# Housewashing process by the guy who can't burn metal

**URL:** <https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/housewashing-process-by-the-guy-who-cant-burn-metal/9735>\
**Category:** Management & Operations\
**Created:** [October 5, 2017, 8:06pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/housewashing-process-by-the-guy-who-cant-burn-metal/9735 "2017-10-05T20:06:56Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![JBreezy](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/3be4f8/32.png) [@JBreezy](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/JBreezy)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 2:33pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/housewashing-process-by-the-guy-who-cant-burn-metal/9735/41 "2017-10-06T14:33:54Z")

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@KMP what are the paremeters for determining which bracket a house falls into for pricing?

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**Author:** ![Infinity](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/infinity/32/30829_2.png) [@Infinity](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Infinity)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 3:28pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/housewashing-process-by-the-guy-who-cant-burn-metal/9735/42 "2017-10-06T15:28:03Z")

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> [@squidskc](#):
>
> Had no clue. This is awesome.

Well, tbh I haven’t actually measured to verify. But I think the theory works out, and I did notice a difference in how easily the algae melted off.

I figure that the injector can pull a max of around .5 gpm of solution, regardless of flow rate. So if I slow the flow down to its intended range (2-3gpm), or close to it, I should still be pulling around .5 gpm of solution, but it will be mixing with less water.

Pushing out 5.5 gpm with .5 gpm results in around a 10% solution. But if I only put out 3.5gpm, I should be closer to 15%. Not a huge increase, but it helps, especially when I can only get my hands on 10% SH

I do really need to customize my xjet a bit to make it a little more user friendly. I would probably reach for it more quickly if it wasn’t _so_ cumbersome

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**Author:** ![Innocentbystander](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/innocentbystander/32/36516_2.png) [@Innocentbystander](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Innocentbystander)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 3:41pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/housewashing-process-by-the-guy-who-cant-burn-metal/9735/43 "2017-10-06T15:41:05Z")

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Lowering throttle will pull more soap but isn’t good for engine. Using larger tips, not smaller, will draw more soap. Need more soap, pop out nozzle and flow directly from gun. Bleach is cheaper than labor. Make a strong mix to begin with and roll on. If doing this earns you an extra 37 cents on a house wash donate it to the charity of your choice. Ok, that was unkind, but y’all know I don’t apologize so I guess I gotta live with it

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**Author:** ![Infinity](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/infinity/32/30829_2.png) [@Infinity](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Infinity)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 4:35pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/housewashing-process-by-the-guy-who-cant-burn-metal/9735/44 "2017-10-06T16:35:51Z")

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> [@Innocentbystander](#):
>
> isn’t good for engine.

As I’m well aware. This isn’t something I do often or for extended periods. Just for the 5-10 minutes it takes to soap up a really bad section (or prefab home, as the case may be).

The smaller tips are because I get no reach with the larger tips at the reduced flow. I’ll have to experiment with going larger than the size 40 tips I’m currently using, to see if I might be able to pull a little more solution with my injector.

I was already maxed out on the strength of my mix. Straight 10% and a little Elemonator. Pool suppliers want $5-$7/gallon for small quantities of 12.5%.

Anyhow, I’ve made a mental note of your points, and no offfense taken by your delivery.

* * *

I guess the “correct” way to reduce flow rate on my machine would be with a ball valve between the unloader and injector?

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**Author:** ![Innocentbystander](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/innocentbystander/32/36516_2.png) [@Innocentbystander](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Innocentbystander)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 4:58pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/housewashing-process-by-the-guy-who-cant-burn-metal/9735/45 "2017-10-06T16:58:02Z")

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No offense taken. The ball valve will just work the in loader harder, which probably isn’t the greatest either. But, nothing lasts forever and just because it may not be good for it doesn’t necessarily mean don’t do it. Coffee and fat back isn’t good for me but it doesn’t really stop me. My old chief always said “when there is little to be risked there is little to be gained, when there is much to be gained, there is much to be risked”. May not apply here but it’s still a good saying. I think you would get the same results with going up a size on your tips or not using one if you can reach it spraying straight from the gun. The smaller tips kinda negate the lower flow. Gas and a match are always options. Fridays are our residential day and I’ve already got a pic from one crew with rust water running down the siding. Always something

 ![Screenshot_20171006-125824](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/uploads/default/original/2X/c/c868f2d668b5dfefcaac6a22855504a18c695287.jpg)

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**Author:** ![AquaTeamPowerWash](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/aquateampowerwash/32/9514_2.png) [@AquaTeamPowerWash](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/AquaTeamPowerWash)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 5:53pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/housewashing-process-by-the-guy-who-cant-burn-metal/9735/46 "2017-10-06T17:53:11Z")

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**Time saver** before you walk up to the house to knock. Grab your feed hose and drop it next to the porch say hello pick it up and then hook water up and start going. Saves you few trips and few minutes on each job.

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**Author:** ![squidskc](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/squidskc/32/10222_2.png) [@squidskc](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/squidskc)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 6:01pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/housewashing-process-by-the-guy-who-cant-burn-metal/9735/47 "2017-10-06T18:01:57Z")

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Awesome idea!

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**Author:** ![Infinity](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/infinity/32/30829_2.png) [@Infinity](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Infinity)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 6:15pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/housewashing-process-by-the-guy-who-cant-burn-metal/9735/48 "2017-10-06T18:15:07Z")

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> [@Innocentbystander](#):
>
> Coffee and fat back isn’t good for me but it doesn’t really stop me

I think the jury’s still out on those. I believe the words to live by are, “all things in moderation”

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**Author:** ![MrSparkleVA](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/mrsparkleva/32/13908_2.png) [@MrSparkleVA](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/MrSparkleVA)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 7:22pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/housewashing-process-by-the-guy-who-cant-burn-metal/9735/49 "2017-10-06T19:22:17Z")

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> [@Innocentbystander](#):
>
> Lowering throttle will pull more soap but isn’t good for engine. Using larger tips, not smaller, will draw more soap. Need more soap, pop out nozzle and flow directly from gun. Bleach is cheaper than labor. Make a strong mix to begin with and roll on. If doing this earns you an extra 37 cents on a house wash donate it to the charity of your choice. Ok, that was unkind, but y’all know I don’t apologize so I guess I gotta live with it

I thought that was you who advised that you go with strong solution because time is more valuable than chems. It has become my mantra, but didn’t know to whom to give the credit. I am XJetting with straight 12.5 SH w/ 1c Klingon per 5gal. When I was DSing, I was still carrying around a bucket. How do you do it? do you siphon from a chem tank? Do you inject the solution at the beginning of the hose near the PW so you aren’t lugging around two hoses, water supply & solution?

As for lower throttle on the engine, I was advised just yesterday to adjust throttle to see if pump was overworking. Why would it be bad for the engine to throttle down?

Finally, I doubt if Chuck Norris gives a crap either way.

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**Author:** ![Innocentbystander](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/innocentbystander/32/36516_2.png) [@Innocentbystander](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Innocentbystander)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 7:40pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/housewashing-process-by-the-guy-who-cant-burn-metal/9735/50 "2017-10-06T19:40:45Z")

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If you are washing houses with straight bleach and an Xjet you will be buying a lot of plants. Good ratio for Xjet on house is one gallon bleach to 4 gallons water. I add about 1 cup surfactant to 30 gallons of mix. Downstream tank stays on the truck. It’s 65 gallons, can’t carry it around. If someone tells you to throttle down to see if pump is overworking quit listening to him/her.

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**Author:** ![squidskc](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/squidskc/32/10222_2.png) [@squidskc](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/squidskc)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 7:52pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/housewashing-process-by-the-guy-who-cant-burn-metal/9735/51 "2017-10-06T19:52:45Z")

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@MrSparkleVA I said if you’re having gpm or psi issues look at turning your throttle up if it isn’t. If you’re at half throttle that’s a problem. If you’re a tick or two back from full throttle and no change in performance don’t fix what’s not broken.

The engines are designed to run at full throttle or near it for cooling I believe. But there is an optimum throttle for pump and fuel efficiency or so my Landa dealer told me.

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**Author:** ![MrSparkleVA](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/mrsparkleva/32/13908_2.png) [@MrSparkleVA](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/MrSparkleVA)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 8:10pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/housewashing-process-by-the-guy-who-cant-burn-metal/9735/52 "2017-10-06T20:10:35Z")

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> [@Innocentbystander](#):
>
> If you are washing houses with straight bleach and an Xjet you will be buying a lot of plants. Good ratio for Xjet on house is one gallon bleach to 4 gallons water. I add about 1 cup surfactant to 30 gallons of mix. Downstream tank stays on the truck. It’s 65 gallons, can’t carry it around. If someone tells you to throttle down to see if pump is overworking quit listening to him/her.

OK, working primarily on brick homes, and when I dilute SH I find myself having to cover same area 2 and 3 times to reach objective.

 ![IMG_0333 (1)](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/uploads/default/original/2X/3/3c5a56f2e0ada3050fab71d9d57362e0bf0e9373.JPG)

I hit that chimney 3 or 4 times and never DID completely get the pinnacle

 ![IMG_0341 (1)](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/uploads/default/original/2X/d/d52d34deee371988ba8f15d56b7aabde03d390aa.JPG)

I now know that XJetting straight SH w/ surfactant the next time I’m over there should finish it off, but this brick is so porous that without full strength my time is being wasted repeating processes that should be taking me only a single effort.

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**Author:** ![squidskc](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/squidskc/32/10222_2.png) [@squidskc](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/squidskc)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 8:12pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/housewashing-process-by-the-guy-who-cant-burn-metal/9735/53 "2017-10-06T20:12:18Z")

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what proportioner are you using?

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**Author:** ![Ikii](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/ikii/32/6850_2.png) [@Ikii](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Ikii)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 10:32pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/housewashing-process-by-the-guy-who-cant-burn-metal/9735/54 "2017-10-06T22:32:13Z")

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I never water the plants, never had an issue.  
Prob cause i foam the homes so that the chemical does not splatter all over

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**Author:** ![Sharpe](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/sharpe/32/30159_2.png) [@Sharpe](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Sharpe)\
**Post date:** [October 6, 2017, 11:23pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/housewashing-process-by-the-guy-who-cant-burn-metal/9735/55 "2017-10-06T23:23:46Z")

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I got yelled at last week for leaving sh on the poison ivy behind some ladys garage. I explained to her what it was and what the sh would do to it. She sent me a text today to thank me for killing it. #pumpkinspiceproblems

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**Author:** ![MrSparkleVA](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/mrsparkleva/32/13908_2.png) [@MrSparkleVA](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/MrSparkleVA)\
**Post date:** [October 7, 2017, 12:19am UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/housewashing-process-by-the-guy-who-cant-burn-metal/9735/56 "2017-10-07T00:19:17Z")

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> [@squidskc](#):
>
> what proportioner are you using?

I think I was using the gray one because I had lost the black one. Or maybe it was the beige. Could have been the red. That job was before I received the 55 gal. and was still using pool shock straight up with Elemonator chaser. I just didn’t get enough SH up there to stay, worked on it 4 or 5 times. Felt like Elemonator was part of the problem, but as I stated in earlier post, too many variables to isolate cause and effect yet. However,the Klingon that I bought at Pressure Works seems to foam more and stick better.

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**Author:** ![squidskc](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/squidskc/32/10222_2.png) [@squidskc](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/squidskc)\
**Post date:** [October 7, 2017, 12:38am UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/housewashing-process-by-the-guy-who-cant-burn-metal/9735/57 "2017-10-07T00:38:26Z")

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No proportioner, black or grey. Nothing lower. Try less Elemonator and no proportioner. Like 3 oz per 5 gallons.

On stucco which is not much different than brick I’ll use the grey proportioner on a majority of it, pull the proportioner with a gerber, and hit the worst spots with no proportioner.

Grey I think is 5 to 1. No proportioner is 2 or 3 to 1.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![squidskc](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/squidskc/32/10222_2.png) [@squidskc](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/squidskc)\
**Post date:** [October 7, 2017, 12:39am UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/housewashing-process-by-the-guy-who-cant-burn-metal/9735/58 "2017-10-07T00:39:28Z")

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Red I think is like 20:1. You’ll get more out of it downstreaming

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**Author:** ![Innocentbystander](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/innocentbystander/32/36516_2.png) [@Innocentbystander](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Innocentbystander)\
**Post date:** [October 7, 2017, 12:55am UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/housewashing-process-by-the-guy-who-cant-burn-metal/9735/59 "2017-10-07T00:55:27Z")

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My comment on the mix ratio for Xjet may be outdated. There were no proportioners in the beginning. Just straight up sucking power.

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**Author:** ![Racer](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/racer/32/4931_2.png) [@Racer](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Racer)\
**Post date:** [October 7, 2017, 1:28am UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/housewashing-process-by-the-guy-who-cant-burn-metal/9735/60 "2017-10-07T01:28:12Z")

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Will take you all of 3 minutes to test it and then you know

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