Just starting out, and have been incessantly researching power washing forums for months. My head gets dizzy sometimes from all the information out there. I know that what i am trying to do would not be the best way to do it, but i am trying to macgyver things a little bit just to start rolling. Later on down the line, i can upgrade to better equipment.
Purchased a vehicle that had a 12v pump in it, and i want to build my first roof cleaning setup around it. Here it is:
"Home Depot gun" based on this thread. - http://softwashsystems.activeboard.com/t50876821/the-home-depot-gun/
Tank: 55 gallon drum for holding roof mix. Plan on just dropping the hose down into the hole on top.
Hose: Not sure about this. Can i just use like 200' of clear braided tubing from Lowes or Home Depot? Is 1/2" ok for this setup, or should i go to 5/8"? How about the hose that drops into the mix tank? If there is a hose from Home Depot/Lowes that would work better, what would it be?
If anyone sees a problem, or knows of some basic stuff i could get at the local stores that would improve things, please let me know. For instance, if that pump wouldn't really operate sufficiently, i guess i could use it as a transfer pump for my SH, and could go get a 5.5 Delavan from TSC.
Thanks for any advice here.
-- Edited by Caleb Hewlin on Thursday 29th of December 2016 08:55:31 AM
John Aloisio said
Dec 29, 2016
Caleb,
It looks like that pump is a fresh water transfer pump and most likely does not have the corrosive resistant internal parts needed to use with SH. Viton or Santropene are best for this use. Even EPDM is OK but it will not last long. Also, the pump has screew in fittings which will make for a royal pain in the butt when it's time to change a pump. Especially on a job site, which WILL happen. Quick connect, snap fittings are needed. Looks like the price is $110.00. I would call SWS on Monday, when they open and just get a new 5.3 gl/min pump from them. They are just under $200.00 and made for this industry. The extra $80-90 is well worth the aggravation of finding all this out later. The rest of the set up is basic and crude, but I have seen set ups like this work. Just be very cautious about the customers observations of what your equipment looks like when you go to do the job. If they see homemade rigs, tht look like something they can make in their garage, it will raise questions. No matter how good a job you do, will you be able to charge a premium price for your work. Will they remember you for this and recommend you to friends and neighbors, or will they simply get more prices next time they need work done. All these factors play into SWS and our Networks mindset of customer repeat business and professional appearance. I know where you are with respect to money and starting out, but think long term income and not short term expenses. You can make a cheaper rig yourself look better, just add a hose reel and a few PTO tanks from tractor supply, as opposed to using barrels. I personally do not mind tinkering with my rigs but never saw the long term value in continuing to buid my own. I would rather buy one and sell/book out my schedule with that time. Just my opinion. Call me anytime.
Bob Riddick said
Jan 3, 2017
Excellent advice, John! Especially on the "long term goals".
Not everyone has $10,000 - $15,000 available to invest in equipment, but I agree with John about trying to look as professional as possible with what you do have. You only get one chance to make a first impression.
-- Edited by Bob Riddick on Wednesday 4th of January 2017 08:16:04 AM
Chad Eneix said
Jan 3, 2017
+1 on John's advice. If you are set on getting this set up, or already have it, at least get a 50 gallon tank from a farm supply store, it will make your set up look a little less crude. Also, I assume by your budget you will be doing this in an unmarked personal vehicle, like a truck. Rolling around in a unmarked truck with a 55 gallon drum strapped in will make people wonder, as in "I wonder what nasty chemical that guy has in the back of his truck."
I suppose you could get by without a reel, but I've never heard of anyone doing that. You will want 200' of clear braid hose at the minimum, and fighting with that without a reel will be a nightmare. The reel is the most expensive single component of any system, and a good one is about $300. If you spend much less it will not last a month. If you need to get by without an expensive reel, unhook the hose from the system and roll it up on a cheap plastic reel. You will spend less time connecting and disconnecting the hose than you would fighting with it without a reel, and if you plumb it through a cheap reel it will leak almost immediately. A nice reel with 300" of hose and a tank will go a long way to making you look a little more legit.
A real basic beginner system, ready to go is between $2000 and $3000, and can be used as your back up system when you get a pro-level system. The education is the important investment. Whatever you end up with for a starter system, budget as much of the profit from your first jobs to invest in some classes, see the Academy classes tab on the SoftWash Systems home page.
AC Lockyer said
Jan 17, 2017
Bob Riddick wrote:
Excellent advice, John! Especially on the "long term goals".
Not everyone has $10,000 - $15,000 available to invest in equipment, but I agree with John about trying to look as professional as possible with what you do have. You only get one chance to make a first impression.
-- Edited by Bob Riddick on Wednesday 4th of January 2017 08:16:04 AM
AMEN Brother. Baby steps pay off!
AC
Troy Layman said
Jan 19, 2017
I'm a little late to the game here, but I found the best prices for tanks at www.SprayerDepot.com. I was able to have a better quality tank shipped to my door for a little less than I could pick up a tank made in China locally at the Tractor Supply Store. Plus, if you buy your plumbing fixtures from them (bulkheads etc.) they will install them for you for free. Just make sure to ask them to do all the plumbing from the top of the tank. You can't really leak your SH from the top of the tank, but if you get a leak from the bottom of the tank and don't catch it, besides wasting chemical, you could end up leaking a lot of chemical in a customers yard killing a large spot of grass, or have it running off into the street and storm sewers which is a big no-no. They also make aluminum tank straps to secure the tank to your truck/trailer, so ask them about the straps too. It "looks" a lot better than using ratchet straps, especially if the rest of your rig isn't top end.
Just starting out, and have been incessantly researching power washing forums for months. My head gets dizzy sometimes from all the information out there. I know that what i am trying to do would not be the best way to do it, but i am trying to macgyver things a little bit just to start rolling. Later on down the line, i can upgrade to better equipment.
Purchased a vehicle that had a 12v pump in it, and i want to build my first roof cleaning setup around it. Here it is:
Seaflo 5.5gpm 12v pump - https://www.amazon.com/Seaflo-Water-Pressure-Diaphragm-Pump/dp/B009B1MHNC
"Home Depot gun" based on this thread. - http://softwashsystems.activeboard.com/t50876821/the-home-depot-gun/
Tank: 55 gallon drum for holding roof mix. Plan on just dropping the hose down into the hole on top.
Hose: Not sure about this. Can i just use like 200' of clear braided tubing from Lowes or Home Depot? Is 1/2" ok for this setup, or should i go to 5/8"? How about the hose that drops into the mix tank? If there is a hose from Home Depot/Lowes that would work better, what would it be?
If anyone sees a problem, or knows of some basic stuff i could get at the local stores that would improve things, please let me know. For instance, if that pump wouldn't really operate sufficiently, i guess i could use it as a transfer pump for my SH, and could go get a 5.5 Delavan from TSC.
Thanks for any advice here.
-- Edited by Caleb Hewlin on Thursday 29th of December 2016 08:55:31 AM
Caleb,
It looks like that pump is a fresh water transfer pump and most likely does not have the corrosive resistant internal parts needed to use with SH. Viton or Santropene are best for this use. Even EPDM is OK but it will not last long. Also, the pump has screew in fittings which will make for a royal pain in the butt when it's time to change a pump. Especially on a job site, which WILL happen. Quick connect, snap fittings are needed. Looks like the price is $110.00. I would call SWS on Monday, when they open and just get a new 5.3 gl/min pump from them. They are just under $200.00 and made for this industry. The extra $80-90 is well worth the aggravation of finding all this out later. The rest of the set up is basic and crude, but I have seen set ups like this work. Just be very cautious about the customers observations of what your equipment looks like when you go to do the job. If they see homemade rigs, tht look like something they can make in their garage, it will raise questions. No matter how good a job you do, will you be able to charge a premium price for your work. Will they remember you for this and recommend you to friends and neighbors, or will they simply get more prices next time they need work done. All these factors play into SWS and our Networks mindset of customer repeat business and professional appearance. I know where you are with respect to money and starting out, but think long term income and not short term expenses. You can make a cheaper rig yourself look better, just add a hose reel and a few PTO tanks from tractor supply, as opposed to using barrels. I personally do not mind tinkering with my rigs but never saw the long term value in continuing to buid my own. I would rather buy one and sell/book out my schedule with that time. Just my opinion. Call me anytime.
Excellent advice, John! Especially on the "long term goals".
Not everyone has $10,000 - $15,000 available to invest in equipment, but I agree with John about trying to look as professional as possible with what you do have. You only get one chance to make a first impression.
-- Edited by Bob Riddick on Wednesday 4th of January 2017 08:16:04 AM
I suppose you could get by without a reel, but I've never heard of anyone doing that. You will want 200' of clear braid hose at the minimum, and fighting with that without a reel will be a nightmare. The reel is the most expensive single component of any system, and a good one is about $300. If you spend much less it will not last a month. If you need to get by without an expensive reel, unhook the hose from the system and roll it up on a cheap plastic reel. You will spend less time connecting and disconnecting the hose than you would fighting with it without a reel, and if you plumb it through a cheap reel it will leak almost immediately. A nice reel with 300" of hose and a tank will go a long way to making you look a little more legit.
A real basic beginner system, ready to go is between $2000 and $3000, and can be used as your back up system when you get a pro-level system. The education is the important investment. Whatever you end up with for a starter system, budget as much of the profit from your first jobs to invest in some classes, see the Academy classes tab on the SoftWash Systems home page.
AMEN Brother. Baby steps pay off!
AC