814jeffw

Depends, on your needs mostly. If you are depending on the customers' water then it will be determined by how much you're on and off the trigger. When your off the trigger the the water is going to by-pass back into the tank,..so it has to be big enough so as you don't have it overflowing all the time. I would get at least a 50 gallon tank and plumb it into your pump, so you can shut the customers' water off and run off the supply tank once in a while. Get as big a tank as you can though. Someone may be able to give insight on rigging a float shut-off into this, just can't seem to picture how it would work though. I've never used the float valves,...so anyone?? Jeff

I can run a direct drive 5 GPM pump with 100 gallon tank,...with the outlet actually mounted a little lower than the pump. I also have an extra 200 gallon tank I can draw from, but was just pointing out that it will run off the 100 gallon tank just fine. Jeff

I like 3M Nexcare band aids. They stick very well. Jeff

You forgot Faygo Red Pop Chris!! I've always liked it,..has a good ole' days flavor. People are amazing: I will ask someone why they call Faygo Red Pop "RED" pop And they always say; "I don't know why" Never one person yet said " Because it's RED" Stupid I know,...but still funny!! I also like Hires Root Beer. Jeff

Low pressure and basic mix. The problem that is often encountered with these jobs is the dirt is sticking better than the paint. So going very light on chemicals will most likely get you unsatisfactory results anyhow. Once in a while we do an aluminum house that will look better no matter what,...even if all the paint comes off,Ha,Ha!! Sometimes the trade-off is worth it sometimes it's not. Just have to learn to evaluate each one, and/or learn when to walk away. Usually one or two sides is more deteriorated. Also, the smooth siding will lose it's paint much easier than the woodgrain or textured siding. There are a handful of houses that I do every few years that have steel siding,..that has got to be one of the best sidings I've seen for holding it's paint,...which for some reason they all seem to be yellow,Ha,Ha!! Jeff

Yea, I agree Jon, this is the point I was making in my first post on this thread. The flexibility between high and low is valuable. Jeff

I think I read that you apply chemicals through a dedicated pump and tank. And I guess you rinse with a separate high flow,..low PSI pump. I do something similar, I apply product with a roller pump, and then rinse with low pressure using a pressure washer and big hose barbs. . I think a lot of guys apply their mix though downstream and utilize the washer for both tasks, which would make sense as to why guys are using pressure washers over just a high flow low PSI pump. I may give downstreaming a try myself this year for the first time since I started in 1996. I downstreamed a deck a few weeks back and like what I seen,..but I do like the control of the dedicated mix and the washer only for rinsing. I think downstreaming will suit for certain jobs, but I may be hard pressed to change over. Jeff

Huntingdon,Pa was just on CBS morning show and was ranked #5 coolest town. Must be because I live here!! Or maybe that's why were not #1, Ha, Ha!! Jeff

In all reality Mel, if you wanted to go quietly you wouldn't have posted it on a public forum that you were gonna "go quietly", Ha, Ha!!!. This back and forth stuff is exactly what you were after!! Jeff

I think you're right about the Shurflo, but I want to rig a homemade check valve downstreamer into an air diaphragm pump. I think it may offer enough flow to draw. Just haven't really worked on it yet. I found a homemade one online that is used for some sort of water gun. Was made from 3/4 in. PVC and a rubber tire valve. Was interesting. Jeff

When you here people talking about roof cleaning, pressure washers are not the "pump" they are referring to. Dedicated pumps are the only way to clean a roof. So yes, I was talking about dedicated pump, just like your question stated. Jeff

Smaller diameter will shoot further, but you also lose your draw rate from your injector,..not necessarily a bad thing,...but something to be aware so you can maybe adjust your mix. Jeff

Started a thread on downstreaming the soap for roof mix over on RCIA. Will be working on ideas and real world results will be posted if I can ever get out of Winter here in Pa. Jeff

A little off topic, but I believe the fighting and arguing is what started certain groups to start up and be part of separate forums. These forums seem to have just a few members posting and everyone seems to get along with an occasional tiff. Not a bad thing and there really does seem to be better information when it's not muddled with arguments every single day. Beth and Rods site seems to be more of the haven that includes all the groups, so things are bound to go South once in a while. PTState seems to be another one, and also seems to be more "tolerant" of heated debates. Good or bad, is for you to decide. I personally want no part of it anymore. I have recently been part of some of these stupid disputes with people who really have no impact on my life. I have come to realize this and have backed out of these arguments and let it stand. I'm on these sites for my benefit and to help answer questions when I can, not arguing with faceless people who I shall never meet anyhow. Doesn't mean I won't express my opinion or my methods opposite someone else's, just means the back and forth,..petty crap is done on my end. Jeff

Honestly, every house cannot be cleaned with good results. Homeowner neglect and failing paint are two of the main reasons. Learning to evaluate every job will just take time,...especially aluminum. I have seen homes that couldn't have any cleaner or a basic water hose turned on them and not remove most of the paint. Absolutely do NOT sugarcoat these jobs!! You have to sell these jobs for what they are and have the customers complete understanding of what the outcome will most likely be. I don't use waivers but if it makes you more comfortable. Feels really good to just walk away sometimes. Just because we're in the cleaning service doesn't make us magicians! Jeff

I agree with Ken, no value in not using a washer. It can go both ways, high or low,...where as a basic flow pump doesn't give that versatility. I suppose for the new guy just starting it's a cheaper route to take over a pressure washer. But how many guys who are established don't already have the washer. I guess serious high flow could be considered (Cheaper GPM with a low pressure pump) Overall operating is cheaper. (Hoses and such) Wouldn't be for me though, I like the versatility of the pressure washer. Jeff

For going quietly this sure is LOUD!! Ha, Ha!!! Jeff

Your neighbors will be searching you out after that project. Nice job!! Jeff

Temperature was probably the culprit if I were to guess. I'm in Pa and it has been to cool here for gutter cleaning. In the right temps, they should come off at no stronger than 50/50 mix. As it warms I can go 1/3's. I use Purple Power or Castrol Super Clean, each is cheaper than Simple Green,...does the same work. Jeff

What is the advantage of Simple Green at $9 a gallon over Castrol Super Clean at $7 dollars a gallon,...or Purple Power at $5 a gallon? They are all butyl based and from what I remember about Simple Green is it's not any stronger than any of the above mentioned. Smells better though. Jeff

Just wondering if anyone has ever used Johnsons Future Floor Wax to re-coat badly oxidized vinyl siding. It's not really wax but an acrylic polymer, more like an actual coating. I've been messing with it on my own siding and the results are very natural looking. Yellowing would be the main concern I think, and it even looks a little unnatural when it's first applied, but a light misting of oxalic mixed mildly takes the darkening away and leaves a very natural "new" type finish. Wouldn't last forever but, it's been on my siding since Fall with no real deterioration or discoloring. Will see how the Summer heat and Sun affects it. Definitely adds nice lustre to oxidized siding and is very easy to apply,...very user friendly as well. Not the best picture, but.... Jeff

I am now scrapping this idea!! They don't look to be compatible. Jeff

Thanks Dan!! Just waiting for the weather to turn into Spring, and my mind seems to be thinking and wandering as of late,..Ha, Ha!! Have 22 jobs as of right now,...I need some GREAT or even GOOD weather!!! Jeff

You can also explain that to the next customer and then explain why the cost has to be a little higher because you will have to use the dip and brush technique rather than the spray on and more effective method. Jeff

Good info Homer. Jeff