As we work through “first fix” the central vacuum pipe work is installed, all the joints are glued with solvent glue and then the sound insulation in the walls is worked around the pipework.
With the pipes in place and glued up, wiring for the vacuum system (12 volt) is put in place attached to the face plates and with these pushed into the grey socket the system can be tested for leaks. Pushing the purpose made vacuum hose into the opened face plate on the grey socket switches the vacuum unit on (by the 12 volt wire) and with all the other sockets closed, you can go round and check by hand for any leaks (joints you forgot to glue) etc.
The wiring to each socket should be checked individually by going round and putting the vacuum hose into each socket one at a time and all of this needs doing while mistakes can be rectified before walls are “closed up” with the second side of plasterboard or other wall covering.
Hi
Can you tell me how much a typical vacuum system costs?
Hi Martin, our system was about £1,200 plus VAT with a similar amount of money/time to fit it all. We bought a top of the range unit with high capacity as we have 7 outlets in the house and some long runs of pipe, but a smaller house would be well under £1000. The people we used were very helpful, and work with self builders like us all the time. They are http://www.cvcdirect.co.uk