Thursday, April 30, 2015

House Washing Wednesday: low-pressure house washing Nixa MO

It's House Washing Wednesday over at http://housewashingspringfieldmo.blogspot.com/

I was able to do 3 homes in one day all in the Nixa MO area one near the river which helps to promote the green growth on the home due to the moister in the air all the time. One a rental in town and one across town. Bidding over the phone sometimes leads to a surprise of what needs to be done when you get there. Nothing out of the ordinary this year has be great for the growth of mold, mildew, and algae lots of rain and just the right cool temps to keep it growing. I have a few more photos on my sister blog House Washing Springfield MO, the link is provided above. Here are a few of the worst looking sides of these homes. To see the results from "The Qzarks #1 low-pressure house cleaner you will have to go to http://housewashingspringfieldmo.blogspot.com/ for the view.

Cleaned by Pete the low-pressure house washer can rid your home from all things growing on it. The Qzark's is a beautiful spot to live but with the trees, cool temps and moister from streams and lakes. It is a great place for mold, mildew, mosses and algae to live also. Cleaned by Pete can help keep your homes siding looking good. 417.459.7869.
 
Cleaned by Pete the low-pressure house washer can rid your home from all things growing on it. The Qzark's is a beautiful spot to live but with the trees, cool temps and moister from streams and lakes it is a great place for mold, mildew, mosses and algae to live also. Cleaned by Pete can help keep your homes siding looking good. 417.459.7869.

Cleaned by Pete the low-pressure house washer can rid your home from all things growing on it. The Qzark's is a beautiful spot to live but with the trees, cool temps and moister from streams and lakes it is a great place for mold, mildew, mosses and algae to live also. Cleaned by Pete can help keep your homes siding looking good. 417.459.7869.

Cleaned by Pete the low-pressure house washer can rid your home from all things growing on it. The Qzark's is a beautiful spot to live but with the trees, cool temps and moister from streams and lakes it is a great place for mold, mildew, mosses and algae to live also. Cleaned by Pete can help keep your homes siding looking good. 417.459.7869.

Cleaned by Pete the low-pressure house washer can rid your home from all things growing on it. The Qzark's is a beautiful spot to live but with the trees, cool temps and moister from streams and lakes it is a great place for mold, mildew, mosses and algae to live also. Cleaned by Pete can help keep your homes siding looking good. 417.459.7869.

Cleaned by Pete the low-pressure house washer can rid your home from all things growing on it. The Qzark's is a beautiful spot to live but with the trees, cool temps and moister from streams and lakes it is a great place for mold, mildew, mosses and algae to live also. Cleaned by Pete can help keep your homes siding looking good. 417.459.7869.

Cleaned by Pete the low-pressure house washer can rid your home from all things growing on it. "The Ozarks" is a beautiful spot to live but with the trees, cool temps and moister from streams and lakes it is a great place for mold, mildew, mosses and algae to live also. Cleaned by Pete can help keep your homes siding looking good. 417.459.7869.

Cleaned by Pete the low-pressure house washer can rid your home from all things growing on it. The Qzark's is a beautiful spot to live but with the trees, cool temps and moister from streams and lakes it is a great place for mold, mildew, mosses and algae to live also. Cleaned by Pete can help keep your homes siding looking good. 417.459.7869.
Cleaned by Pete
Just the #1 low-pressure house washer in "The Ozarks" area
417.459.7869

We wash rocks too!

Rock washing in the Qzarks Cleaned by Pete.

Rock washing in the Qzarks Cleaned by Pete.

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Sometimes the job is just weird, rock washing

Sometimes the job is just weird, rock washing in Ozark MO. Being a washer we sometimes run across jobs that are a bit weird. I had one of them today. As I was finishing up cleaning a driveway and removing rust stains I received a call. Can you wash..... I just happen to be heading out to Ozark from Springfield MO to check on something so I said I would stop by. 

The customer was doing some landscaping and planting and wanted some very large and dirty rock boulders cleaned before the landscape was finished. The big problem was they were 300 to 400 feet from the closest water supply. No problem I had that much hose on board and with the help of the buffer tank I could do the job. So here are a few photos of the rocks while working on them.
Being able to move hoses from reel to reel and being able to easily move from pump to pump on the service rig makes thing easy to set up and work with. Quick connects on items lines and hoses have made things a lot easier, on me. Customer was quite impressed when I moved things around and was able to reach all the way down the drive-way to the front of the property then hook into the water supply on the home. Being flexible is what won us this job.

Rock cleaning, power / pressure washing Ozark MO, Cleaned by Pete serving the "greater" Springfield MO area.

Pressure washing in the greater Springfield MO area, Cleaned by Pete.

Rock cleaning, power / pressure washing Ozark MO, Cleaned by Pete serving the "greater" Springfield MO area. Washing large boulders for a customer's landscaping project.

Rock cleaning, power / pressure washing Ozark MO, Cleaned by Pete serving the "greater" Springfield MO area. Stopping about half way to get a photo.

Cleaned by Pete "The Ozark's #1 rock cleaner"

Cleaned by Pete power / pressure washing landscaping stones in Ozark MO.



Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Since You Asked; The how and why plumbing on my power-washing truck

This is an outgrowth of the last post on feeding the power washer, with the how and why plumbing on my power-washing set-up. Now I want to say I had a fellow washer ask the other day how and why I set up my service truck. Why did I do this or that, the best answer is I wanted to make it easy for me to use and to assure you as a customer that when I show up the job will be done.

Other washers in the business my not see or find it to their liking. Everyone works different and wants something to fit them. As I stated before I started off in the business as a hood washer, using the heated washer as a tool in the hood cleaning business not as a "pressure washer". Working at night often in an other state one has to become self-proficient at get and keep things running and dealing with emergencies. What if your injector quits working, what if you don't want to have the injector in line? What if you're working with someone else who set their equipment up differently? A burst hose, problems with the pump or motor. Do you stop and tell them I'll be back when I get it fixed? Being able to fix or in my case rearrange things on the fly is why I have done what I have done. I will get the job done and repair back at the shop. Setting up my plumbing with quick connects and the way I have done it works for the way I do things.

The first thing is we always had a back-up washer on board, today is no different with me. Two Mi-T-M washers now go with me on every job overkill or underkill I don't know. Both belt driven models with different outputs which does not enter in to this entry. Why not just get a "new big skid" to use instead? I'm asked my answer even a "new big skid" can and do have problems don't they how often do you want me to replace with a new skid? This year I added a second hose reel also, one for each of the washers usually but often I want to switch from one to the other with out having both reels out. I have things set up to use no injector, an injector bypass or have the option of using different injectors in several different places depending on the hose length. I now have the option to use each washer by it self, both working and linked together, both separately running at the same time, several combinations have opened up for cleaning this year. Making it easy to hook and unhook these washer is a must and to be able to do it at on the job site is a must. Options depending on what Cleaned by Pete is doing.

I have achieved most of this with the use of quick connects for the high-pressure lines. I have some photos to help explain what I'm doing I hope they help to clear things up. I have made thing easier by mounting washers, hose reels, soap tanks and other items to the truck permanently. Meaning this is a dedicated work rig. It is our 2nd work rig these trucks are for work you don't take them to the mall or out to eat dinner. This I feel shows more dedication to the business, I know other may not see it the same way, but once again nobody is all right or all wrong, just an opinion.

Working with a range of whips, short hoses, the injector bypass, several quick connects put together and arranged is different ways and spare injectors we can hook up and into several different arrangements.

Some of the leads and different hose connections that Cleaned by Pete may need to use.

Some of the leads and different hose and quick connections that Cleaned by Pete may need to use.
I will start with the pump heads both these Mi-T-M units use a block or remote unloader mounts. I have always like this way of setting up an unloader better than hanging it off the pump head. You can change it out easier and work on it with much more access, on a side note I have this remote unloader setup on most of our power washers.

Placing a quick connect off the unloader is our first line of making it easy. You can just unplug or plug in what you need it also aids us when winterizing the equipment.
This is a larger line that goes to the next piece of equipment the hose-reel. I can add in a chemical injector at this point if I wish, or move this connection over to the other washer to use it if I wish,
The unloader at this pump is also on a remote block the quick connect is pointing down off the 90* fitting for more room.
Things are still very tight the unloader is right beside the water input which is feed from the garden hose and the homeowners outside water tap. It has a filter on it to help us keep any forien particles from entering the pump.
Shown with the jumper hose attached. Again have the option of running it to the hose-reel an injector or to a hose. These short hose work out well to help pump in and pump out the antifreeze during the winter.
I like to put the chemical injector inline between the unloader and the pump head. I have found my system does not draw as well if I place the injector right in front of the hose reel. I like to use some hose between seems to draw chemicals / soap better on my system.

By-pass injector set up to the top hose-reel the soap tank is the white tank on the left and is feed by the white line leading to the adjustable chemical injector. By turning the ball valve you can by pass the injector having full pressure and flow to the rest of the system.
Our injector in line to the hose-reel all components have quick connects so you can quickly make changes in the system. Again depending on the lead to what washer is feeding it.
The lead of feed hose runs unseen under the chrome rail alone the trucks flat bed.
Now arriving at the hose-reel, If you have not guessed...... yes quick connects once again. The hoses are also fitted to the hose-reels with the same style quick connects I can unroll unhook and plug in to the other hoses if I should need more. Also if a hose should burst I can unhook and replace making quick time of it with out having to get out the tools. The burst hose is out of the system and I can keep going on with the work. If a pump, motor, or unloader in either system just moving the output hose over and the water feed I'm back in business again. 

Lead hose at the top hose reel.
Top hose-reel connected.
Same lead hose connected to the bottom reel.
By running another jumper and hooking it up to the other reel I can use both washer with either reel having the option of two men working.

I now have the option of using both pumps to one output hose by using a Siamese linking system again it can be hooked to the injector then to what ever reel I wish to use. Having a 9 gpm output. Again this is the way I have chosen to do my plumbing on my outfit. Right or wrong it serves me the best. With the use of quick connects I have tried to make thing easy to fix and trouble shoot.

Cleaned by Pete
just a power washer serving the greater Ozarks 
based in Springfield MO

Both Cleaned by Pete's power washers together, the green hoses are return lines to the tank.
The green hoses are return (bypass) lines to the water tank one pump is tank feed the other is pressure feed. The pressure fed washer uses the tank as a dump tank in bypass mode, helping to keep the pump unit cooler (not recycling water). When using both pumps the dumping bypass helps to feed the water fed pump system.
Both Cleaned by Pete's pressure washers together, the green hoses are return lines to the tank. The gray with red stripped hose on the reel is the feed hose for the system.

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Water Water Everywhere? Dual Feed Pump

Water water everywhere but not in my pump dual feeding the power washer pump, more flow to the pump-head.

I ran into a situation this week where my pump could just keep up with the surface cleaner, hose running up hill and having to park to far away, thus using a lot of high-pressure hose. The pump kept having cavitation issues, thus it was water starving. Trying to draw in more water to the pump, for the needed demand was more than the one existing line could draw. I was able to use the water feed from the home owner and supply the needed demand this time. So I mad up my mind to feed both sides of the pump with 1" inside diameter lines. 

Starving the pump from water leads to heat build up and heat is a killer of pumps.  Since the water also removes the heat keeping it cooler. Water also lubricants the pistons in the seals and head reducing friction and helps enable the pump to form the the "water-seal" that makes it help form the pressure and compress the water. Keeping water in volume in each cylinder becomes very important to the live and function of your pump. If the first two cylinders are drawing more water the last one will starve. So by dual feeding the pump you reduce that risk and have more water available which can now enter from both sides. Also should make it easier to draw water in reducing any starving or heating issues. Now that you know some of the whys of doing this here is a pictorial guide-line of what I did and what I used

List of parts:
angle head grinder
hand tools
Teflon tape
2.  1/2" brass 45* fittings
PVC Flex Pipe
PVC fitting to match the PVC Flex Pipe you decide to use
PVC glue and primer
roll of tin-foil
propane torch or heat source
Sharpie marker
safety glasses
wet towels
standard PVC cutter came in very handy

then with luck and due diligence you jump in & hope for the best

I started off with the intention of using 1 1/4" feed lines but due to the fact I could not locally obtain the needed fitting I went down to one inch lines. The second problem is the unit I was going to do this one is a belt driven Mi-T-M and as with some belt driven models the plug to feed the inboard port is blocked by the belt cover. I also ran into the problem of with such tight bends in the tubing it may kink and not let the water draw free and easy to the pump. With the help of the clerk at Nixa Hardware we can up with using "Flex PVC Pipe" not tubing but flexible, glueable, formable. thick walled "pipe". I had never heard of this or seen it before. What made it even more useful was that it glues to any standard secdual 40 PVC fittings. Both the "ID" and the "OD" of this pipe fits and can receive the PVC fittings. I found out with the right amount of heat the PVC Flex Pipe can be coaxed to bend a bit more then when cooled it retains the shape. I used the standard PVC (purple) primer and the standard PVC glue to insure the fitting would not leak. 
Flex PVC Pipe

With some standard tools and a angle head grinder I was able to make this idea come into being. This is what I did I hope it helps.

 Photos of my progress on this project:

Great picture of my first intention of dual feeding this pressure washer. As with all good intentions this one had some problems which worked out even better finding some new products as the "PVC Flex Pipe" which made the installation even better when finished.

Dual feed pressure washer pump set-up notches in both the backing plate and the belt cover allowed me to replace the plugged water feed on the inboard side of the pump with a new fitting allow to dual feed the pump.

In order to make this cut I removed the belts and large pump pulley to cut into the back cover it was also done with the blade on the angle-head grinder. All opening were plugged in the pump than covered with tinfoil to keep any grinding dust out of things. Wet towels were placed over the motor to keep sparks and dust from it also. Always safety first. You still see I have plenty of clearance to adjust the belt and move the pump forward.


Laying out the shape and design of the notch in the belt cover with a Sharpie then cutting it with a angle-head grinder a little at a time I came up with this shape and with a slight bent allowed it to be taken off and replaced with not problems

I had the notch made in the belt cover and the backing plate all set up for installation of the 1 1/4" spa and pool hose but fitting it to the bulk-head became a problem. so I went with the set-up below. Local suppliers did not have what I was wanting to use and I was in need of the pump the next day.

You can now see I have replaced the 1 1/4 inch brass fittings with brass and PVC secudal 40 fittings. They still fit through the notch made in the back plate of the belt cover which enabled me to do this addition.


Using brass 45* fittings off the pump helped with the clearance issues. Brass fittings have a much larger inside opening than those made for cast steel. While brass may be more fragile it will supply the water demands better. The flex pipe can still take a lot of shock and vibration out of the system.

With some heat I could form the PVC Flex Pipe to make these sharp turns. You can see where the purple primer has cleaned the PVC fitting and I then glued it up making it a water-tight permanent bond.

The dual feed pump head checked out and met the needs pumping out over 5 gallons a minute.
I used a fine brass screened filter inside my tank to keep out any depree from entering the pump. I also filter the water supply before it enters the tanks float valve. This screen is like my older Landa skid system it filters what may fall in to the tank when the lid is off.
Cleaned by Pete
just a power washer in Springfield MO

Friday, April 10, 2015

Time savers: this one works for us.

Time savers: this one works for us.
Short review on the "Kranzle flat cleaner" Art.Nr. 41 09 31

It may look funny it may seem different. It can it's European and maybe that says it all. Sometimes we Americans think we have a handle on everything and are set in our ways. Here it is the "Kranzle flat cleaner" Art.Nr. 41 09 31, or we call it the wig-wag. I use this for maintenance cleaning when the larger surface cleaner is not needed. With the traditional surface cleaner you would have to move all the furniture around and then back. When your by yourself this cost time and ware-n-tare on an old guy, like me. This attachment fits on the end of the wand and easily moves under and around items. It has just one jet and is on a flexible tube that really does a powerful cleaning. It moves along quite well and covers a good swath while doing so. 


It may not seem it would be anything other than a toy but it serves me well. It cuts down on time and does not harm, cut legs, or damage side boards, yet it cleans deeply. I have a few short videos of it in action. The refresh rate on my camera is not that great it appears to be moving the water stream quite slowly. Please believe me it is moving right along and if I had a better video camera it would show quite different speed wise. Sorry for the unsteady camera action washing with one hand filming with the other. You can get this under and over the chairs and around while save some time still getting a good clean.