There are a variety of surfaces which need to be cleaned in your home by your vacuum cleaner. You have weekly cleaning tasks, special tasks which are done infrequently, and tasks which require daily time and attention. People also have differing cleaning styles and preferences. For these reasons, the vacuum cleaner industry has developed many types of vacuum cleaners. Thus, the challenge is for consumers to select the best vacuum cleaner for their individual needs. If you are an allergy and/or asthma sufferer, choosing the best vacuum cleaner to help control the indoor air environment is even more critical. For deep cleaning of carpeted floors, use a vacuum cleaner with plenty of air flow and a revolving brush roll which will agitate the fibers to aid in removing the dirt and grit. Traditional uprights, “clean-air uprights,” two-motor uprights, two-motor power teams, and central vacuum systems with power nozzles meet this requirement. Wooden, vinyl, and ceramic tile floors need a floor brush with soft bristles and concentrated air flow to pick up the small grit and stones, which are heavy compared to their small surface areas.

The canister type vacuum cleaner, sometimes in the form of a power team or central vacuum system, with its strong suction, works well for this task. vacuum cleaner repair providence riA variety of attachments can be fastened to the end of a hose and/or wands. vacuum cleaner hose ebayThe standard canister houses the suction motor and filtering system in a somewhat square or rectangular container. pet vacuum cleaner reviews nzIt usually has wheels which allow it to be pulled after the user by its hose. It normally has a “clean-air” system. For “above the floor” cleaning and small, hard to reach floor areas, the canister vacuum works well. Uprights that have on-board attachments are not as desirable or convenient for this type of cleaning due to their shorter hoses, less powerful suction, and inability to be easily pulled around the house by the hose.

The hand-held vacuum cleaner with motor driven revolving brush rolls works well for safe and easy cleaning of stairs and upholstered furniture. The electric broom and non-electric push sweeper work well for quick touch up of your kitchen or bath floors. These vacuum systems are light weight and can be electric or battery operated or non-powered. The wet/dry utility vacuum is necessary for cleaning up wet spills or cleaning flooded floors. It is specifically designed to safely vacuum large volumes of water or efficiently pick up large debris or large volumes of dirt without the cost of disposable paper bags. It works well for these specialized uses, but it is not as powerful nor does it filter as well as the average household vacuum cleaner. Central vacuum systems are often highly recommended by allergists since the main air flow is typically exhausted outside the house, preventing the recirculation of fine dust and allergens within the home. The cutting edge of vacuum cleaner technology is in the area of high filtration.

While a number of portable vacuums are now equipped with high filtration which meets the High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) (99.97%) or Ultra Low Penetration Air (ULPA) (99.999%) specifications, the central vacuum system prevents 100% of all sizes of dust particles from recirculating into your home when the exhaust air is vented outside your home. As you vacuum, your vacuum should not exhaust the dust and allergens you have collected back into the air. The average vacuum cleaner only filters particles from 30 to 50 microns, thus exhausting harmful respirable allergens back into the air. In order to prevent this, one can use a high-filtration vacuum with ULPA. ULPA is a filtering efficiency specification for filters used in environments where the highest degree of clean air must be maintained. An ULPA filter must retain all particles as small as 0.12 micrometers in size at an efficiency rate of 99.999%. Certified ULPA filters are tested and marked with a certification number which gives the user the assurance that the ULPA specification is actually being achieved by the filter.

The next level of filtration is the HEPA filter. A HEPA filter must retain all particles as small as 0.3 micrometers in size at an efficiency rate of 99.97%. Certified HEPA filters are tested and marked with a certification number which gives the user the assurance that the HEPA specification efficiency is actually being achieved by the filter. A HEPA type filter is type of filter or paper bag which uses similar construction or fibers to those used in a true HEPA filter. While being a significant improvement over regular filters, it doesn’t actually meet the HEPA specification. Some have an efficiency of about 98% at 0.3 micrometers, while others have a much lower efficiency rate. Some of the filters are constructed to trap fine dust and to cause an electrostatic charge to be created as air passes through them. This charge causes the fine dust to cling to their fibers. Filters of this type are sometimes called micron filters or electrostatic filters. A micrometer, formerly referred to as a micron, equals one-millionth of a meter.

The following list contains the particle sizes of some common household pollutants. Particles below 10 microns are invisible to the human eye. The most common airborne particle size is 2.4 microns. The most harmful Respirable Size Particle (RSP) is 0.3 microns. By selecting and correctly operating vacuum cleaners that have filtration systems which accommodate your specific needs, one can help control and reduce the source of allergens and pollutants in the home. This fact sheet was adapted from the references cited by Janie L. Harris, M.Ed., CRS, former Extension Housing and Environment Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Texas A&M System. Last updated: July 3, 2015 If you need to remove hazardous asbestos dust safely, then make sure you have an asbestos-grade vacuum cleaner to do the job. Godfreys stock asbestos vacuums, and you will also receive free delivery on all online orders over the value of $99!Asbestos professionals are trained in handling asbestos material.

The type of asbestos expert you need will depend on the type of product and what needs to be done to correct the problem. You may hire a general asbestos contractor or, in some cases, a professional trained to handle specific products containing asbestos. Asbestos professionals can conduct home inspections, take samples of suspected material, assess its condition, and advise about what corrections are needed and who is qualified to make these corrections. Material in good condition need not be sampled unless it is likely to be disturbed. Professional correction or abatement contractors repair or remove asbestos materials.Some firms offer combinations of testing, assessment, and correction. A professional hired to assess the need for corrective action should not be connected with an asbestos-correction firm. It is better to use two different firms so there is no conflict of interest. Services vary from one area to another around the country. The federal government has training courses for asbestos professionals around the country.

Some state and local governments also have or require training or certification courses. Ask asbestos professionals to document their completion of federal or state-approved training. Each person performing work in your home should provide proof of training and licensing in asbestos work, such as completion of training approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). State and local health departments or EPA regional offices may have listings of licensed professionals in your area.If you have a problem that requires the services of asbestos professionals, check their credentials carefully. Hire professionals who are trained, experienced, reputable, and accredited - especially if accreditation is required by state or local laws. Before hiring a professional, ask for references from previous clients. Find out if they were satisfied. Ask whether the professional has handled similar situations. Get cost estimates from several professionals, as the charges for these services can vary.

Though private homes are usually not covered by the asbestos regulations that apply to schools and public buildings, professionals should still use procedures described during federal or state-approved training. Homeowners should be alert to the chance of misleading claims by asbestos consultants and contractors. There have been reports of firms incorrectly claiming that asbestos materials in homes must be replaced. In other cases, firms have encouraged unnecessary removals or performed them improperly. Unnecessary removals are a waste of money. Improper removals may actually increase the health risks to you and your family. To guard against this, know what services are available and what procedures and precautions are needed to do the job properly.In addition to general asbestos contractors, you may select a roofing, flooring, or plumbing contractor trained to handle asbestos when it is necessary to remove and replace roofing, flooring, siding, or asbestos-cement pipe that is part of a water system.