new guy asking advice

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fordman805

New member
Just thought i'd ask a few questions & see if anyone out there has any good advice. I'm still in the planning stage of starting a residental PW service. I would like to work part time while going back to college to finish my degree. I believe in my area in SoCal & with my limited eqpt.- a 6.5 hp 2400psi craftsman, that residental is my only option since the money tree is bare. Question 1,I plan on renewing decks. house & mobil home washing. I need to know if I could use a 12" water broom w/ an extention wand for roof cleaning? & if so, what size telescoping wand? Question 2 Would using a portable soft water hookup be a waste of time & $ for using on final rinse, for house washes? #3 I've used "limonene" for the several homes I've washed with good results, could I get some feedback on whats best to use on mobil homes? Thanks! fordman805@yahoo.com
 
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If you have really hard water, the softener might be a good idea.

I put some "Pure Rinse" Liquid Cascade in my cleaning mixture to help reduce spotting on the glass.



What is the Gallons Per Minute of your machine??
 
unfortunatly 2.3 gpm. Thats why I'm sticking to res. I wont be a splash & dash & dont mind spending a little xtra time doing it right.
 
Get liability insurance if you havent already.

Then, get out there and do as many jobs as you can......save your money and buy yourself a machine that is at least 4 GPM's. You will drive yourself insane washing with a 2.3 GPM machine for any length of time.

Look for good used equipment, maybe even an old rental unit.

If you doubt me about the difference, rent one sometime and try it. Its night and day.

Best of luck to you. In regards to your other questions, use the search function on this board and you will find enough info to keep you reading all weekend long.

Dont hesitate to post questions as they come to your mind, but do me a favor and post them one at a time..........you will get much more detailed responses to your questions if you seperate them and post them in the appropriate forum.

Thanks.
 
The water broom would not work with roof wash, it is to heavy to do the roof wash... Like Mike said get insurance before you proceed with anything, your life could change before you start it...

Mike hinderliter did p.w. before he finised school, and he stayed with after school, He is one we all look up to for advice, so dont count out what you have started until it is over...

What are you going to school for?

Matt
 
My major is in water science. As it stands now I need mostly gen. ed. to finish my A.S. As in water treatment.
 
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Steve, Take Mike's advice about the 4 gpm machine. The gpm is more of a factor than the psi. It is rare that I use more than 1125 psi, concrete is the only thing I use more on. The chemicals play a very important roll in what you are doing. I was in North Caroliana ealier this month doing some training demos on chemicals and equipment on a roof. I did not know before hand that the house had a deck, I had only planned on doing the roof before hand. I was using my roof cleaning equipment and the other guy's pressure washer and did not have the tip I usually use on decks that reduces the pressure down to 1125 psi so I used one that only delivers 500 psi to see how it would work. Guess what? it worked great and I ordered some more tips that size, that is what I will use from now on. You will be able to do at least twice as much work with the larger machine.
 
fordman

If you plan to do houses - do a search on a x-jet. Cut my time in half.

Quality chemicals means everything.
 
Thanks Steven & Tim The x-jet was allready on my must have list. The decks I've done, starting with my own & branching off to neighbors/family, I've used good chems & have kept the water stream as far away as I could.
 
Does anyone know the minimum GPM's to use an x-jet?? I would think it wouldnt perform well at 2.3 gpms..........but I'm not positive.....
 
I'm looking for Matt Rodriquez. I just saw a post of yours that caught my eye. I am just starting out and was so excited to find a power washer in Iowa! If you care to visit you may email me at j.ertl@mchsi.com
 
Hello Mattia

I'm looking for Matt Rodriquez. I just saw a post of yours that caught my eye. I am just starting out and was so excited to find a power washer in Iowa! If you care to visit you may email me at j.ertl@mchsi.com
 
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