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SEE OUR WORK HERE!!! · Guest

Question about dealing with suppliers

Guest

Why are they asking you how much? Will they be delivering the SH? I have two suppliers. One of them only orders 8 55 gallon drums evey week so I would have to let them know in advance if I needed an outrageous amount, but not if I'm using less.
As for work its really difficult to say and since the shelf life isnt all that long I'd order the SH as you need it to start out so that you dont waste any. If there are no onther low pressure roof cleaners in your area make sure you're educating the people with your advertising!! and repetition is key!
Welcome to the board.. and the business! Cheers

Great White Technologies · Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Certified Roof Cleaner

Unless they are delivering or you get a hazmat license then you will only be able to purchase one barrel at a time without violating DOT regulations. I meet my supplier 1/2 way because that is his exit to go home and I just call up and tell him when I need it. I save 2 hours a week just for this. If I get busier then I would have him deliver for $25 more.

SEE OUR WORK HERE!!! · Guest

Hi Pat thanks for the reply. I am not sure if they are asking how much because they want to know if my business with them will amount to anything or a waste of time ( I didn't get a warm welcome aboard feeling from him, and I keep having to put 2 calls into him before he gets back to me). He did tell me they would need an advanced notice because they manufacture the SH there and becasue of the shelf life they only make whats ordered. I get the feeling that my business demand is a lot less than what they are used to. Any way they are 10 minutes away and it couldn't get any more convenient for me. So that led me to asking what amount of SH could I be expecting to use on a weekly basis. Then I could atleast go in with a figure and they could either tell me yes we'll sell to or no it's a waste of time. The next place I found locally is selling 15 gal. containers for 3.80/gal which seems pretty high to me.

Baltimore MD Roof Cleaning 410-482-4367 · guest

$3.80 is high, order at least 55 gallons. This will do 3-4 jobs or one large one, and if they really did manufacture it will last 45 days or so, properly stored. They are asking so they can give you a price. If I order 300 gallons a week and you order 55 I will pay less than you. Simple bulk pricing is probably the reason. You will do 1 barrel a week if you have 3-4 jobs 2 for 6-8 etc. I would be honest, tell them you hope to use 200 a week but will take you a little time to get there, and would like to order 1 on March 1st. They may also be asking so they can try and offer you a holding tank deal. Many suppliers will charge less if they can just fill your tank instead of sending a barrel. If they have a fill station on site you may be able to see them in the morning and get what you need for the day. If you are going to run 1-2 man crew 40 hrs a week that is usually the equivalent of 3-4 smaller jobs a day ie. 1 barrel.

I used an average of 150 gal a week for 130 roof jobs last season.

Hope this helps.

SEE OUR WORK HERE!!! · Guest

Thanks for all the replies. Bill, I think you covered every single question I had on this subject. Great Reply. I never thought of the fill station idea, I am going to pursue that route first since they are so close. Also, is there any special requirements for a holding tank other than it sitting in some kind of containment system. In other words (license or permit), that you know of. I know this will vary from place to place put I'm looking for an "in general" answer to this question. Once again thank you all for your help.

Baltimore MD Roof Cleaning 410-482-4367 · guest

In most cases proper storage and signage is acceptable. Your county and Town may have restrictions as you seem to have already assumed. Your supplier (when you decide on one) will have the labels for you to use to properlly mark your transport and storage tanks. You should also put a sign outside, but is not as much an issue people are likley to complain about as your not storing flammables. A containment Bin is generally required of most proper chem storage over 55 gallons indoors. But they sell chemicals in totable containers that are 350 gallon so... Once again the best answers to these questions will come from your supplier. That local guy knows all the rules in your town as well as general safety rules of handling any chemical you purchase from him.

Check out tankdepot.com They have a 200 gallon with containment I am purchasing soon, I believe it was $700. For now you probably just want a barrel and it should just be placed on a flat level surface out of the sun with it's label visible if outside, and if you need a lot more than a barrel soon, the larger holding tank purchase will potentially make more sense then.

Zeke · Guest

Barry - I am just getting started in this as well. My recommendation would be to contact as many suppliers in your area as possible. I started making my first calls to chemical suppliers today and one was $.50 per gallon higher than the other and had a (4) drum minimum. The other didn't have a minimum other than their smallest container was a 55.

scooter · Guest

Can anyone tell me what size containers are most popular (smaller than a 55er).

white fox · Guest

sometimes you can get like a 35 but usually anything smaller than 55 is 15 or 5

Zeke · Guest

Does anyone know where to get just a 5? The suppliers I have talked to so far do not sell less than a 55? I want to clean one section of my roof for some demo pictures and dont want to invest in a whole 55 just yet...If for just demo purposes to clean a small section, could I actually double up on the bleach to water ratio if I use regular 6% household bleach? would it have the same effect?

TURK · Guest

For anyone looking for sodium Hypoclorite a company called HIBRETT PURATEX OUT OF PENNSAUKEN NEW JERSEY will accomodate your needs any quantity. Very nice people to deal with also. This is a 15% strength. they charge $15.00 for a five gallon container with a deposit. For the high Volume users you can purchase the 500 gallon returnable drums. I haven't got the price for the 2010 season but I will post it on here when I find out. If you want to call the company their phone number is 1800-260-5124 and ask to speak to John. He is the owner and chemist. Like I said they are very nice people to deal with and they do deliver in the Tri State areas. Not sure of the distance they deliver but I am sure common carrier for the longer distances. Hope this helps you out.

Turk

Baltimore MD Roof Cleaning 410-482-4367 · guest

Standard drum sizes are 5, 15, 30, 55 and 350. Chet is right that the 5 and 15 are usually the most readily available under 55.

Zeke, household bleach is not very good at all, but if you just need that demo spot, I would try a full strength test area (no dilution).

Guest

I always get 53 gl drums of the SH. I have them delivered so I dont have to worry about DOT and I dont have to drive to get them, which would probably cost more than the delivery fee.The first time I ever purchased SH, I bought 4 drums. I buy my ISO in bulk and TSP.

The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum "Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"

The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum
"Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"