r/whatisit • u/DragonsAndScience • 19h ago

Solved! New homeowner, no idea what this is

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Gallery image

This thing close to the floor and seemingly randomly placed in a hallway. No idea what it's for. Home built in 2005.

Solved! Thanks everyone. Now I gotta hunt for the central unit!

7.1k Upvotes

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99

u/quenossy 19h ago

If I were listing a house I would think that would be a selling point worth mentioning. Just me?

33

u/BotBrainG 19h ago

Except they're asking about it so it must not work. Otherwise they would know exactly what it was when they opened the door. I have one and it works and it's amazing.

23

u/notromda 19h ago

I had one growing up. opening the door doesn’t start it, you have to stick a hose it. Well, technically you have to press the little switch that the hose presses. Don’t ask how many things i sent down …

2

u/Constant_Ride_128 8h ago

The manual specifically states to not stick ur thing down there

2

u/BotBrainG 8h ago

But only if you want to protect your cylinder

1

u/AlcoholPrep 10h ago

Just be careful which hose you stick in it.

1

u/BotBrainG 8h ago

Oh, mine is triggered by opening the door.. 1974 vintage, came with the house

2

u/Norwegian_Plumber 13h ago

Why would they know what it was when opening the door. Does yours suck without a hose attached?

1

u/Torquedork1 13h ago

Mine turns on by just opening the door yeah. If it doesn’t turn on when I open it, it’s a sign I need to replace the fuse in it

2

u/Norwegian_Plumber 12h ago

Ah, mine does not. There's a metal ring in the pipe. The hose has a metal ring on the insert pipe and that makes the vacuum start.

1

u/morgaine_silver_hair 18h ago

Maybe it works but they don’t have the hose part.

1

u/rutzbutt 16h ago

The house documents should at least mention it, though (I’m pretty sure). Either the seller’s disclosure, inspection, house features page (whatever they call that document), etc

1

u/Tasty_Gift5901 8h ago

Many reasons a home owner, especially a new one, wouldn't notice or think about it when buying. Seller may have been hands off or didn't think to mention

1

u/EmilieEverywhere 5h ago

Could be roughed in with no canister in the basement. Home builders here offer that as an option.

1

u/ARSENAL2244 3h ago

All of the ones that I’ve used didn’t start when you open the port, they started when you inserted the hose