FAQs for Valet Canberra

Yes, virtually any style of home can have a ducted vacuum cleaning system installed. Even homes with solid walls can be installed with a ducted vacuum system regardless of the homes age.

Sometimes we use cupboards and wardrobes etc. as a last resort for an inlet location, but the beauty of a ducted system is you only need a few points to cover your home effectively with a 9m hose. We also sell longer hoses and hose kits to cater for the trickier installs. Brick veneer homes (or any home with timber frame with gyprock walls) can have pipes installed in these walls quite easily with the inlets still mounted at the same height as the power points so that it looks like it has always been there. Pipework is simply run in the roof space as a trunk and branch to these inlets. Installation takes between 2 to 8 hours on average, depending on complexity of the building.

Not at all, generally the vacuum cleaner systems unit are not much more than a good portable or upright, in some cases they even are cheaper, they last 4 times longer and still can be professionally supplied and installed in a smaller home for as little as $1,500.

Yes, Valet Ducted Vacuum Systems have proven to reduce the triggers of asthma and allergies sufferers in many studies. This is partly because the air is not recycled around the home that a portable needs to do to suck and also due to the filter bag used in the system trapping all these nasties for easy dust free disposal later. These are the main reasons that have been accepted by the National Asthma Council Australia and Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ as a product to assist people suffering from asthma and allergies. More information on Living with asthma and allergies can be obtained from www.sensitivechoice.com.au

Ducted Vacuum Systems can be a tricky product to compare to the un-educated person. Many people will compare by the horsepower rating, and this is so wrong. The things to consider are air watts, sealed vacuum lift and noise level. Then consider the history of the unit you are researching, how long does it actually last, some units are cheap to buy, but cost far more per year to run and have. Then look at warranties and Dealer support. Valet has an industry leading warranty, this in itself says something about a product and the Companies support for that product.

You would be hard pressed to beat a Valet on overall features, simplicity and the fact they are virtually maintenance free, around $10 a year for a bag and it will return you many years of loyal, trouble free service.

Generally, the average home vacuuming twice a week will get around 6 months before requiring the bag being replaced. This figure is reduced somewhat for brand new homes as the carpet generally will lose pill for a while until it settles in, and all the loose fibres are gone. But as a rule, about twice a year. Buying the bags in packs of 3 is the best way to ensure good value.

Low voltage wires are installed alongside the vacuum ducting which connect to an internal relay switch in the Ducted Vacuum power unit. The hose end which is plugged into the inlet valve creates a circuit with these wires to turn the unit on and off.

The Valet bagged systems require very little maintenance, we suggest checking the screen under the plate beneath the bag when changing the bag to ensure it is clear. Sometimes fluff will build up here if you have had a bag leak and block up this screen which results in loss of suction. Using GENUINE Valet bags will reduce this. We recommend a system service every 3 years to ensure the longest life from your system. Motor brushes and bearings are the most likely parts to fail, these are checked at the 3 year service and generally will not require replacement for at least 6 to 7 years depending on usage.

Ducted Vacuum systems can be turned on and off from the hose handle of a ‘switch hose’ or by inserting and removing the hose end of a ‘standard hose’ at the wall inlet valves. A ‘standard hose’ cannot be converted into a ‘switch hose’ so it is important to make the right choice before purchasing. See Valet Canberra for the complete range of Ducted Vacuum hoses.

No. Your ducted vacuum system is designed to collect everyday dry matter (dust). It is approved by authorized testing agencies for dry use only. Do not use on wet surfaces. Should you accidentally vacuum liquids, immediately unplug the unit from the electric outlet, then empty and wipe the dust receptacle with a dry cloth. Then operate the system from the vacuum inlet through which you vacuumed the liquid, in order to eliminate all moisture in the piping system.

If your ducted vacuum system doesn’t start, there are a few possible causes that have to be verified. First, the electrical power or the low voltage wiring can be connected improperly. It is also possible that one of your vacuum inlets is defective. You can also verify if the unit/in-house circuit breaker is off. Finally, it’s possible that your on/off hose is defective. To know the corrective action for each causes, please consult the Valet system owner’s manual. If none of these suggestions help start your vacuum unit, contact your authorised service centre.

There are a few possible causes that could explain that your central vacuum doesn’t stop. Indeed, this problem could be caused by a defective on/off hose or faulty low voltage wiring. You can also verify if your hose is improperly inserted into the vacuum inlet. To know the corrective action for each causes, please consult the Cyclo Vac owner’s manual. If in spite of these suggestions, your vacuum unit is still not stopping, contact your authorised service centre.

Although it is rare for a ducted vacuum system to get blocked in the pipework it sometimes can occur and usually are quite simple to fix. The first thing you must eliminate is that the hose and fittings are clear. This is best done visually where possible, but if the hose is long then it may not be possible to see all the way down it. If you do have a blockage, unless it is close to the unit some of the other inlets will work fine you can check the hose on these other points to be sure. If they all seem blocked or low on suction, either there is a blockage closer to the unit or infect a pipe may be off and you are losing all the suction here.

Other inlets work fine, it’s just this one that has no suction, then yep it’s probably blocked. Many times, when we un block these inlets we find things like sticks, hair clips, large paper clips etc. that may have got jammed on a fitting and gradually a build-up of fluff and junk will block the pipe. This is easily fixed by using a portable vacuum cleaner to suck from the inlet backwards.

Here’s a neat trick: Unscrew the cuff off the end of your ducted vacuum hose (do not attempt this if you have a hose with on off switch on the handle, just standard hoses) and insert just the cuff into the hole. You will notice the ducted system will start now, at the same time insert your portable vacuum into the cuff (which will now seal well) and you are now pulling apart the blockage by two ways. As the blockage is usually close to the inlet (first fitting as a rule) the portable vacuum should eventually win and remove the rubbish blocking the pipe. Help this along by sometimes removing the cuff enough for the ducted vacuum to stop but in enough for the portable one to seal. You should hear a thud as it is moved and sucked into your vacuum.

Once you are happy it seems clear, I like to suck a piece of paper towel or a wet one through the system, this makes sure that the object that got stuck in the first place has also moved and you won’t need to do this again in a few weeks! Check the bag or canister for the towel to ensure it is all good.

Valet have a unique final filter which is located beneath a baffle plate under the bag. This sometimes can get blocked with fluff if a bag busts, overflows or if you empty a very full bag and some leaks out. It is easy to remove this baffle and check the screen, if there is rubbish there it is simply removed by hand. Refit the plate, refit the bag and lid and try now!

Another common no suction cause for Valet systems is the plug opposite where the bag attaches (where the bag would attach if the pipe work entered the system from the other side) is missing. This plug needs to be inserted to block the hole and can get knocked out when changing a bag. Check around the floor, it is probably still there, refit it into the canister and check now.

If still no suction, more often than not this is a pipe fitting that has come adrift, usually because it was installed with strain on it and the glue eventually popped. The quickest way to find it is to start the system by inserting the hose, stick your head up the manhole and listen. Follow the pipework around and keep listening, you will soon be guided straight to the culprit. If needed to be modified so there is no strain on it, do it then glue everything all together with blue plumber’s glue, much stronger than the clear stuff. Make sure to secure the pipes in place especially near fittings with pipe saddles.

The other cause of no suction may still be a blockage near the system, prove this by removing the pipe that goes directly into the system. Check the suction from the machine itself. If machine is sucking fine, then it could be in one of the fittings quite close to the machine or the short one just inside the wall. If possible, remove these pipes and check here.

9 out of 10 blockages can be fixed using these methods, if you are the other one, you will need to call for service.