Industrial/hardy vacuum

MartinB85 · 26 Mar 2020

Hi guys,

I'm looking to hire a decent vacuum that is capable of sucking up large/hard debris in my loft. The old roof had know lining and was nailed on and then covered in a nasty backing cement like product and when they removed the old roof a lot of it fell into the loft which i'm now re-insulating and this stuff is everywhere under the insulation/on the joists/covering storage.

I'm looking to find a vac that is capable of sucking up this stuff, it's basically like dried mortar and goes from dust size to chunks about 2 inch long.

Does anyone have any advice of the type to use and where I could possibly hire it from. I've tried searching on a few sites but the descriptions don't give you any idea of the type of debris.

Cheers.

JohnD · 26 Mar 2020

you can buy a builders canister vac for about £60.

be sure to get one with replaceable cartridge filters and at least one spare. Also get some bags to fit, they will delay clogging of the filter.

The filter can be brushed clean, and, eventually, washed with a hose and allowed to dry.

I made the mistake of hiring a big industrial once. It had not occurred to me that when full of grit and torching it would be too heavy to carry down the ladder. Get some strong rubble bags. You can sweep up the large material and collect in a dustpan and bucket.

You will need dustmask and goggles. Put a big dustsheet on the floor under the hatch, and some slip-on shoes to walk dowstairs in.

If you can get some new insulation rolls, I'd bag up the old stuff for the tip. Old yellow fibreglass holds dirt and sheds irritant dust and fibres. Modern loft quilt, treated with Ecose (look at the packaging) is brown, and doesn't.

edit
this one (nominally 30 litres)
https://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-ttb430vac-1400w-30ltr-wet-dry-vacuum-cleaner-240v/70472
is a good size and has a power socket you will find useful on other DIY. 30 litre bags are readily available. The plastic tools are flimsy but you can buy a set of replacements on ebay for a few pounds. "wet and dry" means you can use it to suck up water, e.g. after a burst pipe or blocked drain. The power is ample to suck up broken concrete, stone, pet mice, socks etc.

Tigercubrider · 26 Mar 2020

Looking at hire prices, you might be better just to buy one. More expensive, but not by much
Look at screwfix. I have an Aldi which looks like a Titan on screwfix..

wet/ dry and add a hepa filter. 2” is big. It may be easier to pick up and bag something that size as hoses kink and stuff sticks. Having a vacuum that has a power take off is really handy as you can connect a sander by hose and mains- when you start to sand the vac kicks in and overruns for 30 seconds.

class H is ok for very fine dust (asbestos) but ensure there’s nothing hazardous up there. Very fine dust can explode but vacuums are far safer than sweeping.

MartinB85 · 26 Mar 2020

JohnD said:
you can buy a builders canister vac for about £60.

be sure to get one with replaceable cartridge filters and at least one spare. Also get some bags to fit, they will delay clogging of the filter.

The filter can be brushed clean, and, eventually, washed with a hose and allowed to dry.

I made the mistake of hiring a big industrial once. It had not occurred to me that when full of grit and torching it would be too heavy to carry down the ladder. Get some strong rubble bags. You can sweep up the large material and collect in a dustpan and bucket.

You will need dustmask and goggles. Put a big dustsheet on the floor under the hatch, and some slip-on shoes to walk dowstairs in.

If you can get some new insulation rolls, I'd bag up the old stuff for the tip. Old yellow fibreglass holds dirt and sheds irritant dust and fibres. Modern loft quilt, treated with Ecose (look at the packaging) is brown, and doesn't.

edit
this one (nominally 30 litres)
https://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-ttb430vac-1400w-30ltr-wet-dry-vacuum-cleaner-240v/70472
is a good size and has a power socket you will find useful on other DIY. 30 litre bags are readily available. The plastic tools are flimsy but you can buy a set of replacements on ebay for a few pounds. "wet and dry" means you can use it to suck up water, e.g. after a burst pipe or blocked drain. The power is ample to suck up broken concrete, stone, pet mice, socks etc.

Thanks a lot for the info!

I've already done one area of the loft with a full hazmat suit! Luckily I got a new velux with the roof so managed to bag it up and then throw it out onto the lawn. Also got goggle and a full builders mask.

Thanks again I'll take a look at the link.

Gasplumber · 19 Apr 2020

Wicked wet vac is good and so cheap it’s disposable!
I hoovered out my cavity wall a few days ago.
And often hoover out header tanks full of sludge. I don’t mess around with filters and it’s a beast!

HERTS P&D · 20 Apr 2020

Totally agree with GP, I use my Wickes wet vac all the time, well worth it.

Andy

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Industrial/hardy vacuum

MartinB85

JohnD

Tigercubrider

MartinB85

Gasplumber

HERTS P&D

DIYnot Local

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