Hello Kenneth, Look around your area for 275 gal. totes. I can get as many as I want for $20. here in Rock Hill SC. If you were within 100 miles of Charlotte NC, I would get one and deliver it to ya. I like the tote as you can make 30gal. or 275 gal. depending on your scheduled roofs for that day. You can also attached your company sign to the metal cage that wraps around the sides. They have a large opening at the top for filling, and you can secure them easily with a couple of heavy duty binders. ($20 each at Northern Tool). Just my .02 cents worth. I have never worked with a 55 gal drum so I can not comment as to how well it will work or not. Good luck with the new business and learn everything you can. There are alot of great guys on here with a work of knowledge.
There is a ton of info on tanks on this forum , you need to read , read & read, you almost can use anything to put the LOVE in but LETS do it SAFE ,we don't need to be in the headlines with fines etc., go buy a 50 gal leg tank if your budget is low , some of the big tote tanks that are in metal frames have thin walls, plus 275 gals x almost 9lbs = more than 2400lbs can your truck or trailer handle this ????? LETS BE SAFE .
-- Edited by Roof Cleaning Long Island New York (631) 220 6985 on Monday 1st of June 2009 06:03:13 PM
Thank You Vinny, Very true. The walls are thin, and the metal cage around it supports the walls. They make a decent "starter" tank, to be replaced after some money is made CLEANING ROOFS. I should have mentioned the weight as well. Liquid gets heavy quick, as well as the inertia challenge of stopping with large amounts of water/LOVE. You gotta have brakes on a trailer to help with stopping when hauling large amounts. My big truck is registered at 19,000 lbs. The small truck is registered at 6,100. My 5'x8' trailer is 2,000lbs, the 6.5' x 16' tandem is 7,500lbs and the new 6.5' x 14' tandem is 7,500lbs. Listen to Vinny and the others, they KNOW what they are talking about. Like Vinny said Read, read, read.
Chris you have the insite and the right vehicles , Ken wants to use a 55gal drum for 50 roof cleanings if you can clean 10 roofs you should beable to go buy a leg tank, and to use a metal tank is a no no all the scale going in your hose, pump etc., and to have a lid that comes off , just what you need when you slam on the brakes and the lid pops off ! Ken you have to spend a little to make alot and SAFELY ! Wish i could make the RT but its a bad time of the year to much work, need to save for the nest egg to get though the winter
-- Edited by Roof Cleaning Long Island New York (631) 220 6985 on Monday 1st of June 2009 06:04:05 PM
-- Edited by Roof Cleaning Long Island New York (631) 220 6985 on Monday 1st of June 2009 06:06:32 PM
Thanks guys for the replies.I have a tote tank . I aslo have a trailor jetter to transport 300 gallons of water for onsite mixing,with a floating meter for fireplug fills if needed.
The tank question was meant to hold the cleaning mix while on site only.Of course I would strap off the drum in all directions for safety.
I am going to clean a roof,maybe several.I might make this be a second business in its own right.
But, which ever way I go,I don't want to give the full time Pro's a bad name or image.
I think starting small ,trying old ways,etc; is not bad,just different.
Do any one remember when yard signs folded and were made of wood?
Trucks and company tee shirts were stenciled or painted on?
The U.S.A. Navy still paint the hull numbers and names on by this method.
When I started business 18 years ago I started out with a 55 gallon plastic drum. I had built a cradle out of 2x4's so I could place it on it's side. It worked great at the time. We have since graduated to multiple 100 gallon 65 gallon and and 25 gallon tanks. I'm sure you are speaing of plastic correct.
The tote is an excellent idea as well. They are available for a very small price. Fertilizer companies usually have them and in some cases offer them for free. Good and Happy Cleaning!!
-- Edited by RoofBright of Florida on Monday 1st of June 2009 09:31:47 PM
We can do things anyway you want but taking short cuts to save a few bucks is not worth it , today we have DOT etc. when your driving around with home made tanks today your looking to be pulled over, what we did years ago has changed a lot, we're here to do things right and safely,theres other places to safe money like no hose reel . using a tank that had fertilizer ( ammonia ) in it better be flushed real good .
-- Edited by Roof Cleaning Long Island New York (631) 220 6985 on Monday 1st of June 2009 09:50:07 PM
-- Edited by Roof Cleaning Long Island New York (631) 220 6985 on Monday 1st of June 2009 09:55:27 PM
Would love to meet you and all the other brothers maybe the next RT. You would like Pat he's a funny guy makes me laugh every time i talk to him we became good friends even though we are each others competition
-- Edited by Roof Cleaning Long Island New York (631) 220 6985 on Tuesday 2nd of June 2009 09:43:14 PM
The only issue with metal is if the product contains sodium it will cause the metal to rust very quickly. Therefore, if the chemical is appled to the surface from the barrel you will experience a discoloration. In some instances certain chemicals will react to different types of metals.
I have used the totes in other business and would actually recommend wrapping metal pipe covers/insulation around the tote. That way it covers up the metal cage and actually resembles a professionally put together piece of equipment. You can also put your signage on the cage.
NEVER use a METAL container of ANY type for transporting or storing SH or LOVe or Apple Sauce...PERIOD.
Rust, metal corrosion will occur, and then spillage of a large amount of chemicals will at some point occur.
Better SAFE than SORRY.
Poly or UV and CHLORINE stable tanks, PROPERLY SECURED on a trailer or flatbed WITH GOOD brakes.
Most states now require 4 wheel drum electric brakes for heavy loads.
DOT is TOUGH in MANY STATES but they are nothing compared to an EPA FINE.
Use your head guys and think of all the possibilities for DISASTER with METAL and a corrosive agent of ANY type that is incomparable with metal.
I am quite sure as well that if you get stopped with a 50-100 gallons of SH in a metal container, you may be facing a severe fine just because it is an inappropriate container.
Also remember to carry your MSDS for any chemical onboard and have it READY and at hand for display.