Shop vac noise reduction methods don’t have to be hard. In this guide, I’m going to show you different ways on how you can make your shop vacuum cleaner quieter than ever before.
Like air compressors, shop vacuum cleaners have always been handy appliances for home and workshops. While not portable like regular vacuum cleaners, they are much stronger.
But regardless of how strong these units can be, the downside is, they are noisy.
If you’ve previously used this unit in your garage or home, you pretty know how loud they can. Because of this reason, I will show you hacks on how to quiet a powerful shop vac cleaner.
Shop Vac Noise Reduction in Simple Steps
1. Build a Box for Shop-Vac Noise Reduction
Enclosing your Shop-Vac in a noise containment box will significantly reduce the noise. Building a box is not as hard as you may think; you only need the materials and a few DIY tips.
Some of the materials include: screws, saw, soundproof foam panels, hinge and a latch, wheels, nails, hammer, and wood.
- The first step is measuring the size of Shop-Vac. This is important because you will need the measurement for the wood.
- Cut the following the shop vac measurements in mind.
- Using Green Glue join the soundproof foam panels to the pieces of wood. Then nail them together and leave one side
- Make a door by connecting the hinge and the latch.
- Create a small hole for ventilation. Don’t forget to also add another hole for the hose.
- Finally, attach the wheels.
2.Muffle the Noise
Most of the vacuum noise is created when there are the intake and outtake of air. So it makes sense when you muffle the air outlet using a piece of cloth or towel.
The air outlet is a vent located mostly on the sides of your shop vac and rarely the top.
You can muffle the noise by flowing these steps:
- Measure the air outlet.
- Cut the blanket or clothe in the exact measurements as the air outlet.
- Cover the outlet correctly using the cloth or the blanket.
- Then turn on the Shop-Vac to see how it works.
Remember to poke holes on the blanket or cloth for the smooth circulation of air. If there is no room for ventilation, the vacuum will overheat and create more problems.
3.Clean the Shop Vac
When was the last time you cleaned you the Shop Vac? Sometimes the cause of the noise could be dirty filers.
The filters are essential for preventing dirt and debris from getting into the vacuum. But continued use without maintenance can cause dirt and debris to get stuck on the filter.
Over time the dirt or debris may damage the motor’s fan causing it to run louder than usual. You may fix the fan by yourself, or you may ask for a professional’s help.
A dirty filter will sound different compared to a clean one. A dirty filter can also breed a lot of diseases, which is not suitable for you or your family.
Therefore, it is essential to clean it through the following steps.
- Start by emptying the contents of the machine. Remove the vacuum’s tank lid. Then place a trach bag at the base of the tank. Empty the contents of the tank on a trash bag. Throw the trash away.
- Clean the tank using warm water and detergent. Once through, add a cup of bleach then let it sit for 60 minutes. After the one hour, put on some protective gloves and thoroughly scrub the inside of the tank. Then use a garden hose to spray the inside of the tank.
- Clean the filters as well as using water and soap. The vacuum the top of the shop vac using another vacuum. Then use wipes such as Clorox wipes to wipe the top of the machine. The let the lid dry out in the sun.
- Remove the hose and its attachments. Then spray clean water and a cleaning product to clean and kill the germs. Then rinse it and let it dry outside.
- Reassemble the parts then test the vacuum to see if it’s okay.
Remember, regular cleaning and maintenance prolongs the life span of the shop vac and also reduces the noise coming from it.
4. Avoid Using the Vacuum cleaner in a Small Space
Using the Shop Vac in a Small and empty space can multiply its sound. Soundwaves travel through the air towards the wall, and since there are no barriers, the waves bounce back, creating echoes.
Floors and ceilings also reflect sound waves that bounce around to create echoes. So a better solution is using the Shop Vac in open spaces.
You can also fill up the spaces using furniture and paintings. These items absorb noise that would have been reflected to create echoes. In the case of echoes, the furniture will still absorb them easily.
5. Check and Fix Holes and Leaks
Though not common, holes and leaks can be the source of a noisy shop vac. Check for holes on the plastic compartment of your vacuum that can be a canister.
The noise coming from a canister with a hole in it sounds like whistling due to the trapped air. If you hear such a noise, you may need to repair the holes or buy a new one.
6.Unclog the Shop Vac
If your Shop-Vac is making too much noise, then clogs could be the culprit. The vacuum might have sucked up a small object that may be causing the machine to work even harder.
Check inside the pipe to see whether there is an object. If you spot one, try to remove it by hand. You can also use a stick to remove it if you can’t reach it by hand.
If nothing seems to work, take the vacuum to a professional for assistance.
7. Get a Longer Hose for the Vacuum
If your vacuum hose is short, then it means you are close to the noisy vacuum. For this reason, you should consider keeping a reasonable distance between you and the vacuum by getting a longer hose.
Even though the noise will not be eliminated, the effect will not be the same compared to when you were close to it.
Consider this type of vacuum hose shop-Vac noise reduction to save yourself from the tremendous noise.
8. Purchase a Quiet Vacuum
If you have tried all the given options, but nothing seems to work for you, you may have to buy a quite shop Vac such as the DeWALT DXV10P. However, there are other types of quite vacuums that you can choose as well.
Even though this may not be on your priority list, it may be your only option. A quitter vacuum will give you peace of mind, and you won’t have to deal with noise complaints from the neighbors.
Final thoughts on Shop Vac Noise Reduction
In conclusion, while shop vacuum cleaners are really loud, it doesn’t mean you can’t make them quiet.
Above are tried and tested hacks that will make them quiet. However, it’s important to note that these units won’t be completely quiet, instead, you’ll be able to lower noise levels to manageable levels.