Aplus

I use brass barbed fittings on my sureflow and have had no problems. To get an idea of how different batteries compare, look at the amp hour rating. The higher the number, the longer it can supply adequate power. Most sureflows draw 6-7 amps, it is marked on the sticker on the front of the case. It would be nice if you could take the batteries amp hour rating, and divide the amps that the sureflow draws to reach total usage time, but I don't think that works in the real world environment. I do know that my big honkin' Sears Diehard marine battery can power my sureflow for two weeks, and I wash a LOT of decks weekly. Of course I get tired of the weight, but the capacity is awesome. Perhaps a 12v connection inside the trailer could be installed, with a pig-tail on the sureflow setup, to allow recharging while driving between sites.

Steve, You could hire him, and train him, then he will bolt and start up a competition against you.....:)

Sure the builder is a bung-hole, but there's always at least one in a crowd. I agree with what Russ said. Stand your ground Reed, sooner or later he will figure out he's not going to bully you into something. He has no legal grounds either, and I'll be he knows that too. Don't let him get to you, it's not worth it. Myself I just laugh at people like the contractor, I can't change what he is, but I won't concern myself either. There's plenty of people who appreciate the work you do. Just focus on them, and let Mr. Bunghole continue to make a fool out of himself.

I'm a lot closer to Jon's age than some of you guys are. So I wouldn't call anyone an old fart. Someday, if I live long enough, I would hope I was only considered "old", and not an "old fart"....:) Considering I try to follow principles of the Golden Rule..........

I guess at some point,it doesn't matter.

I just went to DC back in March with my son's 8th grade. Tons of things to do, you could spend two weeks and not see every thing. The Air & Space museum is cool, and so was the Living History museum, which has an excellent dinosaur exhibit. The Spy museum was fun too. Parking is a pain, but admission into the Smithsonian museums is free, unless you want to donate a couple bucks. Shopping at the Old Post Office is available, and there is sometimes entertainment inside as well. Check out Arlington cemetary for the soldier change every 30 minutes. Our school got to present a wreath for the monument, that lasted for a full half hour, it was neat. Baltimore is really fun too, the inner Harbor has a Hard Rock Cafe, and an ESPN SportsZone, which your boys would love. Your wife will love the shopping, there's a nice mall right across from the places I mentioned, and don't forget to check out the Fudge factory where the workers sing for you while making fudge.

Jon, I think you failed to hear them correctly......they asked you to please take your clothes off the clothes line in the back yard.....:)

Simple Green may well be the most universal chemical that you could keep on hand!

Regarding 1 or 2 coats....it depends on the species and condition of the wood. For example, new cedar will not accept two coats, nor will some redwood. If you clean a deck that was sealed with RS, you will likely only need one coat. If the deck is stripped, or is old and weather beaten, then two coats is a must.

If the outlets have working covers, we just wash around the outlet, avoiding direct spray as much as possible. If the outlet is exposed, we cover with a piece of duct tape, and avoid direct spraying as much as possible. Actually, I've found at least half of the outside outlets are controlled by an indoor switch, and are generally shut off. Still it's better to be safe then sorry.

Good luck with the upgrade!

Right now I'm using 12v Sureflows rated at 1.4gpm @60psi, & 1.0gpm @ 60psi. I have 50 feet of 3/8" Goodyear hose attached. I do many, many two story decks, and at about 14 feet up, the pressure and flow is still adequate. However, often times the lance has to be lower in order for the pump to prime. A squeeze pump bulb attached in-line would resolve that issue however. Also, I use a high power deep cycle marine battery that provides a lot of cca for extended periods of time, which keeps the pumps whirring for many hours. The 1.0 gpm is rated to draw 6 amps, and the 1.4gpm is rated to draw 7 amps. At that rate, it is important to have a battery appropriately sized for the job. That's why I went with a big honkin' marine battery. The only problems I've ever had with a sureflow in three years of usage, is the pressure switch going bad. And that's easy to replace. Otherwise, no problems whatsoever, and I run HD80, citric acid, bleach, and whatever else needs to be sprayed. As far as I've known, a surflow with viton seals is the same regardless of who you buy it from, at whatever price. That is, unless it is a remanufactured unit, although I've not seen one sold that way.

If you run EFC-38 thru a pump up sprayer, you will need to do one of two things: 1. Mix with hot water to facilitate complete dissolving. 2. Mix with cold water in a bucket, and use a mesh strainer when pouring into a pump up. Cold water mixing does not dissolve completely, and will plug up a pump up sprayer everytime if you don't strain out the granules.

Best to check with the local authority overseeing the water. They may not find Simple Green OK to allow in the water. I'd be pretty confident of that.

Reed, I can get TWP for $85 per 5! Crazy huh? I prefer buying it in single gallons, because many times I can't use the whole five on one job, and TWP does not have pour spouts....you have to pry off the stupid lid, and then try to bend down all the metal tabs to reseal the lid. TWP is a very big seller for me, I have no problems with premature failure. My experience has shown it lasts every bit as long as RS, and I have photo documentation to prove it. I guess it goes to show what a difference it makes in various regions of the country. It's either that, or you have a bunch of hacks applying it on incorrectly prepared surfaces.

Now I don't have any problem selling higher cost deck jobs where I'm at in Michigan. But, I can't get $900+ for a 400 s/f, I'd go hungry. Typical 400 s/f here is in the $500 range.

I agree with what Rod said. Just make sure when you wash, you remove as much of the peeling stuff as possible. I usually crank the pressure up a bit, to maybe 1200psi with a 25 degree tip to aid in the removal of compromised stain. In addition to Rods' observations, I would add that cracking and peeling on floors also can occur because of swelling or flexing of the boards. Since the undersides are typically bare, moisture can enter there, and freeze/thaw cycles do the damage. Floor boards also flex a bit when walked on, and stain that is not properly adhered can also start to pop off.

How do you starve a hippie? Hide his welfare check under his work boots.

Now I use citric acid, and I do not rinse after applying it. When I used oxalic, I always rinsed. However, I do like to give the house and grounds a final rinse after applying whatever brightener used. Don't like the chance that maybe a little splashed on a doorwall, or a window somewhere. I'm not willing to risk etching something.

Jon, I think the false teeth come about as a result of eating too much candy. I've been at this for nine years now, and despite it all, still have all my teeth!

I didn't realize Beth carried Sureflows. Remember, the service & support you obtain is invaluable, and Beth does provide excellent service and support. Many of the larger ordering houses provide service and support much like the process of pulling teeth.

It sure would be nice if scoops were available for measuring HD-80 (like those found in laundry detergent) hint-hint.....

It seems as though California is the king of all legislation! Maybe their is just so much balony in that state that the lawmakers had to create laws to regulate everything. I'm glad it's not that way in Michigan! I guess all California really has to offer is sunshine, and not much else.....except over legislation, droughts, wild fires, earthquakes, blackouts, mudslides, and crime! Is there anything I missed Alan...:)

Are you also going to restain it?

I've used both gutter zap and gutter shock, and both products will produce results like that. Great job John, now that's the way I like to see em! I wouldn't even consider washing a house and not doing the gutters.