4, 5.5 or 8 GPM

"Red"

"Red"

Graphic Designer
I'm researching my next pump and was wondering how much of a gain there will be (performance/production wise) with either a 5.5 or 8 gpm pump.
 
A lot....you application of your mix and your rinsing time, when downstreaming, will be cut in almost 1/2 w the 8GPM vs 5.5.
 
Your horsepower will limit your operating pressure. If' you use it for downstreaming and are looking for low-to-mid pressure rinsing, you'll be fine with 8. If you want to run a surface cleaner, it'll spin faster, but you'll lose "on the ground" impact to knock the dirt loose.
 
Depends on what your doing and your horsepower. if you are doing sidewalks and you can keep your pressure up around 3000 psi go 8 gpm, if not then stick with the 5.5 gpm. If you are doing mainly residential 2500 psi is usually plenty and 8 gpm is the way to go.
 
I'm sure the HP issue will be addressed (as in a packaged unit). My goal is to move like the wind like Craig does in his videos.

What's the price range for a new and a good used 8gpm/4000psi unit (with and without heat)? I'm still eyeballin' that Water Dragon too.

Here's a driveway I did this morning. In the after pic you can see some "banding". This was probably caused due to me speeding up when it started raining on me. It wasn't that noticeable standing over it and the customer was thoroughly pleased with the results, but I'm my toughest critic. I'll be going back when it's nice and sunny out for some better after pics.

Driveway-B_zps267735c9.png


Afterwards.

Driveway-A_zpsdaf5c7cc.png

​
 
When you go back it will look great,If your have problems like this beef the mix up from the start and let the chemical do the majority of the work.
 
Paul Kassander said:
Depends on what your doing and your horsepower. if you are doing sidewalks and you can keep your pressure up around 3000 psi go 8 gpm, if not then stick with the 5.5 gpm. If you are doing mainly residential 2500 psi is usually plenty and 8 gpm is the way to go.
Click to expand...

Couldn't agree more Paul!!!
 
So I'm back in the neighborhood (7 months later) where I cleaned the driveway shown above. The striping (banding) looks much, much worse now. I've adopted the pre/post treatment method since then, but this just looks bad. I'm thinking I'll go back and re-do the driveway for free (treating it this time). The pattern really confuses me too. I overlap every pass to ensure I'm getting a good clean, but this happens.

Could this be a PSI or GPM issue?

Driveway-C_zps0917208b.png
 
Did you have heavy flooding! I notice stripes if you are working in puddles or standing water. Makes since though, because a puddle will slow your spray bar down.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
Looks to me like you need to be overlapping your path a little better. These kind of stripes just look like it was missed to me.

Sometimes I have run into REALLY heavy mold/dirt,...and I will do a criss cross pattern to get an even cleaning. I've seen guys here say 4 bar spray bars work better at eliminating shadow and/or striping.

I also agree with the others about pre and post treating,...actually I like to pre-treat with sodium hypochlorite and sodium hydroxide mix and let sit while I'm doing other work,..and then when I'm done running the surface cleaner,...I will apply oxalic to the concrete to brighten and also remove some stains,...it also brings it together very well.

What GPM/PSI is your machine?

What size surface cleaner?

Jeff
 
"Red" said:
So I'm back in the neighborhood (7 months later) where I cleaned the driveway shown above. The striping (banding) looks much, much worse now. I've adopted the pre/post treatment method since then, but this just looks bad. I'm thinking I'll go back and re-do the driveway for free (treating it this time). The pattern really confuses me too. I overlap every pass to ensure I'm getting a good clean, but this happens.

Could this be a PSI or GPM issue?

Driveway-C_zps0917208b.png
Click to expand...

You have:

A) a clogged nozzle
and/or
B) going to fast
and/or
C) Something wrong with either machine or cleaner that is not pushing the cleaner to full rpm that it should.

Post treating will not really help that unless you use full strength SH, because of the darker areas. I would do it again and then post treat it with a strong mix.

When cleaning driveways, pick your longest point and go back and forth (fastest way) and let the hose follow you through the cleaned areas(you wont be fighting hose.)

That type of driveway are the hardest to clean and I charge more for them, especially if they are really dirty.
 
I just got a new PSI gauge that I'll be installing on the pump and checking all my variables again (PSI at the pump, PSI at the end of the hose, GPM flow at the end of 100' ...). SC seems to be running fine, but I'll know more soon enough. Thanks Doug.
 
It looks like you didn't kill the mold completely, along with going too fast. All the faint striping is mold that wasn't completely taken off. Now it is growing back. I had that happen on one of my first driveways, that happens to be right across the street. I didn't use SH and I went too fast. I did it for free so I'm not embarrassed...LOL.
 
"Red" said:
So I'm back in the neighborhood (7 months later) where I cleaned the driveway shown above. The striping (banding) looks much, much worse now. I've adopted the pre/post treatment method since then, but this just looks bad. I'm thinking I'll go back and re-do the driveway for free (treating it this time). The pattern really confuses me too. I overlap every pass to ensure I'm getting a good clean, but this happens.

Could this be a PSI or GPM issue?

Driveway-C_zps0917208b.png
Click to expand...

Wow........ I'd redo it. Explain you had an equipment issue or something. I wouldn't be able to sleep at night knowing that cash was in my bank and the neighbors saw my rig there.. Pre treat. Surface clean ( make sure your nozzles are clean and properly sized ). Rinse and post treat. Kill that mold. Make then customer happy. ---- and your self happy too!
 
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