How to choose an industrial vacuum cleaner for home construction and renovation?

Do you really need an industrial vacuum cleaner? Is it worth the money?

Many people do not understand the difference between industrial and home vacuum cleaners, especially since they are very similar in appearance. The development of modern technologies has led to the fact that the design of traditional dust collection devices has become closer to more professional models. However, this is perhaps the only similarity between these types of vacuum cleaners. The “stuffing” of industrial devices is completely different.

We’ll talk about the technical stuff later, but now we’ll look at the advantages of industrial vacuum cleaners. Why is buying or renting such a device more profitable than a regular home one?

Firstly, industrial vacuum cleaners are named so for a reason. These are professional tools for removing dust and dirt from any surface, even if these very surfaces are nothing but “bare” concrete. Such equipment allows you to effectively get rid of not only dust, but also metal and wood shavings, loose paint, varnish, to remove fungi, mold and other substances and impurities that arise in homes, warehouses, production shops, workshops, factories and during various types of construction and repair work. With such vacuum cleaners, unlike ordinary household ones, you can even clean paths around the house!

Secondly, industrial vacuum cleaners are much more powerful than conventional devices. This is necessary in order to get rid of, among other things, larger and heavier elements than a piece of paint and plaster (for example, pieces of concrete and stones). Moreover, they have more durable bags (and there are models without bags), so you don’t have to worry about the operation of the device if you accidentally vacuum up, for example, several screws or nails.

Today, the range of manufacturers and models of such vacuum cleaning equipment is quite large. They all differ from each other in various parameters (power, class, container capacity, etc.), as well as in the nature of the application. Some models of professional vacuum cleaners are equipped with special attachments and accessories for removing dirt and dust in particularly difficult cases and hard-to-reach places.

Therefore, the choice of a suitable industrial vacuum cleaner depends mainly on the nature of current and future work, additional options, as well as the individual preferences of the user. But still, the main division of these devices is into 2 types: vacuum cleaners with bags and without bags. Let's look at their differences in more detail.

Rating of the best inexpensive models of construction vacuum cleaners for the home

It is wise to choose a budget construction vacuum cleaner if you need it to clean your apartment after a minor renovation. Inexpensive units usually demonstrate modest power and average capacity. But later they can be used for everyday cleaning.

Soyuz PSS-7320

A budget domestic vacuum cleaner for renovation work is capable of sucking up 20 liters of household waste. It supports the wet cleaning function and can interact with other tools; the unit is easy to move due to its wheels. The device comes with a nozzle for hard-to-reach areas. But the length of the cord is only 1.5 m, which is a disadvantage of the model.

You can buy a Soyuz construction vacuum cleaner from 5,400 rubles

Bort BSS-1010

The compact industrial vacuum cleaner weighs only 3 kg and has a power of 1000 W. Suitable for removing fine dust and dirt, including from narrow crevices due to the special nozzle. The container volume of the unit is 10 liters, and a wet cleaning function is provided.

You can buy a home construction vacuum cleaner Bort BSS-1010 from 3,000 rubles

BISON PU-15-1200 M1

The Russian vacuum cleaner 1200 W is suitable for cleaning dust in a workshop, basement or apartment after renovation. Equipped with a HEPA filter to remove residues of cement, clay, lime and chalk, it cleans the air efficiently. Can collect wet dirt and is highly durable.

The price of a construction vacuum cleaner ZUBR starts from 3,700 rubles

Which industrial vacuum cleaner to choose: bagless or bagless?

In professional vacuum cleaners without a bag (the so-called “cyclones”), all dust and dirt, instead of a bag, goes into a special built-in container. These devices operate on the principle of centrifugal force and a specially designed cyclone system, which removes harmful dust from the air using a centrifuge method.

Bagless vacuum cleaners are considered more durable and stable. Devices of this type are characterized by constant and high suction power throughout the entire service life of the device. The same cannot be said about vacuum cleaners with a bag - in them this parameter quickly decreases as the bag fills with dirt, which makes the device less effective or even ineffective after several hours of operation. In practice, this means that each time you have to change the bag more and more often, even before it is completely filled, and so on several times during the cleaning process.

However, buying an industrial vacuum cleaner with a cyclone system just to save money on cleaning bags is a serious mistake. Bagless cyclonic vacuum cleaners have their own “weakness” - dust filters, which break down faster and are more expensive than those installed in conventional vacuum cleaners with a bag. And cyclone vacuum cleaners themselves are much more expensive.

Another factor to consider when choosing a bagless industrial vacuum cleaner is the price and manufacturer. Devices that are too cheap and untested often turn out to be of poor quality. The efficiency of cheap vacuum cleaner models leaves much to be desired, to the point that some types of dirt and dust can be returned back into the room, and filters become clogged faster. Among the disadvantages of this model of industrial vacuum cleaners, the need to regularly clean the chamber should also be mentioned.

Is it worth paying extra for bagless cyclone devices? To be fair, we note that simple operation of industrial vacuum cleaners with a cyclone system is an order of magnitude cheaper than industrial vacuum cleaners with bags. Another undoubted advantage of these models is their greater efficiency and durability.

Backpack industrial vacuum cleaners

Compact professional vacuum cleaners for dry cleaning with high performance, which feature a backpack placement behind the operator's back. Typically, backpack units are used in cramped conditions, where the operation of industrial vacuum cleaners of a normal layout is impossible.

Scope of application of backpack industrial vacuum cleaners:

cleaning between rows in theaters and cinemas
handling narrow warehouse aisles
on trains, planes, buses, ships

How to choose a suitable industrial vacuum cleaner?

When looking for a suitable bagless vacuum cleaner, pay attention to its parameters. If the equipment packaging does not contain information about the effectiveness of the device, it is better to refuse such a purchase.

What parameters are we talking about? For example, suction power. The higher this parameter, the better the air circulation in the chamber of the device, which is necessary for accurate absorption and accurate filtration of impurities. The suction power directly depends on the motor power, which should be at least 1200 W, and even better, 1600-1800 W. Everything is simple here: the greater the power of the vacuum cleaner, the higher its performance and efficiency.

Let's take, for example, a bagless industrial vacuum cleaner from the Karcher brand, which is very popular among builders. It has high suction power and is equipped with a multi-stage filter system, making it suitable for use in the most difficult conditions. With such a vacuum cleaner, you can effectively remove dry impurities, pieces of varnish and paint, and even spilled liquids from the floor.

In addition, these devices are made of highly durable and shock-resistant housing. Some models are also equipped with automatic filter cleaning systems and the ability to remove not only dirt, but also harmful dust. Thanks to these indicators, Karcher vacuum cleaners are truly universal devices.

Among other popular devices among developers, we note the industrial vacuum cleaner from Bosch. The products of this German brand have a long service life, and the vacuum cleaners themselves can handle both “dry” and “wet” work. In addition, Bosch vacuum cleaners are very powerful. High suction power means that with such a device you can cleanly remove dust and dirt not only from the floor of the house, but also from any other surfaces. An additional advantage of the product is its durable wheels, thanks to which you can quickly and easily move the equipment to the desired place and room, and even roll it around the site.

One of the most practical devices of this type is the bagless industrial vacuum cleaner with socket 1420. It is equipped with a special socket to which we can connect any electrical tool, such as a sander. The special mode allows you to control the vacuum cleaner using a power tool and the two devices work together, so you don't have to constantly be near the vacuum cleaner to turn it on and off.

How to choose a professional vacuum cleaner

A professional vacuum cleaner must be powerful and reliable. Unlike conventional devices, these models are also used for cleaning large areas. So, they can be used in hospitals, sanatoriums, hotels and in other cases. They are in service with cleaning companies. Using a household unit will quickly destroy the filters. There are some expert tips to help you choose the right device.

Please pay attention to the following:

What object is planned to be cleaned ? Not everywhere it is possible to connect to the power supply network. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to the distance of the outlet and the possibility of its use. If it is far away, there are large areas to clean, or there are other difficulties, then you should choose a vacuum cleaner that operates offline on batteries.
Power and performance . The quality of cleaning depends on these parameters. You need to pay attention to power. The optimal throughput is 70 - 100 liters of air per second. This is equivalent to 7 kW.
Number of engines . Some devices have two motors. That is, for ordinary cleaning you can use a household engine, but for complex work you will need to use a more powerful unit.
Degree of vacuum . This parameter depends on the fan and determines the suction strength. The minimum acceptable value is 17. The higher it is, the better.
Dust container volume . The standard 1.5 - 2 liters will not be enough. The optimal volume is 20 – 50 liters. Some devices have a 100-liter dust collector.
Frame . It is better to choose units made of metal. Typically aluminum, brass or stainless steel are used. If there is a special bumper around the perimeter for collision protection, then this is an additional advantage. This is very important considering the weight of professional equipment.
Availability of additional options . How convenient it will be to use the device depends on them. The most important are the power regulator, power socket, automatic filter cleaning, light indication, overload protection, and so on.

Do you need a professional vacuum cleaner?
Constantly! Not really

Expert opinion

Borodina Galina Valerievna

These are the main nuances that you need to remember when choosing a professional vacuum cleaner. You should also pay attention to the number of attachments included and the popularity of the brand. The latter is necessary to understand how easy it will be to find additional parts if repairs are necessary.

Industrial vacuum cleaners of cyclone type. Prices

The cost of bagless vacuum cleaners varies widely. Cheap Chinese models can be bought for only 4000-5000 rubles, while professional vacuum cleaners made in Germany will cost no less than 18-20 thousand rubles. The price of an industrial vacuum cleaner also depends on the type of filter, engine power and additional equipment. So, for example, professional vacuum cleaners with a power of 1800 W from Karcher or Bosch will cost at least 25 thousand rubles.

As we noted above, in this class of devices, a lower price almost always means less engine power and a lower class. This means that such equipment, despite the fact that it suctions dust well, cannot always cope with removing larger and heavier dirt and debris from the floor.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

What to look for when purchasing professional models of cleaning equipment – key criteria:

When choosing a professional model, it is worth comparing personal needs or the needs of a particular enterprise with the functionality, characteristics, quality, and price range of the equipment. It all depends on the purpose of the purchase.

In some cases, it is better to purchase a more expensive narrow-profile model than a cheap multi-function cleaner that may not cope with the tasks at hand..

Share with readers your experience of choosing and using a professional vacuum cleaner. Tell us what unit you bought and whether you are satisfied with the performance of the cleaning equipment. Please leave comments and participate in discussions - the feedback form is located below.

Is an industrial vacuum cleaner suitable for home use?

Professional construction vacuum cleaners are useful not only at construction sites, but also for traditional house cleaning. However, unlike conventional vacuum cleaners, in this case, high power is more of a minus than a plus.

Experts do not recommend using such equipment to clean the house after repairs or finishing have been completed. The fact is that industrial vacuum cleaners are designed mainly for rough cleaning of dust and dirt, and their equipment, attachments, brushes and accessories can inadvertently damage parquet or scratch tiles. Such equipment is ideal for use in the following stages:

construction sites;
repair;
rough finishing;
pre-finishing and final finishing;
at stages when the floor in the house has not yet been laid (not installed).

However, this does not mean that an industrial vacuum cleaner will not be useful in your home after the renovation is completed. It can be useful when doing some housework. Eg:

remove shavings from the workshop floor;
remove from the floor pebbles and pieces of crushed stone that have fallen from the wheels in the garage;
remove ashes from the fireplace and much more...

Then the question arises: which industrial vacuum cleaner would be the best solution for the home? And here we come back to power again. If you need a professional vacuum cleaner for regular home use, it is better to choose low-power models: 1000-1200 W is enough. With such motor power, the equipment can effectively cope with almost any type of contaminant.

Which model will be better for home: with a bag or without a bag?

If you have small children and allergy sufferers in your home, choose cyclone devices without a dust bag. In other respects, both types of vacuum cleaners are equally effective.

When purchasing a professional vacuum cleaner for your home, be sure to pay special attention to the accessories and attachments that the model you are interested in is equipped with. Ideally, they should be as close as possible in form and functionality to those found in traditional vacuum cleaners. The right brushes and attachments will allow us not to worry about the device scratching parquet, tiles and other finishing elements in our home.

For home use, an L class industrial vacuum cleaner is sufficient.

Which industrial vacuum cleaner to choose for the garage?

Buying an industrial vacuum cleaner for the garage is the best solution, since such devices can remove almost all types of dirt and dust that accumulate in the garage, even in hard-to-reach places.

If your garage is clean and heated, a “home” model of a professional vacuum cleaner will be enough; if the garage is unheated and built separately from the house, it is recommended to choose more powerful models with which you can effectively remove pieces of snow, ice, dirt and pebbles from the garage floor . We are talking about devices with motor power in the range from 1200 W to 1400 W and class L or M.

Another important parameter is wet cleaning. When choosing an industrial vacuum cleaner for the garage, it is recommended to pay attention to models for both dry and wet cleaning. Thanks to this equipment, in most cases, you don’t even have to wash the floor in the garage - the vacuum cleaner itself will clean the floor of both soot and various oil stains.

Criterias of choice

When choosing the best construction vacuum cleaner for specific needs, you need to consider the following main factors:

dust bag size. This indicator affects the size of the device and the duration of continuous operation (before replacing the dust collector);
vacuum cleaner size. The more powerful the engine, the larger the volume it occupies, and the larger the dimensions of the equipment;
power. A more powerful device will allow you to cope with even the finest dust in hard-to-reach places.

Power

The main parameter that affects the performance of equipment, so it is important to select it correctly, based on the assigned tasks.

To cope with the remnants of chips and remove heavy dust, you need to buy devices with a power of 1000 W or more.

Vacuum cleaners with a power of 1400 W or more can remove heavier residues of concrete and plaster.

It must be remembered that the indicated power parameters apply only to professional vacuum cleaners; semi-professional models with the same power will not be able to cope with cleaning efficiently .

Devices with a power of 2000 W or more cope with more massive debris (metal shavings, large wood debris, small stones).

Dust container volume and equipment dimensions

There is a direct dependence of the dimensions of the equipment on the engine power and the volume of the garbage collection bag. The main criterion for the dimensions of the device is the volume of the dust collector.

For household models, this parameter rarely exceeds 50 liters, but for work on a construction site it is recommended to purchase professional and semi-professional models with a dust collector volume of at least 100 liters.

This volume will allow you to continue your main work for a long time in order to replace an overfilled bag.

In addition to the listed main factors influencing the purchase of a construction vacuum cleaner, there are a number of features that are also worth considering.

Equipment service

When choosing industrial equipment, it is important not only to take into account the price-quality ratio characteristics, but also to understand what kind of maintenance this model will require when working on a construction site.

The dust collector requires the most frequent maintenance. Most often, professional and semi-professional models are equipped with fabric or paper dust collectors.

Fabric bag for vacuum cleaner.

Paper bag.

Paper bags are more airtight than fabric bags, but they are consumables that need to be included in the estimate. There are models where garbage accumulates in a special compartment, which must be emptied and cleaned when filled. This procedure will take some time, but there is no need to buy disposable bags.

In addition to the garbage containers, you need to pay attention to the filter element . The filter in household and semi-professional models can be easily dismantled and, if necessary, washed with plain water, while in professional equipment, filter maintenance usually takes place at service centers.

Some models from 2015 to 2021 are already equipped with the ability to automatically clean the filter, which allows you to service this element without dismantling, but the cost of such models is very high.

Manufacturer

In our country you can purchase professional models of vacuum cleaners from foreign and domestic manufacturers. The most reliable and well-known manufacturers include the following companies:

Karcher, Germany. A brand with a rich history, producing reliable industrial equipment since 1935. The model range includes both cheap products and expensive professional Karcher vacuum cleaners;
Bort, Germany. Products under this brand are produced in different countries; for industrial use it is better to choose products assembled in Germany;
Makita, Japan. The products of this company are considered one of the most reliable in the world;
Elitech, Russian Federation. A domestic company that produces its products in China. Despite its short history, the manufacturer is already one of the TOP 10 manufacturers of professional vacuum cleaners in our country.

terms of Use

Before you move on to choosing a model from the rating of the best construction vacuum cleaners, you need to decide how intensively this equipment will be used.

For working with small amounts of dirt, semi-professional models with a motor power of 1000 to 1400 W are best suited.

For intensive use in difficult conditions, the power will be needed higher, up to 7000 W. You should also pay attention to the performance of the device: for small volumes, 50 l/sec is sufficient, and for difficult conditions – 60 l/sec and above.

Dust classification

To make the right decision when purchasing equipment, it is advisable to understand the type of contamination that will be removed from the workplace.

Construction waste differs in hazard class and in accordance with this class it is necessary to select suitable equipment. Consider types of construction dust and equipment requirements:

Class L. The most common type of contamination on a construction site, which appears as a result of wall chasers or other finishing work. It includes small fractions of chalk, calcium sulfate, paint and varnish products, gypsum and clay.

To combat these residues, you should purchase semi-professional and professional models with simple filter elements. Garbage disposal is possible at any waste collection point.

Class M. A more complex type of pollution, including fine copper, nickel or manganese fractions and wood dust. To remove this dust, you will need to purchase a model with a two-level filtration system and the ability to change the flow rate. Only low-dust methods are suitable for disposal.

Class N. The most dangerous class of pollution. Such construction dust may contain small particles of lead, mineral fertilizers, pathogenic bacteria and carcinogens. To combat such pollution, equipment with a multi-stage filtration system will be required. Waste disposal is carried out exclusively “dust-free”.

Which industrial vacuum cleaner to choose for cleaning plaster?

Plaster is one of the most difficult finishing materials to clean. To get rid of traces of it, it is better to choose an M-class industrial vacuum cleaner. Such equipment has proven itself to be effective in absorbing dust, carpentry waste, aggregates, and paint residues.

The engine power can be any, in this case it is better to pay attention to the class of the vacuum cleaner. Of course, the H class model will also cope with cleaning plaster from floors and walls. Such devices allow you to clean your home from other types of construction waste: cement, plaster, asbestos, lead and even mold.

Dust classes

class L dust - a substance representing the least danger (lime, chalk, clay, gypsum, mica, etc.);
class M dust - a substance representing a medium hazard (wood, nickel, manganese, copper, etc.);
class H dust - a highly hazardous substance (lead, mold, dyes, carcinogenic dust);
Asbest class dust - highly hazardous asbestos dust. Asbestos is currently not used in construction or manufacturing. To capture asbestos dust, it is necessary to use special equipment and personal protective equipment.

The most common concrete dust generated during concrete processing (drilling, grinding) is dangerous at high concentrations, but class L industrial vacuum cleaners are capable of capturing it. Class M units can be used at nuclear power plants and are designed to filter carcinogenic dust.

Class M industrial vacuum cleaners are designed to combat highly hazardous dust. Its filters are capable of stopping mold spores, bacteria, vapors of preservatives and dyes. During development and operation, such devices are subject to strict technical requirements. Industrial vacuum cleaners can operate in wet cleaning mode (if provided for by the design), that is, water is supplied to the surface being treated, dissolves dust and dirt and is subsequently drawn by vacuum into a special container intended for used liquid.

Which industrial vacuum cleaner to choose for wall shredding?

Chipping concrete or brick walls always involves a lot of dust. Therefore, when choosing a vacuum cleaner for cleaning in such cases, it is recommended to pay attention to class L devices with special attachments for cable ducts and grooves. They make it much easier and easier to clean cavities in the walls.

There are also so-called special vacuum cleaners that work in synergy with hammer drills and grinders and automatically suck up dust. The rotating discs cause a lot of dust to be generated during its operation, so this tool is usually equipped with ends that allow it to be connected to an industrial vacuum cleaner.

In this case, you should choose an industrial vacuum cleaner equipped with an outlet for power tools. This solution ensures that both devices work synchronously, so you don't have to inhale a lot of dust, which is also harmful to our lungs.

Various standards of industrial vacuum cleaners

With the light hand of manufacturing companies and then dealers, all vacuum cleaners that are slightly larger and more productive than household vacuum cleaners began to be classified as industrial vacuum cleaners.

Meanwhile, models that can be used for general and auxiliary work on the collection and removal of relatively small amounts of construction waste, as well as for capturing products of cutting and destruction of structural materials (sawdust from a hand-held circular saw, dust from a hammer drill, etc.), are conditionally can be called industrial vacuum cleaners.

Industrial vacuum cleaners. Which power is better?

The motor power determines the suction efficiency of the device, and it should be in the range of 1200 W to 2000 W, depending on what kind of work the vacuum cleaner will be used for. If you plan to use it also while cleaning the house, it is better, on the contrary, to choose less powerful models.

You should also make sure that he has additional equipment. All suction nozzles and telescopic tubes make it easy to remove stains, dust and dirt, even from hard-to-reach places.