Rookie Chemical Injector Opinion / Question

cborne01

cborne01

New member
I know its prob. been covered here before, I just couldn't find it, but any input would be appreciated.
I have a BE 4gpm machine with the standard D/S'er with a meter valve on it. I use a JROD with Hi and low soap/rinse nozzles for 3-5gpm machine
I have a job that a need to apply the cleaner 5:1 - 7:1 ratio

Any recommendations as to use the JROD and try to get the D/S adjusted to that ratio-- I know many factors can come into play here, -- or is there another product that I'm not familiar with that someone could recommend that can give me an accurate D/S mix.(that doesn't cost a fortune)

I didn't think this was very complicated, then got very mixed opinions from a few guys I talked to, so I wanted too throw it out here.
Business is starting out good, customers very pleased thus far, and I don't want to let a rookie error screw up a job by either applying too strong or weak mix, or wasting my cleaner.

I was also told by a questionable source that when setting the D/S ratio , it doesn't matter if its set under pressure or not, as long as you set it with the nozzle you plan on using-- can someone please confirm if this is correct info.
This guy put some doubts in my head, and I trust the guys here can set me straight.
Thanks in advance, and sorry, I know this is a rookie question, but I need some factual info. from the pro's here.
 
Hey Cory, I don't think you can get 5:1-7:1 with any DS'er. But anyhow,..the General Hi-Draw injectors are about $15 each and work well. I think the draw rate is like 10:1,..but not exactly sure. Remember though, the injector isn't solely responsible for the strength of the mix,...The strength is more determined by the starting percentage of your mix..

But I think the only way to determine YOUR TRUE ratio in your World is with the bucket test.

(1) Setup as if you were gonna DS on any given job,..amount of hose etc..,... ,..just use 1 gallon of "mix" in the DS bucket.

(2) Get a couple of empty buckets and begin DS'ing into the buckets,....When you've used up your gallon of "mix" simply compare buckets,...that will give YOUR TRUE ratio with your equipment.

Then to get the percentages you're after you'll have to do some math.

Jeff
 
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First, throw away those injectors with the metering valve, they don't draw as much as a regular injector.

Second, don't believe most of what you read on the internet on other forums, there is a lot of Mis-information and a lot of guys like to brag or lie about how much chemical their injectors pull, don't know why so many like to brag (lie) about so many things in life but that is how the internet is unfortunately, especially with how much some are making per year.

Third, read these forums on this site, read more and then read a little bit more using different search terms, there is over 11 years of great, real world advice, experience, problems with solutions and more for you to help you with your business.

Fourth, There are guys on this site doing residential, commercial, industrial and many other aspects of pressure cleaning that you can learn from so always be open minded as sometimes life lessons can be harsh, rude, obnoxious and can scare the weak-minded.

Good luck.
 
Hi draws are inexpensive. You should draw ideal with a 4gpm machine and the 3-5 injector.
The Super Suds Sucker injector pulls copious amounts of soap. I use it on my 8gpm with 250' of hose. But I use a GP hi draw with my 4gpm machine.

Strengthen or weaken your mix in a five gallon bucket to wgat suites you. Drop your injector line in the bucket and wash away.
 
1)What are you needing that strong a ratio for?
2) I know of no downstream injector capable of that strong a mix, certainly not the adjustable type.
3) For that strong a mix you'll either need a direct application pump or a xjet. Read my recent thread "Dr Strangelove". I was getting almost 3:1 even after a mod that weakend it some.
 
GrassButler said:
Hi draws are inexpensive. You should draw ideal with a 4gpm machine and the 3-5 injector.
The Super Suds Sucker injector pulls copious amounts of soap. I use it on my 8gpm with 250' of hose. But I use a GP hi draw with my 4gpm machine.

Strengthen or weaken your mix in a five gallon bucket to wgat suites you. Drop your injector line in the bucket and wash away.
Click to expand...



10-4 , thanks guys, gonna check out the Hi-draw.
 
How many feet of hose are you pulling through? What strength SH are you using? What's the surface you are cleaning? These are things that will help determine how strong your mix will and should be. I have never found one "be all end all" ratio that works for everything.
 
Well Doug , as you know, just starting out (part-time for now), so trying to optimally utilize my equipment and control expenses. Have a customer with a 6000 sq ft house that wants the house , north roof faces and concrete done. I initially did not plan on doing roof work, but if they want it, I'm game - it pays the bills. As mentioned, I use a 4gpm BE machine and a J-rod (low pressure)set up for the machine-- works good.

Dilemma- customer wants to use Spray and Forget it Roof Cleaner (as they have a "jungle" around the house and are extremely picky about everything). Most of the roof is unwalkable.
The chemical is supposed to be mixed at between 5-7:1.
Everything you read about roof cleaning is "minimal pressure" which I totally understand, but there are sections of roof that I will have to spray from a ladder and need to reach approx 30 feet.

Options-- ( distributor says this can be applied via pressure washer with low pressure nozzles)
1) Downstream the mix with the Hi-flow injector with my machine with "low pressure" J-rod set-up (which is probably higher pressure than some guys would recommend) or
2) Invest in a basic pump system ( ex. Fat Boy set up from PressureTek) and I will have that for any future roof jobs and can also put down chem for surface cleaning work ....... , but will it shoot chem far enough for the few harder to reach areas?

My opinion- # 2 is the better choice. I greatly value the years of exp. you guys put out here, and I am very conscientious about my work-- so I want to make sure its right.
I do have to say though , after using the J-rod set-up, the end pressure that hits the surface really is not much more than a heavy rain ( on the Hi/low soap ) nozzles.

So , whats my best move-- Thanks in advance! ( and this is not intended to start the roof pressure debate-- just get some advice)
 
1) Forget the "Spray and Forget" roof cleaner. You need to be the cleaning expert and not let the customer determine how to clean a roof. You really should refer this to an experienced roof cleaner and see if you can learn from them. If you are going to clean roofs you need a dedicated chemical spray pump made to handle sodium hypochlorite. Some try to clean roofs with an xjet but they have a lot of chemical runoff, use a lot more chemical and still don't do as good a cleaning job because still at best you just can't get the real concentration you can with a dedicated pump. And no way can downsreaming get near strong enough.
 
Get a dedicated system and use 2 roof jobs to pay for it. Worth it's $$ atleast ten fold.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Yes the Fatboy setup is great pump and can shoot very far. Also spend 60 more bucks and get the accumulator. It will pay for itself quickly two ways. Longer pump life and relay life. And you can use smaller undersize nozzles and throttle back the high flow. Thus using a lot less chemical and less runoff....saving plants too.
Without the accumulator you can't use smaller nozzles without destroying the pump.
 
cborne01 said:
Well Doug , as you know, just starting out (part-time for now), so trying to optimally utilize my equipment and control expenses. Have a customer with a 6000 sq ft house that wants the house , north roof faces and concrete done. I initially did not plan on doing roof work, but if they want it, I'm game - it pays the bills. As mentioned, I use a 4gpm BE machine and a J-rod (low pressure)set up for the machine-- works good.

Dilemma- customer wants to use Spray and Forget it Roof Cleaner (as they have a "jungle" around the house and are extremely picky about everything). Most of the roof is unwalkable.
The chemical is supposed to be mixed at between 5-7:1.
Everything you read about roof cleaning is "minimal pressure" which I totally understand, but there are sections of roof that I will have to spray from a ladder and need to reach approx 30 feet.

Options-- ( distributor says this can be applied via pressure washer with low pressure nozzles)
1) Downstream the mix with the Hi-flow injector with my machine with "low pressure" J-rod set-up (which is probably higher pressure than some guys would recommend) or
2) Invest in a basic pump system ( ex. Fat Boy set up from PressureTek) and I will have that for any future roof jobs and can also put down chem for surface cleaning work ....... , but will it shoot chem far enough for the few harder to reach areas?

My opinion- # 2 is the better choice. I greatly value the years of exp. you guys put out here, and I am very conscientious about my work-- so I want to make sure its right.
I do have to say though , after using the J-rod set-up, the end pressure that hits the surface really is not much more than a heavy rain ( on the Hi/low soap ) nozzles.

So , whats my best move-- Thanks in advance! ( and this is not intended to start the roof pressure debate-- just get some advice)
Click to expand...

Best Move(s)-Let your customer know that if they insist on the store bought product for the roof, that it could void any remaining warranty they may have, that you can not be held responsible for any damage the product could cause, and that you have no idea if it will actually work. Learn and sell them on the proper cleaning methods.

Then, if they insist on using the store bought product (if it were me) I'd let them know they need to find someone else to apply it AFTER you have done all the other work.

Call Bill at powerwashstore.com and get yourself a GEN 3 Dual Roof Pump set up. Sounds like you could pay for it with this job.

If you want some help let me know. We can talk about me coming out and training you on this job, or we can possibly find a UAMCC contractor near your area that can help.
 
Hat's off to Doug, took time out of his day to get me on the right track with this roof job, This is a great resource! thanks to all for the input.
 
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