So you're in the market for an industrial or commercial vacuum and you've seen several different vacuum types. There are wet only, dry only and wet/dry vacuums. What exactly do those terms mean and how do you choose the type that's right for you?
How a Wet Vacuum Works
When flooding strikes, whether from a broken pipe or mother nature, getting the water out quickly is key to recovery efforts. Turning to a wet vacuum is a great first step in any water damage restoration project.
Wet only vacuums are designed to draw water into the cleaner through the hose. This water then is either captured in the unit’s container or if you’ve selected a vacuum cleaner with a discharge pump it’ll be exhausted out of the cleaning area.
Top 5 Uses for Wet Vacuum
For the building or homeowner, few things are worse than waking up to water damage. Time is of the essence so it’s important to get the water out as quickly as possible. That’s why wet vacuums are such a great option. They’re perfect for many unique situations including:
- Water Damage Restoration: If you’re a water remediation specialist, investing in a great water removal vacuum allows you to work more quickly and efficiently on the job site.
- Water Bed Moving: Do you have a water bed and are moving houses? Better empty the mattress first. Use a wet vacuum to get the water out.
- Home Water Cleanup: Accidents happen. Sometimes a pipe in the kitchen or basement bursts and you wake up to standing water. That’s when it’s time to turn to your vacuum cleaner.
- Fire Services: Fire departments are constantly dealing with water. Whether from a hydrant, engine, or even cleaning up after putting out a fire, wet vacuums are great for fire services.
- Factory Spills: If you’re a manufacturing facility owner that’s constantly using water and other liquids, spills are bound to happen. Having a wet vacuum on hand helps clean up the mess before problems start.
How a Dry Vacuum Works
Dry vacuums are only intended for cleaning up dry materials. Typically able to work on both carpeting and hard flooring, their design makes them perfect for sucking up dirt and dust from hard floors, carpeting, furniture, and upholstery.
As the vacuum works, it draws air into the unit where it deposits dust and debris into either a collection or bag depending on the particular model. The air typically then passes through a HEPA, or other filters, where remaining microscopic impurities are removed so that only clean air is exhausted back into your space.
Top 5 Uses for Dry Vacuums
Built to capture even the smallest particles, dry vacuums are great for effective cleaning of the toughest problems. Whether used on a construction site, at home, in a hospital, or even in hazardous situations, there’s an option for nearly any setting.
Dry vacuums are capable of:
- Cleanroom Maintenance: Some of the most powerful dry vacuums feature fine particle filtration for cleaning up in sensitive areas like pharmaceutical processing facilities, labs, hospitals, and more.
- Office and Retail Space Cleaning: Whether you’re cleaning offices or stores and other retail environments, a dry only commercial vacuum is perfect for rigorous daily large area cleaning.
- Construction Cleanup: From tackling dust and dirt from construction to even removing nails and screws that may have dropped on the ground, a dry vacuum is essential for any construction site.
- Abatement Tasks: When abatement specialists need to remove asbestos, lead dust, mold, and other sensitive materials, they turn to professional-grade dry vacuums.
- Taking Care of Workshops: Whether you have a commercial woodworking facility or are just a weekend warrior at home, dry vacuums are perfect for cleaning up fine dust and wood chips from woodworking.
How a Wet/Dry Vacuum Works
Wet/dry vacuums typically use a two-chamber system that separates solids and liquids into two different buckets. As the debris is sucked into the vacuum, it travels along a tube. The airflow decrease over the buckets, loosening the air’s grip so that heavy liquid and dirt can fall into the containers.
Several wet and dry vacuum cleaners feature a blow function that is great for moving leaves and other debris into a pile before vacuuming it up.
Top 5 Uses for Wet/Dry Vacuums
Whether you’re a restoration specialist or professional cleaner that’s looking for a large unit for tackling any job, or a homeowner who’s seeking a compact vacuum that can tackle common home projects there’s something for you. A wet and dry vacuum cleaner is the perfect choice for those who need the flexibility to tackle a variety of tasks.
Wet/dry vacuums can handle:
- Floor Cleaning: Many wet/dry vacuums come with attachments for cleaning hardwood flooring and they can even be used as a standard vacuum for cleaning upholstery and curtains.
- Water Cleanup: Have a toilet that’s overload and a pipe that’s burst under the sink? A wet and dry vacuum is great for tackling small water issues at home.
- Make Fireplaces Sparkle: When it’s time to clean out a fireplace, a wet/dry vacuum is a great option for sucking up ashes with ease.
- Carpet Cleaning: Apply some gentle detergent to your carpet and use the vacuum cleaner to remove stains and more.
- Take It Outside: Need to clean up leaves and clear sidewalks? Whether blowing leaves into a pile or getting dirt off the walkway, a wet/dry vacuum can do it.
In Summary
Depending on the need, there is an industrial vacuum cleaner that can handle the situation. Wet vacuums include flood pumpers and are ideal for WDR jobs & businesses. Dry only vacuums are preferred for housekeeping on a large scale, hotels, community living, schools, and others. Wet/Dry vacuums are versatile machines, able to tackle indoor and outdoor cleaning jobs.
Additional Questions
Still have questions or aren't quite sure what's best for you? We can take the guesswork out of decision-making. Contact our product experts toll free at 1-800-934-9194. We want to help you find the right commercial vacuum for you.
