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big mike

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Posts posted by big mike

  1. Posted · Report reply

    Clean the wood with sodium percarbonate. Neutralize with a mild acid. Let dry

    Beth, do you really think that's the best route for a homeowner? The chances of ruining an expensive fence with chemicals and a pressure washer by a novice, isn't worth the risk IMO.

    Use a stain with built-in mold/mildew inhibitors and keep the sprinklers off it, and the stain should be fine for several years. We use a penetrating oil stain (Ready Seal), but TWP, Armstrong-Clark, and others, have good products as well.

  4. Posted · Report reply

    DJ

    We do tons of clear decks, because people love the look. I feel that clear is the best looking coating on cedar, but it does require yearly maintenance. After a year clear will look partially gray. We use Ready Seal for our deck work, and it protects the wood from moisture mostly, and does nothing for UV protection. I wouldn't bother sanding at all, just strip / neutralize, and seal.

  5. Posted · Report reply

    As to the post above, I'm afraid you are a bit off on the proper method of stain application for decks. Where are you getting these numbers from? We aren't talking about furniture here, no wiping should be necessary on a softwood. No deck restoration contractor applies and immedietly wipes stain off. And sanding will not accomplish anything other than make a mess of a job that need to be stripped.

    Absolutely correct. The deck needs a full restoration, and a better stain choice.

  7. Posted · Report reply

    First, you need to add a signature to your user profile to get any kind of response. I'll say right off the bat, that if you think that Service Magic is the answer to a successful business plan, you are sorrily mistaken. This business is/can be a money pit. Don't make the huge mistake of trying to do everything. Pick an area of interest and focus on that i.e; roof cleaning, flat work, decks, whatever. Also, use some of that startup money for advertising and maybe some training.

    That rig would work well for residential type cleaning. I wouldn't even consider it for commercial work.

  15. Posted · Edited by big mike
    additional info     · Report reply

    That is a high pressure relief valve
    Pressure relief yes, thermal relief no. Also sometimes called a "burst disc" valve. Once they go bad, they have to be replaced. They run around ten bucks, and you should keep a couple on hand. They are adjustable, but are set to 6000 psi from the factory (usually). When this blows, it signals an issue elsewhere in the system causing a high pressure spike. Probably an unloader issue.

    After looking at your setup, I think the relief valve is placed incorrectly on the system? All of my rigs have the relief valve AFTER the unloader.....

  17. Posted · Report reply

    Joe, you can do wood restoration in the rain without problems. It is actually a good way to ensure you don't ruin any vegetation or leave any residues on windows or aluminum trim work. It will dilute your chems a bit, and I wouldn't recommend it in a downpour. It just kinda sux working in the rain.....

  18. Posted · Report reply

    Joe, you'll get many opinions on GPM, and most will say more is better. I use 5.5gpms on 4 of our skids and 4gpm on two others. It is basically a must for my rigs because of water supply issues running multiple units on the same supply tank. I'll tell you honestly that the 3.5 gpm with a 13 hp Honda portable unit, worked very well for house washing and deck cleaning. I still have that original washer, and it still makes me money DAILY. I wouldn't worry about high GPM unless you're doing large commercial accounts (although, I do large commercial all the time with my 5.5's). Ask Ron or Russ what they're running...

  25. Posted · Report reply

    Speaking about real margins, what can someone expect, if all marketing and cold calling in place.

    JJaco,

    I'll try to be gentle here, but you have to perform the work as well as have a marketing plan, etc. Just because you can "sell" a job, doesn't guarantee repeat or return business. You need to do quality work (especially in hood cleaning). Just because you have a business it doesn't equate to a specific dollar amount you'll make. Drive, business acumen, marketing, and proven results are the things that will make or break you in this line of work. I applaud you for your due diligence, but the only one can give you an answer to your question, is you.

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