John T

I talked to Stephen From Extenda wand this morning and he is sending me the new parts free of charge. The only thing I'm paying for is the overnite shipping. I appreciate his quick action in handling this for me and also for Beth in giving him the heads up about my problem.

I also bought my 7x12' enclosed trailer in 97 and it has the original 3/4" plywood floor in it and I never did anything to change it. In this trailer I keep most of my equipment that I use including 2 cold water powerwasher and a Hot water rig. I've spilt Stains, gas,chemical and tons of water in there and the floor is still rock solid. Still I guess it can't hurt to protect this floor with an epoxy paint etc. if you have the time. Here's a picture of this trailer from a 2 years ago. Today it also has some shurflo sprayers in there along with some other new things.

I've also had problems in the past with my 24' Extenda wand where the pin lock popped and the shaft came sliding down where it would hurt my hands. This would happen every now and then but the wand when working worked great... Until today!! I was using the wand fully extended for about 5 minutes when suddenly the top shaft pin popped out causing the top shaft to slide down with such force that the second shaft also popped out and came flying down to... The end result was the top shaft flew right thru the handle and popped out of the bottom of it breaking the plastic piece. Also the pin lock mechanism for the top shaft broke as did the second pin lock mechanism. SO now the wand is completely USELESS!! My hands were hurting also from this but that was the least of my problems. I had to break out my 28' ladder. I was pissed. Can I order new parts for this Extenda wand?? I am losing confidence pretty fast in this Wand!!

Strippers will eat at Aluminum and other Metals. I heard of Stainless steel Barbecue's being gnawed at From Strippers. I use Hd-80 stripper and so far I've had no problems with it attacking metal. I just stripped a deck the other day and I got some of the stripper on there aluminum storm door. I knew this might happen so I soaked the door down first with water then rinsed it again as soon as the stripper got on it. This is the key because if you rinse the stripper fast enough(I believe the container states that you must rinse within 90 seconds to avoid problems and of course the sooner the better)it will not cause any problems to the metal it landed on. I know this doesn't help you now but its just for future references with dealing with strippers or at least HD-80. Is the Aluminum pitted?? If not maybe it can be painted(sprayed) to match up with the rest of the house. IF this is not an option best of luck on your situation.

I wear Redwing work boots that are water proof. They are a bit pricey at $230 but they are worth it because for one they keep my feet dry which is numro umportant so I don't get a foot fungus. They also have a great bottom to them where Small rocks don't get stuck in the grooves and they are also great for walking on roofs. They are just a great all around boot. http://www.redwingshoes.com/

Thats great news Jon!! That's what life's all about. Whats the name of your new Grandson?? Just think in about 15 yrs or so from now you could hire him on to make some good money for himself before he goes off to College or whatever direction he takes:)

Big companies, small companies, who cares?? Plenty of big companies much larger the PSI Phil have gone out of business and even more so on the smaller companies. Either way what works best for you may not work best for others. I have what you would call a small company 2-3 employees and sometimes just myself. My business would basically fall under "Owner Operated" and some people especially Residential love this because they know that most of the times the actual owner of the business does the best work because he has the most passion for this business. Plain and simple. Also because of this I can charge higher then some of those larger companies that employ guys that are just looking to make a few bucks untill a better oppurtunity comes there way. SO whatever works for you is great but don't knock what works for the other guys whether there bigger or smaller then you are. Oh yea nice website.

Nice pictures. When was the big wedding date and how come us here at the Grimescene weren't invited:irritated (just kdding of course:) Speaking of avatars I have to change mine since I've lost one of my chins at the gym:)

Check out this company's that is close by to me. There webwsite is www.housebrightinc.com They advertise that they "Gently Hand Wash" houses etc. Hows these companies survive I'll never know. I would imagine that there prices are alot higher then most because of all the wasted labor involved scrubbing houses etc. Modern technology is here and in our field x-jets,CHEMICALS & POWERWASHERS should be on top of anyones list who wants to get in this business. I'll have to check this company out to see what there angle is.

I also carry a scale in my trailer. Also going from 4-1 to 25-1 that just means to add more water to dilute to get to 25-1 which is the same as 100-4 etc. But the smallest common denominator if I remember correctly is 25-1. Which is also the same as 12.5-.5 etc.etc.etc.

One of my cold water Powerwashers is rated at 4gpm@4000psi. I know if I use a larger tip at the end of my wand I can lower the PSI to 3000. This would make this PW compatible to my Powerwashing hoses that I use since most of them are rated at 3000psi. So my question is this. When this Powerwasher is in bypass is the pressure in the powerwashing hose at 4000psi?? I'm thinking that it is and this could cause my hose to explode. If I'm correct should I just change my Unloader where the pressure goes down to ZERO in the Powerwashing hose when not squezzing the trigger?? Thanks in advance.

Tony, So your saying this business by you that hand washes houses they are employing 4 guys. It would be great if you could find out how much that homeowner paid for that service. Also how did the house come out after it was cleaned??

Thats great Reed. Glad to here he came home safe and sound. He is a true blue American Hero and no one can ever take that away from him. How much more time does he have left in the service and does he plan on making it a career??

Paul B., As a fellow forum leader I agree with your post 100% and that is why your credibility is what it is BULLETPROOF!!! I have to ask you to reconsider your position as no longer being a Forum Leader. Your leadership is outstanding and your Honesty is 2nd to none. A long story short I also resigned as a Moderator awhile back on *** when I had a difference of opinion with the then Administrator of that board. When I re-thought my position after the smoke cleared I was re-appointed. I felt my position back then was the correct one but my reaction to it was probably over zealous. Think about it. Either way I as a fellow Forum Leader will respect your decision whatever it may be.

What do you think about my website?? www.cleancounty.com My friend has been playing around with it to make it look a little more professional. Its Ok to be harsh.....Just be honest. Thanks

Thanks for the responses. I'll show my friend these remarks so he can play around with the site some. This is the only website he has ever done. Not bad for a first timer. Pretty funny Everett. I aways like that line in Dirty Harry when Clint Eastwood has the 357 magnum pointed at that punks head and he says "Do you feel lucky?" of course the next line was "Well, do you punk?"

I use Diedritch(Spelling) that had to dwell on the paint for awhile then Powerwashed with Hot water. That was actually a side of a catering hall. I should have taken a picture of the whole wall afterwords. It came out pretty good.

Every year I tell myself I won't do two tone decks and of course every year I end up doing a few of them...and I hate every minute of it..but the $$$$ aint bad. I also do a few solid color decks....and every year I say I won't do those either:)

Alan, I was also told by the guy at the convention that the motor on top of this surface cleaner causes the bar to spin much faster which means less passes that you have to make when cleaning. Also I read or was told somewhere that the more serious players in our Industry tend to use higher gpm machines because of the more money they can make per hour. This is why I am a little bit more interested in a surface cleaner like this. Its just something I'm looking at to possibly in the future offer the ability to reclaim to some of my potential clients.

Hey Ron P., You were one of the most prepared persons I ever read on these bb's. Still waiting for your to write that book about our business:) Best of luck with your new job and the selling of your company. If you ever want to drop by to say hello you know where to find us.

Truly amazing. I would like this guy to draw a built in pool in my backyard so I don't have to buy one:D OF course this guy probably would cost me more then a pool would and I could see at a party at my house a few people jumping into the poot thats not there after a couple of drinks:D

I just lost my Mall Commercial account officially today because my company doesn't belong to a Union(And I am mister Union with my "Other" job). I don't even know if a small Powerwashing company can even be in a Union. Here's the Skinny: This Mall complex was sold and a new Property management company took over the Cleaning. They told my wife on the phone today that since my company is not "In the Union" they can't use my services. Of course Tomorrow I will call them back to find out how if possible my company can join a Union. Has anyone else ever ran into this problem and what did they do about it?? I have no idea what Union Powerwashers can belong to.

Good to see you back Chuck!! Good looking kid(Must take after the wife:D Your pictures are always great.

Amazing Art if its real. I seen a few Picasso's over the years and I always thought that his abstract paintings were weird like being on an acid trip(Not that I would know). This Artist with his street paintings are way better!!

Oh yea I forgot to mention when I got Married almost 11 yrs ago my good Friend Hakan who is a Muslim was in my wedding party. His father passed away last Month and I went to the Muslim Mosque where his body was to pay my respects. Once again whatever Religious/ Nationality background someone has we as People should always try to do the right and Honorable thing. Sound Familiar.........