I'm not a pro at this, but I will try to help a bit. If you take a leaf and look at it, you don't (Maybe you do) but leaves are cast on the back side so that the 'veins' are 'embedded within the leaf. So you need to make a mold of the leaf, as if you were casting it the first time. I have used kids modeling clay, rolled out to about 1/4 " (small leaf) pressed the backside of a leaf into the clay, and carefully cut around the edge of the leaf. Then I carefully removed the leaf. I lightly -Very lightly sprayed the 'clay leaf' with Pam cooking spray. I then proceeded to apply my silicone in THIN layers. (You can smooth with an icecube) It tends to be slippery from the oil, but you can get it to work. IF the silicone sticks to the clay, it can be gotten off with a bit of dishsoap when you wash the mold when it is cured. Takes awhile for the silicone to set up, especially if it is too thick... OR If you have a leaf done, and painted, oil it up and apply the silicone. That works too. You really have to try and experiment.....making a POP leaf isn't the easiest thing to do......but it can be done with patience. spray your leaf with Pam then Brush on a thin layer of POP. Let it dry and keep adding layers. Removing the leaf from POP has always been my problem Good Luck...... Marcia

I've attached the 2nd floor of our house plans. I want to put the 50' HAH outside the GAMES closet in the center and the contractor did say he could get to it. He wants to put the 40' HAH outside the Laundry Room, and the 30' HAH in our Master Bath against the closet wall. I'm not sure what height he'd put the outlet if the pipe is coming from below - I guess the lower electrical outlet height as HAH recommends. There is not enough room to run the 50' pipe above... but I just have a hard time believing that I will struggle with a 50' hose as opposed to a 30' hose. Ordinarily, I would be at the contractor's shop the same day he suggested it, but my in-laws arrived tonight (and I've been cleaning our house and garage out in anticipation of their arrival). I also have a meeting with my builder tomorrow morning and a work meeting at noon. Plus, the general running around of my kids for summer activities... I'm having a hard time scheduling this vacuum visit into my schedule! LOL One other thing - the power units he recommends are Beam, or CycloVac for a $200 upgrade. Any comments one way or another on these units? I had another contractor want to put a Simplicity with the HAH - but it had 570 watts and I'm afraid that may not be powerful enough. He had never done the HAH but was game to try and it did have a lifetime warranty which was very enticing... I'm just afraid since he's never installed HAH before (but 20+ yrs installing CV).

The first one I had was Ricar when the house was being built. They came out about 4 times. It would work when they left, but still never enough power. Then I would have trouble with the hoses not going in or coming out. Then I got electrolux to come out and they put in all new ports or outlets, and new hoses. Still not enough power and the same with the hose problems. They did do a few things in the attic with the pipes. Now I have Drainvac which is the high powered unit I got the electrician to install. Great suction power but hoses still get stuff in the pipes. If I only had clear pipes I could see where the blockage is. We have a call into the head people at the original company that installed the pipes. It was a Hide A Hose system. We are hoping they will recommend someone who really knows how the install and service them. I have almost 9k in this system now and still not happy. My sister built a new house the same time and did not want it. She has a rainbow somebody gave her. She is laughing all the time about what I am going thru. I never had any trouble before until I got Hide a Hose.

There are 2 different (gas pump style) handle types (at least) with 2 different mechanisms for adjusting air flow/leakage at the handle. Why I have 2 different ones I don't know. If you want maximum suction, there should be no leakage at the handle. There is a plastic piece to turn to change the leakage. I don't have the remote shut off. It was a little pricey and I figure I could add it later if I wanted. Wife hasn't requested it and I don't mind not having it. The only time I think about it is with the turbo cat since that is loud when it isn't on carpet so going from room to room (hardwood in between), it is a bit annoying. Otherwise, our motor is pretty isolated that just leaving it on is no problem.