Power Washing and Roof Cleaning Forum

Volzfan · Member

Start up soft wash system

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Save yourself some money, this is the best price I have been able to find on Fatboys. Take a look at Show Your Truck. It's easy to build a system that will work well for you. You will need at least two tanks to get going with soft washing. It all depends on how you are setting up your rig. I use 2 - 65 gal tanks, 1 - 35 gal and a 100 gal buffer tank. I will post pictures of my new truck set up later.

Doug Rucker · Vender

You also going to want an extra pump for transferring and also for when the pump you are using dies on a job. You'll want o be able to quickly switch ti a new pump so you can finish a job. W 12V pumps it's not a matter of if one will die, but when. And that when is usually always while you are on a roof. Take a look at this option from powerwashstore.com....complete with two pumps already plumbed.

shop.powerwashstore.com/Generation-II-Twin-Pump-System-5400-5400.htm

waxman18324 · Founding Member Rest in Peace

David,

There are many good systems out there like others have pointed out. My advice is to keep it simple with either of the pressure tek systems. You can always upgrade later if you want and probably will. We use the delevan pumps and are completely satisfied with the pumps and the service of Pressure Tek. No matter what set up you get rinsing is the key to longevity.

No matter what system you go with you'll need to carry spares of everything. It's the cost of doing business with SH.

My Chevy truck has one 55 for roof mix, one 55 for SH and 2-35's for misc.. Ultimately, you'll figure out what is best for you to service your market.

Hank

Dave O · Retired Member

Yes. A spare pump, spare connections, couplings, pipe thread and hand tools are a must to carry. I have needed them on a few occasions and boy was I glad that I had them with me.

Volzfan · Member

Awesome info gentlemen! Thanks.
I'm going to try to get to the Soft Wash Systems training next month when they are in Greenville, SC That's the closest to me.

Volzfan · Member

BlueRidge wrote:
Save yourself some money, this is the best price I have been able to find on Fatboys. Take a look at Show Your Truck. It's easy to build a system that will work well for you. You will need at least two tanks to get going with soft washing. It all depends on how you are setting up your rig. I use 2 - 65 gal tanks, 1 - 35 gal and a 100 gal buffer tank. I will post pictures of my new truck set up later.

Thanks! I'll be watching for those pics!

Thats a VERY cheap price n comparison.

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Dave O wrote:
Yes. A spare pump, spare connections, couplings, pipe thread and hand tools are a must to carry. I have needed them on a few occasions and boy was I glad that I had them with me.

Good tips Dave, Add a few Soap injecters to the list. When they go down you need them on the spot, not in 2 days.

tjteed · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Based on looking at your tile cleaning website.......Don't go with fat boy, twin pump etc. Look at the softwash systems stuff. Roof cleaning is exactly the same as tile cleaning. Its just two guys in a truck that happen to do some type of a service. Equipment cost doesn't really matter, soaps don't really matter...its all about marketing, creating value for your customer and a system that allows you to get out of the truck doing the work and focusing on management. If that is your goal then softwash systems is the best bet.

Maverick Contracting · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I have 2 pumps mounted in my rig so if 1 breaks down all I need to do is swap hose connections with quick connects and terminals to reduce down time.

Michael Wedge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Yeah I agree, you should spend upwards of $8-9000 for a system that is not any more superior than any of the for mentioned suggestions at a third of the cost. Real simple look at the guys bangin it out on the daily and see how many are running those skids. You will be surprised. And roof cleaning is absolutely not the same as tile cleaning. Sorry not even close. Also Equipment cost and soaps do matter. Yes marketing is important, but your skid is not going to sell you jobs or create value for your customers. Most homeowners or PM's wouldn't know what they were looking at anyways. And getting out of the truck has nothing to do with your skid. Any one of the suggested options would allow for that opportunity as the business grows and the skill levels of your employees elevate. And just like there are options for skids, there are also options for training that are just as good as the one suggested. Doug Rucker runs a top notch softwash school that is producing excellent training and continued support. AC's training is also excellent! So do the research on these options, don't drink the cool--aid and make the best choice for yourself and your company. Hell you might not even like cleaning roofs once you figure out how much is involved.

Also as a member of this forum, I believe we should share advice and don't say "don't go with product or person A or B."

Volzfan · Member

Are there any other training locations for learning or is there good online training available? The information here is GREAT and I could probably get most anything that I need from you guys.

Also, can you tell me the best place for buying water tanks?

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Volzfan wrote:

Are there any other training locations for learning or is there good online training available? The information here is GREAT and I could probably get most anything that I need from you guys.

Also, can you tell me the best place for buying water tanks?

Do some Reading In The Shop, There's a lot in there

tjteed · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I think I meant to say don't go with bandit or twin pump - without taking into consideration SoftWash Systems, not as much from the performance - because all of these are professional products, but because I believe SoftWash Systems as a whole is more of a "system" that will get someone with no roof cleaning experience up and running successfully quicker. His marketing stuff will also translate well to tile cleaning. (I also have a powerwash store twin pump system and it works great) Definitely get to soonest Revolution Camp for training and use the boards, and associations like UAMCC to fill-in the after training questions.

Just have whoever you buy your system from supply the tanks. Its easier, and as a business owner your time is more valuable marketing/selling. Its not that much difference in price. If you get one from Powerwash store he ships a 55 gallon vertical tank. I later went to Tractor Supply and switched it out to 50 gallon horizontal tank. It just seemed more stable. Good Luck.

Eric Schnaible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Volzfan wrote:

Are there any other training locations for learning or is there good online training available? The information here is GREAT and I could probably get most anything that I need from you guys.

Also, can you tell me the best place for buying water tanks?

I would contact Doug Rucker if I was you. He has online training available.

SonRise · Member

I found a soft wash website that's UK based and they sell 120v pumps. All I've seen in the U.S. are 12v. Has anyone seen 120 here in the U.S.? Does anyone know the advantages/disadvantages of each?

waxman18324 · Founding Member Rest in Peace

Bob,

I can only see a disadvantage to a 120v system. My concern is the unit has to run off a generator or extension cord. Too much noise and who wants to run around looking for gfi outlets on a home or commercial property.

Hank

Michael Hickey · Approved Exterior Cleaner

We use EVERFLO 12 Volt 5.5 GPM Diaphragm Water Pump 60 psi Lawn Sprayers Boats RV's. They are cheaper than the fatboy etc and hold up well. Everflo do bigger pumps as well.

I use this 9-50V 40A DC Motor Speed Control PWM HHO RC Controller 12V 24V 48V 2000W MAX to control the pump speed. Using this controller means that when you release the trigger the pump cuts out and you don't have the pump running constantly recycling the SH back to the tank which saves the pump and also the battery. You can control the amount of SH you use as well. Sometimes we would connect to our window cleaning telescopic poles and brush on the SH depending on where we are working and how windy the day is or how high we need to get.

I know we do not clean as many roofs as you guys or roofs that are even half as big so the Everflo might not be the one for you. I also found that the controller would not work well with the bigger pumps.

The Everflo pump and the controller are easily found on Ebay

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Michael Hickey wrote:
We use EVERFLO 12 Volt 5.5 GPM Diaphragm Water Pump 60 psi Lawn Sprayers Boats RV's. They are cheaper than the fatboy etc and hold up well. Everflo do bigger pumps as well.

I use this 9-50V 40A DC Motor Speed Control PWM HHO RC Controller 12V 24V 48V 2000W MAX to control the pump speed. Using this controller means that when you release the trigger the pump cuts out and you don't have the pump running constantly recycling the SH back to the tank which saves the pump and also the battery. You can control the amount of SH you use as well. Sometimes we would connect to our window cleaning telescopic poles and brush on the SH depending on where we are working and how windy the day is or how high we need to get.

I know we do not clean as many roofs as you guys or roofs that are even half as big so the Everflo might not be the one for you. I also found that the controller would not work well with the bigger pumps.

The Everflo pump and the controller are easily found on Ebay

$29 for a 3 year warranty not bad. Just don't buy it under your Biz name

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EVERFLO-12-Volt-5-5-GPM-Diaphragm-Water-Pump-60-psi-Lawn-Sprayers-Boats-RVs-/260973780206?hash=item3cc33fdcee

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