Checking over my equipment and supplies

Newbie Questions
1

Hey everyone! Im new to pressure washing and I’l starting a business with my friend for drivewalks, sidewalks, house vinyl siding, etc. I’ve done a fair bit of research on what i need how to do it (just need physical experience now). I was hoping yall or someone could look over my supplies and idea and make sure im doing this correctly.

Supplies -

Pressure washer: 4400 PSI 4.0 GPM CRZ420 Engine (i know the price is high for beginners but my partner suggested it, thats why im trying to learn as much as possible). If someone could help me with the math behind using a downstream injector and making sure my SH mixure isn’t diluted too much (i want around 4% for concrete/driveways), that would be amazing.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/SIMPSON-4400-PSI-4-0-GPM-Cold-Water-Gas-Pressure-Washer-with-CRX420-Engine-ps60843/300609881#product-section-rr

Downstream injector for spraying SH for pre and post treatment - “GP Hi-Draw Chemical Injector” “3/8" MPT inlet and discharge, 1/4" hose barb chemical port”

Surface cleaner - Westinghouse 16.5 in. 4000 PSI Stainless Steel Pressure Washer Surface Cleaner PWSCSS - The Home Depot

12.5% Sodium Hypochlorite, “Chlorinating Liquid” from “Pool Essentials”, used for treating concrete.

Surfectant - Oxi Clean | Arm & Hammer

JRod Nozzles for applying SH - “ JRod Pressure Washer Nozzle 4 GPM - High Pressure Hose Nozzle - 1/4" Quick Connect for Soft Wash System”

Swivel for wand - “Pressure Washer Swivel, 3/8 Inch NPT Thread Pressure Washer Fittings, 5000 PSI, Stainless Steel”

Ball Valve - “HIGH PRESSURE 3/8" DN10 BALL VALVE”

This is just a list of equipment we want, I understand we need a lot more experience to fully understand everything. I plan on running many trails runs to get the SH mixure correct before any paid work is done. Thanks for the help! Im open to any criticism and advice!

2

You aren’t going to be able to downstream 4% unless you use a pump up sprayer, x-jet, 12 volt, or roof pump. You’ll be lucky to get 1.25-1.5% with a 4gpm and even thats pushing it.

Scrap the oxi clean and buy a dedicated surfactent, Elemonator would be my choice.

Depending on how much you want to move around the machine, you’ll want at least 100 feet of garden hose and 150-200 feet of pressure hose. Pick up a 16" surface cleaner as well to be more efficient on flatwork.

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3

I will also add, you’ll be much better off trying to locate a local pressure washing supplier instead of sourcing equipment from Home Depot.

For example, in my area we have Southside Equioment I can just drive 15 minutes to and get what I need…not what I think I need.

You’ll also need to get the downstream injector with the correct orifice for a 4gpm, I want to say it’s a 1.8. You generally won’t need 4% for concrete, even a strong pretreat for lichen is around 2% and I usually just grab the $8 Chapin bleach sprayer that the veterans on here recommended.

Swivel, get the Mosmatic and put it right before the Suttner 2315 gun.

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4

Thanks so much for the info. About the 12 volt being used to get closer to a 4% SH mixure. What exactly would that be? Like a 12 volt pump that i swap with the pump already installed on the pressure washer? Or is it something entirely dufferent? And how would I use that to create the mixure im looking for. Thanks!

5

Separate from the pressure washer.

Batch mixing would be the cheapest, proportioner would be more expensive but efficient and could adjust the strength of SH as needed. Watch a bunch of YouTube videos on it, set ups can be bare minimum or fancy, but the general idea is the same so get some ideas.

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6

Thanks so much again for the advice. The video was really good and I understand how to use that 12 volt pump now. I think ill just stick with a pump up sprayer for now while i make sure i get all the proportions correct for the SH, then build on my equipment from there. This was real helpful! Thanks!

7

There have been several members on this forum that would advise you to not have a partner when starting the business. have a friend that you pay, have a worker, have a helper, but don’t have a partner. i think the sage advice went something like this, give whoever it is you are planning to go into business with half your money, then let them kick you in the junk. shake hands and still be friends.

Pool essentials isn’t 12.5. Jrod nozzles aren’t just for applying SH. You don’t need a swivel for your wand. You don’t need 4% for most concrete. You might want to read some more.

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8

Me and my “partner” are both in the same high school together, hes on the same soccer team as me so there isnt really a chance of him running off with my money or bailing on me. He has his own landscaping business he runs as well with other friends from our school and soccer team.

For the SH, i think ill just use a simple pump up sprayer for the start, get the SH down to a consistent % that works, then ill build from there. Thanks for the info!

9

The point he’s making is that, once things go south, or one of you moves away for college, or you want out of the business… it’s a lot easier to separate ties if only one of you is the sole owner/has majority stake to buy out the other… a 50/50 partnership rarely works out.

10

Guess I’ll ask the obvious, are you properly insured and have a business license?

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11

A roof is the only thing you would ever need 4% to clean. 1-2% with enough dwell time will clean anything you need it to. Houses can be 0.5-1%, concrete I use 1% to pretreat 95% of the time. It has to be nasty for me too go 2%.

Just carry a pump up or spray bottle with a 4% mix for touch-ups

12

I think rn we are just getting clients and jobs first. I think he will be the sole owner of it once we get a business license and everything gets put into place. I dont think for me this is long term investment just something for right now, especially for during school its great to have our own hours. My dad does supply chain consulting and knows how to work out contratcs and how not to get screwed over. I’ll be sure to ask him for advice if things do go way further, in terms of which of us is going to have majority ownership and such. The dude im working with has a landscaping job he runs as well which my friends work with. They’ve all said hes legit and they get fair pay. But i do understand the whole, if one of us parts ways theres a chance I might get screwed over” and i will to tread carefully regarding that. Thanks for the advice, its help a lot so far.

13

That advice is partly based on getting screwed, and more on the basis that a true 50/50 does not work. When 2 people disagree, someone has to make the decision. Otherwise, the business will be crippled and grind to a halt.

14

Me and my business partner grind teeth daily. But the amount of work we do is X3 now. We have a good understanding of losing profits with it being split so heavily. Trust me its annoying its tough but we bust our but making more money and sharing the load. In my opinion its definitely worth it with where we are trying to go as a business. Its not easy working with a partner and is rarely worth it. Just be careful and also try to find a mentor out there. Someone who can help you understand business, sales, and all that stuff.