Can I use a regular shop vac on soot? - http://www.hvacmechanic.com/ Forums
Original message
| boiling point
 |  "Can I use a regular shop vac on soot?"
, posted Sat 19 Feb 01:07:  
I have a Peerless EC/ECT series boiler and it needs to be cleaned. Last year I had the Oil Co do it under contract, but I cancelled the contract since they were getting shady price wise etc.. I watched the guy clean it last year so there is no question that I know how to do it, but I am wondering if I can I use a regular wet/dry shop vac to clean up the soot?
I was planning on getting a long thin wire brush like the kind used to clean test tubes to clean the outsides of the tubes.
Someone was telling me that you need a special vac for soot otherwise it will blow everywhere.
Is there a special hepa filter I could buy for my shop vac or something to prevent this?
I am capable of cleaning it myself, but want to make sure I'm not going to blow soot all over.
thanks in advance :)
touble springs from idleness - Ben Franklin
[this message was edited by boiling point on Sat 19 Feb 01:08] |
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| djjay
| "Re(1):Can I use a regular shop vac on soot?" , posted Sat 19 Feb 15:01
We use shop vacs all the time for soot. Make sure that the filter is new, and that the check ball seals tightly in the vac. Do a test run first. We had to pay for the clean up for a guys house after a check ball didnt seal up, and the soot was blown all over their house!!
Don't give up! A successfull repair feels soooooo good!!
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| Xenos
Webmaster 
| "Re(1):Can I use a regular shop vac on soot?" , posted Sat 19 Feb 09:01
The soot is so fine it will get into everything and almost impossible to clean. If your willing to devote the shop vac to this task then it will work for light work. By cleaning I mean cleaning the vacume after.
Xenos.
The best way to escape a problem is to solve it.
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| | boiling point
| "Re(2):Can I use a regular shop vac on soot?" , posted Sat 19 Feb 12:21:
Thanks
I guess my real concern is that when the vac sucks it up, will it stay in the vac and not go blowing all over my basement?
I was thinking I would sacrafice a filter to the job, and the hose out the shop vac when I'm done.
I was also thinking maybe I should put a little water in the bottom of the vac's canister to hel;p trap the soot? I was also thinking of wetting the filter since it might help??
So will a regular shop vac trap the soot or will it blow it all cver? Maybe I'll just do a little trial run to see how it goes.
touble springs from idleness - Ben Franklin
[this message was edited by boiling point on Sat 19 Feb 12:24] |
| | Xenos
Webmaster
| "Re(3):Can I use a regular shop vac on soot?" , posted Sat 19 Feb 13:05
I would test it. As I mentioned it's small so it may pass through an inexpensive filter.
P.S. for proper service the oil filter and nozel should also be changed.
Xenos.
The best way to escape a problem is to solve it.
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