Experiencing gripes with your rubber paving squeegee? Needlessly wasting grout and precious time? Then it’s time to switch to every paving expert’s dream tool for cleaning off grout residue: the renowned Neoprene squeegee!
Almost every landscaper who works with slurry grout will have a squeegee in their toolkit. And if you don’t, you absolutely need one!
Plus, as the most expensive Neoprene rings in at £28.09 excl. VAT (for the largest 750mm squeegee head and quality aluminium pole), there’s no excuse not to try it for yourself!
As an effective cleaning tool, the blade of the run-of-the-mill squeegee is either made of rubber or foam to clear away water, liquid or grout from paving surfaces.
But a Neoprene squeegee is made of an advanced synthetically made rubber material that glides across surfaces with miles more ease and skill.
Rough and uneven surfaces are also a sinch for this commercial-grade squeegee.
Read on to find out how this squeegee can save your landscaping business time and money.
We’ve used hard rubber squeegees for years and they bounce off your slabs. These Neoprene squeegees are great because they allow you to remove most of the grout from your paving and make wash off & clean-up easy.
What is a Neoprene squeegee made of?
Neoprene is a special type of rubber that has been synthetically produced. You’ll find Neoprene in most quality industrial floor squeegees, window squeegees and – of course – the not-so humble paving grout squeegee.
Originally produced by the American DuPont Corporation, a Neoprene squeegee is made from polychloroprene. In fact, Neoprene is the official brand name for this typical substitute for rubber.
A fun fact: because of polychloroprene’s incredible buoyancy and amazing waterproof nature, it’s the perfect insulator for our bodies against cold and wet environments. As such, it’s often used in wetsuits, gloves and other insulating garments.
Benefits of Neoprene
So what’s all the fuss about Neoprene? Here are some of the main benefits:
- Made from strong and durable Neoprene rubber
- Reistant to oil, petroleum, grease and water
- Reistant to most commmon chemicals and polymers found in grouts
- Abrasion resistant
- Incredible buoyancy
- Does not react with most of the common oils and chemicals
- Ideal for commercial and industrial uses
- Long aluminimum-pole handle (1,400mm) for easy use, which comes in three sections
- Choice of blade sizes: 450mm, 550mm and 750mm
Adam Gould, owner of Terrafirma landscaping company, explains why his team wouldn’t use anything other than Neoprene.
“We’ve used hard rubber squeegees for years and they bounce off your slabs!”, he says.
“These Neoprene squeegees are great because they allow you to remove most of the grout from your paving and make wash off and clean-up easy.”
Top 4 reasons for choosing Neoprene
If you’re still wondering whether it’s worth switching from a rubber squeegee to a Neoprene, check out the top four reasons why a Neoprene trumps a bog-standard rubber squeegee.
Reason #1 – Faster clean-up with minimal effort
The Neoprene truly glides easily and effortlessly over paving surfaces making the clean-up job that much quicker than with a rubber squeegee.
Even with rough and uneven surfaces, such as natural stone (sawn or riven) or porcelain pavers, this neat squeegee is still a dream to work with.
Reason #2 – Use less water during clean-up
This industry-standard landscaping tool is that effective at removing slurry grout and residue that you’ll use less water when cleaning off grout than with a conventional rubber squeegee.
Overwatering the pavers is a common cause of efflorescence and staining on slabs. With too much water, the grout mix can become compromised and these types of tell-tale stains can develop once the weather warms up.
See our guide to the best gadgets for avoiding efflorescence, which – of course – includes this landscapers’ tool of choice.
Reason #3 – Most economical grout cleaning tool
When it comes to cleaning off grout, there are some pretty nifty tools and equipment around that can make the job that much easier.
While the Berta sponge machine and a large washboy are certainly cream of the crop, the Neoprene is by far the most economical tool.
Priced at between £25.49 and £28.09 (excluding VAT) for a light, medium or heavy-duty squeegee head, the Neoprene is certainly the best small investment you can make for your paving business. And this purchase includes the long-handled aluminium pole.
Even if you do use a Berta or washboy, you’ll still get use out of Neoprene in those hard to reach corners, and for applying grout.
Reason #4 – Completely reusable
Each Neoprene comes complete with a aluminium, long-handled pole that is in three sections for easy storage and transportation. The pole itself makes it much easier to reach those tight corners.
This is truly a kit that stands the test of time.
We’ve covered the superior quality of the blade already which can be reused after washing. As with anything, the more thoroughly you wash the blade, the longer it will last.
On top of that, the aluminum handle itself doesn’t rust when it comes into contact with water, oil or chemicals, allowing it also to be used time and time again.
Adam from Terrafirma adds, “The aluminium handles are strong too when compared to old wooden broom stales. Mint product!”
But just in case there’s a mishap or you need a substitute, replacement heads and replacement poles are available to purchase separately.
How to use a Neoprene squeegee
Although the Neoprene is mostly used for cleaning off grout residue, it’s also very effective at applying slurry grout to paving stones, slabs and setts.
Applying slurry grout
After pouring slurry grout onto the pavers, use the squeegee to push the grout back and forth, ensuring the grout settles evenly into all the nooks and crannies.
Cleaning off slurry grout and residue
Generally a power washer is used to clean-away the dirt and grime from the slab surfaces.
After that, use the Neoprene squeegee to clear the water, dirt and residue from the surfaces. You can move the tool back and forth, and also side to side, to wipe away the residue.
Be sure to clean the squeegee blade thoroughly after every use.
Always follow the manufacturer’s grouting instructions when cleaning off grout.
What's your experience of the Neoprene?
Paving experts are raving about the difference that a Neoprene squeegee makes.
Have you tried the paving tool yourself? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
If you have any photos of you or your team using a Neoprene, share them with us and we’ll give your business a special mention on social media.
