The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum
"Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"

Pressure Washer Products wrote:

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Mike, Great Questions! It is a good idea to do some research prior to spending the first dollar. If you need help finding someone near you willing to let you tag along for a day or two or work with them using a couple types of systems, let me know and I will give you some names of people that are willing to help you train.

I have cleaned a roof or two!  I enjoy learning by using a hands on approach!  Yep, girl on a roof!

It is always nice to compensate your trainers financially, by buying them lunch or maybe bartering...just a suggestion!

 

I put this together a while ago....

 

12 Volts, John Blues, Udor, Comet, Roller Pumps and Air Diaphragms

Have you wondered what the differences are between the 12 Volt pumps (Shurflo, Flojet, Delavan, etc), John Blue, Udor, Comet, Roller Pumps and Air Diaphragm pumps?

 

BRAND	MODEL	MATERIAL	POWER SOURCE	WARRANTY FOR USE WITH SH	PRICE  W/O POWER SUPPLY
DELAVAN	12VDC/VAC	TEFC MOTOR SANTOPRENE VITON	MARINE BATTERY, GENERATOR	NO WARRANTY	$60-215
FLOJET	12VDC/VAC	TEFC MOTOR SANTOPRENE VITON	MARINE BATTERY, GENERATOR	NO WARRANTY	$50-$273
SHURFLO	12VDC/VAC	TEFC MOTOR SANTOPRENE VITON	MARINE BATTERY, GENERATOR	NO WARRANTY	$40-$285
JOHN BLUE	DP-43-GRPC	POLYPROPYLENE  & FIBERGLASS REINFORCEMENT* BODY, TREATED STEEL	GAS ENGINE W/ GEAR REDUCTION UNIT	1 YEAR	$1454
UDOR	ZETA-40P/GR	POLYPROPYLENE  & FIBERGLASS REINFORCEMENT* BODY, STAINLESS STEEL	GAS ENGINE W/ GEAR REDUCTION UNIT	1 YEAR / MILD SH EXPOSURE	$1353-$1756
COMET	MP/MC SERIES	POLYPROPYLENE  & FIBERGLASS REINFORCEMENT BODY, STAINLESS STEEL	GAS ENGINE	1 YEAR	$630-$1250
HYPRO	9910	POLYPROPYLENE  & FIBERGLASS REINFORCEMENT* BODY DESMOPAN DIAPHRAGMS BUNA SEALS	GAS ENGINE HYDRAULIC MOTORS	1 YEAR MANUFACTURER OR 1 YEAR USE	$632-$859
ROLLER PUMP	HYPRO DELAVAN	CAST IRON, SS POLYPRO ROLLERS VITON OR BUNA SEALS	GAS ENGINE HYDRAULIC MOTORS	1 YEAR	$30-$200
Flojet	G57	POLYPROPYLENE  & FIBERGLASS REINFORCEMENT* BODY, SANTOPRENE AND VITON	AIR COMPRESSOR	1 YEAR	$212 AND COMPRESSOR DRYER AND REG/FILTER
ALL-FLO	KE038-B3	KYNAR SANTOPRENE	AIR COMPRESSOR	5 YEARS	$385 AND COMPRESSOR DRYER AND REG/FILTER

 

***When Sodium Hypochlorite (SH) breaks down, it forms Hypochlorous Acid and a Hypochlorite Ion. Sodium Hypochlorite breaks down when it comes in contact with organics, a temperature rise, high or low pH, time passing and ultraviolet rays. The Hypochlorous Acid is REACTIVE to the Fiberglass mixed in with the Polypropylene body of the pump. The Fiberglass improves the integrity and strength of the pump manifold but is ultimately the inherent time bomb for roof washers using Sodium Hypochlorite. This results in numerous pin-prick size holes in the pump caused by the degradation of the strands of Fiberglass by the Hypochlorous Acid. (http://www.lenntech.com/processes/disinfection/chemical/disinfectants-sodium-hypochlorite.htm) Furthermore: Please note that the polypropylene or nylon bodied pumps or wetted components such as the head of a pump are fiberglass or glass reinforced. SH gas degrades the fiberglass or glass and causes pin prick size holes in the pump. The pump is considered disposable at that time. Most of the seals on these stock pumps are Buna instead of Viton. An example of Buna can be related to the standard black o-rings you find everywhere. Buna o-rings are NOT SH resistant or high heat resistant compared to the brown o-rings which are resistant to most corrosive chemicals used in the related industries and heat resistant. O-Rings Buna: In pressure washing and the related industries, is the black o-ring used inside the coupler of socket allowing for a leak-proof seal. Buna is also known as Nitrile or Buna N. If using oxidizing chemicals such as sodium hypochlorite or bleach, do not use Buna. Buna is not resistant to SH or heat. Instead of utilizing and wasting the black Buna o-rings, switch to viton o-rings. They cost a little more but are well worth the amount of time saved having to replace them twice as often as with the black Buna o-rings. Viton: In pressure washing and the related industries, Viton o-rings are the brownish o-rings used inside the couplers or sockets usually found one end high pressure hose. The o-ring provides a leak-proof seal between the plug and coupler. Viton is a flouroelastomer and resistant to most chemicals used by pressure washing and the related industries. Viton o-rings perform well in high temperatures and are the best overall choice for soft wash cleaners, both hot and cold pressure washers and the related industries. According to the manufacturer's published literature, even the pumps advertised as 'chlorine' pumps are only recommended for mild SH exposure. They are better suited for the agricultural industry. ALL PUMPS EXCEPT the All-Flo require large nozzle sizes. The All-Flo air diaphragm pump allows the user to use any size nozzle. You may use a 2.0 compared to all the other pumps requiring a minimum of a 40 to 60. The prices of the pumps listed NO NOT INCLUDE the power sources and required components such as gas engines, electric motors, generators, air compressors, deep cycle marine batteries, love joy coupler assemblies, gear reduction units, regulators, filters, pop-off valves, switches, marine grade corrosion resistant wiring, battery charger, trailer harness, heavy duty in-line fuse holder, fuses and fittings. An excerpt: Our competitors sell ag pumps, such as the new FloJet Air Pump, UDOR Chlorine pump, or the John Blue Roofster, for use as roof washing pumps. The unknowing customer purchases these pumps and does not realize that the by-product of Sodium Hypochlorite, Hypochlorous Acid, eats away at the Fiberglass mixed in with the polypropylene. The Fiberglass, although strengthening the manifold of a FloJet Air Pump, UDOR, or Roofster turns out the weakest component of the composition of the pump for the roof washer running SH through it. These pumps generally have a 1 year warranty and are sold for use with SH by the distributor and NOT the actual manufacturer for roof cleaning. Quite quickly, the pump develops tiny pin-prick size holes and a few other trademark signs of running SH through it. The customer finds this out when he is in the middle of his biggest job of the year and under a deadline and with a rented lift.  He calls the Distributor and the Distributor tells him to send the pump in for repair. The Distributor begs for a Warranty Return Goods Authorization and pays to send the pump in for "Warranty" work because, after all, the pump has a one year warranty. The manufacturer can smell the pump before opening the box and knows what the problems are prior to the pump autopsy no matter what the paperwork says. The paperwork may say that the customer used a 2% mix of SH and rinsed with 55 gallons of water after every use.

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