What's in the pocket?

What's in the pocket?

It use to be said you can tell alot about a person by what is in his pockets. Just finished up a cleaning / washing job this morning. TGI Fridays, It was mostly flat work, get home and sit here reading my e-mail. One of the guys I help with info was telling me how he likes the new nozzles I matched up and sent him. Had to laugh when he said what he liked so far with his new set-up. The new standard nozzles that he needed after the upgrade, an adjustable long range soap nozzle and the sweeper as he call it (I made it for him I call them mini brooms) set it up to power match his surface cleaner. For cutting in, touch up, working a tough spot or rinsing, have the same nozzles that the surface cleaner does so output matches the surface cleaner exactly.

So what is in my pocket now? The exact same thing.

Cleaned by Pete, 25*, 40* tips, mini broom, and the adjustable long range soap nozzle, these are my most used nozzles when doing cleaning and washing.

Cleaned by Pete: this is what I carry in my pocket while working and sometimes even when not working. A few of my favourite things.

 

I also had the keys to the service truck

Today's photo one hot water, one cold water power washers, five different surface cleaners, 275 foot of high pressure hose, soaps and cleaner, foam guns or cannons, brooms, oil & chemical socks (pigs) two gutter critters along with other items for Cleaned by Pete to wash and clean concrete in Springfield Missouri.

 and in my back pockets had a water key and a camera in the other, for getting photos of any existing damage and before photos. So if the old saying is right what does this say about me? I would guess it says, "Yes you're a power washer".

Cleaned by Pete

just a power washer

Springfield Missouri

417.459.7869

Variable or adjustable what ever you call them, what are they, & what do they do?

The Adjustable Nozzle:

Variable, adjustable or high-low what ever you wish to call them, what are they, & what do they do?

This topic was brought up to me the other day. I had a hard time explaining it but I think I got the point across. How they work why they work is not that important but I give it a try once again. 

The adjustable part is fairly straight forward, you once again have to match the nozzle to the out put of your machine. Once you have the correct size or orifice you have half the problem licked. The opening in the nozzle is for all practical prosperous a 0* nozzle matched to your machine. We all know what can happen with a 0* nozzle so be careful. What these "adjustable" nozzles now can do is change that 0* stream exiting the nozzle to a fan pattern. Below are a few of the nozzles I have and have them pictured closed and opened. When open they are equal to a 0*. Depending on the manufacturer when closed they can be up to an 80* fan pattern. By twisting it from side to side you are pushing the two stainless steel blades tighter together making a fan. The wider the fan the softer the pressure same as your fixed nozzles.

Adjustable nozzle in the open or 0* pattern.

Adjustable nozzle in the closed or 80* pattern.

This is a JE Adams adjustable nozzle in the open or 0* pattern.

This is a JE Adams adjustable nozzle in the closed or @ 40* pattern.

This is a soaping nozzle in the closed or 40* pattern the larger orifice makes this one for soaping or low pressure rinsing only.

This is a soaping nozzle in the open or 0* pattern the larger orifice makes this for long range soaping or low pressure rinsing only.

An adjustable nozzle in the open or 0* pattern.

 An adjustable nozzle in the closed or 40* pattern.

We can now see what make the fan and why it works. It is just a simple device that pushes and holds the blade in a position the tighter the blades the wider the fan.

There are several types and styles of these "adjustable or variable" nozzles each is different and each has a place in my tool box.

One of Cleaned by Pete's variable, adjustable or high-low nozzle.

One of Cleaned by Pete's variable, adjustable or high-low nozzle.

One of Cleaned by Pete's variable, adjustable or high-low nozzle.

One of Cleaned by Pete's variable, adjustable or high-low nozzle, this one has an injector for adding soap in to the nozzle also.

One of Cleaned by Pete's variable, adjustable or high-low nozzle, this one is a JE Adams brand.

One of Cleaned by Pete's variable, adjustable or high-low nozzle, this one happens to also be a turbo nozzle.

By truing the adjuster the water is forced out of the holes in the bottom of the bell reducing the pressure into the center. This nozzle can also be turned down low enough to draw soap from an injector.

Some of these nozzle are also able to change form low pressure to high pressure by pushing it forward for low pressure and pulling it back for high pressure usage. Sometimes called a push-pull nozzle. This is done by opening a low pressure zone behind or inside the nozzle causing it to now draw soap viva the injector at the pump or as pictured above at the nozzle itself.

This adjustable high-low push-pull is also called a M5-z-jet style of nozzle. Push it forwards will draw soap in a fan or twist is to shoot soap in a stream. Pull it back high pressure returns 80* fan to 0* stream.

If you need a custom fan to fit your work then you can use these nozzles to create that fan pattern. If you need to change it just twist. No need to have a pocket full of nozzles. I have a place and use these nozzles on jobs while I still use the quick change standard nozzles your green, yellow, and white I still have a need for this style of nozzle on certain jobs.

One last mention here is my adjustable water cannon while it is a gun it does the same thing by moving the handle forward it is a low pressure gun to draw soap pulling it backwards it becomes high pressure again and anywhere in between.

Cleaned by Pete's water cannon in high pressure setting.

Cleaned by Pete's water cannon in low pressure setting.

Cleaned by Pete power / pressure and soft washing
serving the greater Springfield MO area
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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