Would a washboy be a waste of money??

[SteveyJ]

Hi all.

Been thinking about it for a while but can't decide if getting a washboy will be a waste of money or not???

Read lots of posts and people say for floors yes, but walls can be a waste, so thought I would post what the majority of my work is and see what you guys think. Nearly all my work is bathrooms and wetrooms so floor coverage normally about 4sq/m and wall tiling on average about 20sq/m. So don't do any large hotel or car showroom floors lol just regular domestic bathrooms.

So what do you think should I get one or stick to 2 buckets and ardex sponges - while we say that is it worth using a branded sponge or just buy a cheap grouting sponge??

Thanks all Steve

 

[Perry]

i dont normally use them on walls but if you ever do 1 floor over 3mts it will pay for itself

 

[SteveyJ]

i dont normally use them on walls but if you ever do 1 floor over 3mts it will pay for itself

Can I ask a another silly question, why are they so much better on floors than walls?? The cleaning method is surely the same?!?

 

[nybor62]

I was,nt aware that they were I always use mine on walls and floors with same result
Make sure you get good sponges raimondi best IMO from Kwik split

 

[SteveyJ]

I was,nt aware that they were I always use mine on walls and floors with same result
Make sure you get good sponges raimondi best IMO from Kwik split

Maybe I didn't mean so much better, but why do alot of posts and people say great if your doing large floor areas, or great for floors - just search the forum for washboy useage oin this forum and you'll see

 

[Ian]

I've had a Karl Dahm one for a couple of months now and can't believe I didn't buy one years ago. With the right sponge it will clean most tiles with one wipe and your hands never have to go in the water. Any wall/floor that is 20 m2+ I reckon can be done in half the time it used to take me.

 

[CDS]

I go through phases of using mine - Find that with a new float you get nice grout lines but as soon as the sponge starts to wear grout lines can become too deep. Haven't found a really good supplier of sponges, did start using rubi which seemed really good then my local supplier stopped doing them.

Generally I think Washboys are good for doing large areas of walls or floors quickly but not so flexible for fiddly areas...I do find that I tend to get more grout haze than if I just use decent sponges. Think its all down to personal preference.

 

[Andy Allen]

i bought one used it twice and put back in the garage, just cant get on with them, so i stick to a good sponge and a bucket of water...

those of you that do use them, i found it seemed to over wet the floor makeing the grout dry patchy....any thoughts?

 

[afright]

Ive have a Karl Dahm got it thru Tile Trader best washboy I ever had,had it for 6 years now use it all the time on walls & floors good thing about a washboy on walls is a lot less polishing

 

[Gazzer]

There is a technique to using a washboy and it can lead to over watering if used incorrectly.

 

[peteablard]

I use mine on walls and floors, wouldn't be without it now. Buy one and give it a go, you could always sell it if you don't get along with it.

 

[Stef]

Always for floors, sometimes on walls but you need to strike the grout lines on the walls, Karl Dahm is the one to get, steer well clear of Rubi as they carry too much water in the bucket.

 

[On one]

i bought one used it twice and put back in the garage, just cant get on with them, so i stick to a good sponge and a bucket of water...

those of you that do use them, i found it seemed to over wet the floor makeing the grout dry patchy....any thoughts?

If the washboy sponges are still holding the water,after rinsing place them upright on their end.The remaining water in the sponge will run to one end and be squeezed out by pressing on the rollers or by flinging the excess water out onto some waste ground.Much easier to do tho if you have more than one sponge.

 

[mz30]

I was always against wash boys on walls for the simple fact they take longer to dry than using a sponge so what i do now is wash with washboy the quickly go over with a spongeworks a treat.

 

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

I have two and i have built wooden frames with wheel's on for them i think i have been using them about 24 years now & i would not use anything else,other than my Burta machine,unless they invented something better lol

 

[White Room]

Use mine for floors only.....

 

[White Room]

I was,nt aware that they were I always use mine on walls and floors with same result
Make sure you get good sponges raimondi best IMO from Kwik split

Is that the clip on ones.....

 

[afright]

The only problem with the Karl Dahm each side of the rollers should have a small lip to guide the water back into the bucket, the water drips onto the floor every time you rinse the sponge out.

 

[poynton phil]

I have the karl dahm one, use it on all floors cant fault it

 

[Stef]

The only problem with the Karl Dahn each side of the rollers should have a small lip to guide the water back into the bucket, the water drips onto the floor every time you rinse the sponge out.

I have been using my Karl Dahm washboy for years & I've never had this problem. A small bit of water over the front if you don't tilt the sponge upwards on the rollers but that's about it.

 

[macten]

I strike joints and get any excess grout up with a bucket and sponge, then go over it with my washboy.
Found this to be the quickest for me. Always had a washboy but stopped using it for some reason, tried it again and was amazed at how much quicker it was.

 

[afright]

Don,t get me wrong the Karl Dahm has been the best I ever had,Ive had the Bal and a couple of other german makes its getting a bit old now used it nearly every day for the last 6 years,think its time to replace it.

 

[AliGage]

I've had a Karl Dahm for the last 7 years. I see a washboy as an essential, must have piece of kit. Certainly stops your hands going all wrinkly.

The secret to using one and getting a good finish is all in the sponge. Never use brand new floats. A new sponge wether on the float board or a plain normal hand sponge retains a lot of water. With a normal sponge you can twist and wring the water out. The washboy floats you can't.
Anytime i buy a new sponge i put it through the washboy at the same time as the one i'm using. But it doesn't get used on the wall. When it's damp i rough it up a bit on the floor to wear it in a little. If it makes sense you need to use them for a bit without using them to wear them in a bit. They work lovely once you get the sponge not, excuse the pun, "soaking up like a sponge"

 

[nybor62]

Is that the clip on ones.....

yes

 

[leslie]

A bucket and a good quality sponge , works for me, its ok if you only work with white grout, but if you ever use black thats another story.