House wash mix / amount / storage...

"Red"

Graphic Designer
Is there a good "rule of thumb" guide to how much mix (in gallons) a job will need? In particular, a house wash, would you make small amounts at a time to ensure there's very little waste, or a specific amount based on the work area? I know experience plays a big role is getting the amount close each time, but is there a formula that will get it close most of the time?

I usually work alone, so I don't want to waste time (or mix) making more (if I can help it).

And what if you do make too much mix... how well will it hold up until the next job? How long can you store a mix if it's not used right away? I don't feel right "dumping" it if I don't use it as intended. I've read you can add some TSP to boost it, does this help much?

I'm researching tanks and don't want one too small or too large.
 
Is there a good "rule of thumb" guide to how much mix (in gallons) a job will need? In particular, a house wash, would you make small amounts at a time to ensure there's very little waste, or a specific amount based on the work area? I know experience plays a big role is getting the amount close each time, but is there a formula that will get it close most of the time?

Most jobs we wash need 5 gallons. Because that is the size mix bucket we use. If there's too much, we have left over. If there's not enough, we make more.

I usually work alone, so I don't want to waste time (or mix) making more (if I can help it).

Then don't, Not to worry. Make two jugs if you have two jobs today.

And what if you do make too much mix... how well will it hold up until the next job?

The next job today? It'll last 'til you get there. The next job tomorrow? dump it out, Mix is so cheap that you'll waste more time wondering if your day old crap is gonna work than you will washing.

How long can you store a mix if it's not used right away?

Until you get to the next job today.

I don't feel right "dumping" it if I don't use it as intended.

Don't ascribe too much value to your feelings. Your bank account does not have feelings. Get over it. Do the Dump.

I've read you can add some TSP to boost it, does this help much?

Always add TSP when you are stripping paint or deglossing paint for re-coating. Other wise read someone elses writings.
Keep TSP away from windows on paint prep jobs.

I'm researching tanks and don't want one too small or too large.

I know how you feel. We have 550 (2-275) going into our box truck build but that may not help you much. Tank size is determined by water source at job, size of machine, size of trailer and size of tow vehicle.

Replies in Blue for you
 
Is there a good "rule of thumb" guide to how much mix (in gallons) a job will need? In particular, a house wash, would you make small amounts at a time to ensure there's very little waste, or a specific amount based on the work area? I know experience plays a big role is getting the amount close each time, but is there a formula that will get it close most of the time?


I don't have a lot of house washes lined up all the time so I make up 5 gallon batches as needed so not much goes to waste, what is not used will last for a few days down here in the hot Texas sun, after a few days I dump it. By making 5 gallons, that will usually do most if not an average house, if I need more, it only takes a couple minutes to make up some more, no big deal.


I usually work alone, so I don't want to waste time (or mix) making more (if I can help it).

I usually work alone also, mixing more housewash mix only takes a couple minutes, no bid deal. If you have many houses to wash, then I would use a larger tank based on how many houses you will wash per day unless you have a week's worth lined up but even then, I would only mix up a day or two at at time if you are in a hot climate because the sun does start to weaken mixes if you don't have a blue or black tank to block the UV rays.


And what if you do make too much mix... how well will it hold up until the next job? How long can you store a mix if it's not used right away? I don't feel right "dumping" it if I don't use it as intended. I've read you can add some TSP to boost it, does this help much?


Answered this above.



I'm researching tanks and don't want one too small or too large.

If for house washing, go by how many house washes you have lined up in a few days or week, not how many you want to have but have lined up already or have done in the past, no sense in getting too big and wasting room on the trailer if a smaller tank will do or even buckets.

If for water supply, you can go with 125 to 325 if most of your customers have a good water supply. Get a Hudson float valve so that the tank will not over-fill. You can get the low-level switches if you want that will turn off the machine if the supply level in your water tank gets too low, I have not used one or had the need as I am checking on the tank within every 20 or 30 minutes or so. You will also be checking the tank a lot as you switch from soap to rinse if you like to use the same nozzles (I do) or you can just use the high pressure nozzles to cut off the soap and rinse with (I like the lower pressure nozzles to rinse with as I get a better rinse with no pressure blowing things around like hanging plants, windchimes or blasting mulch out of flower beds that are close to the house or sidewalks) but this is just me and my preference.

Good luck.
 
Is there a good "rule of thumb" guide to how much mix (in gallons) a job will need? In particular, a house wash, would you make small amounts at a time to ensure there's very little waste, or a specific amount based on the work area? I know experience plays a big role is getting the amount close each time, but is there a formula that will get it close most of the time?


I don't have a lot of house washes lined up all the time so I make up 5 gallon batches as needed so not much goes to waste, what is not used will last for a few days down here in the hot Texas sun, after a few days I dump it. By making 5 gallons, that will usually do most if not an average house, if I need more, it only takes a couple minutes to make up some more, no big deal.


I usually work alone, so I don't want to waste time (or mix) making more (if I can help it).

I usually work alone also, mixing more housewash mix only takes a couple minutes, no bid deal. If you have many houses to wash, then I would use a larger tank based on how many houses you will wash per day unless you have a week's worth lined up but even then, I would only mix up a day or two at at time if you are in a hot climate because the sun does start to weaken mixes if you don't have a blue or black tank to block the UV rays.


And what if you do make too much mix... how well will it hold up until the next job? How long can you store a mix if it's not used right away? I don't feel right "dumping" it if I don't use it as intended. I've read you can add some TSP to boost it, does this help much?


Answered this above.



I'm researching tanks and don't want one too small or too large.

If for house washing, go by how many house washes you have lined up in a few days or week, not how many you want to have but have lined up already or have done in the past, no sense in getting too big and wasting room on the trailer if a smaller tank will do or even buckets.

If for water supply, you can go with 125 to 325 if most of your customers have a good water supply. Get a Hudson float valve so that the tank will not over-fill. You can get the low-level switches if you want that will turn off the machine if the supply level in your water tank gets too low, I have not used one or had the need as I am checking on the tank within every 20 or 30 minutes or so. You will also be checking the tank a lot as you switch from soap to rinse if you like to use the same nozzles (I do) or you can just use the high pressure nozzles to cut off the soap and rinse with (I like the lower pressure nozzles to rinse with as I get a better rinse with no pressure blowing things around like hanging plants, windchimes or blasting mulch out of flower beds that are close to the house or sidewalks) but this is just me and my preference.

Good luck.
 
95% of the time I down stream when house washing, so I carry 4 five gallon pails of 10%SH with me at all times, that are close to being full.. Non Diluted. When I need them I add a couple ounces of Roof Snot to them and downstream. I am using 8gpm machine w 200 feet of hose so I rarely need to dilute it any. If I happen to use my 4GPM machine then I will add a little water to the bucket to dilute it down a little. On an average 2500-3000 square ft home I will use either all of it and a little more out of another, or I may have some left over. I don't really have a science as to how much it will take on a particular house. It a;; depends on the the type of surface I cam cleaning, Vinyl, Hardi,brick,stucco, etc, and how dirty it is.
I usually work alone, so I don't want to waste time (or mix) making more (if I can help it).

The time it takes to mix up some is minimal, don't over think it.



Using Roof Snot mine rarely ever goes bad, it last for days, if I have a little in a bucket, I never dump it, I just add to it. I've never used TSP for anything.



I wouldn't recommend larger that 225 for a one man operation. But size of tank can be determined by other factors as well, especially your choice of transport.


Always available by phone if you ever want to call and discus.
 
The tank I mentioned is for the wash, not a buffer tank. I wasn't sure if the 15 gallon (sprayer) tank I have would work or if I would need larger. I already (AllRed E ... hey, I made a funny) have a 225 buffer tank. It sounds like the 15 will do nicely. I'll hafta try the Roof Snot.
 
Excatly what Doug said.
95% of the time I down stream when house washing, so I carry 4 five gallon pails of 10%SH with me at all times, that are close to being full.. Non Diluted. When I need them I add a couple ounces of Roof Snot to them and downstream. I am using 8gpm machine w 200 feet of hose so I rarely need to dilute it any. If I happen to use my 4GPM machine then I will add a little water to the bucket to dilute it down a little. On an average 2500-3000 square ft home I will use either all of it and a little more out of another, or I may have some left over. I don't really have a science as to how much it will take on a particular house. It a;; depends on the the type of surface I cam cleaning, Vinyl, Hardi,brick,stucco, etc, and how dirty it is.
I usually work alone, so I don't want to waste time (or mix) making more (if I can help it).

The time it takes to mix up some is minimal, don't over think it.



Using Roof Snot mine rarely ever goes bad, it last for days, if I have a little in a bucket, I never dump it, I just add to it. I've never used TSP for anything.



I wouldn't recommend larger that 225 for a one man operation. But size of tank can be determined by other factors as well, especially your choice of transport.


Always available by phone if you ever want to call and discus.
 
Hey Red, Is that text really on your trailer or is it just a joke?
The tank I mentioned is for the wash, not a buffer tank. I wasn't sure if the 15 gallon (sprayer) tank I have would work or if I would need larger. I already (AllRed E ... hey, I made a funny) have a 225 buffer tank. It sounds like the 15 will do nicely. I'll hafta try the Roof Snot.
 
Hey Red, Is that text really on your trailer or is it just a joke?

It's just a joke.
I-need-the-money_zps549ca88c.png

 
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