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

deleted member

RE: Flojet Pentaflex 7.0 Just wondering. I read a lot of posts on this pump, what is the current feeling about it?

RCIA Founder

Maverick Contracting wrote:
So Chris this would be better than the accumilator I was told/sold as the way to go by Bob?
I went with the Pentaflex because of the internal bypass. Your saying an external is also reccomended with it?

-- Edited by Maverick Contracting on Tuesday 6th of September 2011 04:14:14 PM

Bob has much more experience with modern 12 volt pumps then I do. I was not aware the FloJet Pentaflex has a "built in bypass". I was once told it did, but this was later found out to not be true!

For softwashing houses, and for tile roofs, it is often better to use a smaller nozzle. Air Diapragm Pumps will accept a small nozzle and laugh at it, since the air compressor unloads the pump. The FloJet will pulse off and on a zillion times, and struggles with a small nozzle.

I have never tried an accumulator, but it is a good idea to bypass excess flow and pressure back into the tank when using a smaller nozzle, or excess run off, and dead plants can result, besides burning up your pumps switch.

Maverick Contracting · Premium Member Roof Cleaning Institute of America

Now that you mention it I do remember that thread questioning the bypass. Think Scott said so. I think the homemade bypass is a good idea, especially if it means I can run smaller tips.

My original idea was to use the 7gpm for big steep roofs and transfering chem and having a small gpm pump for controlled spraying. Each would be a backup for the other.

I had some probs with the pentaflex on the first job but had an Air dia. pump as a backup. Might just go Air and use 12v for transfer. Still got a lot of playin around to do. Just been so damn busy w/the painting side of business.

Thanks again Chris.

RCIA Founder

If you can afford it, you are better off going air pump. You can control an air pump more easy.

Maverick Contracting · Premium Member Roof Cleaning Institute of America

As far as I'm concerned the right tool for the job is always affordable! wink

I have a LOT of slate roofs where I am and heavy infestation on many. Since I cannot walk them I needed a pump that can get good distance to hit from the roofline or ground which is why the pentaflex seemed like a good idea.

I believe when researching that air pumps were limited on distance. Any air pumps that can get 30+ feet? Most northern roofs esp slate where I am have steep pitches so walking is limited.

-- Edited by Maverick Contracting on Saturday 10th of September 2011 10:59:44 AM

Guest

Air vs 12v thats always a debate I am sure that the air pumps can reach 30+ but I know the 12v can with an accumulator I think they are about equal

Guest

i hear ya jake but the reliability you get out of an air pump is unmatched. My pump is going on 2 and 1/2 yrs right now. I do not see many 12volt pumps lasting that long.

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"