Just Getting Started

[ncpressure]

Hi everyone, Im new to the site and also new in the pressure washing business(hopefully). Im am a firefighter and just had a little girl and am just looking for a way to supliment my income, and figured pressure washing would be a good way. Hey, if the business doesent work out, Ive got a good pressure washer to use around the house. lol. Anyways, I just have a few questions. I am looking to just doing residential business (alluminum siding, brick, driveways, ect.). I have been looking around for a decent pressure washer. I have been told by a few friends not to but from lowes, home depot, ect, but to try to buy from like a painting supply business. Anyways I was looking at Sears have a 7hp, yestrday and they 2900psi, 2.3gmp Brigs and stratton washer for like $400.00. would a unit like this be suitable for what I am looking to be doing? Also, I see a lot of things on the board about wooden decks, do most companies just clean the decks, or do they clean and seal thim? Is this a tough process, or fairly easy? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. If you would like you can e mail me at jason.jessee@pope.af.mil Thanks , Jason

 

[CaroliProWash]

Hi!

Give us a call anytime - we'd be happy to have you come along with us to give you some hands-on experience. We're only about a hour up Hwy 87 from you.

Celeste

 

[Mathew Johnson]

I had bad results from a lowes pressure washer. I have a couple of Home Depot Pressure 4 GPM and they work pretty well and got me off to a great start. I will be using one of them for a second machine on my trailer; I just bought a skid unit from Hydrotel... You probably want something a litter bigger than 7 HP, but you could certainly clean with it... It would just take you longer.

I am starting my third year (2nd full year). Feel free to give me a call, I will be happy to tell you all of the mistakes I made buying equipment and so forth. 607-286-7457

 

[TexasWash]

Jason.....

Many of the users on this board have been very active powerwashers for several years. I just recently began powerwashing and this board has helped me immensly. The machine you are looking at will work fine at first for mainly residential siding, deck restoration, and light sidewalk work. The best advice i can give you from my 1 year in is to really evaluate and select what jobs to perform based on the level of equipment you use and dont be afraid to refer a more experienced PW company for commercial jobs that may require a truck mounted rig with Hot capability. My biggest mistake was trying to outdue those guys when i was working with inferior equipment. Good luck in your endeavor and i applaud you for being a firefighter.

TexasWash,

Fighting Texas Aggie Class of 04

 

[ncpressure]

Thanks

I appreciate the feedback. I'll probably start trying to get the word out in about 2 weeks. I need some time to get everything together. I might just take up the offer of the ride along. Ive been reading the board for a few weeks and feel 100% more confident. I just need to do the damn thing!

 

[Aplus]

Most of the inexpensive pressure washers will not hold up long. Most have hard plastic wheels, and will vibrate themselves apart before long. They have small fuel tanks that last about an hour, and very feeble wobble style pumps that have a life span of 100-200 hours at absolute best.

They usually have smaller, cheaper hoses, non-interchangeable tips, and not enough gpm flow.

My advice....don't buy such a cheap machine. Save a few bucks and get something much better. Go for a Honda 11 or 13 HP engine, a triplex pump, pneumatic tires, and a sturdy robust frame.

 

[Larry L.]

ncpressure I think what TexasWash and Tony are trying to tell you is you want even have a "good" pressure washer to use around the house,lol.

 

[Spider]

new to the powerwashing

Hey bud, I'm just getting into the business as well. I'm on the eastern shores of Maryland. I didn't want to buy new. I got one from a buddy of mine that is moving into NC. He's getting rid of alot of stuff so he doesn't have to haul it down there. He's used the thing twice. So, it's fairly new, and he cut me a good deal. It's an 11 hp, 3,000 psi Honda. The thing is a powerful sucker. You really ought to practice on your own stuff before using it. This one has chipped up concrete, shattered glass and blew shngles off. That was my buddy's story. At least the stains were gone. lol. It is just a warning of how to use it correctly. I have an electric one, but you could be there all day with it. I might end up using it as a lawn sprinkler or something. Well, good luck. I'm getting my LLC in the morning for my biz.

 

[CaroliProWash]

I appreciate the feedback. I'll probably start trying to get the word out in about 2 weeks. I need some time to get everything together. I might just take up the offer of the ride along. Ive been reading the board for a few weeks and feel 100% more confident. I just need to do the damn thing!

If this dumb snow ever lets up, we've got plenty of work lined up.....new brick, vinyl, driveways, sidewalks and a couple of deck and fence jobs. Would love to see you over here

Celeste

 

[rknight68]

Me Too

I'm Roger in Warrenton, MO and I'm just starting up myself. I also purchased a used PW from my local equipment rental store. Mi-T-M 3500 PSI 210F water, 11hp Honda and CAT pump (just rebuilt) belt drive. Still trying to sort it all out, I've power washed equipment and flatwork before, but not for a living just as part of working. I think I have all of the equipment I need to start, just have to make sure I have a good grasp on the recovery laws. I'm in rural area and city haul didn't know what I was talking about, just wash 'em they said.
There are a lot of trucks that need washing and I hope to capitalize on that. Might have to brush before I can 2 step though. I've beer OOPS I MEAN BEEN washing everything outside of my house when I wasn't mounting something else to trailer, or figuring out where to mount anything else.
okay now I'm thirsty
Rog

 

[DeckDoctor]

Hi NC

I have been powerwashin since 96 and there is some money in it .I started out just doin little things like yourself.Then one day I figured instead of the next guy gettin all the dough I was willin to give it a shot.Now I do everything from the house to the deck and all concrete,brick,and outside stuff as possible.I started to seal the decks,log cabins, and all wooden sidings after I washed them I can make anywhere from $ 207 to $480 off a 6 gallon can of waterguard 2 yr guarantee watersealant (depending on the pourus of the wood)that cost me about $ 50 and a little time for clean up. Watersealing 200 sq ft takes about 15 minutes so u do the math. Hope this helps u with your journey to better your income!!! [wsmile]

 

[P Austin]

I have been washing for a few years now, but part time only. My jobs have been from word of mouth, and thus far strictly residential. I have had a few chances at commercial, but needed a tank, etc. I have a "Cheap" $1000 washer that I purchased from a home store, it has more than paid for itself. If and when I go full time, I know that I will need to invest into some better equipment, but for part time to gain a little extra money, my equipment is working just fine. Each year I try to invest in a new piece of equipment, this year I am joining with another person, and will probably buy an extension wand, and perhaps a small chemical tank with pump. If you just looking to earn a little extra cash, starting out small and on the cheap side is just fine, but don't forget the insurance. Not cheap, but may save your butt.

 

[tlhfirelion]

I got fur.

OK, so I was on this board for awhile and just got back on. Glad to see another firefighter is on here (hey bother), I was afraid I was the only one. Springfield Missouri here and just starting up a pw business. I got lucky I think with what I bought. It was a customer return PW for $350 from home depot. 2800 PSI Honda motor and a nice light blue cat pump. Same warranty as a new one and looked brand new even in the box. SO I took it home and drove my wife nuts because she was about the only thing I didn't pressure wash ( my poor dog). Man it worked great except for a few odd spots on my deck. I know to be careful and not get to close on a deck to carve into the wood, but I got some "fuzz" on a few small spots anyways. I became confused because if I took it slower and was further away, it would not clean that spot, but if I got too close (even while keeping it constantly moving and not letting it spray on one spot for too long) it would fur. I swear I would only move it a fraction of an inch and it would fur. So why do some spots do this and others do not, and what can I do (if anything) to prevent this? I think perfection of this technique just comes with time and experience but I would hate to do that to someone elses deck, and would also hate to have to take the time to correct it. Also, I wonder if I really need to buy an airless sprayer for sealing/staining decks after I clean them? I have been told it will not look as good if you brush it on but thats what most of the manufacturers suggest on their product. Is this just personal preference or just another way of doing the same thing? I know it's faster to spray, but I want to do it right as opposed to being the fastest since that will come with time. I am about 2-3 weeks away from putting an ad in the local paper to start getting some business and want to fine tune my technique. Man, I almost get nervous about taking that first job. LOL Thanks for everyones help in the past and hopefully with this post. I too have learned a ton from reading info on here.

 

[Mathew Johnson]

OK, so I was on this board for awhile and just got back on. Glad to see another firefighter is on here (hey bother), I was afraid I was the only one. Springfield Missouri here and just starting up a pw business. I got lucky I think with what I bought. It was a customer return PW for $350 from home depot. 2800 PSI Honda motor and a nice light blue cat pump. Same warranty as a new one and looked brand new even in the box. SO I took it home and drove my wife nuts because she was about the only thing I didn't pressure wash ( my poor dog). Man it worked great except for a few odd spots on my deck. I know to be careful and not get to close on a deck to carve into the wood, but I got some "fuzz" on a few small spots anyways. I became confused because if I took it slower and was further away, it would not clean that spot, but if I got too close (even while keeping it constantly moving and not letting it spray on one spot for too long) it would fur. I swear I would only move it a fraction of an inch and it would fur. So why do some spots do this and others do not, and what can I do (if anything) to prevent this? I think perfection of this technique just comes with time and experience but I would hate to do that to someone elses deck, and would also hate to have to take the time to correct it. Also, I wonder if I really need to buy an airless sprayer for sealing/staining decks after I clean them? I have been told it will not look as good if you brush it on but thats what most of the manufacturers suggest on their product. Is this just personal preference or just another way of doing the same thing? I know it's faster to spray, but I want to do it right as opposed to being the fastest since that will come with time. I am about 2-3 weeks away from putting an ad in the local paper to start getting some business and want to fine tune my technique. Man, I almost get nervous about taking that first job. LOL Thanks for everyones help in the past and hopefully with this post. I too have learned a ton from reading info on here.

Hi there,

Just a few tips... Lower your PSI... You want to clean decks under 1000 psi and you wont get the furing. I did the same thing you did when I started out... Get hooked up with a distributer to get the right chems to clean your decl and it will come clean with low pressure.

Email me your GPM pump and I will give you a few distributor names and the size nozzle you need to drop the PSI (the nozzle tips are between 3-6 bucks..

 

[tlhfirelion]

Hey Matt...

Thanks for the helpful reply. When you say "tips" do you mean the color coded ones that came with the tip or are you referring to something else. I will shoot you an email from your link since I don't think I can post it here. Thanks again.

Tim

 

[Mathew Johnson]

Thats correct, but each tip has an orifice size... the smaller the orifice = higher the pressure. The larger the orifice = lower pressure. There are charts that tell you your nozzle psi based on nozzle size.

 

[tlhfirelion]

Ok....

I have all those tips and have reread all the info I have on them. I also obtained a gauge to show my PSI output from my pump and will throttle down a bit to get to the desired PSI. Thanks for the help

Tim

PS Do you happen to know where I can purchase a swivel quick connect for my hose and gun? I think that would help a lot with decks. I notice the hose gets twisted a lot. Thanks again.

 

[Mathew Johnson]

Call me.... I think you may have misunderstood my post... If you have different size tips you shouldn't need to adjust your machine at all to change pressures. I will also tell you where to get the swivel... 607-286-7457

 

[CaroliProWash]

Nozzle Chart

Go here and click on Nozzle Chart

http://www.rowlettpressure.com/

This will give you an idea of what to use I tried to cut and paste it but all the numbers ran together.

 

[Larry L.]

I notice the hose gets twisted a lot. Thanks again.

In time you'll learn the art in keeping the hooooose from twisting a lot,a swivel is just another added wt. to carry/drag around.