Newbie/Start up help question

[Keith kile]

I have searched on here and found some nice info on roof cleaning. I am interested in starting up a roof cleaning business in my area. Just wondering some basics really. I know I will buy the delavan pump kit. I will buy the things to make don Phelps wand and a tank for the chemicals with using Mr. Chris apple formula. (sorry If I for your name wrong again I am new) questions I have are what to use to rinse the job? and do you have a on board water supply and what do you use to rinse? another delavan pump? pressure washer turned down to about 50 to 80 psi? I know I am going to plumb it all with the 5/8 hoses and buy the reels needed.. just don't know about what size tank I need.. seen where 225 gal is about the best.. but is that for chemical only? which brings me back to my rinse and water source question? also when rinsing do you use another wand or calibrated orifice?

Just alil confused I guess. I know Ill need to keep a ground man to keep the plant life watered down and down spout or any other sensitive areas watered.. any extra info would be great or pics of rigs.. I have a 6X12 enclosed trailer that I will be turning into my rig.. I understand if most want to keep the info to yourselves. or maybe I need to use the search button more..


Thanks Keith Kile

[Don Phelps]

Originally Posted by Keith kile

I have searched on here and found some nice info on roof cleaning. I am interested in starting up a roof cleaning business in my area. Just wondering some basics really. I know I will buy the delavan pump kit. I will buy the things to make don Phelps wand and a tank for the chemicals with using Mr. Chris apple formula. (sorry If I for your name wrong again I am new) questions I have are what to use to rinse the job? and do you have a on board water supply and what do you use to rinse? another delavan pump? pressure washer turned down to about 50 to 80 psi? I know I am going to plumb it all with the 5/8 hoses and buy the reels needed.. just don't know about what size tank I need.. seen where 225 gal is about the best.. but is that for chemical only? which brings me back to my rinse and water source question? also when rinsing do you use another wand or calibrated orifice?

Just alil confused I guess. I know Ill need to keep a ground man to keep the plant life watered down and down spout or any other sensitive areas watered.. any extra info would be great or pics of rigs.. I have a 6X12 enclosed trailer that I will be turning into my rig.. I understand if most want to keep the info to yourselves. or maybe I need to use the search button more..


Thanks Keith Kile

Hi Keith,

There are many ways to set it up and it'll work one way or the other. Normally you'll be using the customer's water and either their or your garden hoses to rinse. You'll always want to bring your own, but there are times where theirs is long enough, etc. Rarely EVER would there be a situation to bring your own water. You can use a pwer to rinse with the black soap tip also. Tank size will be determined by space, budget, trailer size etc. Some guys go as small as 65 gallons, while most will usually use at least 100 gal or larger. If your set up will acommodate a 225, go for it. Keep in mind payload limitations, etc.

Ask questions AND use the 'search' button.

[Keith kile]

Thanks Don..I will put the info to use. I must over looked the rinse procedure in my search. Keep up the good work! The Jobs you do turn out nice. Only had one other question and that was pricing. If someone could pm me an average range or way of figuring it so I don't spook my first estimate that would be great. My buddies got a few rental homes that need it so we are going to try cleaning those up first.

Thanks again guys.

[DAVID V]

You'll need to see what YOUR market will allow.
Don P. and I where talking about this.
His market is flooded with roof cleaners and mine, not as much.
So our pricing IS different.
See what you can get and go for it.

[Apple Roof Cleaning]

Lots of good advice already given here.
If you are going to use the customers water supply, you might want to look at 3/4 inch Mean Green Hose as a water hose only.
3/4 inch Mean Green is lighter, and easier to handle then most 5/8.
It gives more flow because it is bigger, and cuts rinse time down a tad.
Like David said, you will need to explore your local market to see what to charge.
Good Luck to you!

[Keith kile]

Thanks for all your help and info you have given me.. I will make sure to put it to good use. And about my area and market.. lets just say it seem as if there would be a big demand for it as I would be the only one doing it..(which I prob should not have said this. as someone will beat me to it like every other thing I have planned.)

I asked one other person about this.. but on 12v pump users when you have the wand off do you turn the power off to the pump asap or do you have some sort of bypass.. I build serious hp race cars for a living and know if you run a race pump and dead head it. it will build lots of heat as well as shorten the life of the pump. just curious as I have not built my rig yet nor have I gotten my delavan pump yet.

also on a side note I did today acquire a 275 gal tank for my chemicals on the cheap and there were 4 more this guy was selling if anyone may be looking for one. when I say cheap I mean cheap..thought about getting the others just in case this biz takes off and I need more then one rig.


Thanks again.

[Keith kile]

Originally Posted by Apple Roof Cleaning

Lots of good advice already given here.
If you are going to use the customers water supply, you might want to look at 3/4 inch Mean Green Hose as a water hose only.
3/4 inch Mean Green is lighter, and easier to handle then most 5/8.
It gives more flow because it is bigger, and cuts rinse time down a tad.
Like David said, you will need to explore your local market to see what to charge.
Good Luck to you!

Where can I get this mean green hose and also if say I could not use the customers water. Would another water tank and say a delavan pump on the mean green hose be enough to rinse the roof? may get this and use it as dual purpose.. say for rinse and maybe feed a pressure washer (not at the same time of course) with some sort or regulator to supply the pressure washer with its what 80 to 100 psi of input.. May not need a regulator as I do not know the projected output of the 5800 delavan pump. sorry just thinking out loud.

[Apple Roof Cleaning]

Originally Posted by Keith kile

Where can I get this mean green hose and also if say I could not use the customers water. Would another water tank and say a delavan pump on the mean green hose be enough to rinse the roof? may get this and use it as dual purpose.. say for rinse and maybe feed a pressure washer (not at the same time of course) with some sort or regulator to supply the pressure washer with its what 80 to 100 psi of input.. May not need a regulator as I do not know the projected output of the 5800 delavan pump. sorry just thinking out loud.

THIS is the Mean Green Garden Hose - Industrial Strength Garden Hose Without the Weight

It is LIGHT, tough, and easy to work with.'
It "only" lasted us 4 months, doing many roofs a day with tile roof strength chemical.
If we rinsed it out, it would have lasted longer.'
It is GREAT for water hose, the best I have ever used, far as ease of use goes.

No, a delavan will not be adequate to rinse with.

Not enough flow, a water spicket is better, flow wise.

Be suprised how well a spicket flows with 3/4 hose, try it.

of course, an 8 gpm pressure washer and a 500 gallon water tank is better.

[John Doherty]

Definately go with the 3/4 hose for supply and rinse.

I don't care for the Mean Green hoses, I don't think they're worth the extra expense.

I don't like the 'stickiness' they get caught up on too much stuff. You can't pull them around things, they get caught and just stretch.

I bought into the hype on these earlier this season, got 5 of them. The guys don't like working with them and don't touch them.

$300 in graden hose that just sits.

I get a goodyear 3/4 hose from Home Depot, they last for years, easier to work with and 1/2 the price.

[Don Phelps]

Originally Posted by NEWHEIGHTS

Definately go with the 3/4 hose for supply and rinse.

I don't care for the Mean Green hoses, I don't think they're worth the extra expense.

I don't like the 'stickiness' they get caught up on too much stuff. You can't pull them around things, they get caught and just stretch.

I bought into the hype on these earlier this season, got 5 of them. The guys don't like working with them and don't touch them.

$300 in graden hose that just sits.

I get a goodyear 3/4 hose from Home Depot, they last for years, easier to work with and 1/2 the price.

Hey John,

Do you guys use the red or black 3/4" Good Year hose? I've seen it in red and black, but we've always used the red. Just curious if there's any difference.

Thanks, Don

[John Doherty]

Don,

These may be different from the ones you use, they don't have a smooth cover, they are ridged.

I've used them in all types of work for the past 7 years, they're heavy but can take all kinds of abuse.

[Don Phelps]

Originally Posted by NEWHEIGHTS

Don,

These may be different from the ones you use, they don't have a smooth cover, they are ridged.

I've used them in all types of work for the past 7 years, they're heavy but can take all kinds of abuse.

Thanks John.

That's the one we use also. Best fill hose I've ever used.....Very durable!

[PWkid]

This is the hose we use,expensive and durable but don't let the hype fool ya it does kink over time. I have 300' for 4 years it has been drug through any enviroment imaginable and it is still kickin.

[Apple Roof Cleaning]

Originally Posted by PWkid

This is the hose we use,expensive and durable but don't let the hype fool ya it does kink over time. I have 300' for 4 years it has been drug through any enviroment imaginable and it is still kickin.

Why dont ya use 3/8 Hose Mel ?

[Apple Roof Cleaning]

Originally Posted by Don Phelps

Hey John,

Do you guys use the red or black 3/4" Good Year hose? I've seen it in red and black, but we've always used the red. Just curious if there's any difference.

Thanks, Don

Wow, YOU use the 3/4 hose !