Screen and Grout Fill-in

The underside of my cement washing machine was awkward to clean of leaves and other debris (see:    http://www.instructables.com/id/Hand-powered-WASHING-MACHINE  ).  At first, I decided to block it in solidly with styrofoam and cement, but then decided to take a more minimalist approach, just creating a surface skin to enclose air.  It was another chance to practice with the plastic window screen and grout technique I used previously to patch a broken section of privacy wall  (see:  http://www.instructables.com/id/Grout-and-Screen-Hole-Patching ) . 

The shape in this project was more complicated, but as expected, the material adapted nicely to the task at hand. 

The shape of the filled in area is highest in the back corner and slopes steeply toward either side to help leaves wash down to the base in front. 

I'm sure that, even with their strength limitations, women and children would not have trouble working with this material.  The grout is easy to mix in small batches, and is just brushed on with a house brush for the most part.   The grout membrane is pretty strong, considering how thin it is.  

The screen is just stuck down with grout to the existing structures.  It's a quick and easy technique.  

Step 1: Tools and Materials

Like cement, when stored in plastic buckets with lids, dry grout will last a long time in storage.  Sanded grout, or "pega" as it is called here, is used to glue down tiles.  It doesn't shrink, so is less prone to crack than is cement.  Mix it with water to a thick cream consistency for brushing. 

Plastic window screen comes in rolls.  Cut it with scissors. 

You need rubber gloves, a house brush and a mixing container.  A little trowel is also sometimes useful.  A wet sponge helps for cleaning up spots.  

Comments

[buteomont]

This is brilliant. I wonder what you will do if you have plumbing trouble and need access to the pipes, though.

[Thinkenstein]

I'll bust open whatever I have to and patch it again with more screen and grout. No big deal. This is a really simple technique.

[yoyology]

Sounds like it would be very easy to cut into it to access the underside, and then either make a hatch (maybe with the plying technique in the last step) or just patch the hole back up.

It looks like the only "plumbing" is the drainpipe underneath. I'm guessing the machine is filled by bucket from the standpipe on the adjacent wall.

[Thinkenstein]

No bucket. I either use a hose, or a special PVC pipe section that clips onto the faucet and conducts the water to the basin.

[rimar2000]

Brilliant, you are a clever inventor.

[Thinkenstein]

Thanks Rimar.

[Ninzerbean]

This is great, thank you for sharing, making things that solve problems is often so much more fun and better looking than something that could be bought. The mixed up grout won't stay workable in the bucket with a lid though right? You meant when it's stored there dry I think, but clarify that for me please.

[Thinkenstein]

Yes, I meant the dry grout. Get it wet and the clock is ticking. Thanks for pointing out that detail, I have edited in the correction.