John Orr

Asking for proof of insurance wouldn't be a bad idea either.

Made by Flood and sold at places like HD. Does not penetrate, sits on the surface and peels. Major PITA to remove.

60 mph gusts here earlier this morning. Lots of rain, flooding everywhere. A few more hours and we'll be done with it.

My personal observations would lead me to have guessed that the numbers/bbs's were reversed.

For those that downstream, we know that pressure is not need to wash the "soft" parts of a house. You could not tell the difference between a house that I washed with - or without - a machine. The biggest difference is in the amount of time it takes to complete the job - about twice as long by "hand".

It sounds like the painter did not add the mildewcide. I would also guess we're talking oil-based paint?

Short of adding a tank (sounds impractical for you to do), creating a "Y" at the pw and running a hose to two different spigots should cure the problem. However, this means you will need to carry an additional supply hose and enough high-pressure hose to go around half a building - since it won't be easy to relocate the machine.

When I first started, almost 7 years ago (!), I washed every house without a pressure washer. My delivery system of choice was a garden hose-end tree sprayer. If I need to reach a really high peak, I would drape the sprayer over the brush on an extension pole. Don't laugh, it worked very well. I still have many of those original customers.

Check your state DMV laws on transporting hazmat.

Jeff, Assuming both machines running non-stop...If the spigot gives 5gpm, you will have about 40 minutes of run time. If the spigot gives 8 gpm, you will have about 25 minutes. Both numbers assume you start with a full tank. My rig is 8gpm, and I usually keep about 100 gallons in the tank as a buffer - and it is usually enough, though there are times... One possible solution for low flow is to run another hose from a different spigot. I'm sure there is some reduced flow when you open the second one, but I have done this numerous times and it works.

Be ready for the run-off.

Jeff, I did a house yesterday that had that exact type and color siding. It too is heavily oxidized. This was actually the third time I have washed it and it was in the same condition the first time. Since I downstream, I have no problem with the oxidation - I just clean it. Since I am not putting any pressure on the siding, I am not leaving any tell-tale wand marks. The customer is aware of the oxidation issue, but likes the look of the siding. When I wash, I am adding some liquid wax to my mix and washing at about 125 degrees.

If the slab has settled, the is a technique called "mud jacking" that will raise it. (essentially, they inject concrete under the slab.)

I don't normally pass along stuff like this, but I couldn't resist. BubbliciousBeach.wmv

As I recall, the trigger is actually the "guts" of a gun. I believe that there is a rebuild kit for it.

Leave a note on the cans that you have installed video surveillance and for them to have a nice day. "Smile, you're on Candid Camera!" Northern Tool sells fake surveillance cameras - or you could set-up a real camera.

The hose from the tank to the machine needs to be larger than a garden hose. Also, garden hose can collapse when sucking water from the tank, so use a stiffer hose.

I have never done a mailer. When I first started, I went door to door with flyers (about 300) and got no calls. I then went door to door to that same neighborhood and knocked on doors of those houses that looked dirty. Very high closing rate. Initially, I used a yard sign. Now, There is no way I could keep track of them. The ones I first used were like the realtors' signs and cost almost $100 each. Some were stolen, one was packed-up and moved with a homeowner (!) and several I forgot where I put them and the homeowners never called me to remind me to come and pick them up. (Did they throw them out or what?) Most of my business has always been referrals. I ask my customers to tell their friends and promise to give them the same quality service. In the last few years, I have started putting VERY small ads in a few of the area phone books - the smaller (more local) the better. In the yellow Book, I have a small ad and coupon that costs about $1000/yr and in the Community Phone Book, I have the same ad/coupon for about $600/yr. Both ads do very well. All ads refer people to my website. Do you wear a uniform? Does you equipment impress? Do you have nice signage on your equipment? All of these things help and have all been cited numerous times as the reason people have hired me. As far as the realtors go, some hire me directly - and pay me directly. Some call me to do the work and the homeowner pays and some refer me to the homeowner and I work directly with them. (Find a realtor that sells in the nicer neighborhoods and maybe offer to do his house for free.)

For me, he last week of July and the first week or so of August are usually a little slower, based on 6 full seasons. This year was the same. Overall, business has increased almost 30% over last year. One of the reasons for the increase has been the housing market. For the last few years, people hardly vacuumed when selling, let alone having the house washed. I have had realtors coming out of the woodwork, wanting everything done yesterday. Not only the house, but also roofs. If you are not building relationships with realtors, you are missing the boat, but be ready to get to their listings asap.

Congratulations Jeff.

EaCoChem 800/313-8505, ask for Mike.

My (local) web hosting company disappeared on me - taking my original website with them. Argh! I can't find the software that I used to build the first one, so I completely re-did the site. If any of you get a chance, please look it over and post or send any comments/suggestions. Thanks, John http://www.exteriorcleaning.com

Hmmm. I thought I had done that already. I will take care of it tonight. TY

Working on it. I try to do a little more every day. FYI, I have a Google PageRank of 3 (out of 10). For comparison, this forum has a rank of 2.

Seriously? I was wondering if I had put in too many.