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5282jt

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Posts posted by 5282jt

  5. Posted · Report reply

    I have an X-Jet and a Sureflo setup for "chemically" cleaning roofs. But I don't "chemically" clean all roofs, so in the instances where I pressure wash the roof, I prefer the highest % chem injector I can get. If a chemical injector would put out 20% chlorine, that's what I would want for pressure washing roofs. Most of the time now, I use the Sureflow system and just pump 40-50% chlorine with a bit of Dawn dish liquid as a wetting agent. That requires either a man on the ground watering plants and rinsing the roof, if it's not guttered all around. Or tarps on all the plants. Here in Florida, there's usually LOTS of stinkin' plants! :( So, the simplest 1 man job is sometimes just pressure wash it. The alternative to a good 20% downstream injector, is using the sureflow system at 20% or the X-jet and then pressure wash. Just extra bother though.

    Chad,

    Feel free to give me a call sometime. Trying to downstream a roof is like peeing in a fan, for lack of better examples. I can save you time and make you $$$. :)

    Ken,

    Downstreaming on concrete can work sometimes too.

  6. Posted · Report reply

    Been there, done that!

    I bid a tile roof on a 2200 square foot roof at say $325.00 and the customer says "The last guy did it for $125.00"

    I say, "why didn't you call him again?"

    They say, "He's out of business"

    I say, "I can see why, ---I prefer to stay in business" :)

    My higher priced, quality approach, has kept me in business since 1978 and has supported my son's family as well as my own for the last 11 years [email=too!@

    I]too! [/email]

    @

    I thought I would share this picture with all of you other professionals out there. This man and his $300 Home Depot special just beat me out on two of my bid proposals for residential work.

    Not only did he low-ball my price but he did a terrible job. Now the customer who owns this house is asking me to redo the work for half the price. I said no thank you.

    You would think that people would do their research occasionally before selecting someone for this type of work.

    It just goes to show you that you get what you pay for.

  7. Posted · Report reply

    Here in Florida, I seldom use any soap. Most everything here is mildew. I use fresh 12% Chlorine and a bit of Dove liquid as a wetting agent. There is no problem with removing mildew from siding, pool cage aluminum etc. I mainly want a higher % for roofs. Most of the time now, I revert to an X-Jet or Sureflo pump system.

    I get a gallon per minute uptake on my 5.5 gpm machine. (General downstreamer) so what's that, about 18%? I never have a problem removing mold and carbon buildup from siding. The keys are the right soaps, using fresh 12% s. hypochlorite, and dwell time.

    Has anyone ever tried using the "double gulp" injectors? They are pricey but worth the investment if they work.

  8. Posted · Report reply

    You might have it nailed! I made the decision to replace the 4gpm pumps with 5.6 gpm pumps on my 13 hp pressure washers, without researching it 1st. Maybe that's my problem???

    Been working this way for 5 years! :)

    What type of pump do you have? The reason that I'm asking is 13hp motor is to small for a 5.6 gpm pump. You need at least 18hp. Your pump is probably not working at its full potential. If the pump is not working at its full potential then your not going to get the downstreamers full potential.

    Roger

  11. Posted · Report reply

    First off, I have been in business since 1978, so this is nothing new to me.

    I know this can't be from asphalt roofs, because I see it just as often on mobile home gutter faces, with vinyl or aluminum pan roofs, and gutter faces on tile roofs. { Here in S.W. Florida } In fact, last week I cleaned a white cement tile roof and & House, the gutter faces were black and green with mildew. { This house appeared to never have been cleaned before and it was about 20 years old } After I cleaned it, the roof was nice and white and so were the gutters - EXCEPT for the common black streaks. The people were thrilled. AT THE MOMENT. Then called me back the next day about the black streaks. I told them that those streaks were very common and pressure cleaning did not remove them. He said "They weren't there before you worked here, it must have been something that you sprayed on them!" { These people were about 70 years old and the guy got more and more angry with every word he spoke! } I told him, "You didn't see them before, because your gutters were black with thick mildew. The streaking was hidden."

    Then he started screaming at me "DON'T TELL ME THEY WERE ALREADY THERE! YOU ARE A LIAR"

    I said "Well, i'm not going to stay on the phone with you screaming at me, goodbye."

    My theory, is that these streaks are caused by airborn polution from car exaust etc. I see no other explanation.

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