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RCIA Founder

Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Business School

guest

Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa FL (813) 655-8777 wrote:

Many people looking to get into a roof cleaning business live up north. The winter months may require some extra income. Many roof cleaners also clean kitchen exhausts to pick up extra money here is a Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning School that is a good one. It is a good add on for any roof cleaning business.

Chris Kitchen exhaust cleaning is not a good add on for the folks up North. Its cold up here and especially at night and early in the morning when the kitchens needs cleaned. The fans on the roof will freeze and so will the roof so you cant be on the roof while its freezing.

In my opinion cleaning kitchens pays less then washing houses and roofs, and their is far more liability.

-- Edited by Roof Cleaning NJ on Tuesday 27th of July 2010 09:13:01 AM

Washed-up · guest

I agree with Clyde. I did KEC for 17 years, I spoke to my brother last night (he still cleans) and he is getting the same going rate from way back when. No one wants to pay or keep their schedule, and the insurance is anywhere from 15-35% higher.

BUT...I do agree with Chris, have a few faithful customers to keep you going thru the winter months.

I have cleaned exhaust fans in such cold weather (-17) I almost blew myself off thr roof with my pressure washer...the hot water froze on the roof.

I have a cousin who owns a landscaping company in Chicago, he plows snow in the winter and makes a killing.

He prices McD's on first snow fall up to 2" $200. and $25 for every inch after.
and this is each time he goes out. Now having lake effect snow which can dump between 12-36" in a season, thats good money for one location.

-- Edited by Washed-up on Monday 26th of July 2010 12:13:38 PM

-- Edited by Washed-up on Monday 26th of July 2010 04:29:39 PM

RCIA Founder

I haven't lived up north in nearly 25 years, but my friends plowed snow and striped parking lots when layed off from the auto factories back home in Detroit.
I see many of my past students fail because it takes awhile to get a roof cleaning business going sometimes. Then, winter hits ............
A Roof Cleaning Business can make enough to get you through the winter easily, once it is established. I know plenty of people making from 500 to over a thousand a day cleaning roofs. But it is always good I think to have another skill to fall back on in the winter, just in case.

Washed-up · guest

I agree 100%

RCIA Founder

Dwayne, you remember Delco, don't you ?

Washed-up · guest

Yes I do. I learned alot from the BBS that they had for a while. I use to order my hood powder from them. Real pretty orange color, smelled like pine-sol when mixed and it would burn the chit out of you...even more when you were freezing cold and you didnt feel it burn for a while.

-- Edited by Washed-up on Monday 26th of July 2010 04:56:01 PM

Larry Hinckley · Vendor--Roof And Pressure Cleaning Equipment Distributor

Dwayne,

That V-501 is some hot stuff!

Washed-up · guest

Welcome aboard Larry!
Great to see you here!

V-501 thats the stuff.. back in the day it was good for dumpster pads too.

Welcome Delux Cleaning Supply

Larry Hinckley · Vendor--Roof And Pressure Cleaning Equipment Distributor

Thank You! It's nice to see old friends again.

RCIA Founder

Washed-up wrote:

Yes I do. I learned alot from the BBS that they had for a while. I use to order my hood powder from them

Yes, I was a regular on the old Delco Board! People always knew Chris from Apple could be found there. Delco did a lot for our Industry!

BCRoofClean · Guest

I was toying with that idea, I could really use something to get me through the winter for sure.

guest

BCRoofClean wrote:

I was toying with that idea, I could really use something to get me through the winter for sure.

Jerry I went and got training and certified in hood cleaning thinking it would help get me through the winter and it was a bad mistake. Hood cleaning is not a winter job, the exhaust fan will freeze up and the water on the roof will freeze and you will slide off, and keep in mind you are cleaning at night and very early in the morning when temps are at their coldest.

In my opinion hood cleaning is so competitive and at the same time their are guys doing it for peanuts.

BCRoofClean · Guest

Thanks for the heads up Clyde, I didn't know there were that many guys in the field. I don't mind the cold, I will do whatever I have to make a buck, but if it is equipment freezing and problematic like you are saying that just isn't for me.

I am looking for something to pick up the slack but I guess this isn't it.

RCIA Founder

These guys offer a lot of different Schools, just click the link below.

Winter Add-on Services for the Mobile Power Pressure Washer

Typical add-on services for supplementing your income during the winter include window washing, new construction, cleanup of houses for final walk through, snow removal, chimney cleaning, carpet cleaning, yard maintenance and cleanup, and painting.

Window Washing can be done in the wintertime, even in below freezing weather. Keep the following in mind:

Double pane windows freeze faster than single pane windows because single pane windows absorb heat from inside the house.
Use warm but not hot water because the window may crack from thermal stress.
Add 1/2 to 1 gallon of windshield washer (like blue-juice) fluid or methanol to a 5-gallon bucket of wash water.

While window washers commonly add methanol to their wash water to keep it from freezing, this does not reduce the risk of your hands freezing. Some contract power washers also use this technique and add methanol to their wash water. Purchase methanol in 55-gallon drums from an oil or diesel fuel supplier, or a solvent specialty company. The amount to add to your wash water depends of the ambient conditions. Start out at about 5% and adjust from there.

Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning - When finished cleaning, have one person turn the fan on while a second person sprays deicer onto the fan. Leave the fan on after this, as it indicates it is in-balance and working, and lets the morning crew know all is well when they arrive. Discontinue Kitchen Grease Exhaust Cleaning when snow or ice is on roofs, sidewalks, or roads, which makes driving or walking too hazardous.

Sealing Decks

Twelve to 24-hours of drying time, with the temperature above 50°F, is required before beginning to seal a deck. Decks will be warmest from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for the deck sealer you are using.
Use a moisture meter to be sure the deck is dry enough.

Some contractors have cut off dates, like October 31, to stop sealing wood (decks, fences, roofs, etc).

CAUTION: Some contract cleaners have added gasoline to their kerosene and diesel fuel in order to make the burner hotter, resulting in meltdowns and failures of the burner assembly. If you need more heat, increase the size of your burner nozzle one or two sizes.

RCIA Founder

I got into roof cleaning a LONG time ago. Back when I got into it, these guys were called DELCO. They had the only Board in the mobile cleaning industry, where many of us guys hung out.

Starting a Pressure Washing Business – A Guide to Start-up Costs

Power Wash Your Way to a Great Business – A Start-up Guide

SUMMARY: This article presents information on costs associated with beginning a pressure washing business – either as a new enterprise or as an add-on to existing services. The most up-to-date information can be found by contacting Delux Cleaning Supply at 1-800-433-2113.

When looking at how to start a pressure washing business, the first bit of information you need is how much it will cost. Surprisingly, depending on which market segment you plan to enter, the investment is quite reasonable. Typically, start up costs for beginning a mobile power pressure washing business will range from $2,500 to $10,000 (this includes a power washer and basic accessories and chemicals). The most expensive item is the pressure washer itself. Its power, hot water or cold water system, cleaning capacity, and fuel source all have an impact on price. In addition, as the size of the pressure washer increases, transporting the equipment becomes a factor. Delux Cleaning Supply can help you determine the best setup for the work you plan to do and for your budget.

For more information contact Delux Cleaning Supply or see the article How to Choose Pressure Washing Equipment on this website.

In this article, you can find the following information:

Average Contractor Hot High Pressure Washer Specifications
Average Contractor Cold High Pressure Washer Specifications
Basic Equipment Charts
House Washing
Exterior Wood Care {Decks & Fences}
Fleet Truck Washing
Flat Work
Kitchen Grease Exhaust Cleaning
Awning Cleaning
Safety Equipment

Average Contractor Hot High Pressure Washer Specifications

A good, workhorse, hot water high pressure wash system will have the following specifications:

16 to 20 hp
4 to 6 gpm
3,000 to 3,500 psi
Water heating capability of 200ºF
Price Range: $4,000 to $8,000

Average Contractor Cold High Pressure Washer Specifications

A cold water, high pressure washer will have the following specifications:

13 hp
4 gpm
3,000 to 4,000 psi
Price Range: $1,400 to $3,000

Purchasing the equipment is not the only option; many companies pressure washer leasing plans. Delux Cleaning Supply has a number of leasing programs available at exceptional rates. Contact us for details at 1-800-433-2113.

While the price range given includes the basic equipment necessary to start a mobile power washing business, (depending on the line of business you are entering), there is more equipment you many want to consider. The accompanying charts are general guidelines to give an idea of what to expect. The best way to get started is to contact the professionals here at Delux Cleaning Supply. We will meet with you to find out what you want to accomplish and then show you the different options available.

Washed-up · guest

Wow! All that takes me back!
I never had an issue with fans freezing.
Restaurants need more than hoods cleaned.

Windows
Awnings
sidewalks
parking lots
play area
in some locations, roofs cleaned
drive thrus
dumpster areas
Cleaning rest room exhaust fans
Truck stop showers (Nasty)
Filter service (Hood Filters)
Parking lot stripes

Ive done all these services. There is money to be made in the winter. Everything listed in red I have done in the "dead of winter"

I was never certified in hood cleaning. I am not saying one should not be, I just never did. I have been doing it for 27 years.

RCIA Founder

Cool! The Ideal thing is to be able to just clean roofs, of course. But that takes awhile to build up to, and ya have to eat until it does. It is always good I think to look at ways to supplement, even compliment your Roof Cleaning Business. Window Cleaning is another good potential income and revenue source for a roof cleaning business.
I network with several window cleaning people here in Tampa, and we send each other work.
I have a friend who kicks ass cleaning clothes dryer exhaust vents on roofs with a rotovac! He leaves my card with every job he does, and tells them the mold spores from the roof can get into the dryer vents, and mildew up their clothes biggrin

That is a stretch, but we send each other plenty of work

I know some who professionally hang Christmas Lights to suppliment their roof cleaning business.

Washed-up · guest

My lettering guy hooked me up with a local roofing company. A few leads so far.

RCIA Founder

Networking is what it is ALL about, for a successful Roof Cleaning Business.
Home Inspectors are also a great source of leads for cleaning roofs, as well as roofers and painters.

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

Dwayne Miller
FLORIDAWASH

Lake Marion Citrus & Sumter Counties in Florida

Dwayne Miller
FLORIDAWASH

Lake Marion Citrus & Sumter Counties in Florida

Dwayne Miller
FLORIDAWASH

Lake Marion Citrus & Sumter Counties in Florida

Dwayne Miller
FLORIDAWASH

Lake Marion Citrus & Sumter Counties in Florida

Winter Add-on Services for the Mobile Power Pressure Washer

Starting a Pressure Washing Business – A Guide to Start-up Costs

Power Wash Your Way to a Great Business – A Start-up Guide

Average Contractor Hot High Pressure Washer Specifications

Average Contractor Cold High Pressure Washer Specifications

Dwayne Miller
FLORIDAWASH

Lake Marion Citrus & Sumter Counties in Florida

Dwayne Miller
FLORIDAWASH

Lake Marion Citrus & Sumter Counties in Florida

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

Dwayne MillerFLORIDAWASH

Dwayne MillerFLORIDAWASH

Dwayne MillerFLORIDAWASH

Dwayne MillerFLORIDAWASH

Starting a Pressure Washing Business – A Guide to Start-up Costs

Power Wash Your Way to a Great Business – A Start-up Guide

Dwayne MillerFLORIDAWASH

Dwayne MillerFLORIDAWASH

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

Dwayne Miller
FLORIDAWASH

Dwayne Miller
FLORIDAWASH

Dwayne Miller
FLORIDAWASH

Dwayne Miller
FLORIDAWASH

Dwayne Miller
FLORIDAWASH

Dwayne Miller
FLORIDAWASH