Wow…first of all I gotta say this forum / site is awesome. I stumbled across it around 5am and couldn’t stop reading. Partly for the jokes and sarcasm but mostly to learn.
I will be brutally honest and I’m not embarrassed to say I know NOTHING about the pressure washing industry. I’ve done about 15 (basic) jobs for mostly family and friends in the past year and looking back some of them I wish I could re-do after reading these posts.
I just recently got insured and got the LLC and decided to do things the “right way” or at least try to.
I guess the reason for my post is to give a general “Thank You” to all the experts out there for taking time to help out us newbies. I will definitely have some dumb questions coming but will do my best to research first.
My newbie confessions so far (don’t laugh).
I have two machines, one is 2800 psi 2.3 gpm and the other is 4000 psi 3.5 gpm apparently these are weak!
I bought a BE whirlaway for 400$ apparently I got ripped off!
I have never once used bleach or any other cleaning soap / detergent ! I need to I guess?
Hot Water ?! I’m so far off.
I took the paint off my buddies deck with the machine now I need to repaint it. whoops.
As I read through all these posts I lose confidence in what I offer but at the same time I feel confident knowing I can’t take on bigger jobs. Looking forward to making this work and learning slowly along the way.
How does that the BE perform with a 3.5 gpm machine? Im new also and just picked one up at a steal friday to use with my 4gpm machine and have heard a lot of mixed feedback on 20" surface cleaners running at 3.5-4gpm. Did you change the factory nozzles also?
@PennWashing it’ll get better man don’t feel bad about your equipment equipment doesn’t make a business… but it can help
Do a good job, charge fair prices and put your heart into it…
Up until about three months ago I was running a legitimate commercial pressure washing business with a 2.7 gpm pressure washer and a 4gpm PSI pressure washer… I’ve since upgraded and I’m in the process of upgrading again every time I upgrade I’m able to spend less time on properties thus making more money…
Read everything you can on here and talk to as many people in the industry as you possibly can you learn a lot
You sound exactly like my build-up in equipment. My first job was cleaning a nasty deck with a 2.4gpm 3200psi and it made enough money for me to sell it and get my current 4/4…which will be upgraded at some point.
Read, read and read some more. Only ask questions when you can’t find them in the almighty SEARCH bar, otherwise you gather the wrath of the veteran washers on here.
My advice is everyone is different and has different experiences, budgets, family comitments so do what you can with what you got…BUT always make sure you are pushing forward and bettering your techniques and equipment.
Newbie Confession. After spending about 50 bucks on brass fittings trying to find the right quick connect for my wand, I realized that air hose QCs and water hose QCs are not the same! good thing I sorted that out in the garage instead of on a job. Now back to the hardware store to get my money back.
It’s not because of the different types of metal, it’s because they are from different manufacturers all with different tolerances. You can mix or match but sticking with the same manufacturer would help the most. But for the record I’ve never had a problem using all my Parker brass sockets with cheap Chinese stainless nipples
