Vapor (steam) machine

[jtmellon]

Is buying a 1000 steam machine from Daimer worth the investment. I do mostly janitorial work and the other day I had a call for a residential T&G job on a kitchen. This machine would have worked perfect.

So is it a good tool to have?

[Hoss]

It is incredibly versatile. I have used it for bathrooms, kitchens, auto-detailing (upholstery and hard surfaces), ceramic, vinyl, rehabilitating antique barber chairs, and mattresses. I really like it for vinyl and for a quick mopping and drying.

[drytouch]

Very worth it--and the Daimer brand is the gold standard.

I use a vapor steamer constantly-tile, laminate, steaming spot work on carpet--
they make small add on jobs a breeze and once you become proficient you'd be surprised at the larger jobs you can do.

[jtmellon]

Thanks guys. That's what I wanted to hear.

[NJP]

Just make sure you will use it quite a bit or it will just sit in you equipment pile. JMO I used mine 1 time and it takes too long to clean T&G unless it's a very small area. But hey if it works for you go for it.

[DON ELDRED]

As NJP said great for small jobs but way too slow for any normal size jobs

[Hoss]

As a post T&G cleaning process, you can follow your normal cleaning procedures, use terry-cloth towels, and absorb all of the slurry and soap while drying the floor. But, I agree with the issue about large jobs. Drying and slurry / soap removal can be done faster with fans and clear, hot water mopping.

IMHO, though, nothing beats it for cleaning vinyl floors.

[drytouch]

If you stand up and try to use the 'wand' motion with tile and grout, yes its slow.

You have to be willing to get to your knees and scoot around on pads, which is actually much faster for focusing on the grout lines and much easier on your back than stooping over.

The extender poles are just for steam mopping from the standing position.

You'll build speed as you refine technique.

Even for incorrigible truckmount/porty junkies, the vapor steamer can perform all the 'cut in' and small, hard to reach areas headache free, before you XS the open areas.

[TroyD]

I bought a daimer a couple of years ago. I tried it on tile and grout (the main reason I bought it) and quickly learned two things. One, it did work to clean grout. Two, it took way too long making it not even worth it. At least this was my experience. Ive used it most in my own home for cleaning. Its also great for auto detailing. Other than that if hindsight was 20/20 I would have passed on spending the money on it. I know others like it though.

[KennyWright]

Here's one or sale. https://eastnc.craigslist.org/bfs/4272789812.html
I don't know enough about them to tell whether it is a good deal.

[jtmellon]

First, Thanks for all the input. It's is a tough call. I was thinking of a Daimer and I know they are top of the line. I was going to get the $900 machine. But I sit and think about spending that money on a machine that I might never ever use. I have a Wagner steamer that I purchase from Amazon and in all the 3 years of owning it I used it one time on a stainless sink at a customers office, it was quicker to use a cleaner and a green scrub pad to clean it then use the steamer. So I am thinking will it be worth the money.

[Ed E]

I thought long and hard about buying one last summer and just didn't think it would move the sales needle much. There are too many other things I need at this point.