Knee pads, wear them !

[Minesacarling]

When I lived in Mother England work trousers were worn out jeans and knee pads were for fairies. But when I moved to Norway I noticed all tradesmen (and women) (should I say tradesperson? Not gone P.C in Norway. Yet.) were wearing purpose made work trousers with knee pockets for knee pads. My new boss took one look at me in my knackered levis and took me to a builders yard and bought me a pair of carpenters trousers (snickers or blaklader can't remember) and with it, knee pads. Well talk about a revelation. Got back to work, dropped to my knees to start setting out a floor, couldn't believe I'd worked so many years on bare knees. It was like kneeling on feathers, haven't looked back since. Was given a good tip, whatever brand of trousers you get, get same brand knee pads to fit trousers. Some people use their old ones or go for cheapest ones, if they don't fit snug you won't land on them when you drop to your knees.

Those pants with pads are ok for small jobs but no good for large floors where your on your knees day in day out

 

[Fliselege]

Those pants with pads are ok for small jobs but no good for large floors where your on your knees day in day out

100% disagree, worn them every working day for 7 years no problem, me and my boss will do between 30sqm and 45sqm floor tile in a day in exebition halls or shopping malls and be more than comfy.

 

[BeeTiling]

Just use general small 2strap with grips, i find these easy to work with and comfortable especially with my knee being dodgey as it is they defo have to be comfortable plus there easy on and easy off i have no excuse not to use them

 

[Gazzer]

Those pants with pads are ok for small jobs but no good for large floors where your on your knees day in day out

I disagree too, Since changing to the trousers with pads in the knee pockets ( A good set of knee pads) I have never been more comfy. Each to their own though and as long as we all use them then its all good.

 

[TILEIT]

just seen this thread ..reccomend the snickers type trousers with gel insert ,,but replace the kneepad regulary..otherwise a life of ibuprofen ...be warned!

 

[bugs183]

I use a combination of Alpro knee pads, the Alpro kneeling pad and redbacks, depending on the job. The redbacks are really comfy and are great for jobs where you are moving around alot, in different areas,awkward small jobs etc. I mainly use the Alpro pad as it just sits there where you are working, i actually have two, one for laying, and another for grouting or sealing stone where you don't want to scratch the tiles. For big commercial jobs where you will be doing long hours the Alpro knee pads really help your knees out, but i never strap them up, as they just annoy me.
PPI is really important, and thankfully the old school days of being called a girl for not wearing gloves,knee pads and glasses and really important ear defenders have long gone.

 

[Pro-spec]

I keep a square piece of kingspan with pillow taped to it in the van just incased someone turns up to help me without pads

 

[jonnyc]

just picked this thread up.
will spend some time this evening looking through the options.
I have always worn pads , but I guess you can be just lucky and get no problems longterm but the sheer amount of time on knees and i am a floor man, may takes its toll.
I think this is a great post, balanced and unbiased and probably as important as any advice given on the forum.
we were all young/ non caring /free living and gung ho once but at what cost .
I have just had my first op and knee replacement imminent.

 

[Gazzer]

I keep a square piece of kingspan with pillow taped to it in the van just incased someone turns up to help me without pads

Surely it would be better to have a spare pair of knee pads ? Wouldnt want to get someone into bad habits.

 

[Gazzer]

Another thing.....Dont just think about your knees or wearing knee pads when you are aching...get into the habit of always wearing them. This is another reason for me preferring insert pads.

 

[Tony73]

i wear one of these Mens Workwear Trousers | Mens Workwear Trousers With Knee Pads | Workwear Trousers | Dickies Trousers - Brookes UK

 

[bugs183]

Not enough of us take any ppe seriously.
I get as much kit, and invent as many methods that keep me off my knees in the first place.
Rollers on poles and fertiliser sprayers for priming and sealing, raimondi pedalo for grouting, scotch pad holders on poles etc for cleaning. Mechanics nitrile gloves for hand protection and a really powerful numatic vacuum cleaner so i'm not breathing in brushed up dust, or spreading it around the job.
Not to mention ear defenders, glasses and paint sprayers dust masks.
It all adds up, coming home deaf, having brown bogies and knackered knees has to take its toll at some point.

 

[jonnyc]

send us a pic with you all tooled up!!
youre right of course .
I see myself controlling robotic tilers( under qualified supervison of course ) from a floating platform on a lobster farm in vietnam in the south china sea in my retirement .
The only danger i envisage is inhaling/drinking too much of the local produce.

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

Not enough of us take any ppe seriously.
I get as much kit, and invent as many methods that keep me off my knees in the first place.
Rollers on poles and fertiliser sprayers for priming and sealing, raimondi pedalo for grouting, scotch pad holders on poles etc for cleaning. Mechanics nitrile gloves for hand protection and a really powerful numatic vacuum cleaner so i'm not breathing in brushed up dust, or spreading it around the job.
Not to mention ear defenders, glasses and paint sprayers dust masks.
It all adds up, coming home deaf, having brown bogies and knackered knees has to take its toll at some point.

I agree, when I did the big power vibro jobs, we only were on our knees for screeding / fixing. All the grouting ( 1,100 m2 per store) was done standing. Ergonomics

 

[JacktheTiler]

Kneepads should always be worn when working on floors, I am only 20 but already have bad knees, so I make sure I use them.
Cushions from old sofa are pretty good. But I use the rubi gel injected strap on pads though, which are very comfy but like most strap-on kneepads they can be uncomfortable behind the knees.

 

[Fliselege]

Mum has arrived with my redbacks, see I do listen to the natter. I just hope they last longer than the duty free Jack Daniels she bought as well. Will give a report in 2 weeks when I'm back at work but for now, cheers, happy holidays (to me) don't work too hard boys and girls!!!

 

[Fliselege]

My Mum has a sense of humour, is it printed there incase you forget or cos you're stupid she said... wondered what she wanted a permanent marker pen for, won't tell my daughter what it says, she's of the age of repeating innapropriate things at the wrong time.

 

[Fliselege]

Back in Nogland after 3 weeks in UK, back to work full speed tomorrow. Came home with 10 pairs of redbacks, sold 5 and got my money back which wasn't hard, got a good deal dealing direct with cl-7, the other 5 being left with tile shops I use to see what intrest they drum up.

 

[Plumbing Tiler]

Redbacks for me!, the only thing is they are so good they are wearing the knees out on my work trousers!, cannot fault them comfort wise, but a bit on the heavy side, but well worth it in the long run.

 

[Discount Tile Supplies]

Wish i wore them in my younger days as my knees are shot now.

 

[Dale44]

Wish i wore them in my younger days as my knees are shot now.

Many people in the same boat. I need new ones..... Pads and Knees !

 

[Time's Ran Out]

wear mine even on holiday!

 

[Peter]

How do you keep your boots so clean TJ? :lol:

 

[afright]

The kneepads that I thought was the best where from the NCB which the miners had I,ve tried lots but have settled for the Rubi but would still like to find a good pair as after 42 years have now got osteoarthrirtis.

 

[adamunited]

I wouldn't last 1 day without kneepads, Anyone using in-pocket kneepads, check out the proper Snickers floorlayers kneepads. They are a beanbag type kneepad and are very comfortable. They are more expensive but will outlast the cheaper pad many times over. I have a pair for over 2 years and they show no signs of squashing at all.

View attachment 22919

these are the ones i use too i think they are fantastic.