In this article, industry manufacturers answer common questions asked by building service contractors.

If I use my vacuum for pest control (i.e. vacuum bugs), what precautions should I take when emptying and storing the machine?


If the bugs are alive you should probably empty the vacuum bag immediately. Otherwise, there should be no issue.
— Richard “Bo” Bodo, director of business development, Windsor Industries, Englewood, Colo.


In the event bugs are picked up by a vacuum, the bag should be changed immediately after use, then placed in a sealed container and disposed of properly.
— David Parkes, general manager, Sanitaire, Charlotte, N.C.


This is a fairly common practice, and I’m not sure that there are specific precautions that should be taken, or are even necessary. When a bug is picked up by a vacuum, it is likely to remain alive, but probably contained in the bag. It can go on living in the bag, and can be disposed of when the bag is removed. Or it might find its way out of the vacuum bag, and back into the environment. If a user is frequently sucking up bugs, I would perhaps dispose of the bag more frequently.
— Bob Abrams, product manager, Nilfisk-Advance, Plymouth, Minn.


What is the size limit of object I can suck up with a vacuum (especially in a K-12 school with lots of objects littered about the floor)?

 
As a rule of thumb with an upright vacuum, you do not want to vacuum anything larger than a dime.
— Richard “Bo” Bodo, director of business development, Windsor Industries, Englewood, Colo.


We do not recommend picking up anything larger than a penny with an upright vacuum. You should always scan the area and remove larger debris before you start vacuuming. This can help improve the life of your vacuum. Some canister and wet/dry vacuums can pick up larger debris, but we recommend referring to the manufacturers owners’ guide for details.
— David Parkes, general manager, Sanitaire, Charlotte, N.C.


Upright vacuums should not be sucking up an object larger than a coin or a small pebble. There is a bit more flexibility with a canister vacuum, but you want to avoid sharp objects, or large pieces of paper that can clog the air channel.
— Bob Abrams, product manager, Nilfisk-Advance, Plymouth, Minn.


That depends on the vacuum. With a backpack vacuum, the size of the wand will determine what objects can easily pass through without getting stuck around the bend. For a typical wand that is 1.5 inches in diameter, you should vacuum objects no larger than 1 inch in diameter. If you are continually facing large debris, a vacuum designed for industrial or food service applications might be more advantageous.
— Jacalyn High, director of marketing, ProTeam, Boise, Idaho

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How To Vacuum A Room For Best Results



POSTED ON: 8/13/2012