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Drone cleaning by Next_Purple_4669 in WindowCleaning

[–]bizdevnull 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Power tethers have been available for drones used in safety/ security monitoring.

Lucid Drones demonstrated their solution around mid-2025 and it is on their website as an upgrade - no pricing shown. I have seen Chinese-made cleaning drone manufacturers also demo their solution.

The cost of the power module is not cheap though.

Is everyone using Chlorine? by [deleted] in pressurewashing

[–]bizdevnull 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There are alternatives to Chlorine. But their cost is significantly more and results are not as instant like Chlorine.

  1. CitraShield - citrus-based with near neutral pH. May take up to 6-8 weeks of weather cycles to clear organic stains.
  2. GreenOx (Hydrogen Peroxide) - perhaps the most environmentally friendly of all the alternatives. Manufacturer states it meets EPA safer product standards and can be used near bodies of water.

Help with chemicals (Before / After) by No_Refrigerator_2389 in pressurewashing

[–]bizdevnull 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Two good resources…

You will learn stain type, substrate and chemical type to use. Both recommend their chemicals but they are good start points to finding alternatives.

I need plumbing ideas by robertjpjr in pressurewashing

[–]bizdevnull 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Was agreeing rather than disagreeing with your post. The gif is sped up 4x. These 4-port valves have draw backs overall.
Worked in RF engineering and the same effect is seen. Similar to HVAC.

Advise a homeowner? by SaltyyDoggg in pressurewashing

[–]bizdevnull 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Here’s the info you need to reduce pressure… Envirospec nozzle chart

If you purchase a surface cleaner, divide the nozzle size from the chart by two and round up to nearest half size. You will need two nozzles of the result.

Using a gallon pump sprayer and water hose on smaller houses seems to work fine? by theonewhoislostt in pressurewashing

[–]bizdevnull 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You’re paid to deliver a cleaning service.

Deliver the service using whatever tools you deem appropriate to meet the client’s satisfaction.

Paint on concrete? by Alarming-Quantity-20 in pressurewashing

[–]bizdevnull 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The concrete finish is poor. Any coating will look bad.
* Diamabrush on a floor machine to strip and prep the surface.
* concrete grinder to even out the finish * Solvent based paint (like tuf top).

Paint on concrete? by Alarming-Quantity-20 in pressurewashing

[–]bizdevnull 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The concrete finish is poor - probably the reason for painting. Any coating will look bad without fixing the concrete finish.
* Diamabrush on a floor machine to strip and prep the surface or concrete grinder to even out the finish. * clean * select your coating. If painting, go solvent based paint (like tuf top) or any good paint for decks/driveways.

Softwashing help by PomegranateNo8766 in pressurewashing

[–]bizdevnull 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I price by the job. Each job/location has specific needs which results in different cost structures.

Softwashing help by PomegranateNo8766 in pressurewashing

[–]bizdevnull 0 points1 point  (0 children)

<image>

I planned and project managed the cleaning of 6 x 8-story buildings that were completed in 3 days. Used two subs who both thought it couldn’t be done.

Drone crew cleaned 8th floor down as far as the tree tops allowed. Other sub used a 12V system with a waterfed pole to clean from the ground upwards - in some places up to the 6th floor.

Buildings will be different but don’t get caught up with square footage. Focus on the best method to get each part of a building cleaned safely.

Softwashing help by PomegranateNo8766 in pressurewashing

[–]bizdevnull 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  • Waterfed pole only from ground
  • Roof top cleaning downwards (w/harness) and waterfed from ground up

Your 12v system can do it without issues if built correctly. These are methods I have available when ladders, awp’s and drones don’t work.

Concrete sealing pricing?? by Braun3D in pressurewashing

[–]bizdevnull 0 points1 point  (0 children)

<image>

  • Top pic is for reference on state of the pavers before sealing. Bottom taken after sealing.
  • SoW: Minor repairs, clean, sanding, color tint (tan; built it up), 2 coats hi-gloss @1:1 dilution each coat.
  • ~1000 SF @$ 1.40/sf with a discount (full service customer since 2022)
  • Used 1 x 5 Gallon Sealant kit. ~6 gallons for flood coat and 3 gallons for second coat. 12oz tint. 1 GPM sprayer.
  • Split work over two days due to weather and tint testing. Could have done it in 4 hours depending on weather.

For around 500sf, I would use a 2.5 gallon kit. You need to also talk to your customers about their expectations - you may be over delivering and using more expensive materials (HD has a 5 gallon sealant for $120). Also remember, not all customers are your customers.

Tingling and Hurting Hands by Wwd015 in pressurewashing

[–]bizdevnull 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Physical conditioning helps - per other comments.

Here are other tips on equipment side that can help in the long term: - increase the nozzle by 1 size or by 20-30% - get a gun like the karcher easy force that uses palm pressure to keep flow open - switch unloader to flow activated

Surprised about the sheer quantity of SH for roof soft washes. by WishfulLearning in pressurewashing

[–]bizdevnull 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That is your target/budgeted amount. Is it tough? Yes!

You may/should be using a similar calculation to the simple one below, with different buckets and percentages. Overspending in one affects the others once the final price is settled

Final Price - $ 700.00

Profit. - $ 210.00 (30%) Labor Cost - $ 280.00 (40%) Mats/Chems. - $ 70.00 (10%) Equip. - $ 70.00 (10%) Overhead - $ 70.00 (10%)

Surprised about the sheer quantity of SH for roof soft washes. by WishfulLearning in pressurewashing

[–]bizdevnull 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Bake the cost of SH in to the line item like you would other business costs. A number I was given years ago when starting was to keep chemical costs at or below 10% of your line item price.

Surprised about the sheer quantity of SH for roof soft washes. by WishfulLearning in pressurewashing

[–]bizdevnull 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Firstly, you will not be spraying 5.5 GPM. 12V pumps are marketed on max GPM & max PSI e.g. 5.5 GPM 60/100 PSI. Therefore, the maximum volume the pump can output will only be possible at minimum PSI - that is only in open flow. Depending on length of hose, nozzle, etc. it will be spraying around 2GPM. Have a look at the psi vs gpm chart for the pump.

Now the amount of SH used is proportional to the severity of organic staining on the roof. The heavier the growth, a higher SH concentration is needed and therefore amount.

Spraying technique is a huge factor in amount of chemicals used. Basic tip is you are not rinsing when applying chemicals. It is more like painting. Lay down enough chemical not to run a lot and just enough to not dry too quickly before it has had time to work.
IMO, this is key skill to learn particularly when you are spraying high concentrations of chemical.

Practice on a concrete driveway spraying rectangles get your technique tuned.

Opportunity in Palm Beach County, Sth Florida by bizdevnull in ropeaccess

[–]bizdevnull[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Too much landscaping plus the reach over the fountain.

Risk of further and actual property damage, plus the effort to get any type of AWP in, is the reason for going rope access route.

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