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Pressure washing

4619 Views 10 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  smalljobs, 
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This is kind of a loaded question and directed to people like PressurePros and others that really specialize in pressurewashing. So here it goes:

I aim to start taking on jobs that are pressure washing exclusive, meaning I don't have to paint to pressure wash the home.

1. What is the ideal set up for cleaning homes(mostly vinyl) and decks? Trailer with all equipment on board or single unit using homeowner water or something that I don't even Know about?

2. Is there a direct relation between higher PSI, GPM, ect and lower work/labor times?

3. What is the ideal PSI and GPM?

4. Hot water or Cold water?

5. What else should I consider?

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timhag
Good Q Homey, I think this will help everybody.:thumbsup:
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S
The question is how much are you willing to spend. In terms of speed a hot water unit is going to get the grime off quicker than a cold. If you are pressure washing lets say decks, you don't use the hot water because it raises the grain in the wood. When it comes to pressure washers, gpm is more important than psi. Thats the big misconception. "I've got 4400psi, oooofff!" The more water with an average psi will clean faster. I have a 5gal/minute hot water machine at 3500 psi. (you can turn off the heat, obviously) The highest psi I go on cleaning a house is 2000psi but at 5 gal/minute. Decks no more than 1000psi. You also do not adjust the regulator on the pressure washer to reduce psi because you'll lose gpm. You adjust by buying several different size tips for your wand with different orafice sizes. High pressure is for concrete, but I really have'nt had to use the full 3500. Contact the guys at www.envirospec.com they'll educate you. I've used them the last few years for parts and chems. I'm very happy with them.

Get a machine that pumps atleast 4gal per minute. It will work effectively.
(you can still clean houses with a cold water unit though)

Chemicals: House (vinyl) - I use a house wash from enviro - 55gal drum mix at home, sold in kit, pool chlorine, and wax(envirospec) all in one. Clean tar streaks off gutters
(DC-99 from D.W. Davies) Works like a charm. House (prep for paint) same as above but NO wax

Decks - No existing stain: Clean - Oxi-clean (cup per gal), Brighten- Oxalic acid Existing stain: Stripper - Timberseal, Brighten - Oxalic acid : Rinse..Rinse...Rinse and Rinse again with big fan spray low psi / high gpm

Concrete - Downstream 1/1 ratio - Powerstroke (envirospec)

Practice, Test, Practice like everything.

I'm going to stop here. Thats why powerwashing is whole different business. Check out www.thegrimescene.com she's had this forum up for years.
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S
If I'd do it over again I'd get this bad boy. It makes me smile.
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200316853_200316853
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PressurePros
smalljobs, I don't mean any disrespect but I have very differing opinions on E-spec. I think their customer service is lousy. They are deceptive with shipping and handling. Advertising a cheap price and then charging my credit card three days later $21 S&H for a 6lb package. Very uncool. On top of that I find their chemicals at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to professional cleaning.

HomeGuardPaints said:
This is kind of a loaded question and directed to people like PressurePros and others that really specialize in pressurewashing. So here it goes:

I aim to start taking on jobs that are pressure washing exclusive, meaning I don't have to paint to pressure wash the home.

1. What is the ideal set up for cleaning homes(mostly vinyl) and decks? Trailer with all equipment on board or single unit using homeowner water or something that I don't even Know about? I'm not a big fan of trailer setups because I have employees. Having them drive around with a trailer through a resi neighborhood is not a thought I cherish. I use E250 and 350 extended vans as well as a 14 ft box truck. The box truck is great for standing height and not being cramped but the gas mileage leaves much to be desired.

2. Is there a direct relation between higher PSI, GPM, ect and lower work/labor times? Absolutely. GPM is king. Think of washing a sinkful of dishes. Would you use a water pic (low gpm, higher pressure) or turn on the faucet to rinse? This is why it is mandatory to use the right cleaning chems. Back to the dishes analogy.. think of letting the dishes soak in a high quality dish liquid. You can then rinse with the higher gpm (the faucet) and make quick work of the project. Cleaning is about breaking the bond of dirt from a surface and rinsing it way. The faster you rinse, the better.

3. What is the ideal PSI and GPM?Your best bet on resi work is to go with something bewteen 4 gpm (minimum) and 5.6 gpm (maximum you can use without a larger reserve tank). You can fit this size machine inside of a van. You should have some type of float tank buffer (10 gallon or so) between your intake hose and the machine so that you can plumb your unloader into a loop. This will circulate the water through your pump when you have the machine running but you are not spraying. As far as psi, I use the following guidelines:
1. Decks: Never over 1000 psi and most times, especially with softer species woods like cedar, not over 800.
2. Vinyl siding: Nothing over 400 psi is neccessary. The chems do all the work.
3. Concrete: Surface cleaner set with the right nozzles to 3000 psi.
4. Roof cleaning: Not much above garden hose pressure.

4. Hot water or Cold water?Hot water is not neccesary for residential work. You can always upgrade later with whats called a hotbox.

5. What else should I consider? Learning proper technique and chemical application. There is way too much to touch upon here. Find industry related forums and read, read, read !
www.ptstate.com
www.thegrimescene.com
www.propowerwash.com


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I see the truth comes out about e-spec chems, I was going to buy some for **** & giggles - guess it wouldn't be worth my time?
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PressurePros
Dan, I don't know if its their surfactant packages, the chems are too hot or what. The chems dry quickly, etch glass, leave films, cause flash rusting, etc. Everyone I know that has tried them (you would know all ten names, Dan) has bought them one time and moved on. As in all of life.. you get what you pay for.
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Wow, I have'nt had any problems.. chems worked well...no xtra charges...help was great...fillers did'nt seem to have any efect....mmmmm...I could'nt tell ya. PressurePro whats your source for parts and chems? Maybe its time to switch.
Lately, as of July of last year I work with D.W. Davies (local company) for chems. Very happy. 50lb bag of Oxalic $25 bucks.
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I have three van's, 5 employees. I finish many different substrates. A trailer unit is optimum (for me) because you hook and go when needed. 8 gal a minute would be awesome with 2 wands. You can always adjust if its one. Time is money and hook and go is the only way. Loading a large unit and a hot box or tube only increases the opportunity of damaging it and your employees back (workmans comp). Believe me I know, been there did that. Pull up on the street, ad extra hose to your reels. No unloading, uncoiling hose, reloading. I'd rather have my guys tow it than throw it around. My pay package pretty much insures you treat my equip like crap you don't get paid. Insurance by checklists and periodic equipment checks keeps them in check. Have'nt encountered any issues yet. Liability insurance at least for me cost me an xtra 70 a year and its well worth it. My unit is currently bolted to a utility trailer. My back says tank u.
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PressurePros
smalljobs said:
Wow, I have'nt had any problems.. chems worked well...no xtra charges...help was great...fillers did'nt seem to have any efect....mmmmm...I could'nt tell ya. PressurePro whats your source for parts and chems? Maybe its time to switch.
Lately, as of July of last year I work with D.W. Davies (local company) for chems. Very happy. 50lb bag of Oxalic $25 bucks.
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That's a great price for a 50 lb'er. My feling in business is "don't reinvent the wheel". If you have had success with E-spec and experienced none of the issues then why switch? Where are you located?
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Southern Wisconsin, DWD sells predominantly janitorial supplies but they have a nice clearance warehouse that I take advantage of. Besides there chemists, I really don't think management knows what the heck oxalic is. Good for me, they have a pallet in back that I take my pickens from. I've integrated there products where I need them by there properties and functions. They're DC-99 is absolutely awesome for gutter stains. You get it in 5 gal. Cut it about 5/1 for $45 bucks. They even deliver for free.
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