Power washer-What to buy

[Tim Smith]

I am starting an exterior power washing & sealant business in southeast Missouri. I currently own a home inspection business. I by far am no expert-try to learn. I want to do mostly residential work (decks, roofs, driveways, etc) but do not want to limit myself just to residential: What is the best power washer to buy? Any advice on power washing in general?

Thanks

 

[Glenn]

Welcome to the board Tim, I recommend at least a 4 gpm @ 3000 psi belt drive unit. Hot water is nice but if you are only going to be doing residential work, you probably won't need it.
Glenn

 

[Jon]

Tim what Glenn said is true but let me expand on the hot water, if you even think you might clean concrete, be it sidewalks or driveways you will want and need that hot water.

So again if you can afford to buy a hot water unit do so from the get go, you will not be wasting money.

 

[Larry L.]

The best powerwasher to buy,hmmmmmm in brand name they are several out there,can I just say if it was me I'd look at atlest a 5 gpm.3000psi hotwater unit b/c as you say you don't want to limit to "just".


Any advice on power washing in general?

Keep your feet dry

 

[Jon Fife]

hey tim,

always glad to see someone from MO, grew up around Rolla myself. Speaking of, there is a great unit for sale in Rolla right now that you should buy. Email me and i'll get you in touch with him. If you are serious about getting in to this you need to buy this machine, the price is great and will sell fast. i'd buy it but it's not exactly what i am looking for. good luck in business,

jfife81721@aol.com

Jon Fife

 

[Richard R.]

Tim,
My two sents worth.
First off, I respect all of the guys that just gave you advise with Utmost Respect, but I'm going to give it to you straight.

Each one of those guys that are giving you advised are successful power washers who do both residential and commercial. You stated that you did not want to limit yourself to residential. Each one of those guys more than likely started out simular to the same way you are doing now.
Now instead of asking them what kind of machine you should buy, ask them what kind THEY use and own.
I would be greatly surprised if any of them own any less than a 3000psi from 4.5 to 5 gallon per minute (gpm).

Residential power washing is my specialty. I own 2 cold water 3500psi with 4.2gpm, one 2400 3.5gpm, one 1000psi 2.3gpm 248 degree hot water machine, a 12ft trailer and 425 gal water tank and if I got a call tomorrow from someone wanting me to sign a commercial contract, I'd have to call Rick from ProWash. I can do a great job on Driveways and Sidewalks, but when it comes to commercial surfaces, where there is an enormous amount of public traffic, the cold water just don't cut it.

I've said it before and I will say it again, if someone is truly serious about pressure washing of any kind and plans to make a successful career in it, don't waste your time with anything less than a 3000psi with 5 gpm, at least no less than 4.5gpm.

Can you start your own business with less? Yes, Can you be as good as your best competition? No

This is not based on an opinion, it's based on experience.

I will probably catch some flack over my answer, but If I had it to do over again, I would not waste my money on another colder water machine.
If I had a 3500 psi 5gpm belt driven hot water and one of my 3500 psi cold water, you couldn't touch me.

Sorry Guys, No Disrespect.

Take Care,
Richard R.

 

[Tim Smith]

Power Washer

Thanks so much for all the information. This site and the experience of you guys is going to help me tremendously. I am going to gladly send in my $50 donation.

 

[Jon]

Just let some Texan named Richard R. try to outdo us Southern guys Southern California that is.

Ok I have an All American top of the line unit 3000 PSI, 5 GPM.
Upstream, downstream, all the gadgets but you don't need spend as much as I did.

5 x 12 trailer tandem axle trailer rig with two 220 gallon tanks, chemical rack, hose reels, few extra hoses, 3 100', 2 or 3 50' hoses, Whisper Wash big Guy surface cleaner and lots of misc, stuff.

 

[PUREPOWER]

Tim,

I have to reply to this one...

HOT! HOT! HOT!
I started with cold only and quickly came to realize that hot water was the ticket.
I use hot on residential, commercial, and the industrial jobs.

I do associate to one of Jon's responses of going in a job just cleaned with cold and firing some heat on the surface. Big difference. I even shower and wash my hands with hot water.

Hot water with NO DOUBT cleans more effectively and quicker.....Thus allowing less time on the job and more scratch in your pocket...It is all about the jingle here.

I have 2, 5gpm @3000psi skid units from MSI...any and about all of the accessories that are available. 16' tandem axle enclosed trailer and a 14' open trailer. 400 gallon water on each. Enclosed has Little Sucker recycling system also.

I started with sidewalks and decks...If you are serious about the business...invest into the hot units...Some guys are content with cold...I for one was not.


Richard...no flack here.
Bigboy...dry feet are happy feet...gortex


Good luck Tim in your decision making.

Jordan[sb]

 

[Richard R.]

Tim,
Email me and I'll really tell you about those guys...
Just kidding.

Seriously email me and I will give you a great connection I don't think you can beat.
At least you can give them a call and decide for yourself.

hpmobilewash@vvm.com

Richard R.

 

[Larry L.]

Will will will I see we have another hotwater lover and even says NO DOUBT even cleans more ecffectively and quicker,hmmmmmmm wonder if he knows what he's talking about,why would anyone want to spend money for hotwater just to shower and wash their hands.

hehehe get this,Monday I finshed up washing some muddy farm eqt. for a farmer,I was muddy from head to toe,even my face was muddy,muddier than its been in a long time b/c I got in there with the mud and got with it,had to,to get done before dark.I wear a rain suit so when I take off I'm usually pretty clean,all but my shoes and face.Will I washed my shoes off,stuck the hose between my legs to hold it as I wash my face,cupped my hands got me a handfull of dat coldwater and started to wash my face.Will I couldn't do it on the first try,just throwed the water down,burrr,got me another handful of dat coldwater and started to spash it on my face,just couldn't do it for some reason so I throwed it down.I knew my face was real muddy b/c of the way it was dryed and dr'ing.I'm still holding the hose,got me another handful of dat coldwater and I just couldn't do it.Rolled water hoses up and after I got home,all cleaned up,I thought to myself.why did I drive all the home with a muddy face just so's I could wash it in warm water,Dum ass you had a hotwater unit.

For some reason I just couldn't throw that coldwater in my face that day,I never had that problem before,I know there as been times I didn't want to but have always done so.I want never forget that day either,seen 1000's of geese and ducks plus my heater in the truck stopped blowing warmair and started blowing coldair,even shut all the off it still blowed coldair,it was stuck on AC but still a enjoyable day,it took me a day and half just to get warm again.

This is a working rig,its 10 years old,washer bout 4,16 ft.,550 supply tank,chemical tanks,9 different size wands,4 brrrrrushes of different size and shape,stor'box and toolbox,3 5 gal.buckets,flo-jet,extra chemicals,2 different size hose and hos'reel plus some juck,everything has its place....don't laugh at a rednecks rig

 

[dirtchaser]

Damn Bigboy, Very impressive...but explain that setup for me...DUH!!!

 

[Larry L.]

huh...if you see that setup coming you'll know its coming to clean bout anything you got or can think of,its a working rig,its tried to kill me on several different days by working me to death,its setup for speed,everything is handly,from starting the motor,turn valves,fir'ing burner,controling flo-jet and unrolling hoses is in a arm reach of each other...one step,pick a wand.......we can even de tar you,strip paint and run over yeller trucks if they get in the way............DUH what valve you say boss number 2 or how many just awittle,hahaha

 

[Glenn]

Bigboy,
What brand skid is that, looks like a TUFF unit. You are right near 2 large PW manufactures, TUFF and Whitco.
Glenn

 

[Larry L.]

yep,its a Tuff,,also I think Epp was in Rodger,Ar.,don't know about now tho.
I've walked though Tuff's,from start to finish,watched them roll coils,weld frames,ect.ect.,pretty neat...nice people.

Been all over Spraymart,looking at this and that,,neat also and nice people.Everybody should walk though a parts warehouse for powerwashers,man you'll see stuff :thats dat" :whats dat" :whats dat" :whats it used far" WoW I didn't know they made dat" :whats dat.....
I'd like to put a powerwasher unit together out of a warehouse,it would not only spit in your eye but also would give ya a cold drink of water or hot chocit.

 

[Andy Wheatley]

Bigboy,

Very sharp rig! It looks like you constructed the frame with angle iron for your chem tanks. I think you mentioned at one time that you upstreamed your chem's. Are your chem tanks all piped to a manifold with individual shutoff's so you can isolate and pull the one you want?

 

[Larry L.]

yes,each chemical tank as it own line and valve,if your just wanting to pull out of one turn one valve,if your wanting to pull out of 3 different tanks turn 3 different valves,ect.ect..I can either downstream or upstream the soaps and acids.
I upstream soaps,downstream acid,most of the time.

Simple setup...the valves has T's in one end as to joint the main line going to the pump.

 

[Tim Smith]

Tuff Power Washers

Are Tuff power washers good quality? Where could I purchase one? I live in southeast Missouri, just 2 hrs south of St. Louis.