Build Rough-in Installation Kit in 3 Easy Steps

Build a rough-in installation kit for traditional inlet valves.

Q and A
86 Questions

Step 1 of 3: Pipe, Connectors, Low Voltage Wire
Note: One inlet with a 30-foot vacuum hose can service approximately 700 to 1,000 square feet of living space.
We also offer professional vacuum layout design. Email us your home's layout with dimensions.

A few things to consider for inlet valve placement.

Estimated Pipe, Fittings, and Wire for New Construction and Existing Homes:
Links 1 through 8 below will pull up the estimated quantities where you can edit the quantities and add to cart.

Remember to add all toe-kick inlets to the number of regular inlets. This will give you the total amount of inlets.
For more than eight inlets, add two numbers to the cart (one at a time).
(Make sure to continue to steps 2 and 3 for inlet valves and more).
  1. One inlet installation supplies
  2. Two inlet installation supplies
  3. Three inlet installation supplies
  4. Four inlet installation supplies
  5. Five inlet installation supplies
  6. Six inlet installation supplies
  7. Seven inlet installation supplies
  8. Eight inlet installation supplies

Step 2


Installation Part Descriptions

Part # Photo Description Estimated
Quantity per
inlet valve.		 Notes on what the part is
for and other information.
GLUE: Use regular PVC glue. Primer not needed.
#501 Tight 90 Ell 1 Goes only on the backing plate (that the inlet cover attaches to). It will be the tightest turn in the system and therefore catch anything long and stiff right at the inlet valve.
#502 Sweep 90 Ell 3 The most used fitting for routing vac pipe. The Sweep Ell has a more gradual 90 degree turn than the Tight 90 and is better for air flow.
#503 Spigot
Sweep 90 Ell		 1 One end of a spigot fitting fits into another fitting. Great for tight spaces.
#504 45 Ell 2 Use these for offsets and thus use less Sweep 90's.
#505 Spigot
45 Ell		 1 One end of a spigot fitting fits into another fitting. Great for tight spaces and for offsets. Here is a plumber's secret - a regular 45 and a spigot 45 together can make any angle.
#507 Coupling 5 Fits pipe sections together.
#508 Sweep Tee 1 Connects a pipe coming from an inlet into the main truck line that runs back to where the vacuum power unit will be. You can use a pictured "Y" fitting instead #509 for better angles.
#512 Pipe Strap 3 Pipe straps are used most often under homes, in basements, and when pipe is exposed in closets on some existing home installations.
#513 Pipe Collar 1 Used primarily in existing home installations when and if the pipe penetrates any walls. Makes the installation look clean. Remember to slide it over the pipe and wire before gluing.
#518 Exhaust Vent 1 If you are venting a ventable central vacuum unit, you will need one or two of these vents.
#519 Plaster Guard (two in a pack) 1 Plaster guards are used in new construction installations to protect the backing plate from the drywall process.
#523S Steel Stub 1 When penetrating a fire block wall check local codes. Usually this steel stub connected to couplings and vacuum pipe will do. Glue with rubber cement. Fire rings are available too.
#521-10
(10 8ft sections)
#520-10
(10 4ft sections)
#520-4
(Four 4ft sections)		 PVC Pipe 20ft Vacuum pipe, or tubing, is made specifically for central vacuum systems. It is thin wall PVC with a 2-inch outer diameter fitting perfectly into vacuum fittings creating a smooth turn so no objects can "catch an edge". When gluing, use PVC cement on the pipe end only and push into the fitting with a slight turn. No glue residue will be inside the pipe.
New Construction
Electric Inlets
#663HW		 SuperValve
1
 SuperValve comes with both the rough-in mounting plate (to which an electrician runs Romex from a nearby source) and the inlet cover plate to put on after drywall and paint. Low voltage wire is ran to the inlet as well.
Existing Construction
Electric Inlets
#526L
Can be used in New Construction as well.		 ElectraValve

Add Inlet
ElectraValve comes with the mounting plate and Romex wire (that an electrician needs to tie into 110 volts). Low voltage wire is ran to the inlet as well. For existing installation simply cut the metal section off the backing plate. Finish with an ElectraValve cover, pictured.
New or Existing Construction
Non-electric Inlets
#517		 3 in 1
Backing Mounting Plate

Add Inlet
The mounting plate doesn't incorporate any 110 volts, only low voltage wire. You will also need a Basic Inlet Valve Faceplate (pictured)
#540 Low Voltage Wire 30ft You will need approximately 30 feet of 20/2 low voltage wire per vacuum inlet.
#545 Wire Ties 5 Strap the low voltage wire to the pipe at each major elbow and every 4-feet.
#670PW VacPan
(toe tick automatic dustpan)		 Usually
one in the kitchen		 This very popular add-on is a bit more difficult to install than a traditional inlet but worth the effort. You need the installation supplies above as for any other inlet valve.