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SqueekyClean1 · Guest

How large a tank on my first rig?

Feb 2, 2012

SqueekyClean1 wrote:
How big? 6X10?
How large of a tank? 100 Gallons Single tank or Dual tank? Personal choice. I use one 100 on my trailer, plus a backup 35.
In my truck bed, I also have a 50 gal.

Hey Veterans,

After researching this forum, and taking pages of notes, and looking at some amazing rigs, I am finalizing my plans for my first rig to be built in the next few weeks for the upcoming season. Now that I know just enough to be dangerous, but before I start spending money I need some advice! If I am to do a beginning trailer rig:
How big? 5X7? 6X10?
How large of a tank? Single tank or Dual tank?

I know that I can look through the posts and find all of the above, but I am looking to maximize profit AND invest in the right way from day one!

I look forward to your feedback!

Dan

Liberty SoftWash · Feb 2, 2012

I went with a 16 foot dual axle, 2 125 gl tanks with no bulk head in bottom of tank (special order).2 hose reel 300 ft of hose ans a 3/8 all-flo pump and a rigid air compressor, 300 ft of 3/4 garden hose with 4 gutter canes. Hope this helps.

SqueekyClean1 · Guest

Thanks for your feedback!

SqueekyClean1 · Guest

Nice! Thanks for all the detail. Sounds like a nice rig. I am assuming no bulkhead in the bottom to prevent SH leakage? Gutter Canes prob a very good idea. Are you using hose splitters to divert water flow to multiple sides of the house? Any pics you would care to share of your rig would be most appreciated!

Feb 2, 2012

Bulkheads always end up leaking - ALWAYS sooner or later!
I use gutter canes that I make from pvc too.
I use hose splitters, if there are not enough faucets for watering.
As to tank size and # of tanks, you should check to see how much SH you are allowed to carry in the state you work in.
I believe here in Florida, it is 119 gallons of pure pool chlorine.
Seems like I recall the fine for carrying more is like $5000.00
I used to carry a 300 gallon tank, until I read that Christ Tucker got stopped once.
So I sold the 300 and bought 2 100's for 2 trucks and already had an extra 50 and 35 tank.
I still go over the limit sometimes, when I have to though.
Chuck

Feb 2, 2012

I think we should move this to premium side. When asking more then a basic question and you are a premium member shouldn't we put it there?

SqueekyClean1 · Guest

I thought we were on the premium side?

SqueekyClean1 · Guest

Thanks Chuck!

You answered another one of my questions... Anyone every get pulled over by the DOT for chemical transport. The obvious answer is yes. All good information to know!

Feb 3, 2012

Some post on the premium side some how make it over here, that shouldn't happen.

garyw · Feb 3, 2012

Roof Cleaning Long Island N.Y 516-763-4108 wrote:
Some post on the premium side some how make it over here, that shouldn't happen.

Pat;

That is one of the major changes that occurred. Any new post anywhere appears in the recent posts. However ONLY PAID premium members can see them. Log out and come on the forum as a guest and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Hope that helps.

Gary

A to Z · Deleted

The "recent posts" now includes premium posts. But only for premium members.

Feb 3, 2012

garyw wrote:

Roof Cleaning Long Island N.Y 516-763-4108 wrote:
Some post on the premium side some how make it over here, that shouldn't happen.
Pat;
That is one of the major changes that occurred. Any new post anywhere appears in the recent posts. However ONLY PAID premium members can see them. Log out and come on the forum as a guest and you'll see what I'm talking about.
Hope that helps.
Gary

Aha! Now I get it!

I was baffled for a minute! I thought I was on the premium side, or I wouldn't be handing out free info!

al9226 · Premium Member Roof Cleaning Institute of America

I do strictly residential roofs. I have 1 65 gallon tank which I usually start with 25 to 30 gallons of sh, and two twenty five gallon tanks full of 100%. If I mixed it as strong as 50/50 which I seldom do, That would get me at least 165 gallons of workable mix on the job. More than enough for two residential roofs in my area.

Apex Roof Cleaning · Guest

I am in the process of making my new rig, I bought the fatbandit setup from bob at presuretek. And a tractor supply you can buy a 110g tank. DOT regulation is 119, so 110 does the job nicely. Also I have 65, I am gonna use for mixing. If you search, there was a big thread about pictures of rigs, lots of ideas. Oh and there is so many Dan's on this forum.

Dirty Dan

MJ · Feb 3, 2012

We just installed a 50g of supply, a 65 for mix, so I can roll out of the shop with about 75g in Tanks, which should clean about 12k sq ft of shingles. That is about 3-4 roofs on larger homes, which is the most that we could do in 1 day, except for commercial work. We also up sell hot water surface cleaning, which is a competitive advantage for us. If I needed more, I could put a drum in the back of the van, I try to avoid this. My supply for hot water is only 35g, only issue is if water pressure is poor, sometimes I have to wait for the supply to catch up. At 20-25 cents a sq, you can make money surface cleaning, and no ladders, works well with dwell time and rinse/clean up downtime. The hot water cleans faster and in my opinion better, plus it great on gum stains the re-appearing sugar and alcohol that works it way back. One advantage to a trailer, if I have something else to do, unhitch and leave it for duration of the job. Our market is not mature, if I only did roofs, I would not be in business. We use free surface cleaning to close business when we compete with The Roof Reviver guys. The company is based in Cincinnati.

I can use supply tank for runoff if we don't have any surface cleaning.

SqueekyClean1 · Guest

Hi Al,

Thanks for the feedback! I like the idea of carrying the stronger solution with you and mixing onsite. (however it probably takes more time?) So you average almost 80 gallons per roof? That seems greater than what I am reading on the forum. Most seem to say 40-50 gallons for an average size roof. Are you cleaning larger roofs? If you have any pics of your rig you would like to share it would be most appreciated!

Thanks again!

Dan

SqueekyClean1 · Guest

Thanks Dan! I would love to see of pic of your rig!

I appreciate the information! Sounds like you carry 100% SH and mix onsite?

Dan

SqueekyClean1 · Guest

Hey Mike,

Thanks for the input! We too, do a lot of flat surface cleaning and you are in deed correct, hot water makes a difference, especially in cutting petroleum products and elastomers like gum. We too charge $.25 per square and get it all day long on residential work. (Commercial work we charge less, as that market is more competative in our area). I like the pics of the rigs you have. Very tasteful and professional. Well done from a branding standpoint.

I would love to catch up and speak privately, as it appears we have like mindsets.

All the best

Dan

MJ · Feb 3, 2012

Thanks for the nice words, on a 2k sq ft roof we use about 40-50g max, we pre-treat with 50%, the less you spray, the less you reclaim, the less you reclaim, the less you travel away with. You should mix on-site, my experience. My rig will be back in my hands tomorrow, will post some good pics. We have two nice jobs next week. Got to love this weather!!

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"