Need a waterblaster

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Need a waterblaster

Mojomelon

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#215557 3-Jul-2017 00:00

Hi all, i need a water blaster to clean my driveway and fences along it. Found that Ryobi seems to be a good buy (model rpw140sc) at Mitre 10 currently marked at $200 i think. But got a mate suggesting to spend extra bucks for either Karcher or Nilfisk.

Im really looking for one that would last long and patio cleaner.

BlinkyBill

1443 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1100
Inactive user

#1810648 3-Jul-2017 05:02

Nilfisk is a step up from Karcher.

darylblake

1172 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 410

Trusted

#1810664 3-Jul-2017 08:16

We had a Kartcher, It lasted about 10 years before we broke it where the hose plugs into it. I am keen to replace it with another one because well, we own a bunch of fittings for Kartchers already. So it kinda makes sense for me to buy another one.

Fred99

13684 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10018

#1810681 3-Jul-2017 08:59

I like the idea of that reel to wind up the hose on that Ryobi. Have had issues with kinking and breaking hoses on small waterblasters - they're a PITA to pack up and put away after use.

Has turbo lance - which is useful. For $200, worth a go. Have had a K'Archer fail - a jammed switch inside. I actually managed to fix it - and it's still going, but had to strip it down completely. Pulling it apart and reassembling it was a nightmare can of worms - so despite success, confirmed to me that products at this end of the quality scale are disposables. You wouldn't want to pay 2 hours labour for a service-person to check if it's possible to fix when it only costs $200 to replace.

timmmay

20858 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5350

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1810687 3-Jul-2017 09:09

I have a Bosch electric, which I got from flybuys. It's not bad for things like wooden fences and decks, but it takes AGES to do anything. I suspect a more powerful waterblaster would save time. It's no good for things like car or house cleaning, not enough power.

Dulouz

887 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 384

#1810722 3-Jul-2017 09:18

I nearly bought a water blaster recently but for a decent one, you need to spend $700+. Depending on how big your job is I'd consider renting a petrol powered one for a day. They're faster and more fun to use.

Amanon

greenbone

176 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 40

#1810728 3-Jul-2017 09:36

got a small nilfisk a couple years ago from bunning, ok for small jobs

the hose snapped, went to bunnings for a replacement, i dont think they carry nilfisk anymore

when buying i would check if the wand is crimped to the hose, or detachable. so if the hose is damaged, you can replace just the hose

New World

Shop on-line at New World now for your groceries (affiliate link).

Mojomelon

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1810729 3-Jul-2017 09:37

Karcher and Nilfisk both has alot of accessories.
Yeah, the hose wind up reel from Ryobi seems to be a really good idea,and priced at $200, personally im keen to give it a try.

MikeAqua

8024 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3817

#1810735 3-Jul-2017 09:54

I have a little Nilfisk. It used to get a lot of use cleaning concrete patios and driveway etc (no special patio attachment, I just used the wand). It regularly cleans a boat and the Pajero if it gets muddy. It's run faultlessly for me. No issues at all.

If I was buying again I would look for two additional features.

1) A hose reel: The hose is jut stiff enoguh to be awkward to keep tidy. It doesn't kink, but loves to form loops.

2) A long wand: I'm a smidge over six feet tall and I have long arms for my height but I still found the wand too short for cleaning at ground level.

If I was using it more than once every three or four weeks I would go for a small petrol powered unit - eliminates the cord which can also be PITA.

Mike

cadman

1014 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 557
Inactive user

#1810758 3-Jul-2017 10:43

You should never waterblast concrete unless you want to be doing it again and again with ever decreasing intervals.

jonathan18

7415 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2850

ID Verified

Trusted

#1810842 3-Jul-2017 12:24

Just something to be mindful of the cheaper/smaller units - given their power/size, they have a fairly short run time before one is supposed to rest them. Also, I was advised to use an extension cord with larger diameter wiring (or no extension cord at all) with it. I killed my small Karcher from potentially failing to do both of these things. When I get around to buying a new blaster I'll not be buying an entry-level one for these reasons, plus a bit of additional power can speed up a job.

richms

29098 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10209

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1810861 3-Jul-2017 13:05

Anything that plugs in will be underpowered and you will take longer doing things. 2400 watts is all you get from a powerpoint. There was a karcher when I looked that used a 15A for more power.

Borrowed a friends petrol one once and wow, so much better, the hovercraft on that one actually cleaned the concrete vs just getting the loose stuff off.

Richard rich.ms

AliExpress

Shop now on AliExpress (affiliate link).

MikeAqua

8024 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3817

#1810946 3-Jul-2017 14:23

cadman:

You should never waterblast concrete unless you want to be doing it again and again with ever decreasing intervals.

In our case the driveway and path and shed filled with fine mud every time it rained heavily - due to the council's poor drainage design and maintenance. One of the reasons we moved. Water blasting was the only time-efficient way to move that stuff.

Also used the blaster to give the patios a birthday to deal to any moss and lichen, follow up with a whole area spray and leave product for the finer mould etc.

I was only there for 7 or so years but I didn't observe any increase in re-growth speed.

Mike