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Hello All, This forum does not seem that busy, but I thought I would I would ask... What Tools Are Needed For Interior Post Contruction Cleanup? What ladders are most universal? what squeegie type is best? Telescoping wands? mops? etc. etc. What qould be a fair budget to do this professionaly in the eyes of the contractor. Your experiences would be greatly appreciated. Brian

Where can you find water usage rates? Is it a local or state thing? I think it would help aleviate any concerns clients might have with using there water. You could show them a print out or something or tell them it would cost alot more if you had to haul it in!!!! Thanks everyone.

Hello All, Just curious what everyone does to protect things from overspray and run off from the various chemicals useded on various jobs. ie..shrubs, plants, siding, decks. Thanks.

does everyone have idividual chem tanks for each different chem that would be used on different areas of the house... roof, gutters,sides, driveway etc. What has everyone found to work best for them? Thanks everyone.

Curious to see...If you were only going to wash house's, which I would include decks, roofs, gutters, aluminum/vinyl siding and any kind of stone or brick work, which chemical, not product would be your first choice for each of the materials mentioned? I know certain jobs might require something different but wanted to see if everyone is basically on the same page for standard wash jobs. Thanks everyone.

Anyone want to post specific chemical names that would be needed for residential home washing? I will take the search from there. Thanks to anyone who replys.

jnoden, Thank you for your direction. Using the search function is a great resource...if you know what to search for. Being new,I dont know what key words to use to get the desired results. I am not looking for a product opinion but rather a general poll for chemicals and there cleaning purpose. What should they be used on. Sure there will be times you might have a non typical situation requiring the use of non typical chems for it but the majority of the time it should be standard. All chems, not products have a specific cleaning purpose and that is what I am looking for. Thanks everyone.

Hello All, I have been more of a lurker than a contributer. Spring is just around the corner and I wanted to piece some things together. While I have been reading here I have found many points on house washing but they come from many, many power washers. I was wondering if anyone would like to post there house washing procedure/rules of thumb that apply the majority of the time? Do you start at the top, the bottom ect,ect... I thought it would be neat to compare different complete methods to achieve the same clean reults from powerwashers across the country or abroad? If you feel like elaborting on what and how you use your chemicals during the process that would give everyone some food for thought as well. Thanks to all who have and who will contribute to this post but more importantly this forum.

RLS, You are correct. I was trying to compile info that would help me when comparing/selecting a premixed product. Thanks.

Thanks for all the replys everyone. Lets say say someone wanted to mix there own chems., where would they be able to find detailed info on what chems due what and where they are best used? I know this BB is a great resource but it is very hard to weed through and piece things together when you are not sure what is what and who is who. Also how do you mix them? What ingredients are you using for various cleaning of alum,vinyl,wood, concrete, brick, stucco?

Thank you all for the replys. Very informative. Couple of questions though. What is the deal with gutter cleaning chems., everyone seems very concerned with them? What techniques should be used when applying these chems.? Is the many advatages between a 9' and 12' extendawand? They seem so close in size do you really need both? If you are using low pressure 500-800 psi how common is it to blow siding off?

Is there a quick refference chemical guide that tells you what types of chem's can be used on various surfaces? So there is no confusion I am not talking brand specific but rater ingredient specific. If there is not, please post what you know from your area of expertise. Thanks.

Thanks for the replys everyone. Some great info there. I notice some constants among contractors such as do a pre wash inspection for potential problems, use low pressure below 1000psi, soap up rinse down and rerinse, Are there any other constants? One area of difference I notice is the nozzel choice, some use x-jet and others use various nozzles. Are ther signs during the pre wash inspection that would lead you to use one nozzle or the another? Also, Curious about the dwell time, is that product specific or is there a rule of thumb used that is good for most chems? I see there is a problem with window etching. Is that from regular house wash or the gutter wash? What in the chems is cuasing this to happen? Are there chems that don't do this? If you are washing the gutters how should you incorporate that into the rest of the house wash? What technique do you use? Thanks again to everyone.

Beth/Rod Where is the round table going to be? I live in PA. Thanks.

Hello All, I just thought I would post my pre start up feelers...tried calling several builders in my area small and large alike to see if they were excepting new bids for post construction clean up. I was was met with tight lipped responses. Basically, they all had someone doing this work and not looking for bids. Have you found this to be the case in your areas? Do these builders contract with larger janatorial firms such as servpro or service master or do they look for the independents? Thanks

What online janitorial supply houses are used by most? Can you buy the professional formulas of common household cleaners in the stores and in bulk?

Thank you all for the informative replys. My mind is like a sponge...I need more. I am sorry. I was asking for forms and never left my FAX# 610.438.3610

Thank you all.I would like to get specifics on chems when you have time please. What chem works best on tile? What chem/polish works best on wood? What chem/polish/wax works best on linoleum? What chem works best on glass? What chem/stain remover works best on carpet? What chem works best on drywall/paint? What chem works best on formica? What chem works best on ceramic? If I missed an application I might run into please advise what chem works for it. Is there one all purpose cleaner you have found to do well on many areas such as "Simple Green"? While I would like to stay low budget initially, I want to be as professional and proficient as possible for mainly 1 person sometimes 2. I know it is alot to ask as I should learn the hard way but if anyone who I would not be competition with would not mind sending me any forms that I would need to get off the ground like contractor letters,pre cleaning damage form, invoices, contracts or service agreements or anything else benificial. I guess I should have put my wish list in before Christmas but I am hoping it is still the season to be giving! Thanks again everyone. Brian

Wow, Thanks for the jam packed reply. Couple of things...What are 5 in one tools?, Where should I get this quality tooling and supplies, Home depot,Lowes? What should I expect to pay for all this? And now the big part when and where would you use some of these chems? Also if you are only doing interior does your service include washing the outside of the windows? While I am at it what legal forms do you have signed prior to beginning any work? What is the approx average price per sqft? are windows extra and how much? what else is considered extra and how much? I know I have asked a lot but you can't learn unless you ask. Thank you all in advance for any replys. Brian

Ken, Sounds good. I will look for your email.

If you are a two man crew washing buildings residential or commercial. Would it not be wise to have one guy applying chem. and the second guy after the correct lag/dwell time, rinse behind you? If you are a one man op. would it not be wise to just to do sections to avoid these problems? Just trying to get an idea of what works best for most in most situations. Thanks.

Ken, I would be willing to help you with any type of job you get. It is all new to me so it would all be part of the learning curve. Actually it would be nice to actually to get some hands on to see if I even like it before I shell out the money. Let me know.

Well being new, I would have to say both methods. What is this glass etching thing that can happen also? Thanks again.

Could you please give a written process for doing this. Sure I could just throw tarps down but I am sure that the pro's here have found what works best for securing tarps to siding shrubs etc,etc.. If you don't mind sharing please do.

Does anyone use a tarp / plastic?