Very nice Ray. I've got a house to clean next week and am using my softwash pump to apply the solution and was considering a firemans nozzle for rinsing. Doesn't seem to have a lot of debris just algae. I usually start from the bottom and go up so as not to streak the house. Do you guys use the fireman nozzles any more?
-- Edited by mfulton on Tuesday 5th of April 2011 06:03:15 PM
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MJFulton Services Non pressure Roof & Exterior Cleaning Charlottesville Virginia 434 906-0414
i agree downstreaming is the fastest way to clean houses if thats what your doing. I know personally i can get 4 to 5 2 story house done in one day using the soft washing nozzle and the use of hot water and the right chems really speeds up the cleaning process.
As far as chem coming out the hose after you change nozzles it is only for about 20-30 seconds depending on the gpm's of the machine
Most guys I know here in Florida doing Softwashing do not use a pressure washer. They use softwashing pumps
I hear Chris, soft washing can be done a few different ways as in the previous post. I have done both, soft wash with a pump and soft wash with a pressure washing just using low soap nozzle but heated water and downstream 6 to 1. I use the same mix for soft washing just add the numbers different and add a emulsifier from envirospec. I do only soft wash though on homes much safer.
You know,..I point blank tell customers that pressure washer guys in general seem to have a bad name. Fortunately my service has a great reputation and it's mainly due to the soft washing technique I've used since the beginning.
I've seen part timers come and go through the years,..I think simply because they didn't have the seriousness to do the same work that I do. They are basically hit and run type guys.
Most guys seem to think if they buy a pressure washer pushing 3000 psi,..they should be rich in no time. They learn very quickly there's a lot more knowledge required to do a job properly than they bargained for.
Raystown Roof Cleaning Central PA 1-800-236-0322 wrote:
You know,..I point blank tell customers that pressure washer guys in general seem to have a bad name. Fortunately my service has a great reputation and it's mainly due to the soft washing technique I've used since the beginning.
I've seen part timers come and go through the years,..I think simply because they didn't have the seriousness to do the same work that I do. They are basically hit and run type guys.
Most guys seem to think if they buy a pressure washer pushing 3000 psi,..they should be rich in no time. They learn very quickly there's a lot more knowledge required to do a job properly than they bargained for.
Very nice Ray. I've got a house to clean next week and am thinking about using my softwash pump to apply and the customers water with a garden hose and firemans nozzle. Doesn't seem to have a lot of debris just algae. I usually start from the bottom and go up so as not to streak the house. What do you guys think? Any pointers.
Using a customers hose is a painfully slow way to rinse. It will work, but it is slow. Don't do a bigger section than you can get rinsed with that hose before it dries.
Brian
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Brian Friel The Roof Cleaners llc Oxford PA 19363 610 842 2104
The Roof Cleaners of Chester County Pennsylvania 610-842-2104 wrote:
mfulton wrote:
Very nice Ray. I've got a house to clean next week and am thinking about using my softwash pump to apply and the customers water with a garden hose and firemans nozzle. Doesn't seem to have a lot of debris just algae. I usually start from the bottom and go up so as not to streak the house. What do you guys think? Any pointers.
Using a customers hose is a painfully slow way to rinse. It will work, but it is slow. Don't do a bigger section than you can get rinsed with that hose before it dries.
Brian
This is true, however 3/4 inch mean green water hose from factory direct hose is light, and flows like a river compared to regular garden hose.
Not a roof, that why I put this in the pump section. A good softwash pump can expand your market area.
This church is the fifth oldest in Florida. Its cracking, peeling, and in desperate need of a scrape down and paint job. Problem is, church is also green with algae, its not in the budget for a paint job this year, and there's a MAJOR seafood festival in three weeks. The answer to the problem is softwashing! Cleaned up the problem areas and didn't remove the paint.
I hear the Seafood comes with Oil, at no extra charge!
You can use the roof pump and rinse but it takes longer and you will have problems getting to high places. We also use our power washers to rinse the plants and do all kinds of jobs. When you start doing 3-4-5 story building and get a lite wind you will not reach. We use our 10 gal. power washers with a shut off vavle to rinse plants and then put a wand on to power wash the house or building with a big nozzle so you can reach with no pressure. Get a 10 gal. machine with a 30-40 0 nozzle and you can shoot far without useing high pressure on the surface. We also do it a little different then most because we put the chemical thru the pump (also downstream some times) so we can use 300-400-500 feet of hose with out any problems. We turn a valve and get the chem on and turn the valve to turn off. We use the Cat pumps most because the seals last the longest. Yes we need to change the seals every 4-6 months but it is not hard. This way we can use the big nozzles to rinse also and it goes very fast. I know people are going to say we are crazy but we do alot and have found it best for us.