Can someone helped me get started with the power washing?

Kyleb15

New member
Any good reads? or threads?

I'm into roof cleaning now, and it is starting to go well. I feel though that I should expand into power washing, such as concrete, decks, homes and such. I think it would definitely be a good business move and I have all winter to get something set up. I've done power washing before just on my home and families, some small side jobs. Also what kind of equipment do you use? I think I need to start with the most basic of things and go with decks, driveways and homes. So what would you guys recommend?
 
Kyle, the best thing is to use the search function.
Also go to each topic ie concrete cleaning and look at the thread titles and start reading the ones that spark your interest.
This way you can ask some more pointed questions. What you've asked
is so non specific. You've been here for a little while, you know the help
is here.
 
You can spend tons of money, it all depends on what your market is.

"basic" won't get it. Go with what Russ said.
We have 2 -8 GPM and 1 -6 GPM

11 GPM would be nice
 
Go big or go home!
 
Here is how you get rid of gum I found this on a Chicago land co. website

Ha ha that's good stuff.

Someone told me today that they hate removing gum because it leaves a white spot and then you have to clean all the concrete to make it match.
 
If you see a yellow pole that is 12', 18', or 24' long..........Don't buy it.

There is my advice.
For sale!!! One 24 ft extention ( telescopic ) pole, pressure cleaning wand. Used twice. Looks and sprays like brand new. Need cash to pay for neck and back brace! :D
 
I never owned a pole i almost bought one but did not. Then a couple of days later i read on here how horrible they were.
 
I started cleaning roofs first. Around here very few people have heard of this. I have found it is best for me to advertise house washing, gutter etc.. and then introduce the roof cleaning to the HO and then they are all about it. I only have a 3gpm 3500psi pressure washer. I use the delavan to apply the house wash. If your mix is good you can basically wash it off with a garden hose.(depending of the HO water pressure) The way I see is dont spend all your money buying new equipment. Advertise and get the jobs and then buy what you need to complete it. Oh yea, the extension wand does suck!
 

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I started cleaning roofs first. Around here very few people have heard of this. I have found it is best for me to advertise house washing, gutter etc.. and then introduce the roof cleaning to the HO and then they are all about it. I only have a 3gpm 3500psi pressure washer. I use the delavan to apply the house wash. If your mix is good you can basically wash it off with a garden hose.(depending of the HO water pressure) The way I see is dont spend all your money buying new equipment. Advertise and get the jobs and then buy what you need to complete it. Oh yea, the extension wand does suck!

This is similar to what I was thinking. Use one to sell the other. I can get by with roof cleaning, but I'm the type that always wants to do more and go bigger. I want to stick to residential mostly, gutter cleaning, house washing and driveway cleaning....I'll search some stuff, see what I come up with and find the best options.
 
There are a lot of ways you can go with your equipment if you are looking to get into the commercial end of things it really depends on what you want to do. One thing I would suggest that if you are serious about doing commercial cleaning don't short yourself on the equipment be sure to get a hot water unit that uses at least 5gpm.

If you want to discuss different jobs and setups feel free to call and I can run through some things with you.
 
There are a lot of ways you can go with your equipment if you are looking to get into the commercial end of things it really depends on what you want to do. One thing I would suggest that if you are serious about doing commercial cleaning don't short yourself on the equipment be sure to get a hot water unit that uses at least 5gpm.

If you want to discuss different jobs and setups feel free to call and I can run through some things with you.

I'd like to stay away from commercial right now. Only thing I really do that on is roof cleaning.

House washing, gutter cleaning and roof cleaning is what I'll stick with for now. That way I can off the homeowner the "complete package", besides the driveways. I'm sure for residential driveways a surface cleaner would be best. I've done it the wand way and it always turns up sketchy.

I've searched with not a whole lot of luck. But sticking with the roof systems, could I not just get another take, reel, pump and hose and run a chemical mix to spray the house. Then wash off with a power washer? I assume this is the time consuming way.

I saw a video of one guy hear using a ball valve and spraying on chemical, then rinsing off. I think it was downstreaming, which I think is when the chemical get injected in with the water?
 
Yes down streaming is he way to go for applying your chemicals. it is just an injector installed after your unloader that allows chemical to get injected into the line when you drop the pressure at the tip. this allows you to spray the chemical on the surface with your pressure washer and not run it through your pump causing potential damage or excessive wear. When you go back to high pressure the back pressure created stops the venturi that is created and just allows the fresh water through.
 
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