Firedkm

Any hardware type store. It comes in powder form and the directions are on the sideof the box. As far as using the phosphate free, I dont know.

You may want to use some TSP (trisodium phosphate) in your mix. This will help dull the surface and is a good prep cleaner before painting. I am sure Henry can give you more specifics on this.

I used a waterproof type outside paint that has sand in it for traction. I only went up the wall 4 inches.

JD, I would try to find out if you can get an exemption certificate. Here in NJ we can get one when there is a drought. The theory behind it is they are not allowed to take your livelyhood away from you. If washing horizonal surfaces is your lively hood you may be able to find a way to still do it legally.

Tony, I think we are the worst critics on our own work. I have had some deck that I was not that happy with the results and kept banging my head trying to get what I wanted. The customer was estactic at the finished product and I still was not happy. In the long run, if the customer is happy that is all that matters.

I dont mask either. I just make sure I rinse down the siding to be safe. No problems as of yet. I hope you said something to the homeowner. If you did not I would reccommend doing so and take the resposibility to get it fixed. Henry is right on the money for this. It may cost you money out of you on pocket, but it will save your reputation as a contractor. The worst advertising you could have is a customer telling others how you messed something up and left it. The best advertising you could have is the customer saying even though he made a mistake he took the time to make it right. Good luck

Big time difference. The store bought at your home depots etc. are consumer grade products. There abilities to strip are tuned down so to speak. So its less of a liability for the manufacture. The hd-80 and some of the others on the web are contractor grade chemicals. They are more agressive and need to be handled carefully. You actually save money using these type of chems than using the home depot stuff. You save in cost of product (because you have to use more of the cheap stuff to get the results that are even close to the good stuff), takes less time and is easier to clean.

I have a rubber ball with a hook embedded in it that I use. I got it from my full-time job at the phone company. Just heavy enough to throw a good distance.

Ronnie, I have 200' of static rope and a Petzel stop descender. I also have a full body harness where I can hook up on the front or even in the back. I like the Petzel stop, you can still move around pretty good with it and it will grab faster in a fall compared to your typical rope grab. Most fall protection systems come with a rope grab. I alos dont use roof anchors.I dont like the idea of nailing something into a roof. I tie off to a tree or something that is really solid and wont break when my fat a$$ falls.

You are right about household bleach. However, you will spend more money using the bleach than using pool chlorine. If you are making a house wash especially if you are using a commercial grade soap than you have your surfactants right there. Here in NJ it cost me $1.00 a gal for pool chlorine. That is what I use in my house wash. A gal. of bleach is also $1.00 but I would need 2 Gal. for my mix. Thats double the cost than using pool grade chlorine. This was just a thought.

Take extra socks with you in a ziplock bag. Have ice in your cooler and put the bag of socks in there. Just befor each job you do replace your socks with a fresh pair and its instant cool relief!:angel: Just kidding. I think you just have to put up with hot feet and maybe use the sandal idea in between jobs while you drive to the next one.

Carlos, At the top of the screen is a link to Beths store. Click on that and you will see everything she carries. Descriptions and prices

Carlos, I would use Beths EFC-38 (she runs this bbs) Its a great percarb cleaner that will strip most semi-trans sealers when mixed full strength. I would not use any strippers that contain sodium hydroxide. This could do damage to the tar paper under the shingles.

I use repelling rope known as static rope. It does not streach all that much and its pretty durable to the chems. I got mine off of ebay for a good price. Look under rapelling.

I was kinda of shocked last year When I did not have to pay for the sample kit. Everyone else that have them I had to pay for. Which is fine because it just covered there cost of the material. Beth, What about a coupon with the kit to help encourage the company to purchase something? There was only one company that did that and it was only 10 bucks but at least it was something. In the long run I saved 5 bucks overall. There kit was 5 bucks. Just an idea for ya from this NJ boy.

Bryan, If you are going to use the xjet its 4lbs in a five gal bucket. MAKE sure you use your respirator. The fumes from the spray will gag you and its harmful too. Make sure people are not near you either including any employees if you have any.

Did I read this right? Jim and Everett have the same view on something?:)

I will use a flex wand to reach around to clean the deck. Beth does carry these in her store. I feel they are priceless and a great tool for your arsenal. When it comes to sealing the deck it all depends on how big it is. If its a small deck I will reach over and do it by hand with a extension pole if needed. If its a larger deck I use a extension wand made for my airless sprayer.

The coress is a light weight aircraft aluminum extension wand. It is the less cumbersome extension wand out on the market today in my opinion. I have a 32 foot and when its extended all the way out it barely flexes like some of the others. The other plus for the coress is the hose going up the inside is removable for storage. I know Beth carrries the Extenda wand but I have no experience is using one. I did see it last year at her roundtable and I do like the way it locks in place with a pin. The coress locks in place by tightening the collar around the wand. I am sure Beth will explain what she carries. I don't remember what its made out of.

opps. I bet you wont do that again!!:rotfl:

I have both x-jets. When I do a house wash i use the m-5 x-jet. With the adjustable nozzle on the tip its saves some time and the agrivation of screwing on the close range tip. The original x-jet I use for spraying caustics down. I.E. driveway cleaner, acid for mortar tag removal and even deck stripper. Both are very good purchases for me and have saved me alot of time in my cleanings. Alos when I do my house washes I do use a 72"(6ft.) wand. Some sides of the homes here in NJ are pretty High and that added length helps get the water where you need it. I will also use a 6' stepladder too so I can get a little higher hen needed. Its easier than using an extension wand like the extanda wand or coress as they are still cumbersome to use. You will not be disappointed with the purchase of either x-jet. They have a place in your tool box just like a turbo nozzle or any other piece of equipment you have. Good luck

Most of the time its better just to replace it. Once you pay for the replacement gaskets and the time you spend to rebuild it its cheaper to buy a new one. I believe www.northern.com or www.higherpowersupplies.com will have the kits.

Yes this is a site for helping and sharing information! It does not matter how long someone has been in business. Its always good to look at other ways of doing things. Whether its a new way of cleaning or paperwork. Someone always has a better way to word things or a better page setup. There is nothing wrong with people asking for this type of paperwork to compare to there own to see if they can improve on what they allready have. The sheet I sent out to everyone is a older one that I dont even use anymore. I have a new and improved version That I use now. Oh yea the new version came from someone elses sheet that I improved on for my use.

If you are talking about the gaurds that attach to your wand they stink. They get in the way all the time and all the effort to make it work just go buy some rubber boots and a rain suit bib if you dont want to get wet and dirty. When I do flatwork I just use a pair of rubber boots that fit over my existing footwear and I stay pretty clean just using that.

I personally would not use a back pack sprayer. If it does leak you could get a chemical burn right down your back. I feel you would be safer to use a shurflo setup that can be used with a bucket. Several years ago when I was acid washing a pool I used a back pack sprayer to apply the acid. It leaked on me and I had chem burns down my back. Never again will I do that. Thats just my two cents from experience that I hope you would not have to learn yourself. Beth sells two really nice setups that are in her store. Check them out if you need one.