Construction vacuum cleaner - which one to choose?

A feature of construction sites that use perforators, chippers or electric jigsaws is a large amount of construction waste. A huge amount of fine dust is not just discomfort, but also a health hazard. In addition, dust is a cause for failure of an electric tool. A reasonable decision would be to purchase a construction, or industrial, vacuum cleaner in a similar situation. It will create a safe working environment, significantly reduce cleaning time. And if you do not want to change after a first cycle of work far from a cheap construction vacuum cleaner, which one to choose - every buyer of such equipment should know. And you can easily cope with this after studying the information from this article.

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Construction and household vacuum cleaner: find N differences

Before choosing a construction vacuum cleaner, you need to figure out exactly what purpose it is intended for. Knowing the capabilities of the equipment and its characteristics, you can choose the best option for you. The information published below will help you choose the best industrial vacuum cleaner.

An inexperienced buyer will immediately ask the question: are there any differences between a construction and household vacuum cleaner? Is it possible to replace an industrial device with a household one with high power?

At first glance, these two devices are no different. But having a lot in common in the device and principle of operation, they are designed to solve fundamentally different tasks from each other.

Important! Repair in the house is always accompanied by subsequent cleaning. You can remove dust simply by wiping the surface. But what to do if a blot of paint, putty or cement mixes, etc. get on the finish coating? Browse the article here and you'll find out What are the most effective cleaning agents after repairs?.

Household models:

• The main difference between these devices is the object with which there is a struggle. Household devices are good at “fighting” with ordinary dust. However, if there are small pebbles in the way of an ordinary vacuum cleaner, then it is likely that they do not fall into the dust collector.
• The matter is even more complicated if you try to use a household appliance for fine-grained building dust. Most of it will fly out of the unit along with air. If building dust gets inside the electric motor, then the probability is high that the device will fail.

Industrial models:

• The industrial unit has been adapted from the very beginning to collect construction and industrial waste. And the amount of dust that you have to deal with is only possible for an industrial design device.
• Construction vacuum cleaners are equipped with shockproof housing. They have a large dust collector, increased hose clearance and an efficient filtration system.
• Industrial models are distinguished by significant engine power and the ability to continuously work for a long time.

Important! When carrying out repairs, all finishing materials, including liquid ones, fall on the floor, from which difficult stains can subsequently remain.So that you do not have to change your flooring to a new one, just use the ready-made methods,how to clean the floor after repair. 

So, to summarize the differences between industrial models and household ones in the following:

• High performance.
• Silent work.
• Compactness.
• Long service life.

Important! Industrial units are enclosed in shockproof steel casing and painted with protective paint.

Design features of construction vacuum cleaners are as follows:

• Engine with increased wear resistance.
• Multistage air filtration system.
• Capacitive waste collection tank.
• Wheels with a rubber coating for movement on different surfaces.

Important! Industrial units not only effectively absorb fine dust, but also absorb liquid. Their cost is quite high, so the question of which construction vacuum cleaner to choose is a very serious one.

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Principle of operation

The principle by which household or industrial equipment for collecting dust works is not particularly difficult. The fan creates a vacuum inside the vacuum cleaner. It is this rarefaction that is the driving force. Particulate and dusty air is directed to the reduced pressure zone.

Most of the debris settles inside the dust bag. The particles remaining in suspension are captured using additional filters. After passing through the filtration system, air purified from impurities is again discharged into the atmosphere through the outlet.

Important! Unfortunately, grouting between the elements of the tile does not always work out accurately and the mixture falls onto the surface of the tile itself. It is advisable to remove it immediately. But if for some reason you didn’t succeed in doing this, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with another of our articles “How to wash tiles from grout after repair?”.

Important! Dust removal can be carried out both in the process of work, and at its end. Naturally, the first option is preferable.

The following equipment operation options are possible:

• Suction directly from the work area. The hose of an industrial vacuum cleaner is fixed at a minimum distance from the workpiece. Of course, this option cannot be called ideal, but it makes it possible to reduce the dust content in the working area.
• Connecting the unit to the tool. Many electric tools are equipped with a dust removal system. This is a pipe to which you can connect the hose of the vacuum cleaner. In this case, the concentration of dust in the air and on the workpiece will be minimal.

Important! The connected hose interferes with the work with the hand tool a little, but comfortable working conditions block this slight drawback.

• Cleaning after completion of work. Dirt and debris accumulated in the workplace can be removed using a vacuum cleaner in the usual way.

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How to choose the best construction vacuum cleaner?

If you have ever encountered repair and construction, you know firsthand that a good industrial vacuum cleaner is indispensable in the fight against wood and metal chips, sawdust, concrete dust and other waste.

Important! A sign of manufacturability and reliability of a construction vacuum cleaner is a low noise level during operation.

Proper selection

Depending on what tasks have to be solved, the technique is divided into classes:

• L - devices that are designed for garbage collection with a small degree of danger.
• M - help to remove wood and concrete dust, which is an average level of danger. Permissible transmittance is 0.1%.
• H - vacuum cleaners of this class are able to remove wastes with carcinogenic properties, as well as asbestos dust, which may contain pathogenic bacteria and viruses. Permissible transmittance is 0.005%.
• ATEX class. Devices of this class are capable of removing explosive dust.

Important! Very often, even after a small repair, the room may have a toxic smell of paint. Read about how to get rid of stench, which can cause allergies, headaches and even poisoning. "How to remove the smell of paint?". 

In modern models of construction vacuum cleaners, the following types of filtration are possible:

• Dust bags made of paper or fabric, which must be periodically cleaned and dried. Paper products are preferable for combating dust, allergens, to eliminate odors, and fabric - for larger debris. Paper bags are not suitable for particles with cutting edges. Often paper bags are disposable and discarded immediately after use.
• A cyclone is a container built into a vacuum cleaner. Garbage enters the dust collector by centrifugal force. This system is ideal for collecting liquids and wet debris.
• The aquafilter is a container with foamed water. Air passes through the tank, and coarse dust remains in it. Fine dust is captured using a special separator. This is a very effective filtration system, but its use requires a large amount of water, which construction sites are not always provided with.

Important! All filters must be cleaned periodically, because when they become dirty, the performance of the device decreases significantly. Manufacturing companies offer different methods of cleaning filters:

• Manually, using a special comb (the unit does not need to be dismantled).
• With the help of pneumatic shock (air passes in the opposite direction through the filter, and it is cleaned).

Some models of construction vacuum cleaners are equipped with different types of filtration. They include filters, containers and bags.

Important! Nylon filters are used for disposable dust collectors, polyurethane filters for collecting liquids. Corrugated filters are used for containers.

Construction Vacuum Cleaner Layout Selection

Before making the final choice, you need to study the rating of construction vacuum cleaners with the characteristics, and pay attention to the following nuances:

• If you have to collect a large amount of garbage, then it is advisable to choose a vacuum cleaner with a container with a capacity of 50-60 liters. With a significant amount of modern models have a relatively small weight and compact dimensions.
• If a large amount of garbage is not expected, you can focus on the easily transported model with a small container. With a suction equivalent of 5.4 kg, the container volume can be as little as 9.6 liters.
• Pay attention to the location of the pleated filter. The best option when the filters are placed outside the tank of the vacuum cleaner.
• To protect the power system of the unit from overheating, there must be a special device. There are models that automatically turn off when overloaded and when the tank is filled with water.
• Useful options - the presence on the housing of an LED indication indicating the filling of the dust bag, clogging of the filter or hose.
• You should take into account such a “trifle” as the wheels. They must not leave marks on the floor. Optimal in this regard are carts with rubberized wheels on which the unit is located.
• Some models are equipped with foot brakes, which make working with the unit extremely convenient.
• As for the case material, it can be stainless steel, brass or aluminum. Fragile plastic for an industrial vacuum cleaner does not fit.

Important! The presence of a special socket for accommodating nozzles, a long power cord greatly facilitate the work with a vacuum cleaner.

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Overview of Construction Vacuum Cleaners

The best and most popular models are those produced by firms that supply equipment for sinks, dry cleaners, and cleaning firms:

1. Karcher is a unit that can be used for dry and wet cleaning both indoors and outdoors. You can use this vacuum cleaner at a sink or for general cleaning of large objects.
2. The Makita company has created a number of models for cleaning construction waste. Model “Makita-448” is equipped with four nozzles for cleaning. There are 2 hoses of different lengths and spare filters. The Makita-449 vacuum cleaner has a sophisticated filtration system that minimizes the release of harmful substances and building dust into the air.
3. Bosch products are units equipped with a high degree of consumer protection against dust and microparticles. The equipment may have a semi-automatic filter cleaning system with different equipment and motor power.
4. DeWalt vacuum cleaners have good maneuverability. The volume of the container is up to 38 liters. There is a self-cleaning system of filters, a folding telescopic handle. Despite the rather large mass of the unit, it is perfect for removing garbage at construction sites and in workshops.

Important! The final stage of each repair is cleaning. Particular attention should be paid to windows, because, in addition, in order to remove various contaminants carefully and not to scratch the surface, you must also not leave stains. How to do it right, learn from another our article "Window cleaning after repair". 

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Stock footage

With this information, you can easily choose the best industrial vacuum cleaner.