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Mike, thanks for the info. I started using the ball valve last year after this happened. I do not like the poly gun. And I always use the #40 nozzles. I don't know what I'd do without them. The poly gun I keep on hand nowadays for an emergency backup.

Glad I caught you guys here, I was not thinking about brass barbs.

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

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I use black banjo poly fittings to plumb the intake and output to my hose reel. They are more chemical resistant and won't break because they are not under as much stress besides pressure, unlike the hose is.

Brass garden fittings CRIMPED ON for the hose are a must. Don't use hose clamps for the hose.

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Excellent reminder for those just starting out or upgrading to the long lasting Titan SS hose reels or even for those replacing hose.

There is nothing worse than a hose coming loose and spraying chemical all over the place and on you, especially when you are shooting from a ladder a second story roof.

I know from personal experience that being drenched by SH and Borax and TSP is no fun, not to mention, inconveinent and a serious WASTE of time, especiallly when it can be easily avoided by this e-z fix.

Crimping of Brass fitting is the PREFERRED method of attaching hose directly to hose reels both on the inside manifold and also onto the swivel end and then again at the gun, wand or ball valve business end as well.

As Mike S. wisely suggested, an alternative to directly connecting the hose to the swivel and manifold on your hose reel(s), use of the BANJO or comparable plastic (POLY) or Kynar or Teflon hose barbs and either a BAND-IT clamp or screw type SS hose clamp on the hose reel fittings only.

Never put a hose clamp on the chemical delivery end of the hose as it is ONLY a matter of "when" not "if" the hose will one day blow up, off or etc. and seriously make you have a bad day or worse, may end your roof cleaning career, possibly forever.

Safety FIRST. Always keep the word and the concept of SAFETY on YOUR personal SHORT list of thing s remember on EVERY job and when assembling equipment.

Hope this helps

-- Edited by Roof Clean USA Georgia 229-227-0000 on Sunday 22nd of March 2009 02:33:42 PM

Roof Cleaning Evansville Indiana 270 860 7894 wrote:

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���� As we all know, roof cleaning safety is of the utmost importance in this industry. Harnesses, tie-offs, etc. are all important, but the one thing I have found maybe the most important is a ground man. We never know what may happen during the cleaning process, and that makes an extra set of eyes vitally important. Besides the obvious wetting of plants, doors, etc. , a ground man may very well save your butt one day.

���� Let's venture back to last June, when I was doing my biggest roof of the season. Everything was great, sunny weather, overcast, mid-morning temps. And then out of nowhere, a fitting busts loose on the inline to my poly gun. No warning, no chance to react. Twenty five feet in the air with two eyes full of scorching hot chlorine. After a brief moment to realize what had happened, I realized that I couldn't see a thing. I couldn't open my eyes, couldn't discern my surroundings. Within seconds, my ground man was there to make sure that I didn't fall a blinded 25 feet to my death, and also to rinse my eyes out with the water hose.

���� For those small jobs now that I usually do without a ground man, I always keep a water bottle on my hip just in case, and keep the hose strategically placed by the foot of the ladder, so that I will always know where it is in case of emergency.

Just my 2 cents. Hope it helps.

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Yes Sir,

You pointed out a very serious concern! I think wearing goggles would even be a better Idea what do you think? at least while you are on a roof.

So, thanks for the reminder. I am going to wear goggles while on a roof.