Positive thinking...

I like all your answers, I am an ass on every job, like some one said some one has to be.

Machine has to be set up a certain way all the time. water hase first since it does not move, Then the light, then the pw hose, If not we have one big knot.

I do not supply tools since I dont buy them once a week any more, each employee has to come to work with a long handled scraper and short scraper, pump-up, and your own water proof gear, A ten inch adjustable wrench and an 8 inch vise grip.

Matt

p.s. I dont think its the price that pisses me off about buying, its my time to go get what I need to do the job. My time startes about two hours before and two after the job ends, makes for a long day.
 
Matt,
You operate in Iowa (the land of corn and swine) therefore you understand about winterizing. Our method adresses this area, however when winterizing becomes unnecessary - like about now - it gets even easier. The water hoses and electrical lines are treated the same way as the h/p hoses - first the h/p hoses are tossed in, then the water hoses, then the electrical - all allowed to fall where they may. They are pulled out in same order - never gets knotted up. Really slick. In addition we just leave everythig hooked up to the machine - eliminates setup time. We can be ready to go in 3-4 minutes. Been doing this for years - same machine has never broke down and h/p hoses don't suffer from the damage caused by tight coiling.
Richard
 
Hose reels work really well for both the HP and LP hoses and there are even reels for electrical cords and they all look quite professional.
 
Grant points out the only deficiency I see with our method - it does look trashy - however I LIKE to be grubby and Grant would deprive me of this one pleasure! Actually only once do I remember anyone inspecting our rig - an Oriental who apparently wanted to be sure we were legit. Our mode is different - whacha' think, can I make my fortune by offering it to a selective market?
Richard
 
I need to find some stock in hose faucet adapter and 1" clamp manufacturers. It drives me nuts how often I have to buy these tools. How hard is it to make a mental note before each job..."I have 15 clamps...I put the adapter on the faucet." And when you're finished..."I have 15 clamps...I took the adapter off of the faucet."

I got my mwet-vac out of my trailer last night to pick up some water and the hoses were missing. How can you pack up a wet-vac and not notice the hoses are gone? Stuff like this is making me old fast.

What size trailer do you haul around that pile of unrolled hoses in?
 
Actual phone call I received four nights ago.

I will shorten and censor it for this post.

Crew: I got a problem, my gun and wand is gone, someone must have taken out of my truck.

Me: Well you have a spare one, use that.

Crew: that one doesn't work.

Me: Why not and how long has it NOT WORKED AND WHEN WERE YOU GOING TO TELL ME!

Crew: I was lowering it from the roof the other night and it broke. I forgot to tell you

Me: Sounds like you threw it off the roof, and your email said everything was fine. (They are required to check their email before they leave and email when they get back even if it's just to say everything went ok).

You get the Idea. I then called the job that crew was on the night before and sure enough the gun and wand was there. They had to go there and get it, about a 70 mile round trip to get back the their second job, and for insisting he put it back it the truck and someone must have gotten in his truck and taken it. He gets to work tonight (Friday) and make up that job.
If he would have just said I think I left my gun somewhere. I may have taken pity on him and got back to that job next week. Thank God for understanding customers, he found the whole quite story funny.
 
Josh,
A small, light open trailer containing a powerwasher and complete set of tools. A large heavy trailer is for the inexperienced novice. Small trailer has many, many advantages including: no commercial insuance cost if under 2,000 lbs gvw; one man can detach and easily roll up an inaccessible alley, front door of a mall, or grass alongside building; detach and leave one man to start one job while van goes to another nearby job; can pull with any vehicle if van breaks down; etc, etc.

Matt,
If one were to judge from your photos you are doing your part to dispel the notion of "clean uniform" and the entire 'legitimate appearance syndrome'. Next time I am in Burbank I am going to drop in and see if you really look that scary.

Bryan,
We always carry at least one extra wand, but also a ball valve with nozzle and QD in the toolbox. Actually the ball valve/nozzle is much easier to use than a wand, although I would be hesitant to give these to a crew.

Richard
 
Here's another one....got a call at 1 am last night. From a very experienced employee (so no excuse). He topped the gas container off with diesel.

Karen
 
Karen,

I heard that Racer X ran into Steve out in Laughlin last weekend.
Steve was cleaning a Mc Donalds.
Can't beleive you make him work on Mother's Day weekend.

Small world huh?

Racer X even gave one of Steve's helpers some free instruction on how to roll pressure hose.....racer X is anal about everything he does right down to how to roll a hose properly.
 
Diesel in gas tank is bad, but the other way around is worse. Much worse. Been there - done that. Wanna buy a slightly damaged p/w?
Richard
 
Of course I made Steve work. The whole plan is work him to death and collect the life insurance. Steve thought the hose reeling was nifty. Maybe one day he'll leave the padlock key where I can reach it, and I'll get unchained from the office and get to meet people too!

Karen
 
Back to the original thread, anyone else have a crew chief fall off a roof? Twice? Our middle son. Guess he's a slow learner. Heck of a bruise.

Karen
 
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