INSTALLING AN ALLAWAY SYSTEM IN A LOG HOME

i n s t a l l i n g a n a l l a w a y
s y s t e m in a l o g h o m e
Due to their tendency to settle, logs are different from other construction materials. The amount of settling
varies between the different types of log materials. Another feature that makes logs special is that tool
marks are almost impossible to patch up so that they would not be noticed. Therefore, the installation of
a central vacuuming system must be planned well in advance to allow the builder of the house to make all
the necessary reservations in the installation of the piping system.
Log homes are built from planed and laminated logs, and round and rectangular cross-sections are
available with both options. Today, log-like homes are also available. One of these is the thermal log house,
whose structure resembles wooden houses more than it does actual log houses. In these cases, the
Allaway system is installed in the usual manner according to the planning and installation manual for the
Allaway central vacuuming system.
There are several easy methods for installing the Allaway system in a log home. These methods can also
be combined, if necessary. Find out more about the alternative methods suggested by Allaway, and choose
the most suitable method or methods for your log home.
1. Installation in a light partition wall or masonry wall:
In log homes, the wall inlets can be best installed in light partition walls (panelled walls), masonry walls or the
support structure of fixed furniture. In structures that do not settle, the piping can be installed according to the
Allaway central vacuuming system planning and installation manual.
2. Installation in furniture structures or separate casings:
Install the piping in the support structures of fixed furniture, a cupboard behind the log wall, or separate casings,
according to the Allaway retrofitting handbook. Drill a hole through the log. Leave the elbow coupling behind the
log wall, and lead the extension through the hole. Install the cover assembly to the extension in front of the log.
The wall inlet can also be installed to the side of a cupboard. When building a casing around the piping, a wooden
casing can be used at the end of a log wall, for example.
3. Installation of the Duo central vacuum cleaner with or without the piping:
If the log home is no larger than 100m², has only one floor and installing the dust piping is difficult, the Duo central
vacuum cleaner is the easiest choice because it can be installed without the piping. Duo should be installed in a
central location in the house in order to allow the suction hose (8–12 metres) to reach every corner.

4. Installation inside the interior log walls:
Drill a ø70 mm hole in the logs for the dust pipe that leads to the wall inlet and
the wall inlet elbow coupling. If necessary, this hole can fit a protective tubing for
the low voltage lead. Drill a ø50 mm hole for the cover assembly and extension,
if necessary, in the wall where the wall inlet is to be installed. The length of the
extension is 13 cm. If necessary, several extensions can be used successively.
Cut the extension to the suitable length. Ensure that the low voltage leads can be
lead to the cover assembly.
The wall inlet can also be installed in the end of a log or near the end, behind a
grooved board embedding, or underneath a lining.
The builder of the house can also drill the necessary holes in advance, which
will significantly decrease the amount of work required on site. The reservations
required for the dust piping system should be considered in the reservations for
electric cables and HVAC systems.
Please see the section on the settling of log walls at the end of these instructions.
5. Installation in a wooden or concrete floor:
The settling of the log walls does not need to be considered in floor installation. Floor installation is particularly
suitable for cottages, for eample underneath a wooden floor. Install the wall inlets in partition walls or the floor.
The RST wall inlet is the only wall inlet durable enough for floor installation. The plastic Classic wall inlet can be
flush installed in floors, if it is located out of the way of everyday activities. In installations to concrete floors, the
surface materials installed in the floor should be considered in order to ensure the correct installation height.
For more information on floor installation, please refer to the Allaway Manta central vacuuming system planning and
installation manual.
6. Considering the settling of the log framework:
Be sure to allow for settling of the log framework in the installation of the piping. A log wall sinks between 10 and 50
mm for each metre in height, most of this occurring immediately after construction. Even when the logs are dried
and the installation is careful, settling cannot be avoided in log structures due to drying and the compaction of the
seams between the logs.
The wall inlets and central unit are the fixed parts of the central vacuuming system. The settling of the log walls is
considered through enabling the piping to move in critical areas.
This can be done in the following ways, for example:
Bending of single dust pipes:
Attach the vertical pipes tightly. Support the pipes properly and align them perpendicular to the floor surface. Support the horizontal pipe line in
the ceiling using metal clamps. The log wall will settle under the horizontal pipe lines.
Rotation of the piping joints:
The changing of an angle in a pipe line that leads to the side can be allowed using a 90° elbow or a Y branch and a 45° elbow. When the main
line is located in the structure that settles, and the side line attached to a fixed studwork, the angle between the two can change.
JYVÄSKYLÄ, FINLAND
www.allaway.com, info@allaway.fi
13075 rev01 en 02/2011