What are wet and dry vacuum cleaners useful for and do I need one!

[OM2]

I looked up in Google before posting.
I'm convinced I should get one.

Vacuuming water and mud would be useful.

Just wondering what else they're good for.

I was planning to buy from Lidl or Aldi next time they have one. Only reason: 3 years warranty. Otherwise, amazon or Screwfix have cheaper ones for £50. I've seen a basic karcher one for £65. Should I go for that one instead?

Thanks.

 

[Tigercubrider]

I have an Aldi one, almost identical to some Screwfix ones.
Imho as a vacuum it is great, for extraction on tools and general DIY plus a bit of home cleaning.
I don’t think that I have used it wet, but will clean my gutters soon.

We have a big wet/dry at work and it’s great -no idea of brand but it’s big and blue! Maybe a Nilfisk?
We had a flood from a leaky pipe and it worked well

 

[Burnerman]

It could be a good move to check on the availability of replacement filters for a wet vac.......they aren't cheap but very important to stop water getting right into the motor. Keep a couple in stock.
Paper bags are easy and cheap to get a hold of for dry use.
Water access to the motor is often checked by a float which blocks things off as the liquid level rises.
I'd go for a high wattage motor if you can, and a large capacity drum with a drain off cap at the bottom.
I have a Ryobi machine, great for chimney sweeping dry and gulley cleaning wet.
John

 

[foxhole]

I have the George (wet version of Henry) it’s a great carpet cleaner and has wet/dry versatility .

 

[HERTS P&D]

Wet vac is what I use for internal blockages and air locks.

Andy

 

[pcaouolte]

Clearing the last bit of water from pipes before soldering, unblocking sinks basins baths and showers, unblocking underground rainwater drains, any job where you are going to get into trouble for using her household vacuum cleaner, cleaning the car, cleaning out loft tanks, cleaning the last bit of water out of a pond.

 

[timbo46]

Seeing as you asked the same question two years ag im suprised you havent got one yet

What is a wet/dry vacuum used for?

Sounds like a dumb question. Seen on sale for £40 in Lidl. Screwfix have one for £45. What do people use these vacs for? Do they suck up things you wouldn't want to use your precious Dyson on? Just wondering.

www.diynot.com

 

[scbk]

It's a big life decision to make, can't rush into these things!

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Sometimes you gotta suck it up an make that decision.

 

[RandomGrinch]

If he had bought it a couple of years back, it sounds as if it would only have been collecting dust...

 

[scbk]

Wet vac is what I use for internal blockages

Andy

Prunes would be safer

 

[securespark]

It's a big life decision to make, can't rush into these things!

A man after my own heart!

I am well known here for taking my time to buy something.

Coincidentally, our Miele cat and dog died the other day and as a rapid stopgap we bought the cheapest Toolstation wet and dry.

Disaster. The tube keeps blocking, even with small debris. The machine throws out clouds of dust, which is awful.

It has to go back!

 

[T5 TDI]

I wouldn't be without my cheap Lidl wet and dry vac. It mops up floods instantly, temporarily sucks water from driping plumbing fittings so you can replace them and it even worked to suck out the inside of a flooded dishwasher which had shut down. Ours doesn't have bags so creates dust if you use it indoors for plaster dust etc but it has a very long hose so we stick it outside and put the hose through the window! Must be nearly 20 years old by now.

 

[Tigercubrider]

I have the Aldi version and when used dry I shove a HEPA filter on it. It may well send some dust out but really does limit the dust output.

 

[JohnD]

I use a cartridge filter in mine and always have at least one spare. The cartridge will withstand water and dust. It will withstand plaster dust and cement that will damage a domestic vac.

I use bags as well to delay clogging of the cartridge. Broken bricks can tear them.

You can clean the cartridge with a soft brush and, eventually, wash it in soapy water.

It is noisy.