Power Washing and Roof Cleaning Forum

All Kleen Softwash Systems · Exterior Cleaner

Wanted: Softwash home and roof equipment

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

It's relatively cheap to get started in this business,.even buying new stuff. Buying equipment is the easy part,..learning how to do the work is much more important.,.and time consuming.

Jeff

Fred W · Guru

Jeff Wible wrote:
It's relatively cheap to get started in this business,.even buying new stuff. Buying equipment is the easy part,..learning how to do the work is much more important.,.and time consuming.

Jeff

+1

Nikolas153 · Member

Hi Jeff,

You saying that buying equipment relatively cheap. I am building softwash businesses in Vancouver BC, and on the step of figuring out how much money to invest, what equipment, which one is good or bad. I don't have a big budget for equipment, premade equipment from powerwash store and softwash systems looks overpriced to me, especially if I pay in Canadian dollars!
Can you help me with advise?
Thank you.
Nik

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

No need to buy a pre-made unit,..Many of us,.including me,.. prefer to build our rig own to suit our own design ideas,... out of pieces and parts that are available from many places online, and your local stores even for some stuff.

Here's the thing though,..when you say softwash,..that can have a few different meanings and options of equipment. Don't get sucked into the who "softwash" thing when it comes to equipment. Your best tool will be a pressure washer,..way more flexible than a low PSI pump like a 12V or something and you'll be happy to have it,.believe me.

But,.you need a handful of things to make life easy in the washing World. I understand not having the funds,,.but you also don't want to jump in and ruin your reputation with inferior work due to equipment. As I said,..the equipment is the easy part,..so don't make your learning curve even more complicated.

Pressure Washer (Soap Application, rinsing and running a Surface Cleaner)

12V chemical applicator ( For applying stronger solutions)
Air Pump (Option)
Booster Pump (Option)

Spot Sprayer,..like a pump up

And a handful of other things that bring it all together. Long length of hoses for high pressure and low pressure,..brushes, buckets, basic tool kit,.etc..

Jeff

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Nik, what Jeff says is so true. For less than $500.00 you can build a 12v soft wash system. With about $500.00 more you can find a used commercial pressure washer and now you can do all sorts of things. Many of us have built everything, some a mixture of building and buying a system. In the beginning Mike said, build something and go spray a roof. Jed Clampett would have been proud of my first "build".

Fast forward and at least 6 builds later I'll be building but yet another. Here is a link to a post of my first box truck 4-5 years ago. Scroll down a bit to see the post. I hope it helps and gives you some ideas.

Brett

-- Edited by BlueRidge on Wednesday 14th of December 2016 06:13:46 AM

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

You're right Brett,..and some of my learning curve was definitely no fun, Ha,Ha,..at least at the time. Anyone starting these days has SO much information available there's no reason to have a huge learning curve,..especially with equipment.

AlthougbI discussed it years ago,...Many here don't know it,.but one of my first "powered" pumps was a Coleman 1" (2-Cycle) gas powered centrifigal sump pump. It was the greatest thing,..I used a garden hose with a regular garden hose end,..and no by-pass,..and when the pump was running it would spray fairly decent,..and when I wasn't spraying,.the engine would just keep running in a stressful sounding way,.but didn't leak for a while. But it did finally blow the seals out of it due to not by-passing.

I started in 1996,.and didn't have the intenet until 2003,.so I had a huge learning curve to overcome.

Jeff

-- Edited by Jeff Wible on Wednesday 14th of December 2016 06:43:31 AM

Diamond Roof Cleaning · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I also like building my own equipment but within the last couple of years i have bought pre made equipment so that i may focus on other things in the business. Even the pre made equipment needs tune ups and tweeks so all the years prior of doing that i can now do it easily with my new water dragon and soft wash skid.

I always suggest in the beginning to build it yourself and see if you even like the trade. If you find you dont like the work then its not a huge loss.

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Jeff Wible wrote:
You're right Brett,..and some of my learning curve was definitely no fun, Ha,Ha,..at least at the time. Anyone starting these days has SO much information available there's no reason to have a huge learning curve,..especially with equipment.

AlthougbI discussed it years ago,...Many here don't know it,.but one of my first "powered" pumps was a Coleman 1" (2-Cycle) gas powered centrifigal sump pump. It was the greatest thing,..I used a garden hose with a regular garden hose end,..and no by-pass,..and when the pump was running it would spray fairly decent,..and when I wasn't spraying,.the engine would just keep running in a stressful sounding way,.but didn't leak for a while. But it did finally blow the seals out of it due to not by-passing.

I started in 1996,.and didn't have the intenet until 2003,.so I had a huge learning curve to overcome.

Jeff

-- Edited by Jeff Wible on Wednesday 14th of December 2016 06:43:31 AM

Jeff, it's stuff like this that makes Hank and I want to make the round table weekend happen. So many of us here build own own stuff that works very well at a fraction of the cost. I'd rather put the money into building the business than equipment that can tend to be pricey!

Brett

Patrick G · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I have a used soft wash skid for a six foot bed. Come on down to NY you can have it for $2300

Diamond Roof Cleaning · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I thought you liked the skid pat? Why are you selling it?

All Kleen Softwash Systems · Exterior Cleaner

Wish I had the money, I'd be getting that skid

Nikolas153 · Member

Thank you guys for advise to build my own set up, I totally agree to spend more on marketing and less on equipment.
I wasn't sure if I can build it in a right way, that's why I thought premade equipment will serve me better, at least I won't screw up in the beginning and build my reputation with solid equipment.

Your replies gave me an idea how to find a golden middle in that question.
In January I'll go to Softwashapolooza seminar in Florida from Softwash Systems.
Hope it will help me to understand this business better and learn how to do it properly and how to avoid costly mistakes.

For my equipment set up I am going to get a mixing module with (proportioner) - I think it is very useful thing.
100 gal tank for fresh water 50 gal tank for bleach and 50 gal for soap
Also I will get 4000psi @ 4.0gpm 13hp Honda powered pressure washer with CAT pump.
Not sure if I need separate low pressure rinsing module.
May be I can use Pressure washer for that?
What else do I need in your opinion?

Thank you in advance,
Nik

Bryan P · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Nikolas153 wrote:
Thank you guys for advise to build my own set up, I totally agree to spend more on marketing and less on equipment.
I wasn't sure if I can build it in a right way, that's why I thought premade equipment will serve me better, at least I won't screw up in the beginning and build my reputation with solid equipment.

Your replies gave me an idea how to find a golden middle in that question.
In January I'll go to Softwashapolooza seminar in Florida from Softwash Systems.
Hope it will help me to understand this business better and learn how to do it properly and how to avoid costly mistakes.

For my equipment set up I am going to get a mixing module with (proportioner) - I think it is very useful thing.
100 gal tank for fresh water 50 gal tank for bleach and 50 gal for soap
Also I will get 4000psi @ 4.0gpm 13hp Honda powered pressure washer with CAT pump.
Not sure if I need separate low pressure rinsing module.
May be I can use Pressure washer for that?
What else do I need in your opinion?

Thank you in advance,
Nik

You'll NEVER need 50 gallons of soap. My proportioner skid came with a 7 gallon soap tank and it lasts a couple of weeks at least. 50 gallons of SH is usually enough for a day...but not always. If I'm doing a big roof sometimes I run out. 100 is good for the water, but you could get by with a smaller buffer tank if you needed to. I have a 50 water, 50 SH.

I've got a 5.5 @ 4000 washer with a 21 HP engine. I'm glad I went bigger, but i know guys that use the 4/4000 with a Whisper Wash Classic and it does a good job. you could rinse with it too if you wanted to. That is unless you want to be quiet on the job, then get an electric booster pump. I've stopped using the homeowner's tap for rinsing. Only one in 10 houses have enough pressure.

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Hey Nik,..just wondering what you're background is? are you a mechanically inclined person?

Not sure what you mean by a low pressure rinse module,..but you can rinse with anything that puts out a decent volume. With a PW,.just change nozzles.

How much soap you carry will also be determined by what application method you choose for,..direct application you'll have to have more total volume than if you down stream through the washer?

There are also a handful of other cleaners you'll need,..there is not a one size fits all. Much more to this service than SH/Soap combo. Aside from varying strengths SH/Soap,.there are other cleaners for other situations.

Here is what I will tell you on the PW,..it will be one of your most versatile pieces of equipment. Although you can always go bigger later,..I strongly suggest you get an 10 GPM 3000 PSI PW right from the start. Volume is king and rinsing power is so beneficial. If you are adept at basic mechanical,..and can rig yourself,..you can put an 10 GPM PW together for about $2800.00. Minus the hose,..but you will have to buy hose with either choice.

Here is a decent deal on an 8 GPM machine. http://www.pressuretek.com/bedr8gpm35ps.html

I don't like the unloader bolted to the pump that way,..but overall a fair priced machine if you can get it to Canada cheap enough.

You can run as low as a garden hose for delicate high flow rinsing,.. or have an awesome rinsing machine at about 600-1000 PSI. Once you rinse that way you'll never even think of using anything else.

The Whisper Wash Classic is an awesome machine when running high flow,..you can move fast and all that flow makes for good rinsing while using it. And then unhook the WWC and with a high pressure ball valve you can do a final flat work rinse down way better than a low GPM machine.

A high pressure ball valve is essential,.it allows you to switch from trigger gun to surface cleaner without shutting down.

You also want to use a high pressure swivel,.it will go in between the end of your hose and your ball valve. Makes handling the hose much easier and is better for the hose as well,.it stops the twisting.

Many, Many things for you to learn before Spring!! But at least get a handle on the basics and then fine tune from there.

Jeff

-- Edited by Jeff Wible on Friday 16th of December 2016 05:10:04 AM

Patrick G · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I have no complaints about the skid Mike, works great and better than anything i could have built....I was gonna move up a notch

All Kleen Softwash Systems · Exterior Cleaner

Well if Santa brings me the 3000 I asked for, ill be headed up that way . Lolol

Patrick G · Approved Exterior Cleaner

It is a nice basic system 100 gal tank with a 50 gal.. I think its a great starter setup. If you are interested In January I will send you photos, you come from N.C. to get it i'll give you a break. lol

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Patrick G wrote:
It is a nice basic system 100 gal tank with a 50 gal.. I think its a great starter setup. If you are interested In January I will send you photos, you come from N.C. to get it i'll give you a break. lol

Pat add a Proportioner to your skid and your good to go, On sale at the PW store for $1050

Bryan P · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Art O wrote:
Patrick G wrote:
It is a nice basic system 100 gal tank with a 50 gal.. I think its a great starter setup. If you are interested In January I will send you photos, you come from N.C. to get it i'll give you a break. lol
Pat add a Proportioner to your skid and your good to go, On sale at the PW store for $1050

That's a good deal! AND a good idea. I never want to work without the proportioner. I even use it to pump the right mix into a bucket if I want to downstream.

Fred W · Guru

Jeff Wible wrote:
Don't get sucked into the whole "softwash" thing when it comes to equipment. Your best tool will be a pressure washer,..way more flexible than a low PSI pump like a 12V or something and you'll be happy to have it,.believe me.

Jeff

I must respectfully disagree here.....

Just watch how many trucks you see pulling a pressure washer. Heck, 90% of our customers probably own a pressure washer.

I "Softwash" and that is what I sell. I have a niche because of this very fact. I use a pressure washer (a very valuable tool) but ONLY for flat concrete. My company is built around a 12V and a RBP Booster pump. I can't tell you how many clients have called simply because I do not use a pressure washer.
Though most people who find us are looking for a "pressure washing" company.

I can't thank Ray Burke enough for turning me onto the booster pumps as they really are so much better than a pressure washer.....any day of the week in my opinion.
My personal belief is that a booster pump and 12v are more flexible and a better fit.

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Baton Rouge Roof Cleaner wrote:
I must respectfully disagree here.....
Just watch how many trucks you see pulling a pressure washer. Heck, 90% of our customers probably own a pressure washer.
I "Softwash" and that is what I sell. I have a niche because of this very fact. I use a pressure washer (a very valuable tool) but ONLY for flat concrete. My company is built around a 12V and a RBP Booster pump. I can't tell you how many clients have called simply because I do not use a pressure washer.
Though most people who find us are looking for a "pressure washing" company.

I can't thank Ray Burke enough for turning me onto the booster pumps as they really are so much better than a pressure washer.....any day of the week in my opinion.
My personal belief is that a booster pump and 12v are more flexible and a better fit.

You kinda' missed my point,..and my point was not to limit yourself on choices of tools due to terms that are being thrown around which often times implies that using a PW makes you irresponsible somehow. Use ALL tools. I prefer the PW as a whole due to the fact that I mostly wash houses, decks, and concrete and was stating it's versatility to the guy asking the question. BUT,..doing this service as a whole requires the AODD and 12V as well. Pressure washers should be part of ANY arsenal in exterior cleaning.

*Houses with a PW are easily done with one hose as the main soap applicator. (I do use 12V for gutters and the handheld 12V for spot spraying)

*Deck cleaning routinely requires 800-1000 PSI to rinse away old stain or even graying properly. (I often times use a dedicated pump for application of Sodium Percarbonate,..but can also DS NAOH) But I always use the PW for rinsing,.you need that PSI to effectively remove that top layer of crud on wood.

*Concrete cleaning is done to a much better quality using PSI.

Roofs need the dedicated pump,..but I keep the vegetation wet with the PW. So much better than a hose.

Stucco, dryvit and brick often times need dedicated pump,..but I still want to rinse with 500-800 PSI.

So,.. in regards to performance in the general services we offer,... what does a booster pump have to offer over an 8-10 GPM PW.

Aside from application of chemical at a stronger percentage. (And you could do that with a PW pump if you wanted to replace it every few weeks.)

PW pump will outlast the booster by probably 10-1( If booster is being used a chemical pump) and a 12V,.by,..I don't know,... 20-1

Largely in part due to the PW pump is being used as it's intended,..with soap never entering the pump.

A booster is limited to about 150 PSI. Where as a PW pump starts at about 50 PSI and goes up to 3000,.and with the flow to match the booster. So hows a booster or 12V more flexible. Rinsing at 500-800 PSI at 8-10 GPM will move soap and debris much faster and damage free than a booster will. Especially when you're rinsing a (2) story in the wind.

Not sure how yours is rigged,..but if you have to use two hoses,.one for application and one for rinsing while doing a house,..that isn't more versatile. Or if it requires running back and forth to switch soap to water,..that's also not more flexible.

I use low PSI pumps on EVERY job,..(AODD) as needed and the (12V and PW) are used regularly. ..so I'm not knocking the benefit,... I seldom use PSI,.unless running a surface cleaner or rotating nozzle.

But anyone getting into business shouldn't get sucked into the whole ,.."PSI will ruin your business": mentality" And "PW's make you a hack". There are jobs that require a strong mix,.in large volume,..and that is where the dedicated pump shines,...but I'd still rinse with 50-800 PSI,..I love that flexibility.

Jeff

-- Edited by Jeff Wible on Sunday 18th of December 2016 07:52:18 AM

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I would add to what Jeff says by adding the word systems after softwash. Everything that is offered by softwash systems is right here, free.

As to what equipment to have, I agree with both and will be making a change this winter that will remove two tanks from the truck, adding a custom built proportioner and a 110v booster pump. One truck will have a PW both hot and cold and a 12v pump (residential). The second truck will have a proportioner, 110v pump, 2000w generator, 12v pump, and a hot & cold PW (mostly commercial). After seeing the high ratio of mixes Ray is using on 8 story buildings I can see this working well for us. Add in the 4 - 5 story pole we have, a lift is seldom needed now.

Brett

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Exactly Brett,..use the available tools. I can see benefit in every tool available for our work. I just don't limit myself due to what the customer may think or the terms that I see used on these boards over the last several years. I was simply telling the new guy that a PW can be used for low PSI cleaning and is a VERY valuable tool for multiple reasons.

Jeff

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I actually have my eye on the ProPortioner,..was kinda waiting to see if there were any bugs to be worked out from the first introduction. But I like the concept of getting rid of the roof mix tank. Lot of space and weight.

Jeff

Maverick Contracting · Approved Exterior Cleaner

As to add to Doug, Brett and Jeff, a booster is good to "pull" a higher gpm from a weak flowing faucet so you don't have to carry your own water.

I understand many areas have weak pressure or we'll water. Luckily for me all service areas habe municipal water supplies and high pressure so if I add a booster to "draw" more volume it would just be an added benefit but I've been able to fill tanks on site fast enough.
Still, I'd like to install a booster if I can run it off a generator. Don't like having to patch in to homeowners panel or run a heavy duty cord to house and pop a fuse.

Still haven't researched them enough yet.

I think what Jeff's saying is for lowest cost startups a PW is the most versatile way to go.

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Maverick,.yea,..you mostly got what I was saying,..a PW is the something to build around,..in the end it takes a few application methods to make anyone's outfit complete. If I was recommending someone on a typical start-up budget for residential work,...,..I'd say: An 8- 10 GPM washer setup for DS'ing,.....a surface cleaner and a dedicated pump for applying cleaners at stronger mixes,.or applying different cleaners like Purple Power. And then they will grow from there if the interest is there.

*Along with a "supporting cast" of tools,.and that is a HUGE list.

A dedicated pump can be simple like a pump sprayer or more advanced like a 12V, a booster or AODD.
Although as a very cost effective yet capable recommendation,..I'd push someone towards a 12V in one form or another.

Much is determined by the work that is in a persons scope,..but getting the basics going is the most important.

*Yes,.I would recommend going high GPM from the start,.you can't beat flow for rinsing power and that equals speed. And you don't have to run it full flow.
And an 8-10 GPM machine will make a surface cleaner very effective.

Jeff

-- Edited by Jeff Wible on Sunday 18th of December 2016 09:30:35 AM

Liberty SoftWash · PWS Vender

Jeff Wible wrote:
I actually have my eye on the ProPortioner,..was kinda waiting to see if there were any bugs to be worked out from the first introduction. But I like the concept of getting rid of the roof mix tank. Lot of space and weight.

Jeff

Some say it change the game with not mixing, I just bought 2 and will no longer be mixing this coming spring.

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Thanks Eric,..have you used them yet,.or are they new and waiting for Spring?

At the moment I'm leaning heavily on one.

Jeff

All Kleen Softwash Systems · Exterior Cleaner

I'm going to be able to buy one one day