Spring Cleaning

Spring Cleaning will be here soon!

It is not to early to start to plan that "Spring Cleaning" in and around your home. With one easy call to Cleaned by Pete for your; soft washing, power washing, pressure washing and house washing needs it all can be taken care of.

417.459.7869

house washing, deck cleaning, BBQ, patios, driveways and sidewalks cleaned and washed

Cleaned by Pete house washing, deck cleaning. driveways & sidewalks cleaned; the greater Springfield MO area call for your free estimate today 417.459.7869.

Soap & Chemical Attachments & Nozzles

Soap & Chemical Attachments & Nozzles

I've been asked to go over how one gets the soap and cleaners on surface to be cleaned. Each and every power washer has their own secret cleaning solution. What to add, what works, what's the best, I not here to discuss whatever is best does no good unless it is on the surface. While there are several ways to get the soap and cleaners to and on the surface these are the ones I use the most and the reasons why.

I will talk about injectors, very simply put these are devices that draw the cleaning solution into the water stream of the power washer then mixed with the water stream it is delivered to the surface to be cleaned or washed. These injectors come in different sizes, rates of flow, fixed or variable, and what is know as "up-stream" or "down-stream". As with nozzles injectors need to be properly sized to each power washing unit, in-order to work to its' peak effectiveness. This is figured out by how many psi and gpm your pump will be putting out. These injectors will draw soap and cleaners when the pressure in the output hose reaches a certain point of low pressure. We talked about nozzling in an earlier entry here in the blog. Open the hole size lowers the pressure while the gpm remain the same.

The next item is placement, where one places the injector in the power washer. An up-stream injector is placed before the pump in the water supply. It draws the cleaners into the water stream and is compressed and pressurized with the water in the pump as it flows to the nozzling device for dispersal or application. I personally have only worked with one machine that used up-streaming it works the same some say it is more efficient, I never noticed much difference. Most power washer do not like to run harsh chemicals into and through their pumps. This is the main reason I do not like up-streaming. Down-streaming is placing the injector after or behind the pump this way it will not draw cleaner into the pump head or unloader. 

Cleaned by Pete employes several different injectors that can be placed in different locations in the high pressure hose. To be able to use these on other washers or with other equipment some times adaptors are needed. This shows 3 different injectors and some adaptors we need from time to time.

Fixed or variable injectors I like to be able to adjust the flow or how much cleaner I am applying. I use an adjustable injector most injectors wide open will draw between 10% to 20% draw rate depending on who makes it. For less cleaner you simply screw in the adjustable knob. Some times you need more cleaner sometimes less. Fixed injectors draw in only a set percentage of cleaner to water flow. If your asking why they work it is due to venturies  which cause low pressure but you really can not make one, it really does not matter how or why it matters that they do.

As with any piece of equipment they have draw backs and they do ware out. One of the largest drawbacks is you usually can not use more than 200 feet of high pressure hose. The pressure it takes to move water that far also causes the injector to close higher pressure stops the draw from the injector. What do you do if you need more hose and can not move the power washer. Move the injector or add another one further down line or even a special type at the end of the lance, gun or wand.

Using the standard down-stream injector I have options on how to deliver the cleaner contained in the water stream. Different nozzles is our first chose. 

Standard low pressure nozzle or soap nozzle can be used. This nozzle will work great for areas that are not to far away or to high. The wide fan pattern does not work well at any distance.

Soap distance nozzle a special low pressure nozzle that will reach two and three stories with the right power washer.

Special constructed nozzles that Cleaned by Pete has made for his machines to use for his needs. Each and every job is different and may or may not require different nozzles. We take pride in have a large line of attachments and nozzles for the job we do.

You can look back in the blog and see some of these nozzles being used to reach and apply cleaners to three storied homes.

Some times the cleaning job need more concentrated cleaner to be applied to the surface. What do you do? your injector is pulling in as much as it can. There are even more options we can use. Special units that have their own built in injectors that will draw out a larger percentage of cleaner near the discharge point.

Soap cannon with it's own soap injector. This will allow us to draw out more cleaner just before the discharge. You can dial up a larger % of the cleaner. More cleaner is drawn out getting a stronger mix on the surface. This unit has its' own supply bottle attached.

Here are a few more attachments to consider each does some thing different Cleaned by Pete uses each and all of these depending on each jobs need.

A simple foamer helps in adding air into the mixture as it leaves the nozzle foaming it up. This one is variable too you can adjust the draw of cleaner. Cleaned by Pete uses a hose to a bucket to draw soap to this tip.

M5 a type of "x-jet" system has a varabile soap feed plus can stream or fan soap on. With a simple adjustment you can also use this unit to rinse also. Cleaned by Pete also uses this attachment with a 20 ft hose to the cleaner in a container. As with the system above you need to bring the cleaner to the point of discharge.

This attachment is set up with its' own soap container. No need to drag the cleaner around with you, draw back small bottles of cleaner do not last to long. Larger bottles weigh more.

Soap cannon also adds air into the cleaner mixture giving you a rich thick layer of cleaning foam. Cleaned by Pete use this attachment to "foam" decks, autos and concrete. it has a bottle and an adjustable injector also. You can remove the bottle and add a hose to draw from the soap container also.

Closer view of the adjustable cleaner draw knob.

Some other soap and cleaner attachments Cleaned by Pete made for some special applications where nothing else would work. Since we work only from the ground no ladders on a home we sometimes need something a bit different.

Foaming head on an extension pole Cleaned by Pete made this to reach some gables on a house.

Cleaned by Pete's soap applying lance to help reach areas that the standards methods just don't work. This lance and gun combination contains a place for a jug of cleaner and two different adjustable soaping draws.

Cleaned by Pete's soap rifle.

This is a water cannon can be use to apply soap and cleaners to tall buildings and then by adjusting the front handle you can use it to wash and rinse.

Each of these has it place in Cleaned by Pete tool box each one is used to put soaps and cleaners where you need. Some are a "stand alone" attachment while others need injectors to function. Cleaned by Pete has them all to fit your job, if you need cleaning and want to see these items in action call us at:
417-459-7869
for that free prompt estimate.


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Winter is Coming

Winter is Coming

Yes winter is on the way, we have met it here in Southwest MO already. As it left its' calling card several times this week. Hitting the freezing mark this week a couple times and just the other day dropping to 28 degrees over night. Cleaned by Pete has not been blogging too much these last couple of weeks, as we try to get in as many cleanings as we can before we have to slow down for the winter season.

Power washing in colder temps is possible but the cleaners work slower and take more time to work. We can add a catalyst to most cleaners to make them a bit more effective. It take a toll on equipment and on a person working in colder temperatures. 

The main reason for this entry is important to any one that has or owns a power washer you need to winterize it. Yes you need to winterize it even if you keep it in the garage or storage room of your home or business. First drain all the hoses and turn over the pump several times, if you should own a heated unit you need to blow out the coils with air around 20 psi to 30 psi will do when the water is removed we pump in RV line antifreeze. We use RV line antifreeze because it is safe you can even put it in your drinking water lines of your RV. It is safe just encase one of the animals drink some, and it is more environmental friendly. Anything to help the environment Cleaned by Pete is all in, and it is easier to correctly dispose of it when spring arrives. Cleaned by Pete also pumps it in to our pumps. Even though we keep all our portable washers in heated buildings but just encase the power should fail it gives us piece of mind. If you own a pressure you should follow these same guidelines. You do not know how many times I have heard it was working last fall just fine and when I brought it out to wash that road salts and winter grime off the car it has no pressure or the hose just ripped when I started to wash. Take a few minutes now and it just many save you some money come this spring. Our bigger rigs on the service trucks will have to spend their winter out in the elemental. We take more precautions with these units, first we disconnect all the hoses, feed lines, filters and traps. All our hoses are on quick connect couplers, With all the hoses off we drain the system and blow out all the lines and coils with air pressure from an air compressor, then pump in the RV antifreeze. We have an insulated box that is fit around the skid and then we place in three 60 watt light bulbs one is fitted down the stack of the burner, one is affixed over the pump and third one in hung some place out of the way. The third one is not on unless it is needed or encase one of the other bulbs burn out and I can not get to replacing it right a way. We then place another sheet of insulated foam over everything. Just to be sure it will stay warm we place an old carpet over the entire unit and then a good tarp and strap it down with elastic cords. The heat from those two 60 watt bulbs will keep the pump motor and coil nice and warm through out the winter. Some may think that is just crazy to put in a heat source in there, Cleaned by Pete makes a living with these pumps and motors what ever it takes to keep them in top shape and safe is what we'll do. You can never know what old man winter has in store for you here in Missouri. If you are out trying to redo, add more heat, insulation, another tarp or doing more in the middle of the night during a snow or freeze rain you'll know for yourself I was not crazy or I did not go overboard.

Cleaned by Pete has several more units this year to winterize but rest-a-sure we will. Being ready for whenever the temps are. If it is at all positionable  through out the winter time, we will be power washing and cleaning if you need us. Our portable units attachments and hose are ready to go. We even keep two portable hot-water units ready to go if needed. Dirt and grime does not go away during the winter season neither do we, If you need power washing call Cleaned by Pete at 417-459-7869 and we can help.

Pete has several topics in mind to blog about this winter since he will have more time on his hands. Please stay with us here a Cleaned by Pete what a power washer does for what we see as some very interesting topic coming up. As always thank you for your support.

Graffiti and Tag Removal Springfield MO

Graffiti and Tag Removal Springfield MO

I'm not sure what it is but when the weather here starts to cool a bit Cleaned by Pete starts to receive more calls to remove urban art. I can only guess that the artist may think that time may be running short to get that masterpiece up for all to see this year. Tags and graffiti can be removed form most surfaces. Here is a couple of pictures of what we did today. Removed a satanic symbol signed by satan off the wall of this school and clinic. They really thought it was a downer and did not fit their image, as the artist must have. If you are hit, bombed, tag or if an urban artist has left his mark on your propetty wheater it is a home or business, call Cleaned by Pete for a free estimate on its' removal.

Cleaned by Pete 417-459-7869 graffiti and tag removal.

Before and after Cleaned by Pete graffiti or tag removal Springfield MO.

Before and after Cleaned by Pete graffiti or tag removal Springfield MO.

Giraffe Rock, Field Stone, Native Rock, Slabbed Sand-stone or Lime-stone and Worm Rock

Giraffe rock, fieldstone, native rock, slabbed sand-stone or lime-stone, flagstone and worm rock, including Carthage stone in slabs, cut, faced or using the natural rock as is are all used in building homes in this area. Not only homes but also schools, community buildings, churches and even ranger stations were built from these ready available material if Southwest Missouri has one thing in abundance it is rock. Cleaned by Pete is specializing in cleaning these Ozark stone or rock homes, most of them have been long neglected but they are finding a revival now. Weather you own a cottage, bungalow, cabinett, or building there is now something you can do to help the look of you unique home. Restore your homes looks turn back time and see what your home or building would have looked like when it was first built, maybe even better since the method and equipment we use had not been invented yet. 

Here is one of the homes we have done, while looking on the internet I found a home that was pictured and discribed as an "Ozark Giraffe" and thought that house very familiar.

http://jamesradke.wordpress.com/ozark-giraffe/ the house as found on the net and this is what it looked like before we started the cleaning. Cleaned by Pete; cleaning giraffe rock, field stone, native rock, slabbed sand-stone or lime-stone and worm rock, including Carthage stone in slabs, cut, faced or using the natural rock.

The owner wanted us to clean the home and make it stand out a bit more. He really did not like the painted mortar joints and wanted know what we could do so we did this for him, The rock is more defined and now stands out, this giraffe received a bath. Cleaned by Pete; cleaning giraffe rock, field stone, native rock, slabbed sand-stone or lime-stone and worm rock, including Carthage stone in slabs, cut, faced or using the natural rock.

The house after Cleaned by Pete washed and restored it to the look it had when constructed. Cleaned by Pete; cleaning giraffe rock, field stone, native rock, slabbed sand-stone or lime-stone and worm rock, including Carthage stone in slabs, cut, faced or using the natural rock.

Cleaned by Pete works with the customer to find out what they want and expect. Then the owner and Cleaned by Pete can decide what and how to proceed on the home. Here are some before and after pictures of a bungalow we did this weekend. Thanks to the owner for sharing the after photo with us they were taking photos while I worked.

Cleaned by Pete rock and stone cleaning and restoration Southwest Missouri 417-459-7869 Cleaned by Pete; cleaning giraffe rock, field stone, native rock, slabbed sand-stone or lime-stone and worm rock, including Carthage stone in slabs, cut, faced or using the natural rock.

Cleaned by Pete rock and stone cleaning and restoration Southwest Missouri 417-459-7869 Cleaned by Pete; cleaning giraffe rock, field stone, native rock, slabbed sand-stone or lime-stone and worm rock, including Carthage stone in slabs, cut, faced or using the natural rock.

Cleaned by Pete rock and stone cleaning and restoration Southwest Missouri 417-459-7869 Cleaned by Pete; cleaning giraffe rock, field stone, native rock, slabbed sand-stone or lime-stone and worm rock, including Carthage stone in slabs, cut, faced or using the natural rock.

Cleaned by Pete rock and stone cleaning and restoration Southwest Missouri 417-459-7869 Cleaned by Pete; cleaning giraffe rock, field stone, native rock, slabbed sand-stone or lime-stone and worm rock, including Carthage stone in slabs, cut, faced or using the natural rock.

Cleaned by Pete rock and stone cleaning and restoration Southwest Missouri 417-459-7869 Cleaned by Pete; cleaning giraffe rock, field stone, native rock, slabbed sand-stone or lime-stone and worm rock, including Carthage stone in slabs, cut, faced or using the natural rock.

Cleaned by Pete rock and stone cleaning and restoration Southwest Missouri 417-459-7869 Cleaned by Pete; cleaning giraffe rock, field stone, native rock, slabbed sand-stone or lime-stone and worm rock, including Carthage stone in slabs, cut, faced or using the natural rock.

Cleaned by Pete rock and stone cleaning and restoration Southwest Missouri 417-459-7869 Cleaned by Pete; cleaning giraffe rock, field stone, native rock, slabbed sand-stone or lime-stone and worm rock, including Carthage stone in slabs, cut, faced or using the natural rock.

Some other pictures or Ozark rock homes and other stone cleaning done by Cleaned by Pete in the greater Springfield area can be found on this blog in other entries, at our face book page "Cleaned by Pete pressure & power washing" and on YouTube Cleaned by Pete (stone and rock washing or cleaning".

Cleaned by Pete 417-459-7869

House Washing Wednesday but on Friday

House Washing Wednesday but on Friday

This week was busy and really did have a chance to post "House Washing Wednesday" till today. A few days late but never the less here it is. So recapping it is not Wednesday and it is not even a house washing it's a pool area and the out-side furniture being cleaned and washed and readied for use this summer.

Cleaned by Pete readying furniture to be cleaned applying cleaner to top and bottom.

Cleaned by Pete cleaning the deck

Cleaning the pool deck you can see what a difference Cleaned by Pete can make.

Cleaning the pool deck you can see what a difference Cleaned by Pete can make.

Cleaning the pool deck you can see what a difference Cleaned by Pete can make.

Cleaned by Pete readying the deck for the final rinse.

Final rinse and another job is completed by Cleaned by Pete.

Showing the cleaned deck and the cleaned and washed furniture, Cleaned by Pete pool and patio furniture washing.

Cleaned by Pete finished up with the furniture washing, letting it dry in the yard to reduce drips and rust marks on the cleaned deck area.

If you have any cleaning jobs call us we can talk it over, Cleaned by Pete serving Southwest MO and the greater Springfield MO area.

417-459-7869

Extention Telescoping Poles & "Down Time"

While writing this entry in the blog it took a different turn then when I started writing, moving in a different direction then intended. I went with the new direction and here is. I hope you enjoy it. 

Extension or telescoping poles are very useful attachments to have in your cleaning arsenal. You can do a lot with them reaching areas to wash while safely remaining on the ground.  Reaching higher areas and thus expanding you cleaning range making you better able to bring in more jobs or for the home owner to be able to get a cleaner house and make it easier on you. I want to throw this out here these poles take a lot of physical strength to use. Once they fill with water and are fully extended they are a handful, and a balancing act at best then takes place. Some companies offer a harness and belt that you ware to help support the pole when it is in the upright and working position which helps some people. There is also a device that helps to regulate the water flow to assist in lifting the pole to the upright working position. So you have accessory for accessory.

Still staying off ladders is just the better way to go reducing any chance from damage caused by ladders leaning on the home or guttering, Keeping you or your workers safely on the ground is a must. These extension or telescoping poles come in several different styles and lengths. They are made form two major materials or combination of them, aluminium and fibreglass. Their locking devices vary too. Pin style locks, cam locks, or twist locks are all used to set the length and keep the pole in length till reset. Construction will also be different from company to company some using  a lot of smaller sections or some using a fewer longer sections. Each pole has it own pluses and minuses each lock and material has it pluses and minuses. I can not tell you what is best for your uses, I know what I use and why what I like and why. Cost is also a deciding factor in the poles that each contractor or home owner may choose, how often are you going to use it to make it worth the while of owning it. The biggest thing I would say to help you out is what ever nozzle you use it will have a big effect on the action of the pole. Start with the widest nozzle you have other wise that 0 degree nozzle will propel the top of that pole around like a rocket ship on a string. Then you at the bottom will have to react and the dance will start. I know the first I used one when things start to go astray you want to fight the pole and you tighten up all your muscles to help in the battle. Tighten up causes you to get the death grip on things including the trigger pulling it tighter more pressure more fighting. "LGS" let go stupid! letting off the trigger will stop all this. I have to repeat this this is the most important thing in this entry. "LGS" let go stupid let off the trigger and it will stop the rocket ship, I know been there done that. The telescoping pole has helped us out here at Cleaned by Pete for washing and getting at that last dirty spot on 2 and 3 story homes and business fronts we have made some nozzle attachments and adaptors to change the angle of the exiting water and it has made all the difference in handling at full length and aids us in our cleaning method. The pole I use is a fibreglass with three sections the last being aluminium tubing with twist locks. These were what was available when I entered the business. They were designed and built local here for distribution that is why I use this style. I have not worn it out with the years of use, so I still use this older style pole, though I would really like to try one of the newer pin lock all extruded aluminium poles out one of these days.

 

This is where the entry was to start I did not intend to discuss the extension or telescoping pole that much but it happened so I just went with it. The entry was about "down time" the when you find yourself board, with nothing to do, can’t work, weather not cooperating, or winter keeps coming back. I'm starting to build my own telescoping pressure washing extension pole during this "down time", for something to do follow along and see if it works or if it is a flop.

I really am not handling the extended winter well this year, just too much "down time". Winter just will not go away here in "The Ozarks", Southwest and the greater Springfield MO area. Temperatures dropped to 32 degrees lastnight ounce again. We had a good week so far with patio cleanings, house washing, grease spill clean-up and bids. Today we were to start removing vinyl letters on 300 storage units and replacing them with new numbers but Mother Nature once again stepped up and said no, the company making letters also said no, will not guarantee the letters to stick if not applied with temperatures in the high 60's or above. So we once again have "down time" again and I'm looking for some thing to do...... came up with this pole project. Normally I would support my pressure washer dealer or supply house and just purchase another pole, but "down time" makes you do things just to be busy.

Take a Corona limb cutter with the blade and lopping mechanism removed, found at a flea market for $10.00, 25 foot of used older high pressure hose, the spare trigger handle ($10.99 on sale at our local dealer) and onhand from our replacement parts bin in the service truck. I always carry and have a good supply of parts, nozzles, hose repair kit, o-rings, fittings, quick connectors, bearings for surface cleaners, tools and other items for field repair, on-board at all times. Some extra time at the shop to design and weld up a mount. I'll start to build a 2 section extension washing pole should be 12 feet extended and that may work better when the 24 foot yellow banana or the longer lances really don't fit in. We are only out some time and a few bucks if it does not work, but can always still use the parts. Let's see if I have any luck doing this, here is the build so far, will try to up date as we go along. Need it the mother of invention and "down time" is the redheaded stepchild the spurs it on.  I am not out to reinventing the power washing extension pole or am I going to make any major refinements in it. I have the parts and it's something to do. "Down time" this is how I handle it. If I did not have parts, a shop, or a welder ..... but being an machinist  and having the tools and place to do this I'll play around with it. I would not under-take this pole project build if I did not, you are better off to support your pressure washing dealers local or on-line and just buy one even if it means saving for a bit till one has the money.

Designed and welded up the gun mount, Cleaned by Pete.

Trigger gun set into mount, thinking about "Trex" banding or hose clamps to put it on the pole.

Coat of paint, nipple and a washer made to fit looking a bit better, Cleaned by Pete

A fiberglass Corona pole found at a flea market will be our donner for the project, Cleaned by Pete's DIY extension pressure washing pole.

This is trigger gun mount we hope to attache onto the pole run the house through the pole to the nozzle attachment point at the top of the second section, Cleaned by Pete's DIY extension pole project

Hoping to use "Trex" banding or hose clamps to attach the handle to the pole.

There are still items to work out and the best way to do things. Stay tuned to see if I can make this extension pole work, or if it is a flop. As for right now I just had a call to clean pollen and construction dust form cutting rock off a patio, furniture and out side kitchen area. So my "down time" today is something I don't have to worry with now.

Cleaned by Pete call us for your cleaning needs, 417-459-7869

House Washing Wednesday: Springfield MO

House Washing Wednesday....Springfield MO

Our feature home is in Springfield MO the owners needed it cleaned. They started to do a section and quickly decided that it was best left to a professional house washer. This is where Cleaned by Pete came in and here is what we did using our safe soft washing method to clean vinyl siding.

Cleaned by Pete house washing before photo.

Cleaned by Pete house washing before photo.

Cleaned by Pete house washing before photo.

Cleaned by Pete house washing before photo.

Cleaned by Pete house washing before photo.

Cleaned by Pete house washing photo.

Cleaned by Pete house washing photo.

Cleaned by Pete house washing after photo.

Cleaned by Pete house washing after photo.

Cleaned by Pete house washing after photo.

Cleaned by Pete house washing after photo.

Cleaned by Pete house washing after photo.

Cleaned by Pete house washing after photo.

Cleaned by Pete house washing after photo.

If we can help you out with your cleaning needs call Cleaned by Pete for a free prompt estimate 417-459-7869