Downstream setup Side hustle to full time goal

Newbie Questions
1

Hi PWR community, new guy here. Been doing researching (mostly from Youtube), and I think I have an idea how I want to start my rig (barebones). Just wanting some veterans’ approvals.

I already have a 6ft bed truck, and like I said, I’m going barebones into this business (for now) until I am able to afford a softwash setup via reinvesting in my business.

Things I’ll be buying:
4.0 GPM honda pressure washer
150ft pressure washing hose
Downstream injector (seems to be the cheapest start for the business)
X-Jet (for roofs mainly as DSing isn’t strong enough?)
JROD
16" Surface Cleaner
Garden hose to attach to customer’s spigot
poly tubing for the downspouts
28ft ladder
5gal bucket to Downstream SH (10.8% strength from Walmart)

Services will be:
Roof washing
House washing
Driveway & Sidewalks (pre and post treatment)
Gutter cleaning
Decks & Fences

I plan on downstreaming as it seems to be the cheapest way to getting my feet wet in this industry.
Does my start up plan get a stamp of approval?
Thanks.

PS. I live in British Columbia where it’s damp, mossy, and moldy.
Thanks

2

With a few exceptions, an xjet is NOT going to let you offer roof cleaning. But, that’s ok, roofs suck anyway.

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3

You meant to say ‘is not’ right?

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4

Forget the xjet for roofs, especially up there.

5

Thanks,
It was either that or investing in the Northstar Softwash system to do the roof.
and switching out the included pump for a 5.5 GPM one.

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6

Ok skip the fence and roof washing for now, that’s like next level skillsets and insurance.

You can get an xjet that’s fine for concrete post treating and stubborn gutters, but try and fabricate a 12v system after a year of washing.

Get a belt drive machine, not a direct drive unit. That way you can draw from a small buffer tank and not need to keep hitting the trigger every 30 seconds as it’ll bypass to the tank.

Get insurance ASAP.

Do your research about local and provincial laws concerning bleach use and water runoff regs. Also make sure you can secure a reliable source of bleach other than WalMart. If all else fails and that is your only source, check the date code on the bottles to make sure it’s less than 2 months old. Potency falls off pretty darn quick.

I only say all this because I started in late 2018 and went through the wringer with equipment changes.

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7

Thanks dcbrock,

I’ll start the roof washing once I have a decent softwash setup. Belt-driven once I have enough funds from reinvesting. It’s almost twice as much as a Direct Drive lol but obviously for a reason.
There is a supply store here that has a 55 gallon SH tank 12.5% for a good price, but that’ll be something I’ll invest in once I start getting some traffic for my business!

So, I guess I’ll just be housewashing, gutter cleaning, driveway and sidwalks for now? Also, currently learning to professionally window clean as a housewashing upsell.

Thanks for the quick replies, guys!

8

Driveways? You have concrete driveways in BC? In eastern Canada it’s not a thing… It’s all asphalt here. I’m surprised concrete driveways are common over there.

9

Probably 99% of Residential driveways here are concrete :rofl: :money_mouth_face: :money_mouth_face:
I should know, I’m a concrete pump operator full-time.

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10

I bought a surface cleaner last year and only got to use it once…

11

Chapin 61900 backpack sprayer, would that suffice as a roof washer for now?

12

Nope…

13

Bad idea….no go.

14

Just get a real 12v if you want to do roof washing…you’d have to do 2-3 to pay for it…and it would take you longer than that to do one with the Chapin, not counting the return trips and subsequent refund…

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15

Nobody should use an X-jet or lug around a bucket of chems around a property, it’s 2022.

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