to foam or not to foam?????

WASH-IT H.B.

WASH-IT H.B.

New member
I have been dwelling on the question of foaming on product.
I found an old posting today with regards to MYRISTERMINE OXIDE which someone said was ROOF SNOT. I guess that MO is the chemical foaming agent component of ROOF SNOT.
The suggestion was put that it was OK in house wash for the same result FOAMING.
I am pondering as to whether a FOAMING nozzle is also required with the MO to induce the foaming effect.
Then I ask myself if foaming, as opposed to down streaming, wash product to the surface to be cleaned is more or less effective?
Do you in fact use MORE product FOAMING or less?
I am not interested in X-JET because of the extra gear to be hauled around on the job plus there is the pressure factor which gets away from the SOFT WASH philosophy.
Any one got thought’s on the pro’s and con’s of foaming product on the job against straight down streaming?

 
JDhomeservices said:
What about a foam nozzle that is designed to be used with a downstream injector? I have always wondered how those work. Don't see many distributors selling them. http://www.powerwash.com/cleaning-a...ashers/stainless-steel-airless-foam-wand.html

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I've wondered about those too. I'm assuming you'd have to use a pretty sudsy soap mix for it to work.

I also wonder is it just a shooter tip or does it have a wide fan pattern tip or what?
 
There have been only a few times where foaming the chemical onto the surface would have helped more but for the most part, downstreaming is a way of soft washing buildings, houses, etc.... as you are not washing with pressure, only chemicals.

There are many opinions of foaming, most think that sudsy water or runny soapy water with very little cling is foam, my opinion of foam is what sticks on the wall and does not run down fast, not quite shaving cream but actual foam that sticks, has air in it so it is thick and but not too much air so it is a dry foam.

For the better foam, an air compressor is needed, look at the Foam it or Lafferty foamer videos where they have the wall mount systems that use air to make the thicker foam, if this is what you want and need to only spray 20' to maybe 40' away, then this is the type of system you need with a high cfm air compressor.

The foaming agent is simple, you can use several different chemicals but do you really need this for your cleaning situations? It would suck to buy equipment to do a job and find out later that it was not needed, that you can do the job with simple downstreaming or other application methods.

I hear that foaming is great for the food service industry, for food processing equipment, sanitizing, etc.....not so much for outside buiding/house washing as you can downstream most surfaces and if you need to, you can spray again or a few times as needed and not need more equipment like air compressors (for the good foam), different hoses (larger diameter hoses like 3/4" for the better quality foam), large foam nozzles, etc....

If you are doing most typical cleaning, you will be ok with downstreaming and a good surfactant like Roof Snot (I don't know what is in it but it does a great job on everything I have used it on so far) and something that does not weaken the bleach too fast (Roof Snot does not weaken the bleach soon at all like other surfactants do) but something that is cost effective for your business.

Hope this helps.
 
Thank you Christopher.
That was exactly what I was after. A comprehensive answer. I am happy enough with downstream application but had seriously wondered about the whole foam thing as it seems to be fairly popular.
My Chemical supplier was of the same opinion as you with regards to butchers and food prep people wanting foam for around equipment etc.
Will stick with what I am doing.
Thanks.
Stuart


 
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