Industrial Vacuum Hoses: All You Need to Know

Vacuum hoses play a key role in cleaning and safety processes across a wide array of industries – but what makes them so special, and how do you know what to look for when you’re buying a new one?

In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about industrial vacuum hoses, including what they are, where they’re used, and how they work. Then, we’ll take you through some of the essential considerations you need to think about before buying a new vacuum hose to make sure you choose the right one for your needs.

Keep reading to learn more from The Hosemaster team…

What is a vacuum hose?

But first, what is a vacuum hose, and how does it differ from others?

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The primary function of a vacuum hose is not dissimilar to other hoses, as they’re designed to transfer materials from one place to another. However, one thing that separates a vacuum hose from others is that this secondary location is often a waste collection bag or vessel, to make disposing of a material cleaner and easier.

But perhaps the most distinctive quality of a vacuum hose is that they use suction to draw in materials, rather than positive pressure to allow the flow of air or liquids. This is done using negative pressure to pull waste, debris, or hazardous materials into the hose and through to a container.

Where are industrial vacuum hoses used?

Most people are likely to be more familiar with vacuum hoses than they may originally think. After all, the majority of households will own or regularly use a vacuum cleaner as part of their cleaning routine.

Industrial vacuum hoses work exactly the same, just on a larger scale – and often with different waste materials than would be found in an ordinary living room. So, with this in mind, what are some of the industries that commonly use vacuum hoses?

• Cleaning – from floor care equipment like industrial vacuum cleaners to remove debris or waste water, to washing cars and other automotive machinery, vacuum hoses are essential for a wide range of cleaning applications.
  
• Automotive – vacuum hoses are used in engines to help regulate pressure and ensure they’re running efficiently.
  

• Agriculture – suction hoses are used to transport water for irrigation, as well as clean up food and animal waste.
  

• Woodworking – dust vacuum hoses are vital for removing sawdust and woodchips from saws, and the surrounding areas to ensure a safe working environment.
  

• Waste and hazardous material management – industrial vacuum hoses are vital for managing waste materials, or removing hazardous dusts or chemicals from an area to reduce the risk of explosions and ensure everyone can work safely.
  
  
• Packaging – vacuum packing is an essential part of food preparation to help with preservation and storage for transportation.

Top tip – vacuum hoses are perfect to save you time, energy, and labour costs. They can also be far safer and more efficient than alternative methods for transporting materials.

Important characteristics of a vacuum hose

But what qualities make industrial vacuum hoses so useful? Below, we’ll briefly explain some of the key characteristics that you should be looking out for when you’re choosing a new or replacement hose.

• Flexibility – vacuum hoses need to be flexible enough to bend and twist as they’re being used without distorting or affecting the suction.
  
  
• Crush resistance – similarly, an industrial vacuum hose should be strong and crush resistant to keep its shape under pressure, or during use.
  
  
• Abrasion resistance – vacuum hoses come into contact with a wide range of materials, so they need to be durable enough to withstand any abrasions or damages.
  
  
• Chemical resistance – an industrial vacuum hose needs to be chemically resistant to protect from contamination or toxic reactions. This also helps to prevent premature wear and tear from chemical damage.
• Interior lining – vacuum hoses should have a smooth internal lining. This prevents waste from getting stuck inside and causing blockages, whilst also making the hoses easier to keep clean.
  
  
• Anti-static – this is a vital quality for industrial vacuum hoses to prevent explosions or fires. Static dissipative vacuum hoses spread out any electrical charge throughout the hose, whilst static conductive hoses draw away the charge and release it through grounding.

Note – static in vacuum hoses comes from the friction that occurs when dust particles or larger materials rub against each other, and the hose. This can be dangerous, so it’s vital your industrial vacuum hose has a way to deal with this.

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Before you buy a vacuum hose

Considering vacuum hoses are so broadly used across a vast series of applications and industries, it’s vital that the right ones are used in each situation. In this section, we’ve picked out several aspects you’ll need to consider before your purchase to make sure you choose the best vacuum hose for you.

Size and weight

The size and weight of your industrial vacuum hose are perhaps the most obvious aspects you need to consider before you buy, as they have a clear impact on how well your vacuum system will work.

In terms of size, you need to make sure you know how long and wide your hose has to be before you buy it. Narrow hoses are good for liquids or small particles, but anything larger (like animal feed or larger waste) will need a wider hose. You should also make sure your hose is the right length: too short, and it won’t reach where you need it, too long, and it becomes unwieldy or more at risk of damage.

Top tip – measure twice, order once. Taking a little extra time to make sure your measurements are correct can save you money and effort in the long run.

As for weight, this mostly matters if your vacuum hose needs to be suspended or held by hand. If it’s too heavy, you won’t be able to use the vacuum system effectively, which is a waste of time and money.

Application

Choosing the right vacuum hose for each application is vital to prolong the lifespan as much as possible. Therefore, you should always take time to consider where you plan on using your hose before you buy it.

For example, if you know your hose will be handling hazardous chemicals, then you need to make sure your hose is made of the right material for the job. This will help reduce the risk of premature wear, and dangerous incidents (especially if the hose breaks unexpectedly).

The temperature of your chosen application will also affect how well your vacuum hose can perform. Working at either high or low temperatures, can cause damage that could otherwise be avoided.

Top tip – vacuum hoses will eventually suffer damage, tears, or suction loss due to age. But, you can extend the longevity by using your industrial vacuum hoses appropriately.

Material

In a similar vein to what we explained above, choosing the right material for your vacuum hose can have a big impact on its performance. The majority of industrial vacuum hoses are made of either:

• PVC – PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is a versatile, lightweight, but durable plastic. It’s also very affordable, which makes it a popular choice for hose making. PVC vacuum hoses are suitable for lab use, vacuum cleaners, and light-duty applications.
  

• Thermoplastic rubber – Thermoplastic rubbers are a synthetic rubber that combines the durability of rubber with the flexibility of plastic. Because of their chemical and tear resistance, vacuum hoses of this material are ideal for use over rough surfaces.
  

• Polyurethane – Polyurethane is a resilient, flexible plastic, with high chemical resistance. This type of vacuum hose is good for industrial use because of this, as well as its damage resistant structure.
  
  
• Silicone – Silicone is prized for its flexibility and ability to perform well at high temperatures. It’s also incredibly durable, chemically resistant, and easy to maintain – perfect for a range of applications and industries.

Industrial hoses may also be made of polyethylene, which is another relatively affordable and durable plastic; or stainless steel, as this performs well in high stress environments.

Attachments

Another key area to consider before you buy any vacuum hose is whether it can support any attachments that may make your life easier. For example, brushes and/or narrow tubing are ideal for fitting your hose into cavities or hard to reach areas and cleaning more efficiently.

Alternatively, you may want to pick up some vacuum hose cuffs to reduce any air loss by making the connections tighter and more secure.

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Find the best vacuum hoses at The Hosemaster

Whether you need a new vacuum hose for cleaning, or a replacement for an existing system, you’ve come to the right place. At The Hosemaster, we have decades of industry experience to ensure you can find the right products for your needs. Contact us online today, or give us a call on 01282 604 002 for any technical or sales support.

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