Showing posts with label Cleaned by Pete. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Cleaned by Pete's Work

You can keep up with Cleaned by Pete and see a few of the jobs we are doing. Just visit our sister blog House Washing Springfield MO. I try to add some of the jobs we are doing there. You can always find us on "facebook" just look for Cleaned by Pete.

Cleaned by Pete

just a power washer serving the greater Springfield & surrounding areas.

417.459.7869

Monday, April 14, 2014

The Yellow Book?

Being a small business in today's economy a dollar spent needs some return. With this in mind I wrote this entry I know it is not how or why something on a pressure washer works. It has merit do to the fact we expect to see some results for money spent. Our customers want to see a difference we are also customers and are we due the same?

I have been advertising in "The Yellow Book" since I began my power washing company. They had a local office and you could go in and talk to them, which was quite handy. Getting your name out as a small business is a must and having it in print gives a person some pride as a business owner. Having a listing in the yellow part of the book meant and showed that you were a true business.

My association with "the yellow book" has went on for a few years now and even had them build a one page web sight to promote our web presents. It used a few of our pictures and redirected you to our main web sight "Cleaned by Pete" which would help increase traffic if any one was using it. All in all I was very happy the first year then things started down hill. The local office was downsizing and my rep was being let go and I would have to deal with who ever was filling a chair at that time. The second year came with a price increase, you see the first year is cheaper just to hook a sucker in. Still beaming with pride that I was a business I signed back up paying more for the same service. People were still using "the yellow book" some then. The big change came during the third and forth years closing down the local offices and starting to change the name in late 2012. It seems "the yellow book" was becoming something else. With this change it took an act of congress to get a change on the web page that we were paying for. It was to the point I gave up. The company had a rep that would visit the area but was based in St Louis, a really different market from the Qzarks. Once she even told me she really didn't understand the folks down here. Now, that office in St Louis is gone and you deal with the office in Ohio and Ohio knows the Qzarks and the local businesses and clientele, right? The Hibu-slide was heading down hill fast for me. You know your doing something wrong when you have web sights set up to say you're not doing a good job, http://www.skywebcorp.com/small-business-marketing-blog/item/90-hibu-websites-review or http://www.consumeraffairs.com/misc/yellow_book.html.

I had made up my mind that I had enough last year so I bought and designed two more sights at a fraction of the cost of what I was paying for "the yellow book" and the web page they set up for me. "Power Washing Springfield MO" and "Southwest Missouri Pressure Washing", with these two sights and the addition of this blog and it's sister blog "House Washing Springfield MO" our web presents grew and our rankings grew. I didn't cancel "the yellow book; now hibu" I kept the web page and took on a smaller add for one more year. I tracked calls to see where they found us. over the year I have had no one say the phone book, or "the yellow book" and have not had one email off their web sight.

This brings us to today and what gave me the reason to write the entry. I get a call from Ohio "the yellow book / hibu" a salesman with the promises of a steady stream of new clients and more web exposure since "the yellow book: now hibu" is teaming and partnering with Google and add words (last year they had just teamed with Bing). They told me how I needed a Google+ page, which I agreed with, till he saw I already have a Google+ page kind of took the wind out of his sales pitch. The salesman offered to take in all my sights and have "the yellow book" family manage and work on them for more money. Boy that is all I need they could not get my phone to ring and I want to turn all advertising over to you. I brought up the fact that why are you calling yourself "Yellowbook" I thought you were "Hibu" he said they were "hibu" but...... he did not say much about that, "yellow book" was the only way he referred to himself and the company really trying to distance himself from the term "hibu". Wonder why? This has to be wrapped up now since today is the last day before they go to print, the salesman says, you need to make the decision now. This is where I knew I did not want their service any more. Today!, you call today the last day before print. Why didn't you call before the last day? Really shows me where my company ranks with them. Thought we would call you at the last minute and give you the privilege to be stuck in our book, at only $29.00 a month we value you that much. Didn't give me the impression that they even cared about my small business or the past years of advertising with them.

I know that the name "hibu" is taking a hit due to poor performance and some business tactics that are not looked at by the consumer as above board. I know that since "hibu" took over the number of spammers, scammers, telemarketers, and phone sales have increased 100 fold to my phone. I know this was not the steady stream of new customers I thought I was promised. This year I stood firm and had to refuse service from them. Ending of and era of being in print in the old school world of advertising the phone-book.

It seems that the worlds new phone book is in the palm of you hand the modern cell phone has replaced all forms of commutations. With the punch of buttons you can have what you need at your finger tips. I have made my web pages mobile friendly and have seen more traffic from them. Which leaves me with one question did I wait too long to ditch "the yellow book" or is there still some merit in this old printed way of advertising? I read on a recycling page that 80 to 90 percent of the people return their new phone-books within a month of receiving it. I'll walk out and test the waters without it this year right or wrong the die has been cast.

I feel I have been more than fair to them, I stayed with them and gave them several chances to help me and to improve but to no avail. Not saying that they are a bad company but they tried harder to grow themselves, than their customers companies and failed at both. I am not say that this type of advertising is bad or not productive but for me they did not meet what they said they would. For this reason I will no longer use them there are still other phone books out there maybe next year I'll give them a try. I grew up in a different time where it was drummed into you that the yellow-pages were where real companies were listed.

Friday, March 7, 2014

Getting Ready for the Coming Season

So I start to get ready and all of a sudden we get hit with yet another winter storm, but it looks better with each passing day. This year I find we are already behind the last couple of years. With the mild winters we have had in past years cleaning season started earlier. This year we have still not pulled into the main stream of cleaning. We have had a couple of day in the 50 and pushed to the 60's today. With the warmer weather we will be ready to wash. Warmer Spring weather starts to send the message out, Spring cleaning time is here it must be because I was out on three different house washing bids today. The feeling that winter is leaving the Ozarks is being shared by others too. We are ready to help you with your cleaning / washing needs. Power washing, pressure washing, external cleaning, soft washing, vinyl siding cleaning, concrete washing, driveways and sidewalks cleaned, graffiti removed and BBQs serviced and cleaned for the coming year, Cleaned by Pete is your one stop for all your outside cleaning needs.

This winter was bad but I still found it warm enough to get oil changed in pumps and motors. Cleaning and doing maintenance on all the machines so we can grab and run when needed. Purchased 3 more surface cleaners this winter and they all have new rebuilt swivels ready for the season. If you follow us regular here you have seen I had to rebuild one of the smaller surface cleaners since I broke it and while I was at it I made or built a smaller 9" surface cleaner for use on graffiti. http://cleanedbypete.blogspot.com/2014/01/haste-makes-waste-leads-to-mother-of.html Will be taking stock of replacement connectors and hose ends that I may not have replaced during the regular season. I have already taken stock and a count of what cleaners and soaps we will need to purchase for jobs we are booking now. With Spring's arrival our adds such as these are starting to get alittle more exposier.

Cleaned by Pete House washing and external cleaning Springfield MO 417-459-7869, the wanted add poster,

Cleaned by Pete House washing and external cleaning Springfield MO 417-459-7869, the honey do list,

Winter found us sitting allot of the time, but it also found us putting on a new pump on one of the units. Not being one to just have things working but having them streamlined and easy to repair, fix and use I had to do some new plumbing.


Putting on a new pump for the up coming season Cleaned by Pete Springfield MO external power washing and cleaning 417.459.7869.

I know that from my entries in this blog you have figured that the life of a power washer is just always glamourous and exciting. Well to be honest sometimes it isn't that exciting always glamourous but not always exciting. New equipment, new pumps, new adds, new renewal of the spirit finds Cleaned by Pete up and ready to welcome new jobs and new customers while continuing to serve all our friends and customers we have made through out the last years. I had the first house washing this year about a week ago it worked out that the house was going on the market and there were two days we could get it cleaned up for the customer, while Old Man Winter was again closing in, but I was able to knock it out for the customer.


House washing Willard MO Cleaned by Pete 417.459.7869.

Vinyl siding cleaning / washing Willard MO Cleaned by Pete 417.459.7869.

Gutters & window frame brightening, Willard MO Cleaned by Pete 417.459.7869.

External cleaning Willard MO Cleaned by Pete 417.459.7869.

Sidewalk cleaning Willard MO Cleaned by Pete 417.459.7869.

House washing Willard MO Cleaned by Pete 417.459.7869.

I also had a chance to use that little surface cleaner I rebuilt this winter! Very happy and pleased with the way it works, have a view.

Cleaned by Pete is now booking jobs for the up coming season. If you have questions or need a free prompt estimate we are a phone call away:

Cleaned by Pete

serving the greater Springfield and Southwest MO area

soft washing, power washing, external cleaning, concrete cleaners,

417.459.7869

Friday, October 4, 2013

Cleaning and the "Mother Road"

Cleaning along the Mother Road Route 66

Sometimes it not just about the job, a person has to enjoy what they do. Today we were cleaning a rock porch, steps, and side-walk to remove the old sealer. Getting things ready to reseal. If you follow here at all you will know my love and like of the oringinal rock house and buildings found here in Southwest Missouri. Another one of my loves it following the "Mother Road" better know as Route 66 and it just happened my job was on this oringinal section of Route 66.

This entry is more about where I was at then what I was cleaning or how. Route 66 has parts of the original road that still exist, some of the concrete pictured below is said to be part of the original construction of the road still in use today. Just think about what this concrete saw, everything form the "model T" to my power washing rig. What you see in the pictures is original road just off straighten route. This is about 1/2 to a mile from where I was working and this section runs for about 5 miles I would guess. The station, office and store are restored for you to take pictures here or have a picnic on the grass. The buildings look like they would in the days when Route 66 was the lifeline of this nation. The stores are not open but still help to keep the old road alive. Just down the road in the picture you can still see the old iron bridge most most of these iron giants have been removed or decommissioned two items from the past to see with in a half mile. Here in Missouri older sections of the road that are still in shape for traffic are being reopened and are marked with the blue Route 66 signs. In todays fast paced world a person needs to take time and enjoy. Don't let the pace of life get in the way of enjoying the simple things. Thanks for your support Cleaned by Pete

Stopped here today for a photo opt, Cleaned by Pete enjoying the drive on this original section of Route 66. The Cleaned by Pete power washing rig on Route 66 at Spencer's Garage.

Stopped here today for a photo opt, Cleaned by Pete enjoying the drive on this original section of Route 66. The Cleaned by Pete power washing rig on Route 66 at Spencer's Garage. Some of this road pictured here is said to be part of the original construction.

Cleaned by Pete's power washing rig on Route 66 at Spencer's Garage.

Cleaned by Pete's power washing rig on Route 66 at Spencer's Garage also showing the office, general store and post office.

Cleaned by Pete's power washing rig on Route 66 at Spencer's Garage also showing the office, general store, post office, and barber shop, a Cleaned by Pete photo.

Stopped here today for a photo opt, Cleaned by Pete enjoying the drive on this original section of Route 66. The Cleaned by Pete power washing rig on Route 66 at Spencer's Garage.

Route 66 and an original iron bridge in the same picture.

These blue sign point out parts of the original route of the "Mother Road" finding and driving the ares marked by these signs is like taking a trip back in time on original parts of Route 66.

If you run across one of these take the time and follow it. Time is not all that important when your on a real time machine.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Vinyl letter removal and replacement

The Storage Units

A while back we were asked to come and bid on @300 storage units the customer was in need of replacing the old sun-baked letters. Some of the letters were cracked dried and falling apart other were starting to chalk up and loose there color and shine. The instructions called for power washing to remove of the old vinyl letters. We went in to put in a bid on the power washing but due to the construction and the letters them selves told them power washing was out of the picture. Pressurized water had a very good chance of getting into the units under the roofing panels. Then just cleaning the one spot might leave a shadow and the years of dust under the eve would be loosen and water would make it run down the face, making more cleaning costing more.

Under the eve could force water inside the unit you can see if you looks close the brown dirt running down and dried in place. This was a unit a competitor tried to power wash.

The results of power washing with what they described as a turbo tip. The chalky paint was forced into the under laying paint where it stained it. This is why Cleaned by Pete told them we could not use the power washer to do this job.

Close up view of what the other company did with the power washer it was blasted all the way down to the metal and the green color of the numbers was impregnated into the under laying painted surface.

I showed them how to we would do it using a vinyl pin-strip removal tool is also good for large vinyl decals that have sun-baked on a cars, trailers or RVs. This ment using a ladder on taller units and walk boards on the lower ones. Now here is what we did, though we also could not remove some numbers 100% we removed all that would come off with out any damage.

Cleaned by Pete vinyl letter removal you can see a few spots that were left when we remove this number.

Cleaned by Pete removing the number 21 look closely you can see the 21 out line a bit yellower due to paint fade around it.

Cleaned by Pete removed and replaced the vinyl letter 21 on this unit.

We do make a living with a "power washer" but it is a tool in our cleaning arsenal not the only answer each or every time. Care should be taken with it's usage and used when it has the biggest advantage.

Working our way along on this job. Cleaned by Pete we do more than just pressure washing. Call us with your cleaning needs 417-459-7869.

One of the other units number removed and new vinyl lettering in place.

Call us at 417-459-7869 and we can see what we can do for you and your cleaning / washing needs. Cleaned by Pete your answer to those jobs you wonder how they going to get done. Please visit us at our web sites:
www.cleanedbypete.com
www.powerwashingspringfieldmo.com
www.southwestmissouripressurewashing.net
for more information and pictures of cleaning that Cleaned by Pete have done.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Pictorial History of Power Washing, part II

A pictorial history of power washing.

A few more pictures of the pictorial history of pressure washing. First hot-water high pressure washer was invented by Alfred Karcher in 1950 in Germany. Which some say was a refinement of Frank Ofeldt's steam cleaner. Designed and invented in the United States. The steam pressure washer or "high-pressure Jenny" is introduced much earlier, in 1927. Refinements have been made but we all own and use something that is credited to these two gentlemen. These pictures have been used from the internet. If you or your companies owns them and may wish them removed please email us and we will remove them. Pictures have link to web sites where you can find them and more information.

The Hypressure Jenny was the first Steam Cleaner ever made - first in the world! It was invented by Mr. Frank W. Ofeldt, II in 1927. He immediately joined Homestead Valve Manufacturing Co. in Coraopolis Pennsylvania, and later became Chief Engineer of the Hypressure Jenny

//www.jennyproducts.com/HistoryArticle.html

Sioux was founded in 1939 in Beresford, South Dakota, initially manufacturing steam cleaners used to clean automobile engines. In 1965, the company was sold to John and Virginia Finger, who began designing additional models of steam cleaners and hot or cold water pressure washers, with larger capacities and pressures for application in other industries. http://www.sioux.com/history-of-sioux-corporation.html

In 1977 the first Epps Products pressure washer was produced. The model 800E, @ 800 PSI and 3 GPM. http://www.eppsproducts.com/aboutus.html

http://www.tractorumbrellas.com/photo/malsbary-steam-cleaners-farm-machinery

http://www.hotsy.com/oldestworkinghotsy.aspx

The powerful streams of water ripped through clay, rocks and gravels, blasting away entire mountains. http://www.brackensgoldrush.com/History.htm

This 1900 photo shows a water cannon blasting away a hillside at the Calhoun Gold Mine, in Lumpkin County, during the second gold rush.
Courtesy of Georgia Archives, Vanishing Georgia Collection

The last two pictures so how water pressure cannons we use early on for dirt removal sometimes whole mountains here we have more volume than pressure, today we have great pressure with less volume doing the same job. It all comes down to dirt and grime removal.
For all your dirt and grime removal call Cleaned by Pete for a free prompt estimate at 417-459-7869 serving the Southwest and greater Springfield MO area.

Monday, April 15, 2013

Pictorial PW History: photos from the past.

http://content.lib.washington.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/social&CISOPTR=2715&CISOBOX=1&REC=17. Employee of Fire Ball Distribution Company demonstrating a portable steam cleaner on a vehicle, Seattle, ca. 1950 or 1951
Ogawa, Elmer, 1906-1970

1968 Cat Pumps officially opened its doors for business with the introduction of the "A" Series Model 400 Cat Pump (4.0 GPM, 700 PSI). Originally designed for the pressure wash market, this pump revolutionized both the car wash and pressure wash industries, providing 10 times the life of previous pumps. http://www.catpumps.com/1968-1979.asp

Driver Arthur Wilson is seen here in the depot at Pine Mill in Oldham power washing the chassis of EBU 600K before it goes on a night trunk run. This vehicle was an 8LV Cabbed ERF 4x2 tractor unit fitted with a Gardner 180 6LXB engin. from: http://www.commercialmotor.com/big-lorry-blog/scotts-of-oldham--history-in-words-and-pictures-on-biglorry-blog#.UWyTDXaVv8s

http://www.armedforces-int.com/article/75-years-of-innovation-for-customers.html

The American forces awarded the company a contract to service and repair “steam cleaners”, which had been invented in the United States in the 1920’s. Kärcher developed and optimized this technology further and presented the first European hot-water high-pressure cleaner in 1950, the KW 350 ('boiling-water cleaner'). It marked the company’s entry into the cleaning equipment market and laid the foundation stone for what was to become its core business.


Picture from: http://www.armedforces-int.com/article/75-years-of-innovation-for-customers.html Kärcher in the 1950's high pressure steam cleaning.

Picture from: http://www.palmercc.com/Photoalbum.htm. Keith Timm Sr. steam cleaning his 1951 Ford dump truck at PCCC’s Mine #11 preparation plant in Black Diamond circa 1952.

Washing_loco.jpg ‎(640 × 483 pixels, file size: 69 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg)

Jack Delano, photographer

Mrs. Viola Sievers, one of the wipers at the roundhouse giving a giant "H" class locomotive a bath of live steam Clinton, Iowa, April 1943

Reproduction from color slide LC-USW361-643

LC-DIG-fsac-1a34807, FSA/OWI Collection

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/boundforglory/images/bg0058.jpg

Title	Men inspecting a Fire Ball Distribution Company portable steam cleaner during an event, ca. 1950 or 1951
Photographer	Ogawa, Elmer, 1906-1970

G3g 2412 getting a steam cleaning on the Glen shop track Monday, 6/22/1959. (CLC #2016 12/1942) Bob Krone. Picture from: Old Time Trains, http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrains/photos/cpr_steam/2400.htm.

Seattle Municipal Archives
Photograph Collection Item No: 59059
Description: Mechanical equipment [Portable Steam Jenny]

Orig No: 18513-Q-2
Date: May 1, 1951
Collection: Engineering Department Photographic Negatives
Photo location: http://www.seattle.gov/default.aspx

http://www.seattle.gov/default.aspx.

  May 31, 1955 Maintenance Equipment [1948 Steam Jenny]

Steam cleaning jeeps at Bechtel-McCone’s remanufacturing facility in Birmingham, Alabama. Photo form: http://www.ewillys.com/category/ordnance-remanufactureing

Pressure washing a car in 1928 (courtesy FMC and Industrial Cleaning Technology by Harrington). from: http://bittooth.blogspot.com/2012/11/waterjettting-3b-pressure-washers.html

Inventor of the first hot water pressure washer in 1950. From: http://www.karchercommercial.com/KarcherHistory.aspx

All pictures are noted and locations from the web are listed from where they are from. If you own any photo or link and do not want them posted please let us know and we will take them down. Cleaned by Pete hopes you enjoyed this trip back to see what and where this industry has grown from. Today's washers are much smaller, compact, powerful and easier to use. All things change washer, techniques, methods, equipment are still changing, but in a few cases some of the old methods and ways still have there place in today's line of cleaning equipment and Cleaned by Pete still implores some of the equipment and methods of yesteryear for today's cleaning needs.

Cleaned by Pete 417-459-7869 for your cleaning / washing needs in Springfield and Southwest MO.