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Jim Carroll

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Everything posted by Jim Carroll

  1. Driving over hoses.

    Whatever you do don't let anyone drive over your hoses. After about 75 cars rolling over my hoses the other day at maybe 1mph I had someone that , there car grabbed my hose snatching it out of my hand, breaking two hundred foot hoses, gun, qc's etc. Also injured someone that was trying to get the guy to stop. I had no idea what was going on. The injured guy thank God was just scratched. I am also very thankful the hose was not wrapped around my leg. If it would have been I probably would not be here. I know that it is a freak accident because that was probably like one in 10,000 cars that have went across my hoses. Could you imagine if I was in a lift or something like that or on a roof. I will be making or buying something that will keep it from happening again. At my day job we sell temporary speed bumps that have room for electricals or hose to pass through. keep it safe!
  2. How much liability insurance do you carry?

    I just got my renewal $750 for $1 million or $900 for $2 million. I'll be spending the extra $150
  3. Who has Worker's Comp?

    One man show here with GL and WC. The small amount for the WC was paid by the first job with the contractor that required me to have it. Even being a one man show if you have WC it helps with your ligitimacy as a business. I have the WC and I am not covered.
  4. Honda is tearing me up

    pressure relief valve! or what Big daddy don said...
  5. telescoping wand questions?

    I have a 32 ft coress and like an xjet I would not leave home without it. It paid for itself the first job I used it on because it kept me from having to rent a lift. So if you think about it that way $500 is nothing when you figure everytime you rent a lift you will spend close to that amount. I want to get another just to have one for backup. If you get one be sure to get you an additional straight gun. I had the straight gun go down an luckily had the spare in the tool box.
  6. The X-Jet debate

    I clean about 95% Brick on new construction and next to the pressure washer it is the most important tool on my trailer. I have the original. It is less parts for me to tear up. Yes I have torn up an original. Snatched the chem hose barb out of it, then cracked the stainless portion trying to get it out with an easy out. I have also torn up anvils with rubber hammers. So the less moving parts for me the better.
  7. Any cigar aficionados?

    I used to smoke the macs but have not for a while. However I did have a nice cuban Cohiba this past friday.
  8. wasted day

    I also clean on construction sites and one way to get people out of the way is to put on a white Tyvek suit(the one with a hood and footies) and then put on a respirator and face shield. People will stay far away and not bother you with "I got a pressure washer story". As Beth said most of the time if a general contractor has you scheduled to clean you trump the other subs.
  9. New Truck

    $200 is that all. I have a full size Dodge and I am spending around $400-$500 but I probably travel more than you. Been looking at F250 powerstroke
  10. Company website using others pictures

    I think if someone does not have enough pic's and need others they should definitely ask and if allowed give credit to the contractor that performed the work along with the picture. I don't have a website but if I did I would not have a problem with someone using them if they followed that protocol. Personally I would rather use all of my own pic's. That way you have a story to tell with them.
  11. Show me your equipment...

    I don't see a problem with it, they probably want to make sure you are equipped to handle the job. with that being said I have done jobs that could have been done with a water hose considering the right chemical was used.
  12. Philadelphia Restoration Project

    Call me if you have any questions I did a Restoration on a School that was built approx 1908. Used Prosoco's Heavy Duty Restoration Cleaner. Remember with restoration projects that you can get more money. I charged almost twice as much as I do on new construction brick. To give you an idea of my background. My full time job is selling restoration and waterproofing supplies. I pw part time, however I grossed more last year on the side than I did at my full time job. If you have some pics it would be helpful. You can call me at 843-297-3335.
  13. Paint Removal

    Prosoco Fast Acting Stripper, and turbo, not close enough to damage mortar or brick. It is a very labor intensive process(paint removal from brick) so you need to price accordingly. I would recommend doing a sample for the owner that way they can tell you if they are happy with the results and you will know what it will take to do the job.
  14. cleaning copper awnings and gutters??

    muriatic acid based brick cleaner will clean it, however it does not take long after it is clean for it to weather again. Most people down south like the weathered look
  15. Part Timers

    Many of the same reasons here. Also with my full time job is how I find most of my jobs. Made more on the side last year than at full time job as a sales rep for a construction supply company.(Craig I sell epoxies, acid stains, acrylics, patch material for concrete and much more) That is a good addition to pw. You should also check out stenciled overlays for concrete. I plan on going full time. I hate looking at my paycheck every two weeks and it is less than what I can go out and make in a day or two cleaning and stenciling driveways. Wife said I could quit once we close on our new house (07/08/05). So we will see how business goes. Like mentioned above there are times that I loose money because I choose not to take a job because of not having enough time to complete in a reasonable manner or either by not bidding on larger projects because of that reason. To give you an idea most of my work starts at about $1000. I clean mostly brick on new construction and it can be rewarding once you get a system set up and are able to get some good production.
  16. Rotary Nozzles

    I use General's Viper turbo, they're supposed to be the lightest on the market and I have also gotten quite a bit of hours out of them.
  17. Remote Control

    I do the same thing Henry. One thing to watch out for with doing that is this: it adds something else to the mix if there is a problem with machine starting. One more thing to diagnose. Bypass your pump and let it run. i will let my run and just use a ball valve. If you are far away from machine how can you be sure your remote is going to work. Especially after you get it wet or drop it in a puddle, I know that is what I would do.
  18. What's your minimum to turn the key?

    $100 min if I am out. commercial brick cleaning $600-$1000 depending on how much travel. I once cleaned a car engine for $10. A guy at one of my fleet accounts wanted a Suzuki Car engine of some sort cleaned, pulled it up behind my trailer and I hit it for about 1 minute, no big deal for me, would have done it for free but he asked what I would charge him. like some of you others said it depends on if you are there already.
  19. Paint on brick

    Prosoco's Fast acting Stripper, also check out Franmar's line of odor free soy based stripping products. Available at Guaranteed Supply in Raleigh.
  20. Dry Vit repair?

    Home depot is not the place to purchase repair material for synthetic stucco. You need to find someone in your area that sells STO, SYNERGY, FINEWALL, SONOWALL, MASTERWALL, these are just a few manufacturers that make sythetic stucco finish. it sound like it is not your fault. they probably have not kept up the system and have areas that need help. My fulltime job as a construction supply sales rep I sell some of these items and you could get by with fixing it for less than what they held back find someone in your area that sells these products and have them come and look at it and advise you on what you need, or advise you on someone who could fix it for you.
  21. swirls on vinyl siding from the x jet

    dennis do you live in chucktown, mt. p, west ashley? I am in charleston area just about four days a week. I would be glad to look at it with you. you can call me if you want 297-3335 (local #). i live in murrells inlet.
  22. Dark grey runs on brick

    Prosoco's Heavy duty restoration cleaner.
  23. Wiring problem truck/trailer

    those are cool, the truck store I mentioned has the same ones.
  24. Drum Pump

    shurflo works.
  25. A World meeting for all Powerwashers

    Myrtle Beach SC in march. Its warm here then and rates are not inflated yet to high season rates.
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