Dan Mauser
New Member
Wow :-(
I went to my first pressure washing job today, a composite roof and some walks and patio.
Things I'd do differently:
1) Not accept the job until I've done my own house first.
2) Learn how to put the fall prevention harness on when in the store. I rented the harness, catch thingy, and rope, but figured it would be simple to put on. I ended up hooking the catch and rope to my belt since I couldn't figure out the harness.
3) Get something like a PitchWitch or something so I don't have to go ontop of the roof. There were many different levels and gables. It took me way too long to do the small area I did. Had to get the 40 degree tip real close to the shingle tabs, and even then some of the moss stayed. I sprayed the chemicals on, waited a few minutes and then hosed off. I didn't see much difference with the chemicals. I still had to get point-blank to get anything done.
4) The rope system even when working well wouldn't be enough for me. It would be good to go up and down but not sideways. Again, I think getting up on the roofs is real inefficient. Can a PitchWitch completely take care of all the roof stuff?
5) I wouldn't believe the 'non-zebra' quality of rotary surface cleaners. I rented one, about 18" wide, went with just plain cold water over exposed aggregate, overlapping about 50% each pass and it looks terrible! Stripes, Stripes, Stripes! It also seemed the brush supported model I had didn't let the water out fast enough. Maybe that is why there wasn't uniform cleaning. Would wheeled models do better?
What makes this experience really tough is I only have tomorrow to finish and also do the windows. Either that or I'll have to tell them it'll be a couple weeks since we're going on vacation. Not a good start for a relationship.
I'd appreciate your comments,
Dan
I went to my first pressure washing job today, a composite roof and some walks and patio.
Things I'd do differently:
1) Not accept the job until I've done my own house first.
2) Learn how to put the fall prevention harness on when in the store. I rented the harness, catch thingy, and rope, but figured it would be simple to put on. I ended up hooking the catch and rope to my belt since I couldn't figure out the harness.
3) Get something like a PitchWitch or something so I don't have to go ontop of the roof. There were many different levels and gables. It took me way too long to do the small area I did. Had to get the 40 degree tip real close to the shingle tabs, and even then some of the moss stayed. I sprayed the chemicals on, waited a few minutes and then hosed off. I didn't see much difference with the chemicals. I still had to get point-blank to get anything done.
4) The rope system even when working well wouldn't be enough for me. It would be good to go up and down but not sideways. Again, I think getting up on the roofs is real inefficient. Can a PitchWitch completely take care of all the roof stuff?
5) I wouldn't believe the 'non-zebra' quality of rotary surface cleaners. I rented one, about 18" wide, went with just plain cold water over exposed aggregate, overlapping about 50% each pass and it looks terrible! Stripes, Stripes, Stripes! It also seemed the brush supported model I had didn't let the water out fast enough. Maybe that is why there wasn't uniform cleaning. Would wheeled models do better?
What makes this experience really tough is I only have tomorrow to finish and also do the windows. Either that or I'll have to tell them it'll be a couple weeks since we're going on vacation. Not a good start for a relationship.
I'd appreciate your comments,
Dan