Hey guys I am still new to exhaust cleaning. This will be my first winter doing it. So Is there anything I should watch out for in the winter. Last night went to do this job when we got there around10:30 it was 37degrees by the time I got on top of the roof It was well below freezing. My water froze on contact with everything. It was a very dificult time. What do you do? I talked to an other exhaust cleaner who told me to do only dry cleanings in the winter time. WHich means go to the roof apply chemical and scrape it clean once that is done do the inside hood your regular way with water. Is this correct to do? Or is there an other way to do it. This other cleaner told me not to spray water on the fan in winter because it might freeze the fan Then I would have an other problem on my hand of getting it unfroze. Please help. Last night was extremly cold at the end of the job it was 22 degrees. Oh man I am not looking forward to winter other then hunting. Well any help is great. Thanks
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Cold night
- Thread starter Dominic A
- Start date
David Saulque
<b>PWN TEAM - Hood Moderator</b><br<b><font color=
This is why I live in California-I will have someone get with you.
Wear Gloves
David
Wear Gloves
David
Dominic, no need to fear winter, but there are a number of cautions:
(1) Always keep water moving in all hoses - will freeze in less than 5 min.
(2) Watch overspray when on roof. Always carry a bag of salt in case you do spray ladder - can save your life. If roof becomes a sheet of ice hit it with your hot water and you will have time to walk around.
(3) On roof always carry eyewash (always) - you have mere seconds to irrigate if you caustic mist your eyes.
(4) Anchor your ladder or tie off at bottom. Any moisture will elevate it on a sheet of ice.
(5) To "dry clean" in winter sounds horrendous! In any case I would not scrape caustics. Our associates do about 100 jobs per month and work in zero degree weather and have never seen a fan freeze up. I have heard of cleaners who use a de-icer, but we have never experienced the need. The fan and housing is hot when one is finished and we turn on the fan after cleaning to dry out the system. We leave it on and it is pulling warm air all night long. I think your associate is kidding you. One trick that works for us is to spray chem on fan and housing and then heat the outside with hot spray before cleaning. Cleans up easily.
(6) Entirely avoid any pitched roofs if below freezing. Let ED do them.
Benefits to winter work are lack of competition; solidifying relations with clientele; and the fact that snow and ice preclude the expectation of roof to be devoid of emulsion as a result of cleaning fan, which as I'm sure you know by now perhaps 99% of all upblast fans in Colorado are unhinged. Hope this helps. YJGLTB. Richard
(1) Always keep water moving in all hoses - will freeze in less than 5 min.
(2) Watch overspray when on roof. Always carry a bag of salt in case you do spray ladder - can save your life. If roof becomes a sheet of ice hit it with your hot water and you will have time to walk around.
(3) On roof always carry eyewash (always) - you have mere seconds to irrigate if you caustic mist your eyes.
(4) Anchor your ladder or tie off at bottom. Any moisture will elevate it on a sheet of ice.
(5) To "dry clean" in winter sounds horrendous! In any case I would not scrape caustics. Our associates do about 100 jobs per month and work in zero degree weather and have never seen a fan freeze up. I have heard of cleaners who use a de-icer, but we have never experienced the need. The fan and housing is hot when one is finished and we turn on the fan after cleaning to dry out the system. We leave it on and it is pulling warm air all night long. I think your associate is kidding you. One trick that works for us is to spray chem on fan and housing and then heat the outside with hot spray before cleaning. Cleans up easily.
(6) Entirely avoid any pitched roofs if below freezing. Let ED do them.
Benefits to winter work are lack of competition; solidifying relations with clientele; and the fact that snow and ice preclude the expectation of roof to be devoid of emulsion as a result of cleaning fan, which as I'm sure you know by now perhaps 99% of all upblast fans in Colorado are unhinged. Hope this helps. YJGLTB. Richard
Richard,
Thanks for the info. I didn't think scrapeing would be the way to go. I go that information from a guy who ran a hood and vent business for 15 years in Colorado. I will surely use your advise. Thanks for the help once agian. As for unhinged fans do have you ever thought of selling the kits to the store? Hey also I have found out that around 99% of fans here never have enough electrical cord either to tip easy.
Thanks for the info. I didn't think scrapeing would be the way to go. I go that information from a guy who ran a hood and vent business for 15 years in Colorado. I will surely use your advise. Thanks for the help once agian. As for unhinged fans do have you ever thought of selling the kits to the store? Hey also I have found out that around 99% of fans here never have enough electrical cord either to tip easy.
Your response brings to mind something else. If fan has inside wire (against code) DO NOT tip the fan (unless you are an electrician and like to correctly wire fans). You will discover how to easily tip unhinged fans - we seldom have any problem. If not outside wired all you can do is unfasten the fan shroud and clean fan from the side. We carry a couple of very short wands especially for this purpose and we are able to do the job correctly. Don't know how a guy could last 15 years scraping by hand - given the aforementioned one can see that it hardly could even be possible, however you will encounter some horrid work - you wonder why they even paid the cleaner. I would not want to profit from sale of hinge kits. When one moves merchandise in Colorado it then becomes necessary to obtain the state tax permit and make reports dictated by your municipality - this can be monthly or quartely. Must also obtain a state charter (LLP; sole prop; LLC; corp; C corp; GP; etc). A real pain. We charge for service only - never for materials. Eliminates all the bother. In respect to hinge kits - we will install if requested, but I LIKE unhinged fans. Can more easily capture the emulsion runoff.
Are you winterizing your equipment? Need to do it most of the year. In JULY of this year we experienced freezing weather in Woodland Park. Also, some cleaners make a big deal of warming hoses, etc. We simply coil with the 'over-the-shoulder' method when storing. We take the first 50' coil into the store when we arrive and throw it in the nearest sink until ready to use - never have frozen hoses.
Yours, Richard
Are you winterizing your equipment? Need to do it most of the year. In JULY of this year we experienced freezing weather in Woodland Park. Also, some cleaners make a big deal of warming hoses, etc. We simply coil with the 'over-the-shoulder' method when storing. We take the first 50' coil into the store when we arrive and throw it in the nearest sink until ready to use - never have frozen hoses.
Yours, Richard
David Saulque
<b>PWN TEAM - Hood Moderator</b><br<b><font color=
"If not outside wired all you can do is unfasten the fan shroud and clean fan from the side" I am unclear as to this technique-how can you get to the impellers. This can't be as simple as it sounds.
Thanks
David
Thanks
David
Richard,
Yes I do winterize my machine. I was going to aask you how do you do it? When I get done with a job I right run all water out and fill float tanks with Anti-Freeze then once a gain start machine and run until green comes out. And just reuse the same Anti-Freeze for several times. Also When I get back home I break out the air compressior and blow out the input lines so they don't freeze up. Is this basicly they way you do it?
Yes I do winterize my machine. I was going to aask you how do you do it? When I get done with a job I right run all water out and fill float tanks with Anti-Freeze then once a gain start machine and run until green comes out. And just reuse the same Anti-Freeze for several times. Also When I get back home I break out the air compressior and blow out the input lines so they don't freeze up. Is this basicly they way you do it?
David, apparently you operate in highly-regulated Calif and possibly you would not see the kind of owner-installed equipment we occasionally find. We have several on which the 'shroud' (properly the 'upper/lower discharge apron') is in 2 parts joined in the middle. We release a few of the fasteners and the fan blades ("impellers") are completely exposed. Simple. Of course on solid discharge aprons this is impossible. I just mark it 'inaccessible', but have been thinking of composing an exculpatory agreement which the owner must sign before we tip fan. The owner would have to be responsible if the internal wiring pulls loose. This is not all that uncommon in my state - how about Calif? Do you find upblast fans with wiring running alongside or even IN the duct? If so, do you take a chance and tip the housing?
Dominic, yes this is essentially how we winterize with the exception we eliminated the float tank and attach a funnel in which we pour either windshield wiper fluid or auto antifreeze, which we re-use. You are from Del Norte therefore I suppose you know to mix in a little water when you pour in new antifreeze. Pure antifreeze will freeze. It sounds like you have your equipment in a warm van if you wait until you get home to blow out input lines.
Recently I heard a bit of sage advice I'll pass along - Wear Gloves.
YJGLTB. Richard
Dominic, yes this is essentially how we winterize with the exception we eliminated the float tank and attach a funnel in which we pour either windshield wiper fluid or auto antifreeze, which we re-use. You are from Del Norte therefore I suppose you know to mix in a little water when you pour in new antifreeze. Pure antifreeze will freeze. It sounds like you have your equipment in a warm van if you wait until you get home to blow out input lines.
Recently I heard a bit of sage advice I'll pass along - Wear Gloves.
YJGLTB. Richard
Richard,
Well I should say I wait to blow out the input lines if I am not far from home If I am far I do it as soon as I am done with everything. I am have everything on a skid dual axal trailor I do have everything covered and protected qite well though. I have never heard of useing windsheild wiper fluid. Makes sense though. DO you just put that in straight? I would think that it would be easier to deal with than anti-freeze. Well once again thanks for all the help. Oh yea I sure will remeber to wear gloves thanks for the heads up.
Hey Richard,
It's almost time to go hunting do you go hunting?
Well I should say I wait to blow out the input lines if I am not far from home If I am far I do it as soon as I am done with everything. I am have everything on a skid dual axal trailor I do have everything covered and protected qite well though. I have never heard of useing windsheild wiper fluid. Makes sense though. DO you just put that in straight? I would think that it would be easier to deal with than anti-freeze. Well once again thanks for all the help. Oh yea I sure will remeber to wear gloves thanks for the heads up.
Hey Richard,
It's almost time to go hunting do you go hunting?
Yep, I take my wiper fluid straight - however I like auto antifreeze better. It is easier to see at night. The wiper fluid can be obtained at any 7-11 or other store and is a good backup.
Used to hunt a lot - many years ago. My kids were raised on elk and bear meat. Lived on the edge of wilderness & hunted N Idaho / NW Montana / BC area for years. Havn't hunted in Colorado - way too crowded for me. I could spend an entire summer in the north country without seeing another person. Some years ago I made a deal with bears - I won't eat them if they won't eat me. Still enjoy the outdoors - last month spent 2 weeks backpacking in the Bitterroot Wilderness. Planning on the Boundary Waters next summer. Ciao, Richard
Used to hunt a lot - many years ago. My kids were raised on elk and bear meat. Lived on the edge of wilderness & hunted N Idaho / NW Montana / BC area for years. Havn't hunted in Colorado - way too crowded for me. I could spend an entire summer in the north country without seeing another person. Some years ago I made a deal with bears - I won't eat them if they won't eat me. Still enjoy the outdoors - last month spent 2 weeks backpacking in the Bitterroot Wilderness. Planning on the Boundary Waters next summer. Ciao, Richard
Richard,
Thanks for the reply so soon. I will give the windsheild washing fluid a try. I was out washing a building today It was a nice change from cleaning hood and vents.
Hey I used to live in Idaho a long time a go. WE lived in a town called Lewiston Ever hear of it?
Yep, That is the way I am raiseing my kids on elk and ducks. Heak I even go coyote hunting and just about anything else I can go for. I must say I have been thinking of going bear hunting Might have to ask you for some advice. Crowded?? Heak when I go the only other person I see is my dad and brother. But must admit we do have a few secret places no else knows about or at least is willing to walk into.
Thanks for all your help. I know with your advice I am not so worried about the winter. Thanks
Thanks for the reply so soon. I will give the windsheild washing fluid a try. I was out washing a building today It was a nice change from cleaning hood and vents.
Hey I used to live in Idaho a long time a go. WE lived in a town called Lewiston Ever hear of it?
Yep, That is the way I am raiseing my kids on elk and ducks. Heak I even go coyote hunting and just about anything else I can go for. I must say I have been thinking of going bear hunting Might have to ask you for some advice. Crowded?? Heak when I go the only other person I see is my dad and brother. But must admit we do have a few secret places no else knows about or at least is willing to walk into.
Thanks for all your help. I know with your advice I am not so worried about the winter. Thanks
Yes indeed I know Lewiston. Home of the late Elmer Keith I think. I remember when highway 12 over to Lolo Pass was a dirt road. At one time I lived north of Coeur d'Alene. Can't help but snicker at mention of "time to go hunting". Back then one could hunt at any time. Bears were considered varmits and you could take them at any time - no permit needed. We like the meat. I thought I was the only one who specifically hunted bear as opposed to taking bear incidental to a deer hunt. I don't like deer meat. Today one must obtain a license. At one time you could get a $25 bounty for every mtn lion - year around. The 'season' was for deer and elk and lasted from 1st week of Sept until sometime in Feb. You could hunt anywhere in the state in open season - no need to choose a game unit as it is now. Those days are gone forever. Eat your heart out!
We use the wiper fluid only when low on antifreeze. Our method is a bit different from yours in that we 'chase' the water with antifreeze instead of running out the water first. It is easy to see the color of antifreeze when it exits. When really cold we leave a section of hose on machine and run the antifreeze through that too. We don't even bother to coil it - just toss it in the trailer and next job it pulls out as if on a reel. You will get a system after a while. Never timed it but it can't take more than 20 or 30 seconds to winterize equipment.
Richard
We use the wiper fluid only when low on antifreeze. Our method is a bit different from yours in that we 'chase' the water with antifreeze instead of running out the water first. It is easy to see the color of antifreeze when it exits. When really cold we leave a section of hose on machine and run the antifreeze through that too. We don't even bother to coil it - just toss it in the trailer and next job it pulls out as if on a reel. You will get a system after a while. Never timed it but it can't take more than 20 or 30 seconds to winterize equipment.
Richard
Hey I was just wondering are Richard and I the only ones who will work in cold weather conditions this winter? Come on I though this was a place to share thoughts and Ideas .The past few time I see someone ask a question in this forum only a few people respond back. Come on are you all affriad to give a way your secrets? anything you can add would be great. My motto is teh more you learn the more you earn I think we can all learn from each other. For those that do respond with answers I thank you, David and Richard.
David Saulque
<b>PWN TEAM - Hood Moderator</b><br<b><font color=
I will not clean hoods in the snow-I will put off to another day. We only have two or three that are under the snow cap-Sorry can't help more.
David:
David:
David thats cool I know thaty you are in a sunny state and if you could help more you would. I was just wondering where all the other exhaust cleaners are? I mean the past few questions I had that did not concern cold weather questions only got responces from you and Richard. I know that there are quite a few exhaust cleaners out there. I just want more people to get involed with this forum. I know we all have work to do but hey it never hurts to help people out. OH well enough of hearing me Bi*ch about things. Have a good evening.
Dave Olson
New Member
Hello Dominic,
Guess I thought you may have seen some of my posts about my equipment. Here is a picture of them.
We heat the back of these units with 16,000 Btu Lp heaters. No need to put anti freeze in pumps or lines.
We schedule exhaust systems with sloped roofs during milder weather. We have a couple of large systems that we do in the middle of winter and the entire system is inside! Has inline fans. Many times we have done these when is has been 20 below zero outside!
Dave Olson
Guess I thought you may have seen some of my posts about my equipment. Here is a picture of them.
We heat the back of these units with 16,000 Btu Lp heaters. No need to put anti freeze in pumps or lines.
We schedule exhaust systems with sloped roofs during milder weather. We have a couple of large systems that we do in the middle of winter and the entire system is inside! Has inline fans. Many times we have done these when is has been 20 below zero outside!
Dave Olson
Dave,
I must say WOW!![getout] that is some set up. It makes mine look like a llittle sqirt gun. Very nice. Do you have any problems with fans freezing up on you? When winter comes do you have any tricks that might help. This is going to be my first winter of doing this. So I am a little worried , but Richard gave me some good advice. Hey how about durning a snow storm? What do you do?
I must say WOW!![getout] that is some set up. It makes mine look like a llittle sqirt gun. Very nice. Do you have any problems with fans freezing up on you? When winter comes do you have any tricks that might help. This is going to be my first winter of doing this. So I am a little worried , but Richard gave me some good advice. Hey how about durning a snow storm? What do you do?
Dominic, since our exchanges I have asked about and I stand corrected. My friend told me he has had fan freezup when job was accomplished without thought given to this possibility. Apparently his guys finished the roof and took some time off, then came back and finished the hood/plenum, thus an inordinate amount of time allowed the fan bearings to freeze up. Was easily fixed by hitting the bearings with the hot p/w. We operate differently in that one finishes the roof and then helps finish the hood area. Usually it is time to turn on the fans as soon as the roof guy is done, however I do some one-man jobs in which an interval would exist. I'll have to modify my method. It occurs to me that one could blow out the bearing lubrication if they were hit with hot water / high pressure. Would compound the problem. I've sure learned something here. Richard
Dominic. I live were it gets very cold. We clean hoods year round. The only thing you have to watch out for is the pitch of the roof.I have never had a fan freeze up on me. I have slid off a steep roof in the winter and landed on the a.c. unit. I didn't put the bolts back in the fan until spring.
Hopes this helps you out.
John
Hopes this helps you out.
John