Power Washing and Roof Cleaning Forum

I went with the 60 psi Everflo EF7000 1/2".  I got two pumps to have a spare on hand.  Recently I got the notion to use some 3/8 inch hose to make dragging my hose around easier.  The additional 40 psi out of the fat boy pump  would surly increase my flow.  So my 100 foot 1/2 inch pvc hose (300 pound) arrives later today.  I'm going to set up a test on the bench to see where things stand using the 100 foot  1/2 inch followed with 50 foot of 3/8 hose shooting into a bucket.  Maybe the flow rate will be sufficient without any changes.   I plan to test with the hoses coiled up which should represent a worst case result.  I am anxious to get things  operational.  Has anyone tried using a standard room light switch mounted in a standard plastic  box to supply power to the pumps?  Final trailer layout is still in progress.  Bought some yard signs.  They are double sided and my final cost per sign with shipping was $7.50 each,   Only got 10 pieces.   

I saw several videos of guys using 3 gallon back packs to do mobile home jobs.  It takes very little time.  If I was younger, I would give it  serious  consideration.  It seems that just maybe, a 1/2 gpm output is adequate to apply SH on mobile homes.  Thanks Chuck

 

Hi Art, thanks for the information.  In the beginning of this project, I believed the most important aspect of soft wash for me was to get the maximum amount of flow possible.  So, I ordered some 3/4 reinforced hose for the pump input using a dip stick to the tank. After some reading, I decided on using 1/2 inch PVC hose.   

However, now that I have everything needed ready to go, I am having some second thoughts.  It revolves around my physical condition now.  It turns out that if I have a high flow rate, will I could be wasting a lot of cleaning product unless I can move fast.  Well, I'm unable to do much fast moving now, so it seems to me now, a lower gpm may be beneficial in that respect.  I could move around slower.  The second pump in parallel would only be used during the rinse segment to increase both the gpm and the pressure through the 3/8 hose to help get the product washed off.  One related question is, should I consider using an indicator dye?  Also, should I consider using a neutralizing product in the rinse off?    Meanwhile, I am laying low to avoid getting the Corona Virus, and constantly re imagining my simple basic 12 volt system layout .  I hope to set up a bench test this week to see iif a second pump will increase the rinse flow significantly.  Chuck 

At one time I used 5/8" hose. It was heavy and I couldn't put enough on the hose reel. I have been using 1/2" for about eight years.

Soft-N-Safe Chuck wrote:

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Thanks everyone... I have abandoned my booster pump plans, at least for now.

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  Booster pumps are work and not for the guy that is starting out. Keep it simple!

Good information. So in the end, I have decided to have my spare pump set up so I can run pressure hose when there is a need. One guy can shoot the SH, and the 2nd guy can follow along with a rinse or shoot the roof. I am looking at roofs now. Mobile home roofs anyway. There are generally good sized covered lanais in the newer mobile home communities here. Lord help me, I'm already planning on buying an electric hose reel. Maybe I will find a used one. I have looked into batteries. I have decided on a 200 AH 4D. They are under $200 at my local Tractor Supply store here.

It would be good to see a picture.

Have you thought of using one solenoid for both pumps? I could be wrong but it would switch on both pumps at the same time. An easy back up to carry.

I used 5/8" hose about 8 years ago. I didn't noticed that big of a difference when I switched to 1/2" except fatigue!