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Roof Cleaning W/Articulating Boom Lifts

dstowell · Guest

A thought... I talked with a tree trimmer friend today about "renting" his 'bucket' truck when he is not using it... He is going to let me use it for 200-300 / day if we can work out the scheduling.

Just a thought for everyone not ready to slap down the big $$$ for a normal rental or purchase... sort of a time share concept for us guys jsut getting started...

Dan

Doc Allbright · Guest

Hi Chris,
Do you have one of these in your fleet or do you rent when needed?

RCIA Founder

WE would like to own one, but it does not justify the cost.
One in every 100 roofs in my part of Florida requires a lift.
We rent, as needed.

Roof Clean USA Georgia 229-227-0000 · guest

Just a thought?

I have been considering , since ARTICULATING LIFTS are so costly to rent or buy.........I have been considering Hiring Spider man. Hey, don't laugh, it could be an option (and maybe less expensive) as he is just a struggling newspaper reporter when he is wearing his OTHER hat )and he is not being used peak season at UNIVERSAL or Warner Bros. ? Just a thought? :)

ONEBADDOGO · Guest

Roof Clean USA wrote:

Just a thought?

I have been considering , since ARTICULATING LIFTS are so costly to rent or buy.........I have been considering Hiring Spider man. Hey, don't laugh, it could be an option (and maybe less expensive) as he is just a struggling newspaper reporter when he is wearing his OTHER hat )and he is not being used peak season at UNIVERSAL or Warner Bros. ? Just a thought? :)

Lol! that is Funny!

�

Guest

Normally, boom lifts can be purchased at a significantly reduced cost from the rental places. They usually offer used ones at a reduced cost to the public or to past renters. May want to check that out. Also check with the power and electric companies for lifts and flatbeds.

Mar 13, 2009

I have been looking into these lifts since last year. Of course there are alot for sale on E Bay.I of course agree right now with Chris { no choice really I have no money } rent when needed, they want two hundred and fifty a day by me and its reach is forty feet. When needed I figure I will add three hundred and fifty onto the price,what do you think?

Guest

Charlie, I don't know where you are at, but rarely will anyone need a lift to clean a roof. Here in Evansville, newburgh, and the surrounding areas, there are some pretty big houses, but none of them warrant a lift rental. If however, you do get a lift required job, be careful about how you incorporate that cost into your estimate. When a customer sees an extra $350 on the quote, they might get sticker shock.

Mar 13, 2009

Well I'll tell ya, last year we walked a couple two story colonials here on Long Island. Once or twice we all have " SLIPPED " so I swore I would look for a safer way. This past winter I have looked into safty lines, which are worthless if the roof has shingles all ready because you have to anchor it to the roof. I have thought of a life line tied to a tree or the truck but I thought that would look cheesey. So I swore myself and any worker off walking roofs this season. I have seen some roofs that are pretty huge, high income areas, with plenty of tuff to get to peaks. These are the homes that would need a lift. I figure it this way.....One they have a big house in a great area they don't want to do it themselves. Tow they got a great house in a rich area three fifty ain't going to shock them. But no matter, they don't pay I dont walk what I cant get from the ladder this year.If you have a solution to my safty line problem I would love to hear it.

Mar 14, 2009

Patrick (Charlie),

I remember our conversations on the cleaning network. You won't have to get on the roof and rinse like you did last year.

As long as you mix your chemicals properly, the streaks will come out just from the chemical.

All you need to do is upgrade your gun and nozzles.

You already have upgraded your hose, so you are one step closer to maximizing your pumps capability. It will shoot 40 feet if you use a 3/4" PVC ball valve and a 0050 or 0060 nozzle.

Go to Home Depot and buy a 3/4" PVC ball valve with adapters & bushings.

Go online to Envirospec and order a 1/4" stainless steel coupler and two 3-way 1/4" plug nozzle holders.

Go online to www.pressureparts.com and order 0050,1550,2550 and 0060,1560,2560 nozzles.

This will let you shoot chemical far enough that you will not need a lift or a rope and harness to climb up the roof. You will be shooting from the top of your ladder at the roof line.

-- Edited by Roof Cleaning Pro Greensboro NC (336)362 7659 on Thursday 26th of March 2009 08:37:45 AM

Roof Clean USA Georgia 229-227-0000 · guest

Roof Cleaning Pro Greensboro NC (336)362 7659 wrote:

Patrick,

I remember our conversations on the cleaning network. You won't have to get on the roof and rinse like you did last year.

As long as you mix your chemicals properly, the streaks will come out just from the chemical.

All you need to do is upgrade your gun and nozzles.

You already have upgraded your hose, so you are one step closer to maximizing your pumps capability. It will shoot 40 feet if you use a 3/4" PVC ball valve and a 0050 or 0060 nozzle.

Go to Home Depot and buy a 3/4" PVC ball valve with adapters & bushings.

Go online to Envirospec and order a 1/4" stainless steel coupler and two 3-way 1/4" plug nozzle holders.

Go online to www.pressureparts.com and order 0050,1550,2550 and 0060,1560,2560 nozzles.

This will let you shoot chemical far enough that you will not need a lift or a rope and harness to climb up the roof. You will be shooting from the top of your ladder at the roof line.

-- Edited by Roof Cleaning Pro Greensboro NC (336)362 7659 on Sunday 15th of March 2009 01:50:04 PM

Helpful Post!

Good info for the newbie and veteran roof cleaner alike!

Thanks Mike or Roof Cleaning Pro

�

Mar 15, 2009

No problem Dave.

This information can literally save your life.

Too many roof cleaners are using inadequate equipment, chemicals, and are forced to climb very dangerous steep sloped roofs, risking their lives, that can be easily cleaned from the top of your ladder with the right equipment and chemicals.

Plus, many guys are assuming that the 12V Delavan pump they're using is too weak and end up spending unnecessary amounts of money on new rigs without upgrading they're hoses, fittings, valves, and nozzles.� The FATBOY has enough power to reach almost any roof top with the right plumbing.

It makes a HUGE difference!

-- Edited by Roof Cleaning Pro Greensboro NC (336)362 7659 on Sunday 15th of March 2009 02:56:22 PM

Roof Clean USA Georgia 229-227-0000 · guest

Did you buy a FATBOY, Mike? If so, Kewl.

Can you post pictures of the spray system setup you have designed as well?

I am sure everyone that has been curious about the Delavan Fatboy and how to set it up would greatly appreciate it, INCLUDING me biggrin

Maybe detailed pics of the hose and wiring for the newbies?

You are Da Man, Mike!

Mar 15, 2009

Yes, I bought two FATBOY 7870 pumps. I am going to replace my dual Delavans 5850 pumps when they die.

They are still running good, so if it ain't broke don't fix it.

I did hook one FATBOY up temporarily to see how it would preform, and DUDE!! It's very impressive. It practically rivals the performance of gas powered pumps.

I think I will go ahead and plumb one FATBOY on my dual rig, and set them up with separate switches so I can make a video comparing the two pumps 5850 vs 7870 with different size, hoses, guns, nozzles.

Mar 15, 2009

Hey Mike,

As always thank you so much for your advice and help. I sent you an email showing a guy useing a tip you recommend to spray a one story roof from the ground. He has the tip but makes the mistake you have spoke about, he uses a 1/2 " hose and falls short. Thanks for the info, I am meeting TROPO from this site this week. He is a nice guy,understands I am not to handy and is going to give me a hand at Home depot, and see if we can get me a ball vavle setup, Thanks again.

Mar 15, 2009

I saw the video, thanks.

He was using a Bobcat rig with 200ft 1/2" hose and #40 nozzles.

The pump head is the same as the 12V Delavan.

This rig is considerably stronger than the 12V Delavan because it has a 1hp gas engine.

I like this setup for house washing because it's cheap and fuel efficient.

For roof cleaning though, I would question it's longevity because it requires an unloader.

From Chris's experience most unloaders don't last very long from stronger bleach mixtures, like roof mixes. It is first thing that will break down.

#40 nozzles work for the old 12V Delavan 5850 pump

I recommend going no smaller than #50 nozzles for the
12V Delavan FATBOY 7870 pump, 3/4" ball valve, and 3/4" hose.

-- Edited by Roof Cleaning Pro Greensboro NC (336)362 7659 on Sunday 15th of March 2009 06:02:33 PM

Mar 15, 2009

Mike, I am pretty excited on the thought of not having to walk a roof this year. I figured I would save the fatboy with the 3/4 line for tough to reach roofs. I thought on smaller roofs I would use the 5850 extending the life of the Fatboy.

Mar 15, 2009

Or you and your partner can use them both, and really knock out roofs FAST!

That's what I do on the funky multi-stepped, multi angled roofs.

I have my ground guy do the shorter section roofs, like above garages, and I do the tall second story sections.

Have two ladders setup with two sets of hoses on two pumps.

Mar 15, 2009

That's another great idea Mike thanks.I was thinking to extend the pumps life, but your way I can do more and faster.

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