Newbie....softwash or pressure wash system?

nitro121

New member
I have a lawn company and my wife pays someone to pressure wash our house every year. So I'm thinking of buying a system and offering it to my current customers. But then today I read about "softwashing".

And since I only want to do easy residentials for now is that the way to go.....I don't think anyone around here has it...or at least advertises it. So that may be good for business. Or would it just be easier to get a small pressure washing system? I already have an extra 6x4 trailer to use. Would it cost the same for both systems.....I'm looking to spend about 2 grand since I already have the trailer.

Thanks,
Gary
 
Opps....didn't know the sites were linked...

I'm Gary :D I'm in Va....in between Richmond and DC.

Now the guy my wife hires every year to clean our house is a guy I knew in high school....he does window washing and pressure cleaning and uses a bare-bones system. Nothing like I see some of these guys post. So instead of spending 250 a year, I'll just invest 2000 (have trailer)...and then maybe expand the lawn business to a exterior care business. I have 85 lawn customers now....so even if half jump on pressure washing and sealcoating my business will double or triple.

v/r
Gary
 
Looks like no one uses a true softwash system

except a few people and this guy. softwashing.com

I was going to try to copy that system.....it seems most guys use a pressure washer w/ low pressure and call it softwashing I guess. I was going to try to copy that guy so I could "sell" the service better.
 
Soft What?

Hey Nitro,

I'm new here to this site, but I'm not new to "softwashing" or low pressure cleaning techniques. This is the method I was taught almost 8 years ago. It really is the best way to go and it basically seals the deal when you explain your methods to customers. Now some might classify “softwashing” as using only a water hose or a low pressure water supply (such as a 5gpm electric pump), but I consider using a pressure washer with low pressure tips to be the bomb. When performing “softwashing”, I cannot overstate the importance of “rinsing”. Rinsing is the most important stage because of the salts left behind from detergents and bleaches.

First thing, get rid of any tips you might have and any that you get with your machine. Throw them out. As far as staying under $2000, I’m not sure if you can, but it’s possible, depending on where you get your parts.

Basically, you want the biggest volume pump you can afford to raise the “cleaning units” since you are opting to go with low pressure. You will also want to go with a gear drive if possible since this setup transfers more power to your pump than a belt drive. High water flow is probably the most important factor in this equation because it affects the amount of soap you can apply, the amount of time you work and finally how fast you can rinse. I’ve used a TS 1511 for years, but I would highly recommend a General TS 2021 for two reasons; its gpm output will make up for the fact that you are using less pressure and also for it's low cost (around $420). The 2021 can be a beast if you are new to pressure washing, so be careful.

When doing this type of cleaning you will be using brushes quite a bit, so go with a "Giant" flow type unloader (Model #22655 - under $80). This will give you the ability to lay the gun down for as long as you want without worrying about your equipment. This will also allow you to use low pressure tips and reduce the strain on your pump, hose and gun assembly as well. Another benefit of a “flow type” unloader is that when you release your trigger, it will also leave your hose nice and soft so that you can move around someone’s patio or deck furniture area without fighting a stiff hose.

You should also get an "Allison" Big Gulp chemical injector (best on the market, imo). I'm not sure what I can say as far as pressure washer suppliers go on this site, but if you can't find this stuff, let me know. (See my website at SCRUBBINGBUBBLES.WS)

To run a 2021 pump you can use a 13 hp Honda if you are looking to stay cheap and this is why you want a gear drive setup – to get every bit of hp you’ve got coming to you. I’ve set them up like this and they are monsters! Just make sure to adjust the rpm’s of your engine down to about 3200 rmp for the pump. And USE a reserve tank of at least 100 gallons to keep your pump fed - some homes just don't put out enough water. Remember, your 2021’s put out 5.6 gpm.

As far as tips, you will need (2) 40 gallon tips; one is called a "Zero degree" (the numbers on the tip should be #0040) which will be used to apply chemical up to two stories high (forget those high priced "jet" thingamabobs - this is only about $5 with the female plug) and the other 40 gallon tip is a "fan" tip (numbers would be #4040) to cover walls and windows, but both are for dispersing chemicals. These tips will fit directly into your gun (no wand) for easier control. You will also need a 12 gallon 25 degree tip (#2512 or #25125 – I use a 12.5 gallon tip) for rinsing. You can go up to about a 12.5 gallon tip without drawing chemicals.

You will of course still need a high pressure tip for concrete and metal surfaces such as gutters and screened enclosures, but this is the only time you will use them. Here, I recommend a 40 degree, 6 gpm (#4006)(remember your 2021's put out 5.6 gpm) (white tip) because it disperses the pressure over a wide enough pattern that you can get away with being close to some surfaces without causing damage, such as screened cages and gutters next to wood faceboards.

Anyway, you will need a top of the line housewash. Don't even bother with the stuff you see on store shelves. Go with what the pro's use. Email me if you can't find anything you like. I’ve spent hundreds, if not thousands of dollars buying and trying out different housewashes, gutter cleaners and degreasers. Check out my website to see the results of what I use and do.

I use a mixture of 4 gallons of water to 1 quart of professional grade housewash and one gallon of sodium hyperchlorite (pool chlorine) to make 5 gallons. Run this mixture through your injector using your zero and fan tips. This is also known as the “pre-soaking” stage. Let it sit for a few minutes (don’t let it dry on windows and rinse brass knobs and hinges immediately). Then use brushes to remove dirt dauber nests and webs that pressure “rinsing” won’t take out. Rinse only with your 12 gallon tip and you're in business. When doing driveways and sidewalks you can use your one high pressure tip for rinsing. Once you work your way out to about 3 feet from the home, you can switch from the 12 gallon rinse tip to the white, high-pressure tip to rinse the rest down to the sidewalk.

I know you want to keep it under $2000, but when you add in a surface cleaner, some extensions and more hose (I keep a minimum of 300 ft on my reel to reach around most homes), you will easily spend more than you hope. Check out my website and you will see a small trailer setup that I build, use and sell that does everything I talk about here. Even at my cost, I spend almost $4000 for this little giant. I’ve built bigger twin engine rigs, but this little brute does everything the bigger ones do. I just sold a $12,000 custom built rig to a guy that lives 30 minutes from me and he is so happy, he can hardly contain himself.

So here’s what you are looking at:

13 hp Honda (Northern Tool)…………………………..........…………………………….$900

*If shopping for one at a pawnshop, only be concerned about the engine being in good shape (good oil, clean carb, one pull crank, minimum scratches and abuse, etc) since you will want to scrap the pump. Since you are in the lawn care business, I will assume that you should be able to recognize an engine in good shape.…………………..….…….........................................$400

Surface Cleaner (don’t buy Chinese built, they don’t last and you can’t get parts)…......................................................................................$500
(I only use Whisper Wash surface cleaners, but that’s just me)

General TS 2021 Pump (internet – shop around for “free shipping”)….….$420

Allison Chemical Injector………………………………………………….............…………$20

Dual Bearing Gearbox (2.2:1 ratio)………………………………......…………………..$200

Various quick connects, hose connections and cutoff valves………………..$100

100 Gallon Tank ……………….……………………………….............…………………….$200

150’ High Pressure Hose reel ………………………………….........…………………….$100

Water hose and reel for water supply…………………………...……………………..$100

Hudson Valve (cuts water off inside your reserve tank when it is full)…..$40

12 gpm Gun (any less gpm’s will not pull chemical over 250” of hose)….$25

(2) Aluminum wands (one 5 foot long and one at 8 foot long)………………$50

16’ – 17’ Ladder……………………………………………………………………...............…$75

So, there you have it. I’m writing this in kind of a hurry, as I am off to do a job this morning. If you need anything else or have any questions, just let me know, bro.

MrKlean
ScrubbingBubbles.ws
813-298-2059
 
WOW....thanks Mr Klean...

that is the info I was looking for. I'll check out your website. I'm don't think I'm going to need the surface cleaner yet...just going to tap my lawn customers first to get experience this summer w/ a friend/partner.....mainly concentrate on house washing. I don't even think roofs will be a big deal in my area.

Russ...it was your comments that got me on this "softwashing" kick. :D I was reading about it on one of the forums and you and softwashing.com were talking how it's a great selling point. So I figured this might set me apart from the crowd if I could advertise a "true" softwash system/rig.

So overall...for a start up system....do you think a softwash system is the way to go.....or get the good ol' pressure washer and just use low pressure?

Does softwashing "sell" itself....or when someone wants a house wash they just call the first guy they see w/ a pressure washer....in your experience.

Thanks again,
Gary
 
So overall...for a start up system....do you think a softwash system is the way to go.....or get the good ol' pressure washer and just use low pressure?

A pressure washer with the right tips, what MrKlean is describing, is the most versatile start-up setup. You can safely wash houses with high flow and low pressure and then hook up a surface cleaner for the concrete.
You WILL need to get a surface cleaner.

Does softwashing "sell" itself....or when someone wants a house wash they just call the first guy they see w/ a pressure washer....in your experience.

Nothing 'sells itself', but it is an easy sell if you educate your customers and show them the benefits.
 
Oh, and I know you're tired of hearing it but this board does have signature requirements (PT State doesn't but it is strongly encouraged).

Just go to the top left of the screen, click 'User CP' and then 'Edit Signature'.
Holler if you need any help with it.
 
If you are thinking about adding pressure washing to your customers look at it this way. I offer both. The customer pays you to wash their home, then the customer pays you to fertilize the yard to make the grass grow. Now you have to cut the grass that is growing which creates dust, that gets their house dirty again and then you start all over again. Works out pretty good.
 
If you are thinking about adding pressure washing to your customers look at it this way. I offer both. The customer pays you to wash their home, then the customer pays you to fertilize the yard to make the grass grow. Now you have to cut the grass that is growing which creates dust, that gets their house dirty again and then you start all over again. Works out pretty good.

Sounds like a good plan, maybe we should all start cutting lawns to...:D
 
If you get love on the grass what is the best way to get the grass growing healthy again?
 
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