Limeade

In your opinion guys, wheres the money at? Wood work? Or houses? and why. Also which is the best bang for the buck, I've done some, but not a big enough level to really sit back and look at the numbers. Say for instance, one will gain you 20% more money, but will require 50% time.

Some of you guys need to come back to earth, you pressure washer things, you don't build rocket ships. If the guy wants to scrub the deck, then let him, it sounds as if some of you are afraid of a little bit of work. When I get my car wahsed, I want hands on it, pressure washing is nothing without a little elbow grease.

Why dont you just puddy over it, sand and paint?

Hey guys, quick question, the season is upon us, and I really want to pick a good house wash and stick with it. However I would like to buy my chemicals locally. Why? Well its more or less a cash flow situation, I'm new and don't have the funds to buy in bulk, pay shipping, and then end up not liking it. So does anyone know a place in Houston Tx that sells good chems? Not lowes, or Crap Depot, but a real pressure washing store with chemicals and PW attachments?

Oooooh guess not huh? I thought there were a couple of Houston guys on here, maybe that was another forum, well if anyone thinks of anything, please post it.

How do you guys do it? I know this may be a really dumb question but I am trying to do everything right not become scrub. Can you use a pump spraye to apply stripper? I know you can spray on brightener, but I've never heard of stripper being applied this way.

Ok well I did a house, and a portion of a fence for practice and a little side cash. Here are the pics, I only used dawn soap. Nothing else, so I may have been able to get it cleaner with something else. My problem is, I was able to get the black crap off, but I'm not sure if the brick itself should look better. I mean when you go and clean a home, one similar to the one I did, does the brick shine brighter or something? lol, I'm still gaining experience. Critique me. PICS REMOVED UNTILL I HAVE TIME TO RESIZE THEM Now the fence I just used soap and water. I know that I should of used a cleaner and a brightener, but like I said, it was a spur of the moment thing. The fence is due for a replacement, so I gained a little practice.

Thanks, that makes a lot of sense.

Cool, I will do that. Are you saying that I should focus on the mortor? Either way thanks, I will try this when I practice on the other side of the house.

Thanks, I appreciate it.

lol a lot lower then yours, 3.0 GPM is what my machine runs at.

OK so can someone tell me how to avoid this in the future? Sideing is pretty easy to do, but with brick there seems to be more of a technique. I understand that I should use less pressure, but my machine is only 3000 psi as it is. If I bump it down even more I would think it couldn't get that hard stuff off. Now everyone is telling me chemicals, which makes sense for algae, and mold, but can they get off really built up stuff. For instance not something that is just a color on the brick, but more of a buildup, something thats thick and on there good? How do I let it "cleaner" sit longer without it drying up also? Do I wet it, or should I put more on.

Thanks, I didn't know that about the brick. But as far as I know, it was like that, but maybe I'm wrong. Also I should have made this clear, I did use chlorine to clean the mold, but I used soap and water to clean the non mold covered brick. Can you guys post some before and after pictures? My main thing is this, I just don't know whats clean enough, do you get what I'm saying, what looks great to me, may not look great to more experienced guys, and even scarier is the fact that it may not look good to the customer.

I guess it was bad :lgtear: :lgsideway

Ugh... I just can't get myself motivated enough to start, honestly, maybe I'm a tad scared. I have a 3000psi 2.7gpm machine, and I want to houses and maybe some fences. I've asked a lot of questions, and I thought I had longer, but in houston the winter is already over, so now its crunch time. I am a student, and I have limited funds. However my car payment is the only payment I make, all other expenses are taken care of through other jobs. So in other words, yeah I'm not rich, but I don't have a lot of bills. What should I do? I found a site that will send out postcards for a good price. But I don't if that works. I am not super experienced, but I have done a couple jobs so far by words of mouth. Inspire me guys.

Thanks, I'm not lazy , maybe I should have mentioned I do a lot of labor intensive work, I'm bandit sign guy for a big builder, and I also paint.

First off let me say thanks for everyones support, that seems to be what I needed, and I feel really inspired right now. To answer a couple of questions... I'm in College However I am Married I love using me machine And I've washed 2 houses, and some walk ways and what not. You guys gave me what I needed, I think I'm going to go change the oil in my machine right now! lol

I am looking for an awsome mixture that I can put together myself that can be used on the type of houses in my area. I live in houston, and so we have a lot of brick homes, and hardy plank sided homes. Anyone have a good mixture? On houses should I use some sort of brightener? I think I really want to focus on brick homes, as that is the majority in houston that need work. Also does anyone have any suggestions on methods used in cleaning brick? I did a really dirty wall on my Parent Laws house for the hell of it with no soap, and it seemed failry easy. But I am scared I will go out with the same expectations and find a house I can't clean.

In everyones opinion, whats the best way to get going when you are first starting. I was planning on flyers, but now I'm hearing they are not could, and possible illegal. I could hand out cards and what not, but that takes a long time to come full circle. Any suggestions with reasonable prices? Reason being is that I am a college student and my books cost as much as a cheap beater car. But I am willing to go for something that is really good, and is almost impossible not to get leads from. I find myself almost ready to go, and now I'm getting to the point of "how the hell do I get the business now?"

Thanks guys, I think I am going to go the direct mailer route. So if I have this right, I make up post cards, get them printed, say like 500, then pick an area, and directly mail them. How do I get them sent, bulk mail method?

As far as house washing goes, why is it needed? Is it? Will a 3000 psi suffice? It is apparent to me that in the 2 step process, its really all about the chemicals? Is this true?

Thanks guys for the help, my machine is 3000psi, but only 3gpm, which isn't horrible, it just mean it will take me longer, which is ok. Thnaks again

How about applying the stain, I've heard you can use a pump up to spray it on, and then go over it with a roller to get it on good, and to eliminate puddles. Is this correct thinking or do you all have a better way of doing it?

Ok so you do use a pump up sprayer to apply stripper? Or is that some other kind of sprayer that you mentioned. Also if this is true, can I avoid useing brushes all together, spray on stripper, power wash it off, spray on brightener, then stain if I want to.

Hello fellow Houstonian!