814jeffw

Just wondering if anyone is offering artillery fungus removal as a part of their services? It can be removed without damaging the surface, but it takes a very detailed and targeted approach, was debating on throwing out an add or two to see what response I would get and was wondering if anyone here does it at all. I flat rate everything in the normal realm of the pressure washing business but seeing how this is somewhat different method than washing I figured to charge $20-$30 an hour for this service with a two hour minimum fee. I've seen this stuff so bad that I'm sure someone would get it done, and then remove the mulch and go with stone. Would only have to be done once. Jeff

OK, this is for those in this business who may be struggling with getting enough work. First things first though, this is NOT meant to bring on a debate about methods, it is meant to give those who are struggling and want to stay in this business an option for getting more work and also repeat work. Pressure washing outfits seem to be everywhere and they are always competing with each other for the work that a particular area can provide. The best way is to set yourself apart from the others who are doing it, and that means raising the bar a bit. Take yourself out of the "typical" pressure washing business form. Turn into a technician instead of seeing how much money you can make per hour. And in my opinion the easiest way to raise the bar is to start brush washing the entire house. This is not hard when using the proper brushes. Also use ladders when needed, ladders are meant to be climbed on and are very safe when properly used. Go up the ladder and push up screens so you can clean the window area properly. You don't take the pressure wand up the ladder with you, you need a dedicated chemical sprayer with plenty of hose and a stationary chemical tank. The chemical wand is what you will take up the ladder when need be. You rinse from the ground. Brush washing will set the bar way high for the guys your competing with. I know there are those who are gonna say this is senseless and that they can clean with chemicals alone,.... but whether you can clean without doing this is beside the point. The point is public perception, people like to see a brush and soap bubbles, if you look as though your more detailed than the next "pressure washer" you will get the call more likely than not. I even seen on a thread where someone gets a brush out and leans it somewhere noticeable to the customer, just so it looks like they're brush washing. It takes me approximately 3-4 hours on a two story house, ($300-$500) been doing it for 12 years so I have gotten considerably faster from when I started. BUT I set the bar a long time ago and it wasn't on purpose, I've heard it many times over the years from customers and just the public in general,...which is why I like to say "I don't compete with anyone, they compete with me". Washing businesses here come and go,I have a strong customer base and my method makes it hard for those who aren't doing what I do to get much work from me. Again this was meant for those who are having trouble in this business, I guarantee it will help your business. So what if you work a little harder than you figured you were gonna have to. I feel really good about this method and credit it for keeping my business going and keeping others who wash in my zone struggling. You just have to set the bar higher sometimes. Jeff

With lawsuits as prevalent as they are these days, it would be VERY foolish for any company to not put a PSI rating on the jug they're putting out on the market for just any knucklehead to over inflate. Are you even sure what PSI refers to? Did you really read the box to see what information it provides? Jeff

Hey William,...yea I know you knew about PSI rating,...I was talking to Michael in asking about the pump sprayer he uses. I'm not sure he's talking about a typical pump sprayer, that is why I asked him to post a picture of what he's using. Jeff

Every single jug has a PSI rating. There isn't a company making pump sprayers that doesn't put a MAXIMUM PSI rating on the box or in any literature that may come with the sprayer. Also,...Any pump sprayer that is pumped to max. psi and having the nozzle adjusted in the right position will shoot further than 12 feet. If you can, put up a picture of the pump sprayer you are using. Almost sounds like you're talking about bottles with a squeeze trigger. Jeff

First couple things I'd try would be trying to manually turn the engine shaft,...easily though. Pull the spark plug and see if that does anything. Jeff

You lost me here,...what is being given away? You didn't know the difference from what,....cleaned gutters compared to dirty gutters? Are you saying you've never cleaned gutters with the proper cleaner in 4 years? Sorry,..but your post is hard to decipher. Jeff

Ken, I think you would agree that gutters can make a huge difference in the outcome of a job. So my question to you is, why would you want to allow the customer to decide this important detail. Especially when you consider the unaware customer may not even know how much of a difference it makes,...but you do. I personally couldn't wash the siding and allow the gutters to remain looking untouched. Just seems like a bad idea. Also, seems to me it could possibly hurt "quality of work" advertising. Meaning, other potential customers, see those dirty gutters and figure you don't do the gutters,...and they aren't aware it was the customers' option. Jeff

Hydroxide or Percarbonate would be my guess. Jeff

I have been kicking the idea of gutter cleaning around for a few years now. Think I shall give it a whirl this season. Jeff

Looking at buying a new trailer. Would like some input concerning suspension. Torsion or leaf spring,...which is prefferable and why? I have initial thoughts about both. I like the servicability of leafs as to maybe having to replace whatever goes bad in a torsion axle if stressed beyond it's limits. Thank You, Jeff

Thanks fellas. I am leaning towards the springs. Jeff

There is no need for a lift on any two story basic vinyl cleaning. Use a 24' ladder with a stabilizer, downstream your mix and use the ladder and a Mr. Longarm brush. Very simple and fast. Jeff

I offer no warranty work on any cleaning. No offense Ken,...but the house washes you give warranties on for two years for everything above 10 feet are maybe customers who just don't want to be a pain and they know that it's tough to guarantee this type of work. I am in Pa as well and in two years th houses I do still look good, but I bet there's some mildew growth,...even if it isn't visisble from the ground. Not knocking your warranty, if you're selling with it that's what counts. I agree with Dan, seems hard to give a guarantee where elements that are out of your control can be the determining factor. Things like; What's under the siding, landscape and the obvious,...mother nature itself. I prefer to give customers an honest evaluation on what to expect where longevity is concerned,...with the above elements being taken into account for each job. Just wondering for those who offer warranties,...do you bring up the fact or do the customers inquire? I only ever get asked about 3 times a year if warranty the jobs cleanliness,....and that's on roof jobs. And again I tell them what they can expect. If I do a house surrounded by other infested houses, they get about a 2 year expectancy before any reoccurence,...where the house in the country setting gets about a 3-4 year expectancy. Jeff Jeff

Good to see you got it done. Jeff

I have done several brick restoration jobs over the years, but I have a customer who wants just a "regular" cleaning of the unpainted brick. He does not want the restoration type cleaning, which I recommended. Approximately 100 years old with just typical road dirt and that sort of thing. I like getting a clean looking surface, which in my experience takes the restoration products such as Deitrich or Prosoco. Any suggestions on what I could use to get a decent cleaning on the brick. Was thinking if just using my basic house wash with maybe a little sodium hydroxide added for a little more cleaning power. Or should I still be looking at an acid based cleaner applied at a more diluted concentration? My biggest fear is with brick it seems to take the restoration products to make a real difference,..but I'm fussy!! But I think this guy just wants the loose dirt off so he can begin painting the trim and to just have a generally clean building. Thanks, Jeff

Yea, I'm so used to gutters here in Pa that I didn't even realize there were none. So my gutter cleaning recommendation,....well,...THERE AREN"T ANY!!! Jeff

Hi Mike, ideally that roof should just be replaced,...but we don't live in an ideal world. Not much you can do with that roof in the way of physically removing the growth. I would tell her all you can do is kill it and it will fall off over time. You may also want to explain to her that the gutters are most likely in need of cleaning out,...simply because off the amount of granules that are likely to be in them. always sell a job for what it is, don't sugarcoat it. Jeff

I have a General 3045 pump. I bought it brand new just this past Spring. I've used General pumps forever it seems, and this is the first one that has ever leaked oil. I've had them an average of 2-3 years,...never any oil leaks,.. and this one is only about 4 months old and is leaking oil pretty bad. Used it last on Saturday and will be taking it off today to see if I can at least locate the source of the leak. My questions: Is there any known defects in any of the recently sold General pumps? What's the most like source of the oil leak? (Maybe hard to say I know) Thanks, Jeff

Thanks John, very much appreciated!! I have orderd one and will plan on replacing it myself. Just wasn't sure what else I would end up seeing when I disassembled it. Jeff

There is a rubber seal around the crankshaft that looks to be leaking. The one on the engine side. Looks like the bolt plate will come off with removing four bolts. Question: Is this a simple replacement or are there specil tools needed for this work? Thanks, Jeff

Thanks John. I wondered about the warranty. I would like to just fix it myself if I could. I use to have a backup but just recently sold it to a friend of mine because I figured I wouldn't need a backup this soon,..ha,ha!! Bought it from PressureTek and I'm sure it wouldn't be an issue,...just didn't want the down time. Maybe I will just buy another one and have this one sent back and repaired and have it as a backup. Lesson learned on backups. Jeff

As long as it is butyl based it should work on the typical gutter streaks. Different products will vary on percentage of butyl,..but they're usually effective as long as there is butyl in the product. Everyone seems to have their favorite. I personally like the Castrol cut into thirds. But temperature will be the determining factor on dilution ratios. Just have to gain experience when judging temperature and how it will effect your job for the day. Never tried potassium hydroxide based for gutter streaks, but it sounds as though it works also. Ken, is it ever gonna stop raining here in Pa????? I can do houses, but my roof jobs are stacking up,...guess I'm gonna have to work harder on the nice days if this pattern continues. Using today as maintenance day. Jeff

Get the tank(s) to haul 300+ gallons of water. Not sure what you're using well water for in your cleaning applications, but city water makes your soap work better and rinses easier when doing house washing. It always scared me to death to hook into someones well because although they may say it's ok, all it takes is one good draw and the pump can start pumping air and burn up,...I don't ever want to burden a homeowner with that expense. You being the contractor needs to be aware of your water consumption and make that responsible determination. If you do use the customers' well, run it intermittently, with the use of a buffer tank of at least 100 gallons. Jeff Jeff

I don't do anything on Sundays in regards to work. I don't mow grass, I don't fix things, I don't answer the business phone when it rings,..in fact the ringers get shut off. Glad to see other people take this approach on Sundays! Jeff