Vacuum advice

[Darren Ramey]

My current pos vac is falling apart, what are you guys using that you like?

I used a cheapy Hoover it cost maybe $70 and lasted about a year. So the next vac I bought was a model or two above it, big mistake. Firstly it is way too heavy. Getting it in and out of the truck sometimes is too much like work. The canister is too small, it clogs up constantly and didn't last any longer than the cheapy.

My perfect vacuum would be:

Light
Bagless, (bigger canister the better)
Pick up carpet yarn and fuzz. Dirt, I don't care about as much.
Have a retractable chord (convenient but not a deal breaker)
Tough enough to take some abuse.

Anyone using a backpack vac? Some of them look like they might even double as a shop vac.

[Barry Carlton]

My uncle used to own a vacuum repair store when I was in CA. I could get a decent machine for cheap that would last a year or 2. It didn't make it seem like such a big deal to replace when needed. I still use repair stores to purchase my "work" vacuums for cpt.

[polestretch]

There is a Bissell Powerforce bagless in my van. It does not have a retractable cord. It does have about 5 filters that do need cleaning about every week or two.It has hose that you can use along the wall, and is lightweight. It is roughly 2 years old. I love the thing, so much I went out to Walmart and bought one for my own house, my wife hated it.It did not say DYSON on it. She did not like cleaning the filters all the time, once they get clogged you no longer have suction! It runs about $59.95 at Walmart.

[rusty baker]

Installers in this part of the country don't vacuum a finished carpet job. Between KC and here, I have worked with probably 100 other installers thru the years and none vacuumed. I did use a shop vac before installing vinyl, tho.

[kylenelson]

rusty baker said Installers in this part of the country don't vacuum a finished carpet job. Between KC and here, I have worked with probably 100 other installers thru the years and none vacuumed. I did use a shop vac before installing vinyl, tho.

I was taught the same way rusty. Never vaccuumed before I went out on my own and then I decided it was something I wanted to make part of my business. I feel guilty if I don't vaccuum now! Haha.

I have a super cheap ($30) everstar vaccuum from walmart and it works great and has been around for a few years now!

[Darren Ramey]

Most installers around here don't vacuum. I never used to myself. I vacuum most jobs these days, it doesn't take long, in fact it is usually a lot quicker than asking a customer to do it. I got in the habit, and now I just can't imagine not doing it, especially when I am moving furniture.

Now if I walk in to a new construction job, and have to clean up after all the other trades before I can do mine, then someone can clean up after me.

[rusty baker]

If I vacuumed, I would add a charge for it. It's labor, just like moving furniture. Back in the 70's we did a lot of that free, too, but no more.

[polestretch]

I have saved many a trip back to the job by vacuuming. I have found grease spots long fibers and flaws that a few snips took care of.The job looks so clean and neat when your done. Some stallers in this area even leave the scraps in the room

[rusty baker]

I bag scraps but they are left with the customer. We hauled them off at one time but got complaints from the customers. They wanted them. But since i don't work for a store, I would have to pay to dispose of them, so I would charge for hauling them away, anyway.

[nimrod]

rusty baker said I bag scraps but they are left with the customer. We hauled them off at one time but got complaints from the customers. They wanted them. But since i don't work for a store, I would have to pay to dispose of them, so I would charge for hauling them away, anyway.

Hah. People wanting the scraps. We have people who don't even want the good size leftover pieces. "where am I gonna store that? I don't have room for that!" Well mam, if you throw it away I can guarantee you will have a cigarette burn, pet damage, etc. in a week and you will want it repaired.

[kylenelson]

polestretch said I have saved many a trip back to the job by vacuuming. I have found grease spots long fibers and flaws that a few snips took care of.The job looks so clean and neat when your done. Some stallers in this area even leave the scraps in the room

This is another good reason to vacuum! I Have found a string or two popping out of a seam that I probably wouldn't have seen otherwise. Plus when you're working alone it gives you a chance to look over the job one final time before you're done.

[Sean Moore]

Orange Hoover. Put a magnet on the front of it.

It's a bag but not paper bags, the cloth filter bag comes off and you dump it out. Never buy a filter bag again.

The magnet keeps the nails out. Stay nails are the only thing I've ever had kill my Orange Hoover. It happened once and the repair bill convinced me to buy the magnet.

I owned two vacuums over 18 years. One cheapie and the used Orange Hoover I bought from a retiring installer. It must have been 30 years old when I sold it to yet another installer.

We have Sanitaire pro vacuums at my shop, I can not recommend them in any way. Chrome/red. No good.

edit: Oh, I just read that you were considering a backpack vac. Not so good for residential but they rock the hut when it comes time to prep a vinyl area. Scrape out under, sweep the bulk and vacuum with your HEPA. No cleaner prepped floor in the world.

[Sean Moore]

kylenelson said This is another good reason to vacuum! I Have found a string or two popping out of a seam that I probably wouldn't have seen otherwise. Plus when you're working alone it gives you a chance to look over the job one final time before you're done.

You can upgrade your vacuuming by using a (clean) sidesweep broom to sweep all the edges out. The vacuum never seems to get all the tufts at the baseboard. This will show any and all strings because they move differently than the carpet does.

That was my policy at the end of my sub/self employment career. Sweep all edges and stairs, vacuum every flat surface. No call backs in 12 years.

[kylenelson]

Sean Moore said You can upgrade your vacuuming by using a (clean) sidesweep broom to sweep all the edges out. The vacuum never seems to get all the tufts at the baseboard. This will show any and all strings because they move differently than the carpet does. That was my policy at the end of my sub/self employment career. Sweep all edges and stairs, vacuum every flat surface. No call backs in 12 years.

I do it as I go with my hands. I'm not anal about it and I'm not worried if the customer has to vacuum the edges a little. But I try to leave the jobsite like I would want it left at my house.