Power Washing and Roof Cleaning Forum

Spooner Cleaning Services Ltd · Member

Advice on getting started softwashing

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Welcome

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Welcome Darragh. I have to do some conversions to see what you have since all of our stuff is gpm. Defiantly get a surface cleaner.

PowerShine Property Services · Veteran Member

Hi Darragh , you can learn a lot from reading old threads on hear. You kind of stumped me for a minute with all those European terms. To help you out with conversion so people on hear know what you have.
14 lpm -- 3.69 gpm
21 lpm -- 5.54 gpm
I have never used an x jet I am sure some on hear could advise you on that. The SH will probably ruin your reach and wash system. If you have the option I would set up another 12 v system for SH or down stream. If it was me I would rather have a 21 lpm patrol washer vs 14, More Lpm, faster cleaning. Just be careful on tarmac, you can cause damage. Surface cleaner is a must. Hope this help, Best advise tho is READ READ READ.

-- Edited by PowerShine Property Services on Sunday 5th of March 2017 11:35:42 PM

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Here is some stuff that might help you figure it out. A 5.5 gpm machine is about as small as you want to go. If you can afford it get hot water. You will need it sooner than you think. I'm not crazy about X-jet. I prefer this when down streaming. Twist nozzle

https://youtu.be/y8EWa0-9_g0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAbGHKnshbg

Spooner Cleaning Services Ltd · Member

Hi Steve,

Thank you for the advice, I appreciate it! I'll definitely go for a 5.5 g p m/21 l p m machine and surface cleaner when I think i can afford it. I could imagine what a 21 l pm could do to tarmac, a 14 l p m with a turbo nozzle can do a job on it also on old tarmac...

Spooner Cleaning Services Ltd · Member

Hey Brett, thanks a million for the advice, your the second guy to swear by the surface cleaner and I'll have to get the 5.5 g p m machine, they must save on man labour costs quite a bit! Would you believe I ordered the M5 xjet before I seen your reply. Anyway how can you get say a 3:1 sh dilution rate with a non xjet chemical injector, i thought they could only get up to 10:1!

Spooner Cleaning Services Ltd · Member

Sorry Brett, you answered my question about chemical injection with the 2nd you tube video... blankstare thanks again

PowerShine Property Services · Veteran Member

What are you using it for? Meaning houses, roofs, etcetera...

-- Edited by PowerShine Property Services on Tuesday 7th of March 2017 08:54:14 PM

Spooner Cleaning Services Ltd · Member

Hey Steve, the m5-xjet? To softwash houses, roofs, high buildings.. I don't see where to get a hi-draw chemical injector around ireland or england and its hard to get stuff from the us..

Bryan P · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I don't think you'll be able to xjet a roof. Maybe a metal roof. For roof cleaning you need a dedicated pump where you can mix stronger chemical. 35-40% SH...and you won't be able to get that concentration with the X-jet. I know a lot of guys who use them for house washing though.

Spooner Cleaning Services Ltd · Member

hey Bryan, thats good to know, ill sell one of my non chem resistant 3.5 gpm washers to buy a chem res washer when I can afford it, although the guy selling me the x jet said I can put on a 4 per cent pure sh mix twice on roof and tgat should work with the x jet.. the chemical res washer sounds good, do they really withstand SH for a long time..

Liberty SoftWash · PWS Vender

Buy a 8 gl not much more money.

Bryan P · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Spooner Cleaning Services Ltd wrote:
hey Bryan, thats good to know, ill sell one of my non chem resistant 3.5 gpm washers to buy a chem res washer when I can afford it, although the guy selling me the x jet said I can put on a 4 per cent pure sh mix twice on roof and tgat should work with the x jet.. the chemical res washer sounds good, do they really withstand SH for a long time..

I didn't know an x-jet could mix 40%, but I've never used one. You don't want a pressure washer for roofs (chemical resistant or not). You need a dedicated pump separate from your pressure washer. Mine are 12 volt and I use the pressure washer for downstream chemical injection when I need to...but only for houses, not for roofs. I've almost decided to add an electric booster pump so that will mean I'll use the pressure washer even less.