John Orr

I have been using Oly Max Toner for about 6 years. I love it and so do my customers. Unlike semi-transparent stains, the Toners (green cans) do not leave a film on the wood, they merely add color to it. No shine. If the deck gets dirty after a year or two, the stain can be cleaned (without pressure) and still looks great. For homeowner applications, a pump-up sprayer (a cheap one), 6" foam roller and a brush work best. No lap marks. Very user friendly.

I haven't raised my prices - yet. I charge .10 sq ft, but increase the rate as the distance increases. (Up to .15, or about 50 miles.) I have never increased prices for regular customers. By my calculations, during an average house wash, I will use about 2 gallons of gas and maybe a gallon of diesel - or about $4 more per wash. On a $250 job, why raise prices? (Of course, giving mostly phone estimates helps a lot.)

I would look for a possible leak in either a spray arm or possibly around a tip. Since it is cleaning better on one side, is it possible that one of the tires is low on air? or that the front wheel is bent?

Behr makes a stripper for their silicone-enhanced stains that works fairly well. Apply, let dwell and pw off.

Yeah, a leaking gun - or any fitting - will cause the cycling. Also, if you are sucking-in any air on the supply side, it will cause the same problem.

I would be looking at your downstreamer. Assuming you are using 12.5? Downstreamers come in different sizes, 1.8, 2.1 and 2.3. (I use a 2.1 on my 8 gpm machine because the 2.3, which is rated for 8 gpm, does not draw as well.)

Simple Green doesn't cause damage, people do! lol Use the concentrate, but do not dilute.

Before adding Sodium Hydroxide, make sure that the surface has not been painted.

The biggest improvement that I made was going to a flow-type unloader (eg: K-7). The hose moves fine when the is no pressure in the line. In fact, you can actually change guns or add a hose without turning off the machine! (Gotta be quick!) I also like having a gradual build-up of pressure when cleaning wood. Its much harder to leave your mark!

If this were my customer, I would downstream 12.5 @ 120 degrees. Let it dwell for a few minutes and re-apply. Without knowing what is around this wall, I would not want to apply too strong a mix. 1% on the wall is plenty - especially with heat. (You'll want a "shooter" tip for downstreaming.)

Whatever chem you use to wash gutters. Apply with a soft brush on an extension pole.

18 out of 25. There were some that I just had to guess at, only a few that I thought I knew - but didn't.

Towards the end of last year, I started giving phone quotes. I determined that my prices have been averaging .10 sq ft, so that became my price. Average house wash is $225 to $250 - two of those, plus a deck today. I explain that by not having to come out for an estimate, I can pass the savings on to them. (Added benefit of saving time!) Customers appreciate getting an instant quote and most schedule the work. In fact, I am now booked about 3 weeks out - more than usual. Decks and roofs usually require a visit, but even those can many times be estimated.

Your brother is used to paying .04 sq ft - so charge him .04 sq ft for the house as well. $200 plus $120 = $320. Its WAY low, but he'll be happy paying it.

I assume that this is the silicone stuff they are selling these days. If so, Behr sells a stripper that will, mostly, work. Apply per instructions and be prepared to repeat. (I've spoken to people at Behr and they profess to not ever hearing that the silicone sealer is difficult to remove.)

The fact that the Earth's climate is changing may be true, but the real question is: What is causing it? If people are to blame, then how do you explain global warming on Mars? Mars Melt Hints at Solar, Not Human, Cause for Warming, Scientist Says

Exactly, but it also serves as a rolling billboard. Besides, the trailer came with it already attached. But seriously, having a buffer is vital to any machine, but especially one with high gpm. Not knowing flow rates at every house, how do you know what is big enough? Realistically, 100 gallons would be plenty - if kept full - for most residential jobs. 1 gallon of water = 8.33 lbs = lower mileage. Extra weight = longer stopping distances (even with trailer brakes) On a dual axle trailer, extra weight increases already poor tread wear on the rear set of tires.

I have a 300 gallon tank and usually keep no more than 50 gallons in the tank. Occasionally, I run across a "slow" spigot, but not very often. Always something else to do while filling. Its less of an issue with a house wash, more so with decks or drives.

I apologize for not remembering my annual "donation to the cause". I am posting so that, hopefully, others will be reminded. Thanks again Beth and Rod - PayPaling you this morning.

Welcome to the 8gpm club! (Still working on a secret handshake.)

I'm guessing that it is clean, but there are "swipe" marks on the siding from years of tree branches swiping the siding.

...includes roof, fascia, siding... If you remove the comma between roof and fascia, the price almost makes sense.

Like James, I carry a back-up machine. Its my old (5 years?) Home Depot 4/3500 machine that I upgraded to 5.5/2400 gear drive. I actually carry it in my van. Seldom need it, but its nice to know its there.

For me (99% residential) a flow-type unloader is the best. They are much easier on the arms/shoulder and hands. When cleaning a deck, having the psi come on gradually is useful. If I remember correctly, the K-7 can be had with your gpm rating, but I think the K-1 is heavier duty. I had a K-7 on a 4gpm/4000 psi rig and now I have a K-1 on my 8gpm/3000 rig.

.10 sq/ft (living space) is what I charge. That includes fascia, soffit and (on most houses) exterior of gutters. (A typical 2500 sq/ft house goes for $250 and takes me about 1 1/2 hours or so.) As for the water, you will want a little in the tank, but hooking-up to the customer's water is normal. If they have well water, they will actually appreciate the steady draw of your tank will give them. (The idea is not to fill-up your tank, but to keep the water level steady. Think buffer.) (You say you're set up for downstreaming, so I am assuming that's how you're washing.)