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You’re interested in getting a wet dry vacuum cleaner (also called a Shop Vac). But there are so many brands and types, how do you know where to begin? How do wet dry vacuums work? What makes them different from other vacuum cleaners?
The original vacuum cleaners around the turn of the 20th century were so large and cumbersome they had to be moved by horse and carriage. Hoses snaked through the doors and windows and sucked the debris into a gas powered unit outside. The vacuum cleaner as we know it today was introduced in 1902. The addition of a beater bar in 1926 greatly increased the productivity of the machine. By 1950, nearly every home in America had a vacuum cleaner.
Though conventional vacuum cleaners were a boon to homemakers everywhere, one problem still remained: liquid spills. Conventional vacuum cleaner bags were made of cloth or paper. Liquid would seep through either, so an alternative needed to be developed. Additionally, the motor needed to be protected against potential damage that liquids could cause.
In wet and dry vacuums, the air comes up the vacuum hose and passes through a wider area over a tank. This causes the air to slow down, thus losing its “grip” on the debris. The debris falls into the tank which is later taken out and emptied. By using a motor and float valve, the electrical interior and motor windings are protected from water damage. Residential wet dry vacuums and commercial wet dry vacuum cleaners are now readily available. |
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