Power Washing and Roof Cleaning Forum

Eric Schnaible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

RE: Soft Washing House's

SprayWash · Approved Exterior Cleaner

They fail slowly over time time typically. You'll start to notice a slight drop in pressure that gradually worsens over 3-4 weeks.

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Old Soft Wash thread that ranks well, jump in

Bryan P · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I use the dedicated pump with proportioner 95% of the time. If I have a really tall house or if I'm working by myself I'll downstream, but I like washing with the 12 volt while my helper is rinsing with the pressure washer. Makes it less confusing too since that's the same process we use for roofs.

Patrick G · Approved Exterior Cleaner

My guys sprays from the tank and 12V I follow rinsing with PW

Fred W · Guru

House wash = booster pump all the way baby!

John Aloisio · Approved Exterior Cleaner

We softwash pretty much everything and rinse with boosters. Only thing we really pressure wash is concrete that has gold/mustard algae on it & oil stains/dumpster pads/drive thrus. In Winter, Spring & Fall we try to softwash residential concrete too. Just can't do that on every job.

Bryan P · Approved Exterior Cleaner

John Aloisio wrote:
We softwash pretty much everything and rinse with boosters. Only thing we really pressure wash is concrete that has gold/mustard algae on it & oil stains/dumpster pads/drive thrus. In Winter, Spring & Fall we try to softwash residential concrete too. Just can't do that on every job.

John (and Doug)

What do you see as the advantage of rinsing with the booster pump vs. rinsing with the pressure hose and a soft wash tip? I know it's quieter. I like that the washer is powered at the truck so no electrical cord. BTW, I used to use the house water but the pressure around here is really low and I was getting complaints.

-- Edited by Bryan P on Saturday 14th of January 2017 09:36:03 AM

Fred W · Guru

It's not just quieter..... You have more control, less initial pressure, no need to worry about fuel and one of the real important features is perception. Even if you tip your pressure washer down to 25 psi....you're still using a pressure washer.

Not to get back into the pressure washer arguments but there are so many people who have seen the damage a pressure washing can cause that they simply don't want one used....period.

I can't begin to count the number of times I've been told something like "I really like the fact that you don't use any high pressure!"

Bryan P · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Baton Rouge Roof Cleaner wrote:
It's not just quieter..... You have more control, less initial pressure, no need to worry about fuel and one of the real important features is perception. Even if you tip your pressure washer down to 25 psi....you're still using a pressure washer.

Not to get back into the pressure washer arguments but there are so many people who have seen the damage a pressure washing can cause that they simply don't want one used....period.

I can't begin to count the number of times I've been told something like "I really like the fact that you don't use any high pressure!"

Right. I totally get it. We don't have a booster so it's not an option right now, so the pressure hose is the best option. I struggled with that decision though for the reasons you mention. I'd rather run a motor right now and do a good job, than not rinse well and damage plants. We have terrible water pressure here so I've stopped even trying to rinse with the house water.

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Pw rinser here,Ha,Ha,... Not that the kick is a real issue anyhow,.. But with a low PSI nozzle the kick isn't near the same as with the smaller orifice nozzles. Point away and then turn to the point of rinsing. But the initial pressure blast is easily overcome,..just use the ball valve to rinse with. Is how I rinse 95% now,..And,..no kick,..and saves the gun and my tennis elbow.

The perception point is what I would call an intangible,..it's not gonna be the same for everyone. In 21 years I have never been asked about NOT using a PW. Now,..some folks like Doug may encounter that,..in areas where there is a PW business everywhere you look,..and some of these clowns could very well be doing damage as hit and run washers,..so Doug is on point with that,.... But,.I still consider it an intangible,....I think what Bryan is asking is the physical "working" difference.

The ball valve and 8-10 GPM is a rinsing beast with the ability to go from 20-1000 PSI very easily. The extra omph is nice when moving debris or spraying through the wind.

Some of the perception of soft washing gets clouded in the fact that what is determined as soft washing on these boards,...A few things can play into it,..but what it mostly amounts to is NOT nozzle PSI,..but what PSI is hitting the surface. Where a soap nozzle is considered a gentle wash at about 800 PSI,..some guys using 12V or boosters may think that's criminal. But in reality that IS soft washing. I could soft wash with 3000 PSI,..if I'm standing back 10 ft. with a 40 degree nozzle. Would be terrible for efficiency though,Ha,Ha,..and would suck to try and do,..but just making a point

Either way,.it's the guy doing the job that makes the job damage free,.not what is universally considered soft washing on these boards.

Rinsing plants with 8-10 GPM at 1000 PSI from a ball valve along the side of a house gives excellent span of spray over the plants. A HUGE "mist" of water flying through the air gives an awesome pre-rinse and post-rinse. And you don't have to move very much to get awesome coverage.

*The one thing I do envy about the guys using only low PSI,..is the hose that's needed compared to a PW. Enough said!!

Jeff

-- Edited by Jeff Wible on Saturday 14th of January 2017 01:33:47 PM

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Baton Rouge Roof Cleaner wrote:
It's not just quieter..... You have more control, less initial pressure, no need to worry about fuel and one of the real important features is perception. Even if you tip your pressure washer down to 25 psi....you're still using a pressure washer.

Not to get back into the pressure washer arguments but there are so many people who have seen the damage a pressure washing can cause that they simply don't want one used....period.

I can't begin to count the number of times I've been told something like "I really like the fact that you don't use any high pressure!"

I have to say it Doug,..,.I just have to Ha,Ha,.., pressure washers don't do damage,..PEOPLE do damage.

Jeff

Fred W · Guru

Jeff Wible wrote:
I have to say it Doug,..,.I just have to Ha,Ha,.., pressure washers don't do damage,..PEOPLE do damage.
Jeff

Believe it or not Jeff, I 100% agree with you!

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Baton Rouge Roof Cleaner wrote:
Jeff Wible wrote:
I have to say it Doug,..,.I just have to Ha,Ha,.., pressure washers don't do damage,..PEOPLE do damage.
Jeff
Believe it or not Jeff, I 100% agree with you!

Ha,Ha,..was just messing with you!!

Jeff

Fred W · Guru

I do agree though. For me, it's just like guns and my wife. It's not her fault she beats the heck out of me....If I would just learn to sit down and shut up when I'm told......

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Yes,..you deserve it!!

Jeff

John Aloisio · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Brian,

It is personal preference and market distinction. My guys are taught that way and that is how I market my company. Yes, more quite, less water consumtption, no gas, various things....but like a lot have stated it is a debate with most and really how you get the job done. I own three power washers and just ordered another softwash rig with a power washer on it. It will only get used for concrete work, because that is how we clean.

The true term softwash came from the roof cleaning industry and has been loosely used for various types of exterior cleaning. I know 800 psi is softer than 3500 but my 12 volts 60 psi is even more soft.

it is all about you and how you want to run your business and can sell you company to the end user.

-- Edited by John Aloisio on Saturday 14th of January 2017 05:03:53 PM

Bryan P · Approved Exterior Cleaner

John Aloisio wrote:
it is all about you and how you want to run your business and can sell you company to the end user.

And that's something I'm still working out. I wanted to be 12v and house water rinse only, but we have hills everywhere and too many houses that are one story on the front and 3 on the back. I can usually get the gutters, but the gables on the sides just need the extra power. After three issues where we didn't get good rinsing due to the water pressure, I had to make a change...even if it's temporary. I haven't used the type of boosters you have but I want to try. I have one of the tractor supply 1HP ones. I only tried it twice and it sucked the supply hose flat. blankstare I want to try it pulling from my buffer tank and see what happens.

Fred W · Guru

John Aloisio wrote:
it is all about you and how you want to run your business and can sell you company to the end user.

+1 nailed it!

Brian, you need the buffer tank IMHO

John Aloisio · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Brian,

the Buffer tank is needed like Doug said. Not much...a 40 or 50 gallon work fine. We use 1/2 and 3/4 HP Dayton or Gould boosters. The 1HP is a little much for most hose wells, as it will usually outperform the wells own pump. we test the water pressure at every house and half the time we never even hook up the booster if they have great pressure. Like Jeff said about customers not asking, we have a ton of illegitimate competitors and our clients have had bad experiences with them, so they gravitate towards us. Also, we sell our system and it is easy for our competition to sell on price only, which is what happens all the time. My five year old son can sell on price only, but it actually takes a real business person and some talent to sell a service. Most of our customers pay more for us.

Brian C Jackson · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I down stream ... NH is all water wells and water pressure is very low. I like the noise of the pressure washer.. it gets the neighbors looking ..

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I down stream also, Using less S/H saves money

Steve Salley · Approved Exterior Cleaner

We get onsite and the first thing is the watering process begins. We stretch out the booster hose and prime with house pressure water and use it to quickly wet everything down.

Then the application of chemicals begins.

Tony, by then has the pressure washer hose stretched out, the machine warmed up and he rinses with the 8gpm pressure washer. He does not mind the noise.

When the applicator get done using the booster applying chemical, he will switch to house water and rinse back toward the other guy.

Or he will finish the rinsing final detailing and allow the other guy to wrap up hoses etc. Rinses pump, quiets the noise down and allows for an orderly exit. By then the customer has walked out due to the fact the noise stopped and are ready for a walk around etc. This affords us the opportunity to point out any last minute instructions, enjoy the smile on their face and get paid. Often, it provides another opportunity for us to upsell paver/ concrete sealing etc.

If I am working by myself, I use just the booster. I "hate" pressure washer noises. Just me...

I did spend the weekend with Brett and Hank and they were showing me the ropes on downstreaming. We will play with it this next season. Another tool in the tool box.

-- Edited by Steve Salley on Monday 16th of January 2017 09:33:53 AM

Fred W · Guru

John Aloisio wrote:
Brian,
the Buffer tank is needed like Doug said. Not much...a 40 or 50 gallon work fine. We use 1/2 and 3/4 HP Dayton or Gould boosters. The 1HP is a little much for most hose wells, as it will usually outperform the wells own pump. we test the water pressure at every house and half the time we never even hook up the booster if they have great pressure. Like Jeff said about customers not asking, we have a ton of illegitimate competitors and our clients have had bad experiences with them, so they gravitate towards us. Also, we sell our system and it is easy for our competition to sell on price only, which is what happens all the time. My five year old son can sell on price only, but it actually takes a real business person and some talent to sell a service. Most of our customers pay more for us.

+1 Nailed it!
Again!

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I remember guys years ago saying they HATED ladders, and refused to use them,Ha,Ha,...and now Steve says he HATES pressure washers sounds, He even capitalized it,Ha,Ha,...you have to be kidding??? Seriously ,..this is work,.. The sound of the PW is a non issue,.I can't believe we're even discussing it. How the heck do you mow you're grass,..or do you run and stick your head under the pillow or make sure you aren't home while the grass mowers are doing it,Ha,Ha,.. The rinsing power and flexibility you get FAR, FAR outweighs what any other source will get you,..so what if it's an engine running, it's well worth it.

For you guys saying you get customers telling you they call you because they don't use a PW,..that may be so,..and they may have had bad experiences,..but you really don't know whether or not you're also losing work because you DON'T use a PW. I know this because,.. this is the only site I visit where the use of a PW on a house wash is looked at as almost irresponsible,,..never seen anything like it!!

Many business's that visit these sites and many that don't have built their house washing service on the use of PW'ers,..business like mine that have been around for 20+ years. So these customers and many repeat customers can't all be that stupid as to have a guy with PW washing their house and they don't seem to question it.

You're just seeing it from you're side and deducing all customers are all anti-PW ,..well they're not. In this business like any other business,..you're reputation precedes you,...not you're choice of equipment. And if you're just starting out,..just do good work,..and people won't care what you show up with.

Jeff

-- Edited by Jeff Wible on Monday 16th of January 2017 06:49:15 AM

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

The only performance advantage a 12V or booster has over a PW is the strength of mix that can be applied,..but that's it. Neither are as flexible. And where house washing is concerned, as it's the topic of this thread,..a PW Ds'ing will blow either of the other two away performance wise and time wise. ,..and do it damage free.

A PW shines over the electrics in performance on house washes: One hose,vs two,..or you don't have to go back to switch from soap to water, much better rinsing power, will shoot higher in the wind or without the wind for that matter, will soak plants much more thoroughly, huge range of pressure and flow choices at your finger tips,..I mean,..where does a booster or 12V beat a PW in performance?

Jeff

Fred W · Guru

I think you're missing a lot of our points Jeff.

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Name the performance points? Things that make it perform better than a PW on a house wash,..as this is the topic in this thread. I hear what you guys are saying Doug,..,..but they are opinions on personal preference ..not points that make an electric perform better are across the board compared to a PW.

*And nothing wrong with sharing personal preferences ,.it can make someone use those as choice makers for themselves,..I tend to do more of a performance comparison on anything I discuss on these boards. everything else is intangibles that may or may not pertain to the end user.

Jeff

-- Edited by Jeff Wible on Monday 16th of January 2017 07:31:10 AM

Liberty SoftWash · PWS Vender

We use a garden hose and a small brush.

Jeff Wible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

As long as the job turns out Eric,..and you're the one doing it,..Ha,Ha,..I'm all for it. As I said,..just do good work,..and equipment is a non-issue.

But,..in general,..I think we are talking as professionals on this board and this topic,..so I assume we ware discussing getting jobs done efficiently and professionally,..so although a brush and garden hose will do an excellent job,.I think it's more for the DIY'er.

Jeff