Rookie Needing Advice

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PatLewis

New member
Hello, I am new to the power washing industry and am looking into targeting the residential homeowners market initially. I have a smaller generac unit @ 2500 psi and 2.3 gpm. I realize this is not the ideal size, but the unit is brand new and would like to be able to start generating revenue to gain a feel for the market and gain experience. Curious if there are any surface cleaners out there that I could run off of a unit this size and still return desirable results. I know my chemicals used may need to be a little hot depending on the level of buildup, but wanted an experts opinion on if I would be able to make this work in the short term. Thanks in advance.






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Patrick Lewis
Lafayette, LA
337-207-6016
 
Although a 8" surface cleaner may work with your machine, it is still less than ideal to do big areas like driveways. Good luck!


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Rinsing power is king in pressure washing. If you are a legit company with all the bills that go along with it, that machine will lose you money. Take every extra penny you get, and invest in a higher volume machine. That way at least you'll have a shot. Look on craigslist for a 4 gpm machine, minimum. And it appears you did some reading because you mentioned a hot mix. Actually a hot mix might help you out if you are careful with it. It makes cleaning a lot easier, and that machine is a back breaker. It's the rinsing where you will have a problem. Also Chris is right, that little 8 inch surface cleaner is probably the best you can do with that machine, but larger areas will kill you.
 
PatLewis said:
Hello, I am new to the power washing industry and am looking into targeting the residential homeowners market initially. I have a smaller generac unit @ 2500 psi and 2.3 gpm. I realize this is not the ideal size, but the unit is brand new and would like to be able to start generating revenue to gain a feel for the market and gain experience. Curious if there are any surface cleaners out there that I could run off of a unit this size and still return desirable results. I know my chemicals used may need to be a little hot depending on the level of buildup, but wanted an experts opinion on if I would be able to make this work in the short term. Thanks in advance.






___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Patrick Lewis
Lafayette, LA
337-207-6016
Click to expand...

Patrick
If i were a property owner (commercial) and you came to my place of business to do a demo with a 2.3 & an 8 inch SC I wouldnt think you were capable of performing the job correctly

I know funds are tight when starting out-But there are certain things (equipment) you cant skimp on

Its going to hurt you in the short run and long run

Whatever jobs you get- I would seriously work towards upgrading your equipment

Best of luck
 
At 2.3 GPM,..your money would have been better spent on a couple hundred feet of garden hose and a couple of pump sprayers,..and I'm being serious! We softwash houses and the rinsing power of a garden hose would be better than that machine,...
But if you have to start with this machine,..get to know some basic methods we use for cleaning,..and don't even consider surface cleaner. Learn to use the detergents recommended on this site, and use enough. Don't be making them extra hot to make up for your lack of a machine,..just use them as we do and the standard percentages found throughout this site. With the proper knowledge of cleaners you could do some small jobs with your machine. But,..so you don't start off losing customers right off the bat by looking unprofessional,..get the word out to friends and family with ranch style houses who may need some discount cleaning and won't judge you on your equipment,..do a handful of these jobs and then get at least a 4 GPM machine. If you spend the money earned on things other than improving your business,...there will be little chance for you in the future as an exterior maintenance engineer.

*You really need to read up here and see how far behind you would be starting out, this will give you a better understanding of what you need to "AT LEAST" have to run a business outside of friends and family.
Many outsiders looking in think, we're just spraying water under pressure, how hard can it be.

**We think of ourselves as professionals here, and it's hard to be real considerate to anyone new stepping into our World so unprepared.

Jeff
 
Hi Pat.
You really need to sit back & think seriously, if this is the industry you want to be in.You are going to need a bank loan of some sort to get you going.And their going to want to know how your going to pay that money back. It seems to me, you need to do a lot more research about this business, from the ground up I'm not trying to rain on your parade, but we've all had to start at the beginning,& unless you happen to know some one, who knows someone....you will struggle. And that is not nice. Trust me.
What bout your advertising budget? If people don't know you exist, why will they call you? and that will cost a lot more than you thought.
I know this not what you wanted to hear, but It is the reality.
 
Hey guys, I apprieciate all the advice. I had a strong feeling it wouldn't work, figured I'd ask the experts. Realistically I think a 4gpm, adjustable psi unit would be ideal to get going. (I believe between 2600-4000 psi then fine tuned with nozzles. Correct me if I'm wrong). Portable, belt driven, triplex pump either cat or general. Not decided on surface cleaners yet, and suggestions?

Also, with the wand, I'm thinking a 36" would be good, put a ball valve behind the handle and go from there.

Been reading up a good bit, figured I'd just make sure before I pull trigger.

thanks again

_________________________
Patrick Lewis
Lafayette, La
337-207-6016
 
PatLewis said:
Hey guys, I apprieciate all the advice. I had a strong feeling it wouldn't work, figured I'd ask the experts. Realistically I think a 4gpm, adjustable psi unit would be ideal to get going. (I believe between 2600-4000 psi then fine tuned with nozzles. Correct me if I'm wrong). Portable, belt driven, triplex pump either cat or general. Not decided on surface cleaners yet, and suggestions?

Also, with the wand, I'm thinking a 36" would be good, put a ball valve behind the handle and go from there.

Been reading up a good bit, figured I'd just make sure before I pull trigger.

thanks again

_________________________
Patrick Lewis
Lafayette, La
337-207-6016
Click to expand...

Yes...4gpm 3000 PSI would be the minimum you'd want start out with. 16-19 inch surface cleaner.
 
Hey Pat, also look up downstreaming, it will speed things up for you. Learning proper techniques and the use of products will give you a big jump start. You are correct in think to adjust your PSI with nozzles rather than the machine. Many guys including myself don't even use a wand anymore for house washing,..just get a good trigger and a set of nozzles that are welded together, referred to as "Tri-bangers or quad-bangers" The wand is still used for cutting in when concrete cleaning Reading up will gain you much needed information.

Jeff
 
What Jeff said on the wand. For house wash I use a short 24". I take it off and just use the gun in confined areas "front porches etc. sounds like you're on your way.


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