Back in it. Need advice

P

pinpointdan

New member
It's been a few years of slavery in a grunt job, but I'm back. I want to do it right this time. The plan is to focus on commercial flatwork.

I have lots of questions but will focus on equipment for this thread.

In the past we ran a simple mobile cold water machine. It was inadequate and I don't want the equipment to hold us back.

What is the most basic rig one would need in order to service businesses. Restaurants, gas station, shopping centers? psi, gpm, temp, tank size, etc?

Also, regarding reclaim. When is it necessary?
 
From what I've learned...

Reclaim depends on your area. I think that's tony shelton's area - epa

5.5 gpm minimum - but you mentioned doing it right, so 8 gpm
3000-3500 psi
170-220 degrees
325 gallon buffer tank
200' pressure hose on reel
100-150' fill hose on reel
* reels best on passenger side, or rear if commercial only
 
That's a good start. don't forget surface cleaners. Recovery situations will vary based on location and local requirements. But as a general rule keep the runoff out of the storm drains and redirect to landscape. Detergents and oil will also have a role in the discharge requirements.
 
If going after commercial like you stated, you need hot water.


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Hey CL, just want to make sure I got this. If my machine is puts out 5.5 I can go up as high as a 20" surface cleaner. I just purchased a Whirl A Way 16" Surface Cleaner from Russ at Southside. Dang, if my thinking is correct, looks like I could have gotten another 4"...
 
Kleankings said:
Hey CL, just want to make sure I got this. If my machine is puts out 5.5 I can go up as high as a 20" surface cleaner. I just purchased a Whirl A Way 16" Surface Cleaner from Russ at Southside. Dang, if my thinking is correct, looks like I could have gotten another 4"...
Click to expand...

Correct
 
Kleankings said:
Hey CL, just want to make sure I got this. If my machine is puts out 5.5 I can go up as high as a 20" surface cleaner. I just purchased a Whirl A Way 16" Surface Cleaner from Russ at Southside. Dang, if my thinking is correct, looks like I could have gotten another 4"...
Click to expand...

Correct. I have a 4gpm and a 16". I get a good work out while using it because I'm pretty much moving at a mall wakers pace. Now if I would have gone with a 18" or 20" I would be moving slower but hitting more area each time.

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As far as recovery goes in TN you won't need it unless your customer requires it. And even then there are cheaper ways to do it if you really had to such as get a vacuum that has a pump out, cover the drain then redirect to a landscape area. In most cases if you use a oil sock at the drains that will be enough.
 
Lots of great info, thanks. Def gotta be hot since one of the biggest problems on sidewalks and the like is gum. I was at wal mart the other night and saw some guys pressure washing the concrete. Was back the next morning and if you asked me if someone had been there the night before I wouldve said no. Gum everywhere, dirty, especially at entryways. Seems like if we can talk to the right person it wouldnt be hard to take it.

Would anyone be open to getting on a call with me and my partner to mentor us. All the commercial we did in the past was inbound from the phonebook. I have just seen bits and pieces of the process of going out and getting it on this forum. Also in some of those posts, what works for one guy really well, someone else poo poos it and says all they get is objection and rejection so there must be some details that can only be learned from experience that are essential to getting the work we want.
 
pinpointdan said:
It's been a few years of slavery in a grunt job, but I'm back. I want to do it right this time. The plan is to focus on commercial flatwork.

I have lots of questions but will focus on equipment for this thread.

In the past we ran a simple mobile cold water machine. It was inadequate and I don't want the equipment to hold us back.

What is the most basic rig one would need in order to service businesses. Restaurants, gas station, shopping centers? psi, gpm, temp, tank size, etc?

Also, regarding reclaim. When is it necessary?
Click to expand...

If you don't mind sharing... What job? Why'd you come back?

I stumbled into pressure washing 3 years ago, when my best friend decided to move to Houston and marry me I realized I needed a steady job. Well, that job ended in March of this year so I decided to come back here - and love it even more since I been back. The past 2 months have been the best. My plan was also to focus on commercial and flatwork (concrete) until I was asked to bid on a big mildew siding job. Totally ignorant of house washing I stumbled onto this site asking for advice on the job. Continuous Improvement is something I strive to live by, so adding residential was awesome for me. Tuesday I completed Doug Rucker's Pressure Cleaning School.
 
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