I’m about to build my roof system. More than likely im going with air. Is a proportioner really worth the extra money $1295? I’m mostly going to do residential roofs and use it for post treating driveways. That’s the plan for now
So I don’t do roofs anymore and personally don’t care for the “soft wash” systems, but… I will always spend money on something that makes me more efficient. That doesn’t always mean easier, just quicker. I’ve also spent a ton of money that I thought I needed or would be more efficient but wasn’t. I bought a hot water machine once, kept it for a couple of months, cut the skid in half and gave the burner away. Wasn’t worth the space it took up or the minimal results it offered for what I do. Bottom line, if you think it will make you quicker, buy it. If it doesn’t work, at least you tried and you’ll recoup your losses in a day or two.
6 Likes
A proportioner will choke and kill an AODD pump don’t use one . Not to mention it’s just another thing to replace when it brakes
Yes, and No
I have the actual proportioner and while i dont regret buying it, i would not buy it again.
The only reason i would not buy again is because of price, there have been so many different version that have come out since, and dont cost near as much. The proportioner does come with a pretty stainless box, but the box is also a negative as you cant service anything if it leaks. You would have to send it back, or grind welds off your self. There is also a 2 week to month wait time before they even ship it, because they dont already have them made and only make them in batches. I bought mine needing it soon and it did not arrive for a while.
The main reason i bought it was for space, and to keep me legal. By having a mixing system it allows you you have one less tank on board. It also allows you to carry more SH if you want as well. A lot of guys will run two 55 gallon drums (one straight SH, and the other the roof mix) but once SH goes in both you will be over weight.
I only use mine for roofs, and stucco homes. Its not worth unrolling the hose and starting up the compressor just for pre/post treating a driveway.
As for it harming the air pump, i have not noticed any negative results, but i havent been doing roofs for years.
1 Like
From a reps mount.
These new popular mixing valves are prematurely killing pump.
We will not honor warranty issue if they find out one is on their pump.
They probably work just fine with one of those booster pumps guys are using now. Those pumps are designed for a lot of lift . Just not designed for SH
1 Like
I have one and like @Donte55, I like it but not sure I’d buy again. It’s really convenient, does save some space by not having to have a mix tank but not sure if I would buy another. Realistically, by the time you get all the plumbing, valves, etc you need, it’s $1500. I feel that it chokes off even my 12v by about 5’ in distance. They’re talking of coming out with one with bigger intakes, that would help.
I’ve been seriously considering for about 6 months going to a gas powered pump, but that would entail going back to a mix tank .
2 Likes
Occams razor. Simple is best. Buy a bandit from pressure tek and a 55 gallon white barrel. Just pump what you need from the chem tank to the barrel on site. You can wash 1000 roofs this way for under $1800 and very little time commitment. Just load it up when you need it. I have a gas powered pump that’s been sitting in the unopened box for 2 years with a GX160 that’s rusting on my garage floor because the time it takes to attach it all to the trailer and plumb it doesn’t even remotely feel worth it for the amount of work I get done with the 12v and 55 gallon drum.
1 Like
@Kps0410, as you can tell from the responses, it all depends upon the work you intend to do and how seriously you intend to comply with DOT laws (esp. 49 CFR 173.6).
My own $0.02: If your time is valuable, and you’re putting money into your business, a Proportioner is a no-brainer. Compared to your truck, machine, hoses, insurance, etc, the cost is insignificant. If mine disappeared today, I’ll get on the phone and buy 2 more.
@florida_condo_cleani, I’m curious what pump your rep sells… I use a 1/2" All-Flow pump from Pressure Washer Products, drawing through a Proportioner and running with a Rolair compressor and it has been problem-free since Day 1.
2 Likes
I use all-flo 3/8 -1/2 -1” .
The rep was all-flo them selves .
Should I assume you make a proportioner also.
1 Like
Definitely not; my proportioner is from the Power Wash Store.
I imagine pump damage can be done if somebody cranks up the air pressure and chokes off the feed. As I said, I haven’t experience it myself.
My problem is estimating mix. That’s the main benefit I can see from it. (less waste). I’ve only done about three roofs and that was about 8-10 years ago. They came out great. One lady even cried as she wrote my check, thanking me for saving her thousands on getting a new roof. Hers was pretty ugly and she was embarrassed by it. I like what @Racer said on his first trailer build video about keeping it simple. That makes sense to me. Can someone please give me an estimate on how much mix an average 2000 SQ foot house will take. I know there’s different conditions I’m just looking for a baseline for a starting point as well as what mix tank size to get. If I go without the proportioner I’ll have a 50 gallon chem tank but what would be a good size to put my mix in. I have a roof to do on a house we washed yesterday the week of the 5th so I’ve got to nail all this down fairly soon so we can get everything remounted on the trailer.
1 Like
50 gallons is fine for 2000sqft especially if your sh is fresh
So two 50 gallon tanks would be the best way to go? One for bleach and one for mix
1 Like
I don’t understand why people have separate tanks . I’ve never had more than one . SH goes in and both my roof mix and DS are pulled from it .
I am planning on using 2 also. 1 for full strength SH and one for roof wash mix about 1/4 SH, 3/4 water, plus surfactant.
Why seems like such a waste of money and space
Why not just use one tank that’s a 50/50 mix . Both you roof pump and DS can pull from it ?
Because I feel I need a minimum of around 40-50 gallons full strength.
I put full strength SH in my tank. My air pump mixes it 50/50 for me. My DS also pulls straight sh . Set up like this means a 50 gallon tank of sh makes 100 gallons of mix . By its self with no extra tanks or proportioner. It really can’t get any simpler.
5 Likes
