Ernie Greese

What ever happened to the PWNA convention? Was it held?

I have a 5 year old PT pine and cedar deck that has never been sealed or cleaned since we had it built. It's in great shape but extremely dirty green and grey. What is the best way to clean this kind of wood in this condition? I have loads of caustic along with citric and oxalic acids. So I guess I'll do it myself. Or do you even use caustic on bare wood? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Oxyclean and Citric or TSP and Bleach. I have both.

I think he wants pressure washers to join the IWCA. Maube, maybe not. I am not sure. If they had a convention nobody is talking.

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I read about a couple somewhere in Ohio or Iowa that had their home invaded by two scumbags wearing masks and carrying guns. They started to beat the crap out of the man who shouted at his wife for help - she ran to the bedroom - grabbed a 9mm and shot the masked bozzo dead who had followed her into the room. She ran to the living room and shot the other dude critically. Seems to me that criminals caught in the act should be fair game for the death penalty. That's one good way to free up the courts and reduce prison crowding. The death penality in action. Sadly, she did also shoot her husband in the back, but he and the guy who was pistol whipping him will survive. She should have finished him off.

The best conventions they have are in the fall, I'd go to it.

John, Just a heads up for you, even without chemicals, anything you rinse off the building is considered to be pollution (especially pigeron poo) and you are going to have to use some form of water recovery. EPA nailed us for that down here, after someone turned us in for non-recovery. We talked our way out of a 50 G fine by walking away and giving the job to an out-of-town big hitter, who had all the necessary recovery gear. Check with Mr. Hinderliter about what you need to get.

Awesome John. Just curious with something that large are you required to contain and collect the run-off? Where would you dump the pigeon poo water, etc. I visited NYC when they were working around the WTC. The workers had the nearby buildings wrapped in tarps, do you have to go that far for liability protection?

I know curiousity killed the cat, but anyway, someone wrote on another site that they have been trying to get a hold of the PWNA but that no-one answers the phone or returns calls. They were drawing the conclusion that the PWNA is no more. If that is so, it seems sad! Anyone have info?

I received a message from Everett Abrams who cleared the whole thing up. They are still going strong! They just had a big convention maybe that's why they did't call you back. He added, "feel free to call me, or Regina in the office anytime. Regina at headquarters is 1-800-393-7962. My office number is 1-866-440-3325."

Michael wrote: You will definitely need your wife's cooperation and support to give up a net of nearly 40Gs. Regardless of what they tell you, few first year full-timers are taking home that much, a few more 2nd year's.Talk to some suppliers and listen to them whine about not getting paid for materials. In order to net that much to pay taxes and the rest of the business rigmarole, your business is going to have to generate about double your net. Sit tight, hate your job and clean-up on weekends as you build a nest egg and a strong customer base.

Celeste and Robert if it was me - you just solved my problem about the missus. Brilliant and yet so simple.

This is probably why Michael's wife has her concerns, too.

I personally think he should jump in with both feet sink or swim, but I don't have to live at his house. Since his original concern was for his wife's support, maybe he should show her how much money he's been making on the side. She dosen't seem to think he can pull it off. As he himself wrote, You have to weigh it out, full-time pressure washing in this hand, wife's feelings in the other, full-time pressure washing - wife's feelings? Keep in mind the internet is littered with the bones of former pressure washing businesses.

I think the key to Michael's dilemma is not whether but when. He needs to be able to prove to his wife/ partner that she won't have to move to smaller less comfortable digs because PWing didn't work out like he thought, too many low ballers, not enough customers, it's lonely and he really misses his co-workers,etc.. If she decides it ain't working he stands to lose more than just the business.

Michael, If you have any doubts don't, right now. Your wife is someone who probably knows your idiosyncrasies better that you think and she is concerned for the lack of stability in self employment. I think you will find you need her support in your endeavors. What I would suggest, FWIW, keep working your FT job and PW on the PT basis. Discipline yourself to set up a separate bank account just for that money and run the business from it. Plan to get a money cushion to live on for a year or so in whatever lifestyle you're accustomed. Can you give yourself a salary like you are making now, bank the taxes for the IRS and city and state. Could you buy groceries, make house, car etc. payments kids' clothes, the whole lot. Keep in mind as a self employed you have to buy health insurance for the family which you're probably getting thru the FT job, it doubles in price when you are self employed. Plan to pay all your taxes, keep equipment maintenance up, etc. After the one year or so show that account to your wife and see if it's sufficient to keep you going if you never got a PW job for 12 months. If it's worth it, I think she might see it your way and you'll feel more confident in your decision. Good luck

Hi, I'm with the IRS and I'm here to help!

Are you fellows talking about adding 12lbs of NAOH to each gallon of water to make a 50% solution. I thought 8 cups (4 lbs) was too much. How much bead can you put into water before it stops dissolving?

Russ, your reply to John T John T will be using LP gas, do you recommend draft diverters for oil fired burners also. John C who asked the original ? has what appears to be a diesel/oil fired burner. Are you speaking of the diverters on top of gas fired home water heaters?

JL, How much of a bite is South Carolina Worker's Comp taking from you? Do you consider that in your P/L?

Beth and Rod, I think you could be talking about the infamous "Irish Travelers" who surface this time of year around the country and travel from TN, GA, KY and Oh. There is a good article at this website: http://www.fraudtech.bizland.com/travelers.htm - It's long but well worth a read.

I am not excusing the dirtbag. But SHE could have checked references, for one thing. This is where customer education comes in!

I feel sorry for the lady involved, but she bears some of the responsibility too. Do you think the guy she hired was insured, a member of any professional organizaton or looked capable? I have the feeling the guy was the lowest price she found and it backfired. That's where Professional Deck Refinishers need to emphasize their professionalism like Andy said. Insurance, what ever certification and a can do attitude. I think O'Reilly was warning people to be more savvy when they call any contractor to do work. People are so tuned into Walmart thinking that cheap is best. Cheap merchandise is OK, but not cheap service.

Philip before you go out again consider coming up with 3 levels of service to compete. Something like Basic, Cosmetic and Deluxe or whatever words work for you. Specifiy what the "Basic" entails like a quick house clean, and rinse - just the minimium and charge say $99.00 plus tax that's what lowballers do, offer the "Cosmetic" a little more work, like whiten the gutters and do around the front door and charge more say $150 and the "Deluxe" clean the house, gutters, front and back walks and whatever for say $200. 2 story houses add $75 or whatever. Sell the sizzle! Not just a house wash. Make them so excited about the quality of work your comp. performs they demand the best that money can buy. Anybody with a hose can wash a house or deck etc. but only Philip Doolittle company can beautify your home.