selecting a pressure washer

Power WashingEquipment and Applications

NADCA 17TH Annual Meeting & Exposition2:00 to 3:30 PM, March 6, 2006

PresenterRobert M. Hinderliter

Delco Cleaning Systems of Fort Worth

Cell Phone and Pager

• Please put Cell Phones and Pager on Silent

• Thank you

Adding Pressure Washing for Profit

• May be required by your Customer

• May be a natural expansion of your business

• surface concrete cleaning• flat work

– parking garages– bank drive thru– shopping malls– fast food restaurants– drive ways– side walks including gum removal– and store front including the parking areas

• wood deck cleaning

• exterior building restoration

• Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning

• house washing• vehicle fleet washing

Evaporator and Condenser Coil Cleaning

• Coils– Are made of Thin light materials– Damage easily– Easily cleaned with care

• Chemical appropriate to the items being cleaned• Foaming Chemical Cleaners• Power Wash

– Parallel with fins– Low Pressure, low psi or increased distance– Wide Angle Nozzle

– Remove access Panels– Power Wash from all angles

Kitchen Grease Exhaust Cleaning

• More Millionaires Than any other area of Power Washing

• Regulatory Driven– Fire Marshals– Insurance Companies– NFPA 96

• Extremely large amount of commercial kitchens (restaurants, etc)

• Free Training Materials at www.ikeca.com

• Trade Associations– www.ikeca.org– www.pwna.org

Grease Duct Cleaning

• If grease ducts are properly installed there will be an access panel every 12 feet

• It will be grease and water tight

• See www.ikeca.com for complete information

• Cleaning will require– Scrapping– Power Washing

• Caution– Air Ducts converted into Grease Ducts are not

water or grease tight– Ducts may run over office areas– Leaks may fall on office equipment such as

computers

• Grease Fans– Housings should have access panels for

cleaning– Scrape large accumulations of grease– Pressure wash from all angles– Chemicals and heat are normally required

Evaporator and condenser cleaning

• Depending on the air stream techniques for either Air Duct or Grease Cleaning will have to be employed

• Grills and diffusers will have to be removed and the ducts inspected before you know for sure which technique will be required

• There are specialized chemicals for cleaning different types of ducts appropriate to the type of contaminates are in the air stream.

Water Control Devices and Containment

• Draping with plastic sheeting

• sump pumps

• Vacuums

• vacuum sludge filtering systems

• squeegees and brooms

• portable wash pits

• drip (catch) water trays

• catch basins

• tarp catch basins under pipes and other items

• portable dams

• portable drain covers

Cold Weather

• In cold climate and high crime areas pressure washers are mounted in– Trailers– Bobtail Trucks– Vans

• Kitchen Grease Exhaust Cleaning to be done in below freezing temperatures as long as it safe to:– Drive– Walk on side walks– Climb on roofs.

Duct Cleaning Resources

• There is not a golden bullet and technique that will clean every type of contaminate in all air streams!

• There are schools, videos, DVDs, and associations built around cleaning different types of ducts. See the section on Professional Trade Associations

Choosing a Pressure Washer

Commercial or Consumer Washer

The Main Difference is:– Quality

– Ease of maintenance

– Support

– Note: Not Performance (Capability- PSI & GPM, although consumer units generally are on the low rating)

• Consumer typically designed:– 100 hours of usage

• 20 hrs/year• 5 year life

– Single usage parts• Plastic or Low Quality Materials

– Dixie Cup Machines (Throw away units)

– Little or delayed support

– proprietary parts

• Commercial/Industrial Washers

– 1000s of hours of usage

– Ease of Maintenance and repair– Generally high level of support

• Maintenance & Repair Facility• Usage Support

– How to use and repair– Entrepreneur Support for business usage

• Internet– High Level of Support and Training– Low Level of Support, price driven

Typical Consumer Washers• Pressure fed (garden hose hook up

required)• Pumps with integral

– pressure regulator– by-pass line– inlet regulator– pop-off valve– maintenance and repair

• Difficult• requires proprietary parts

– Often difficult to get– Unavailable in a reasonable length of time

• Pull Start Gasoline Engines.

• Direct Drive Pumps Dual Lance variable pressure wands.

• Low Pressure Chemical Injection.

• Pressure nozzles with plastic inserts.

• Zero degree rotating nozzles.

• Components that are not obvious– internal plastic parts– brass parts – Not high quality such as stainless steel.

Typical Commercial/Industrial Washers

• Belt Driven Pumps drawing water from a float tank.• Electric Start Gasoline Engines• Separate components:

– Pumps– pressure regulator– by-pass line– inlet regulator or float tank– pop-off valve– high limit switches– maintenance and repair much easier– Substitutions or alternative components can be used.

• Trigger Spray Gun with interchangeable wands and nozzles.

Typical Commercial/Industrial Washers

• High Pressure Chemical Injection with low pressure chemical injection option.

• Stainless Steel or Carbide Pressure nozzles.• Heaters for heating the pressurized water to

200º F.• Components that are not obvious to the buyer

are:– internal stainless steel– ceramic parts instead of plastic.

Sources of Supply

• Consumer Stores

• Industrial Supply Houses

• Specialty Stores – Pressure Washer Dealers

• The main difference is the quality of equipment and technical support before and after the sale

Choosing a Vendor

• Depends on your requirements– Technical Support before and after purchase– Reliability– Ease of Maintenance, parts availability– Hour of Usage

• One time job• Every day usage

– Importance of operations

Water the Universal Solvent

• Dissolves more substances than any other liquid including:– Acids– bases

Water the Universal Solvent

• Pressure washers enhances the cleaning ability of water:– Heat– solvents and chemicals– abrasion

• Pressure• spray angle• rotating nozzles)

– dwell time.

• With the proper application of these enhancers almost anything can be cleaned effectively.

Hot or Cold Water• For commercial operations where:

– Grease– Oil– Gum

• Hot water is required:– Competitive– Cut expenses

• Chemical cost• Labor

Hot or Cold Water

• Cold water and strong chemicals will work on some applications but over 90% of successful contract cleaners use heat to cut chemical and labor expense.

• Hot Water is a better solvent than cold water.

Cold Water Jobs

• Deck and wood restoration

• Flat work not involving: – Grease– Oil– gum

• Vehicle washing with brushing

Cold Water Pressure Washers

• Temperature Capability: – Average capability 120 to 140ºF– Special Units up to 200ºF– “Water Heater” can be added for 200ºF

• Water is heated after the pump• Pump handles cold water

– Cold water pressure washers do not heat the water, hot water pressure washer do

Cold Water Pressure Washers

– Trigger Gun Off in closed loop by-pass• Temperature reaches 200ºF in 5 minutes and turns

into steam in 10 minutes.• Do not turn trigger gun off for longer than 2

minutes• For Longer periods of time

– Bypass back into float tank or water tank– This puts chemicals into float tank or water tank– Another option is a cooling coil in bypass line

– This applies to both hot and cold water washers

Cleaning Power: (GPM, PSI, ºF, Chemicals ,& Nozzle Type

• Cleaning Units per hour: PSI x GPM x 60 (pounds per square inch x gallons per minute x 60 minutes per hour)

• Cleaning Units: PSI x GPM

• There is presently no standard that takes into consideration all five factors for cleaning ability.

• Missing:– Chemicals– Heat– Nozzle Type.

• These three items typically can multiply the cleaning effectiveness several times.

• Most commercial hot water pressure washers can be used for any cleaning situation with the application determining the nozzles and chemicals used.

Total Cleaning Power

• GPM

• PSI

• Heat

• Chemicals

• Nozzle Type

A total balance is needed for good cleaning. Any one item can make up for shortage in other items.

GPM (gallons per minute)

• Most successful contract cleaners use 4 GPM or more. Below this volume labor is too expensive.

• Below 4 GPM is consumer volume because time (labor expense) is not a factor.

• If you have lots of debris or dirt GPM is as important as PSI is.

PSI (pounds/Square inch)

• PSI (pressure) is determined by orifice size and flow rate (gallons per minute).

• #4 orifice delivers 0.4 gpm at 40 psi

• #4 orifice delivers 4.0 gpm at 4,000 psi.

• This holds true for all spray angles

Fan Nozzles

• Lose cleaning power rapidly with distance

• Almost no cleaning power after 3 feet

• Cleaning Range: 8 to 12 inches

Long Range Nozzles

• Are zero degrees nozzles that have an effective range of up to 40 feet!

• Normal (typical) zero degree nozzles have an effective range of 6 to 10 feet.

Effective PSI

• The psi at the surface of an item being cleaned is determined by the psi at the nozzle and the distance the nozzle is from the item being cleaned.

• The greater the distance the weaker the pressure at the surface is.

Surface Protection

• Surface pressure can be controlled with distance

• It is not uncommon for contractors to use 3,000 psi washers on items that can only take 1,000 psi by increasing the distance from the item being washed.

Heat

• To be competitive you need hot water for:– Grease– Oil– Gum

• Steam is too slow in most cleaning applications.

• If you are not over 65 years old you do not want to buy steam.

Nozzle Selection

• Defined by– Orifice Size (From Nozzle Chart)

• GPM• PSI

– Spray Angle

• Example:– 25065

• 25 is spray angle• 065 is nozzle size (06 – 060, the “0” is not shown)

Nozzle Spray Angles

• 0 degree – will leave tracers (chicken tracks)

• 15 degree

• 25 degree – fits most untrained operators

• 40 degree – Requires Training

• 65 degree

40 Degree Nozzle Advantages

• Held closer to the surface for the same width of contact.

• Delivers more cleaning power because it is held closer.

• Takes training – difficult to learn

• Sweep like a broom, keep nozzle equal distance from the surface

Zero Degree Rotating Nozzle

• Advantages of a zero nozzle

• Advantages of a 25 degree nozzle (note: Angles vary)

• Expensive

• Limited Life

• Fixed Angle and variable angle available

• Can help make up for no heat or chemicals

Chemicals

• Detergents

• Waxes

• Acids

• Brighteners

• Chemicals (3 to 5%) and Heat (2 to 4%) are cheaper than labor (25 to 40%)

• Read the MSDS Sheets and Label for proper usage.

Gasoline & Diesel EnginesElectric Motors

• Electric motors– most reliable & maintenance free – light duty consumer– 220 volts single or three phase for commercial

• Gasoline Engines preferred power

• Diesel Engines use less fuel but are considerable more expensive.

Pressure Washer Mobility

• Gasoline Engine Skid mounted hot high pressure washer - 800 pounds– Bob Tail Box Trucks– Pick Ups– Trailers– The advantage of trailer mounting is that the

towing vehicle can be disconnected from the trailer for other uses.

Start Up Cost

• Typical start up cost range from $200 for a consumer electric pressure washer to less than $10,000.00 for a commercial trailer mounted hot high pressure washer with start up accessories.

• A search on the internet for mobile high pressure washer will result in over a hundred vendors.

Average ContractorHot High Pressure Washer

• 16 to 18 hp

• 4 to 6 gpm

• 3,000 to 3,500 psi

• 200ºF

• Price Range: $4,000 to $8,000

Average Contractor Cold High Pressure Washer

• 13 hp

• 4 gpm

• Price Range: $1,000 to $3,000

Professional Trade Associations

• Building Service Contractors Association International www.bscai.org

• International Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning Association www.ikeca.org & www.ikeca.com

• Power Washers of North America www.pwna.org

• United Association of Mobile Contract Cleaners www.uamcc.org

Accessorizing for Success

• Choosing the right accessories is a difficult task. Where help can be found:– Pressure Washer Dealers– Trade Associations

• www.pwna.org• www.ikeca.org• www.uamcc.org

– Internet Bulletin Boards

• Just like a new mechanic and an old mechanic. If you will compare the size of their toolboxes you will notice that the more experienced mechanic will have a larger toolbox with a wider variety of tools available for him to use in his repair efforts.

• If you are a carpenter you need more in your tool box than a hammer.

House Washing

• Hot High Pressure Washer (for oil and grease removal on driveways)

• High Pressure Hose reels 2ea.• Heavy Duty Hose Reel Hook-up Kit 2 ea.• 150 ft of pressure hose• 110 ft heavy duty garden hose• Ladders• 79” & 48” spray wand• 18’ or 24’ Telescoping Wands

House Washing

• Long Range Chemical Injection Nozzle • Brushes • Telescoping Brush Handle • Electrical Chemical Pump • Wire Brush• Claw Hammer• Screw Drivers• Pliers

House Washing

• Pipe Wrenches• Flexible Wand• Teflon Tape • Drop Cloth• Clear Plastic Sheeting {2 mil thickness} • Masking Tape {1 & 2 inch}• Duct Tape• Caulking Gun

House Washing

• Various types of Caulking• Putty Knife and Other Types of Scrapers• Spray Wax • Detergent • Appropriate Chemicals • Assortment of Spray Tips • Zero Degree Rotating Nozzle • Training Material

Exterior Wood CareDecks & Fences

• Cold Water Pressure Washer

• Hose Reels 2 ea.

• Hose reel hook-up kits 2ea.

• 150 ft pressure hose

• 110 ft. garden hose

• Electrical Chemical Pump

• Dual Lance Wand

• Claw Hammer

• Crow Bar

• Screw Driver

• Orbital Sander {You may need other types but due to the expense you will usually rent them}

• Extension Cords

• Drop Cloth

• Clear Plastic Sheeting {2 mil thickness}

• Extension Wands

• Assortment of Spray Tips

• Masking Tape {1 & 2 inch}

• Paint Brush

• Airless Paint Sprayer

• Ladders

• Deck and Siding Restorer

• Deck and Siding Restorer and Stripper

• Oxalic Acid

Fleet Truck Washing

• Trailer Mounted Hot High Pressure Washer with a water tank.

• Extension Wands

• Downstream Chemical Injector Kit

• Electrical Chemical Pump

• Brushes

• Brush Handles

• Stack Brushes

• Assortment of Spray Tips

• Portable Vinyl Wash Pits and Ground Covers

• Portable Dams and Drain Covers

• Recycle System

• Vacuum Sludge Filter System

• Wash Pit Sump Pump

• Vacu-boom

• Oil Absorbent Booms, Pillows & Pads

• Degreasers

• Truck Wash Detergent

• Spray Wax

• Foam Booster

• Training Material

Flat Work

• Trailer Mounted Hot High Pressure Washer with a water tank.

• Surface Cleaner

• Turbo Nozzle

• Electrical Chemical Pump or

• Pump up Sprayer

• Portable Dams & Drain Blockers

Flat Work (Continued)

• Vacu-boom

• Vacuum Sludge Filter System

• Sump Pump

• Concrete Stain Remover

• Training Material

Awning Cleaning

• Cold Water Pressure Washer

• Large Spray Tip such as a 6520

• 10” Deluxe Wash Brush

• Aluminum Extension Brush Handle

• Step Ladder

• Fabric Awning Cleaner

• Vinyl Awning Cleaner

Awning Cleaning (Continued)

• Awning Protectant

• Electrical Chemical Pump

• Portable Dams & Drain Blockers

• Vacuum Sludge Filter System

• Sump Pump

• Training Materials

Kitchen Grease Exhaust Cleaning

• Trailer Mounted High Pressure Washer

• Cold Water Pressure Washer that will handle 180ºF Hot Water

• 150 ft. non marking hose

• Hose Reels 2 ea.

• Hose reel hook-up kits 2 ea.

• 110 ft. garden hose

• Zero Degree Rotating Nozzles

• Low Pressure Spray Tips 6520

• Rotary Duct Spinners

• Duct Wagon Rotary Washer

• Spring Clamps

• Clear Poly Sheeting {2 mil thickness}

• Scrapers

• Scrub Pads & Holders

• Wet/Dry Vacuum with Sump Pump

• Electrical Chemical Pump

• Duct Access Doors

• Portable Dams

• Squeegee

• Mop & Bucket

• 35 Gallon Plastic Trash Can

• 2” Bulkhead Fitting For Plastic Trash Can

• Step Ladder

• Drop Cloth

• 3’ by 5’ ¾” Plywood

• Foot Valve

• Appropriate Safety Equipment

• Training Materials

• Free Cleaning Manual at www.ikeca.com

Safety Equipment

• Double Coated PVC/Nylon Suit

• 17” Rubber Pullover Over –The –Shoe Boots

• Hard Hat

• Visor For Hard Hat

• Soft Frame Goggles

• Gauntlet Type Rubber Gloves

• Black Rubber/Cotton Apron