20 years ago. I did use it for many years, until schlepping that 35 ft. hose up and down the stairs just became too much. It’s been out of commission for at least 5 years, and we really should fix it, but I got used to using a lightweight Shark vacuum – one on each floor. They’re surprisingly strong – the first time I used it, I told my husband I think it was sucking up dirt from the basement while I was working on the first floor of the house! But I bet the central vac would be a good selling point when/if we go to sell this place.
Hi, Beth!
I have one very long hose.
I plan to buy two more (and two more sets of attachments) so the basement, first- and second-floor are all fully equipped.
The best part of our central vac system is the several 6 inch sweep inlets we have throughout the house. If I had it to do over I would double the number of sweep inlets and that damn hose could stay in the closet.
A whole house shop vac?!
I bet that sucks.
Hahaha literally, Blair. Very witty. Vacuums suck. Hahaha
Do they really work better than a regular vacuum? But I am loathe to cut holes in my walls. I don’t have central heat or air because I don’t want to cut holes in my floors or ceilings.
I was so naive that when I first heard about them, I thought they just sucked all the dirt automatically! Now I have visions of pets and papers flying into it. I have a friend with one, but I don’t think it’d be convenient. Let us know how it works out.
I think “I Spied” one of the inlets for this system on your “I Spy” post, and I was wondering whether that’s what it was or not and if Bob had indeed installed it. Very interesting and something I think if Victorians lived in the modern day, they would have installed. Excited for you getting a youthful dream fufilled!
Great to see a dream fulfilled.
Looking forward to seeing more work on the Cross house.
Hope it works out great for you. 🙂
Strangely I have wanted one since I was a teenager too! A wealthy neighbor had one. The boys used to call it “the central sucker.”
Enjoy! A wish fulfilled!
I grew up having a central vacuum and I was shocked when I was older and realized not everyone had one! I ended up buying a house with one as well. (Though most of the time I use a Dyson stick vacuum for everyday since it is more convenient.)
Back in the 80s I worked at a electric/plumbing retailer and we sold central vacuum systems; our customers seems to really like them. We had one installed in our showroom, and “allowed” the customers to vacuum with it to see how well it worked. The most common issue reported was when people sucked up socks or washcloths and they got stuck somewhere in the piping; a small drain snake usually did the trick.