surface cleaner techniques - Page 2 - Power Wash Network "The Power Wash Contractors Forum"

#11 (**permalink**) 08-25-04

Thanks to all who responded. You guys are great with your advice for the newbies.

One other question is this.

Do you guys prewet the surface prior to cleaning, then clean surface with you concrete cleaner coming thru you surface cleaner?

Or is it better just to start with a dry surface and sprinkle your concrete powder on the surface and clean this way?

As stated I did a driveway last weekend and it came out good. I was on an incline and my burner would not work. So I proceeded to clean with just cold water and rinsed.

When I got a chance to look at why I was not recieving hot water, I figured it out after realizing that the incline was so steep, the diesiel fuel was running pretty low, and the fuel had shifted to the front of the tank and was not being able to pump the fuel.

It goes to show that sometimes it the simple things to look for.

Thanks Gents, You guys are a very important part of my biz.

Degraffreed
JayCam Pressure Wash.

P.S I just Made my first $1000.00 weekend.
I luv this Biz

Jon · #12 (**permalink**) 08-26-04

Degraffreed not to bust your bubble but if you got a G for that job someone got washed big time.

As to walking to fast or slow causing zebra strips it will happen till you find your speed as others have said, practice makes good!

Now I have a question for you, why are you putting some sort of powder down, just what is this powder?

Want more help Email me with name and phone number so I can call you.

Jon
opclean@earthlink.net

oneness · #13 (**permalink**) 08-26-04

I don't think he was talking about a particular job, but just a $1000.00 weekend, as he said.

I think the powder he is referring to is the r202 he mentioned earlier...Delco's powdered concrete cleaner. I'm not impressed with their chems, at least the ones I've tried. For dirty/moldy concrete I've found my regular housewash, with a boost of chlorine, works great...Xjet it on, let it sit about 10 minutes, then use the surfacer. Pretreating seems to help loosen the dirt, and takes care of the lighter tannin stains so I don't have to re-coat with chlorine after cleaning. I just use a pump up with straight 10.5% in it to spot treat heavier mold or tannin stains that don't come out with the pre-treatment and washing. Works just as fast as coating the entire driveway with chlorine with the Xjet, and uses way less chlorine.

#14 (**permalink**) 09-02-04

Mike,, thanks for clearing that up with JON. Yes it was a combination of 3 homes and two driveways.

Degraffreed

oneness · #15 (**permalink**) 09-02-04

Quote:

Originally Posted by degraffreed

Mike,, thanks for clearing that up with JON. Yes it was a combination of 3 homes and two driveways.

Degraffreed

Wow! I wish 3 homes and two driveways would get $1000.00 here! More like $650.00, if I'm lucky. That's for a typical ranch style 2000 square foot or so home, and for a two car normal sized driveway.

Jon · #16 (**permalink**) 09-02-04

Thanks guys, since I use very little chemicals sort of wondering why you would use any for a home.

Dumpster pads and back of restaurants always but not front or sides.

Not doing homes I have no idea of prices but try this for size after you come back done from my busing your bubble.

One long day, close to $3000. Ok so I do industrial/commerical work and those jobs come my way.

Hmm, wonder if I can do one every Tuesday & Thursday and kick back the rest of the week! Oh wait I sort of do that now with Saturday or weekend job thrown in and an out of town over nighter here and there.

I guess I am working to hard! LOL

NO I am not, I still have my monthly accounts to service, darn.

oneness · #17 (**permalink**) 09-03-04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon

Thanks guys, since I use very little chemicals sort of wondering why you would use any for a home.

Chlorine to kill/loosen mold and algae, and soap to loosen dirt and other things stuck to the house. If you use a good soap and the right proportion of chlorine, most of the time you can rinse with very low pressure, which is good for the siding. If you don't use any chems, you're relying on the force of the water to blast the dirt/algae off, which isn't good for the siding, and take a lot longer.

$3000.00 in one day? Wow...I can't imagine any job in this area paying anywhere near that, unless by "long day" you're talking 24 hours or so...The best I've ever done in a day here was $1100.00 for a 12 hour day, though the best hourly rate I've ever done was around $225.00/hour. Most days here are between $300.00 and $500.00. That's for residential, which is just about all I do.

#18 (**permalink**) 09-03-04

Mike, Just curious. What the going rate avg. for a ranch style.. 1500-2000 sqft, going for in your locale?

Do you x-jet or you extension wands for two story residentials?

DeGraffreed

#19 (**permalink**) 09-03-04

Chirobob, Would I install the swivel on the inlet side of the trigger gun? Dumb question but seems to me that you also would want to install swivel on the hose reel quick connect. Is my thinking right. Any pictures to show a newbie?

Degraffreed

oneness · #20 (**permalink**) 09-03-04

Quote:

Originally Posted by degraffreed

Mike, Just curious. What the going rate avg. for a ranch style.. 1500-2000 sqft, going for in your locale?

Do you x-jet or you extension wands for two story residentials?

DeGraffreed

For just a housewash on a 2000 square foot home, $125.00 - $150.00. I Xjet both single and two story...