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Home Serve

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Posts posted by Home Serve

  1. Posted · Report reply

    Lots of times when we replace siding we clean the aluminum fascia, soffit, gutter, etc. We usually use glass cleaner but I was wondering if you guys had found anything that works better for cleaning like that. clap.gif I have found that using something that you don't have to rinse is best in order to save time. We hand clean it since we are set up to replace siding and that seems the best way to do it.

    Thank you for your ideas!

    Thanks,

    Dave

  3. Posted · Report reply

    Thank you for this forum! and to the folks who post here!

    We do exterior remodeling and are in the process of adding PW to our services here in Central MO.

    A question on washing soffit:

    We have removed a lot of soffit over the years and one distinct feature of old soffit is how filthy it is on the top side. Literally there is a think layer of dust and filth on it and when removing it you end up with it all over you and everything else!

    When washing soffit is there a method where you do not end up with this dirt/dust running all over the place when you PW it??

    For gutter washing do you use the gutter wash specific for that or your regular house wash?

    We have chems, 100' hose, 4' wand extension, 13 HP washer, is there anything else that we have to have? Was going to wait until early spring to get the rest of our material and tools so they don't sit all winter but if we have to get something else I will.

    Other tips for house washing? We have our first job scheduled next week. Do you know of threads or info that may help?

    Thanks for help!

    Dave

    __________________

    David Carlson

  4. Posted · Report reply

    hey I'm back from vacation!!! well rested and sore legs from standing up on a jet ski jumping waves!!! My unorthodox method is simple. I ignored the directions on the can 12yrs ago that said let the wood dry before application. one sunday I just washed my own deck and as soon as I had put away the pressure washing equipment I stained it with a water based stain. The sun had dried the surface and I figured the rest could still get out from the back. Tured out to last as long as the ones I waited to stain. So for 11 yrs that was my method. simple! I have considered the hose reels and a trailer mounted rig but I would need a remote on-off ele.start since we turn our machines off several times in some opperations. WE run 2 machines and some houses won't run them both due to low restriction water pressure on energy saver homes or wells. I usually bring 200ft of hose to connect to a neighbor if I can. My plan to create a cart to haul my stuff is just more efficient but not innovative. On vacation I watched a home show where these knuckle heads were going to wash and stain a deck they just replaced the railings on. I think they tried to copy American Chopper with their kidding around with each other. Anyway, they use cabbots deck wash and a scrub brush to clean the deck. Some spots looked fairley clean but maybe 35% got clean to my satisfaction. THAT would be nice if we could spray on a cleaner and skip the every square inch pressure washing time but that stuff wasn't it. What they showed as the finished stained deck was horrible. Blotchy stain and obvious areas where the dirt was still under the stain.

    So Jeff, is the product you are talking about Olympic Maximum? Do you use the clear and semi transparent or both or what? And the product holds up well?? What do you apply with? I was thinking of using an airless but not sure what size to get? I may use a pump up too just to start with. I have some decks on my rentals that I am going to practice on and then go out to the 'real' world to do some decks.

    Thanks,

    David

  5. Posted · Report reply

    In this business? once I learned my techniques they have stayed the same for many years. I liked inovating and perfecting my process but it has leveled off for many years. I'm not complaining since it produces a predictable income stream , just wondering if anyone out there has any NEW methods. I would understand if you don't want to share them!!!! Just let me know how your secret saves you time and increases your $$$$ I get most decks washed and stained in 1 day and have been doing that for 11years now. I know its an unorthodox method but it works for me and my customers.

    I've gotten to feel this way about other service businesses that I have owned in the past only sooner than 11 years. I got to the point of boredom and had done it all and wanted to move onto something else so I sold that business and got going on something else. Thing is that is okay except when you change business then you need to start all over again on the learning curve at least with the work itself. The marketing and other basic skills go on of course. I'd advise sticking with it but try to make it more interesting. You'd probably be the best judge on how to do that. There must be some challange in a man's life or something is not right. If you are not getting it here then you need to find it somewhere else. Does not have to be your work but usually it is.

    About the "unothodox" method, care to explain more about those techniques for the rest of us that may use "orthodox" methods? Maybe we could all learn something.

    Thanks,

    Dave

  8. Posted · Report reply

    Hello from Central MO:

    My son and I have been doing exterior construction/remodeling for several years and are considering adding pressure cleaning to our services. Live in Fayette, MO about 30 miles NW of Columbia.

    We have previous siding/window customer with an old moldy deck that we would like to clean for her and have bidding questions. It is a 15x20 deck with 4 steps and a puny 2' tall railing with 1x2s every foot or so. I tried to get a photo today but camera out of batts. On a scale for dirty I would give it a 8.5. I'm not sure if it has been sealed before and I am not certain how to find out since these folks just moved in a couple months ago.

    We don't really have our routine down yet but plan to reasearch on the site here and contact chemical folks for help.

    Also have two newer decks that we built for a lady this season that we want to clean/seal. (smaller decks probably about 12x12 each).

    If you have some feedback for me on pricing these two types of decks would appreciate it!! (New and old/moldy)

    Thank you for your help, I've learned a lot from this forum already

    David

  9. Posted · Report reply

    Folks:

    I see now that oxy bleach is same as sodium percarbonate, did not realize that is why I posted this query. Plenty info on site for sealer also.

    My son and I are currently doing exterior siding/window/etc. Looking at getting into exterior maintenance. At this point just have the "want to", no chems, no equipt, etc.

    Looking for information and tips to start.

    Location: Fayette, MO near Columbia in center of state

    Busn. name Home Serve Exteriors

    Thanks,

    David

  10. Posted · Report reply

    Anybody out there using the oxygenated bleach for cleaning? I'm a newbie but sounds to me much safer and with no danger to plants, grass, etc. It might save a lot of time dealing with tarps and headaches. If you do use it where is the best place to get it.

    And about sealers? What do you find best... quality vs cost vs ease of use? Have you heard or used NuClear from Wonderpaint in KY?

    Thanks, David

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