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

Roof Cleaning Tallahassee wrote:

---

I just purchased 1/2" polybraid for the rig and wondering if anyone else was using the same. I have always used 5/8" commercial garden hose in 2-100' lengths but after searching, found 1/2" poly for a great price at Sun-Brite. I know the flow will be less per minute then with the 5/8" but just wondering about the distance when shooting from the gutter line off a ladder.

---

 You will loose BOTH Pressure and Flow Ray, especially in 300 feet of 1/2 inch hose vs 200 ft of 5/8.

Shhting distance depends on both flow and pressure. Pressure to start the stream, then flow to maintain the stream you are shooting.

You will loose some of both, however, you may still have enough to do what you want ?

You will have to try it. 

I never suggest 1/2 inch hose to anyone, especially 300 feet of it!

Chesapeake wrote:

---

We've been running 300' of 1/2" with a 5850 and have had no problems.

---

 Awesome Chris! I think I can get a few more roofs out of my 5/8" but looking forward to giving the polybraid a try with the 5850.

I remember the old 3/4" hose - Chris vs 1/2" hose - Scott Davis debates...  I prefer 1/2" hose due to weight.  Polybraid will do the job on asphalt roofs but tile roofs will eat them up.  I prefer 1/2" Blue Kuri Tec Hose @ 225 ft.  It is rugged, light and only costs $.44/ft.  One roof job will pay for that.  Everyone likes to save a buck but sometimes in doing so you will shoot yourself in the foot.  You have to ask yourself, are you in this business for the short term or long haul?  If you plan on being around for a while you are better off spending a few more bucks on your equipment so that it will last.  There is nothing worse than equipment failure in the middle of a job.  Lost revenue and time...  I use 1" hose going into my pumps to reduce hose friction.  It keeps the pump from working so hard having to suck the SH through the hose even though my 7gpm FloJet Pentaflex has a 1/2" intake orifice. 

We've been using the 1/2" hose on our 5850 pump since we started. Knock wood(my head) there are no problems with the distance we require. I like to keep it simple.

Hank

Baltimore MD Roof Cleaning 410-482-4367 wrote:

---

I've used both. Chris is right that you will loose pressure and flow over the 5/8 but it will still work. Puts a little more stress on the pump. I prefer the 5/8. Used a 300ft. run of it on a 4.5gpm shur flo until we blew the manifold :). Back to 100 footers, no more reel swivels.

---

 Me 2 Bill  I prefer 5/8 Hose, actually we used to use only 3/4 Hose, at one time! 

In my "old age" I have mellowed out a lot. But I will still get quite upset, if I see an RCIA Roof Cleaner with 3/8 hose! That chit can easily get under shingles, and when you pull it over the roof, you are Funked@

It can and will Rip rows of shingles, before you know what happened.

3/8 hose is flat dangerous to any roof cleaner, besides what it does to your Pump.

Roof Cleaning Tallahassee wrote:

---

Roof Cleaning By A&E wrote:

---

I heard it can starve the pump, we use 3/4 on the inlet and 5/8 on the outlet side.

---

 Yep! Larger inlet then the outlet is called "flooding" the pump. That way it doesn't have to pull from the tank but is actually force fed.

---

 "flooding" the pump...  Are you pulling from the outside at the bottom of your SH tank?  That can lead to expensive leaks.  You should always pull from the outside top of your tank with a pickup tube that extends down to the bottom.  It never leaks.

Roof Cleaning Katy Texas (281) 392-2304 wrote:

---

Roof Cleaning Tallahassee wrote:

---

Roof Cleaning By A&E wrote:

---

I heard it can starve the pump, we use 3/4 on the inlet and 5/8 on the outlet side.

---

 Yep! Larger inlet then the outlet is called "flooding" the pump. That way it doesn't have to pull from the tank but is actually force fed.

---

 "flooding" the pump...  Are you pulling from the outside at the bottom of your SH tank?  That can lead to expensive leaks.  You should always pull from the outside top of your tank with a pickup tube that extends down to the bottom.  It never leaks.

---

 Amen to THAT ! A feed tube in the top of your tank, also acts as a kind of filter, if suspended slightly above the bottom of the tank. 

Gravity tends to keep bad shit on the bottom of the tank, where flooded suction sends all that crap right into the pump.

Bulkheads all flex, and chlorine attacks them! I have had the best triple gasket bulkheads all leak, and ruin my flatbed, as well as the driveshaft, u joints, plus transmission and brake lines. 

Flooded Suction is Pressure Washing Lingo, spoken on pressure washing forums, by pressure washers who have water tanks.

This is not what we teach our roof cleaners to do here, because off the possibility of leaks.