by Dean Dean

SPARE PARTS FOR PRESSURE WASHING TRUCK

SPARE PARTS FOR PRESSURE WASHING TRUCK

Check out this SPARE PARTS FOR PRESSURE WASHING TRUCK video post.  Or you may also have a van or a trailer.  But I wanted to provide some basic spare parts that you need to have while you’re on the job site.  I’ll start with a QUICK CONNECT SET.  It comes with an option of male pipe thread or female pipe thread.  You never know when these quick connect fittings are going to fail.  So I recommend having 3-6 sets.  Remember that there are also two different size options which include 3/8 inch and 1/4 inch.  It’s also important to have packages of the o rings for these fittings.  And you will need a dental pick set for repairs.  Let your SPARE PARTS FOR PRESSURE WASHING TRUCK check list begin with these important items.

 

SURFACE CLEANER NOZZLES

Surface Cleaner Nozzles are also vital to SPARE PARTS FOR PRESSURE WASHING TRUCK.  These nozzles clog up very easily because they are so small.  I recommend replacing the nozzles while on the job, rather than taking the time to attempt repair.  Get a welder’s tip tool to remove grit and unclog surface cleaner nozzles.  Of course, whatever high pressure nozzles you use regularly, you will want to have spares for those as well.  We use and have spares for the entire JROD nozzle kit.  At the 9:00 time stamp, you’ll notice quite a bit of detail about all the nozzle SPARE PARTS FOR PRESSURE WASHING TRUCK.

OTHER ITEMS

Here are other items you’ll want to make sure you have.  Teflon tape and loxeal is important to have on hand for replacing and repairing any and all fittings.  Electrical tape will be needed for wiring repairs.  Hose clamps always come in handy, and a pressure gauge to test your machine.  If you are a big time downstreamer like myself, a few items are worth mentioning.  Our black plastic chemical strainer, spare downstream injectors and check valves will help prevent down time.  This is something that’s very important in our business.  Preventing down time saves you money and keeps you moving toward the next job!  Believe it or not, there are a few more important pieces so be sure and watch the entire video.  For those of you located in the southeast US, we’re bringing some incredible training opportunities to COCOA, FLORIDA!  We hope to see you there!

by Dean Dean

The Ultimate Guide to Winterizing Your Pressure Washer

The Ultimate Guide to Winterizing Your Pressure Washer

The Ultimate Guide to Winterizing Your Pressure Washer is crucial to ensure it remains in good working condition during the winter months and beyond. Proper winterization helps protect the machine from potential damage caused by freezing temperatures and extended periods of inactivity. Here are some tips on how to winterize your pressure washer.

  1. Draining the Tank: Begin by draining the water from the buffer tank. This step is essential to prevent freezing, which can cause serious damage to the pump and other components.
  2. Blowing Out Plumbing and Hose Lines: Use compressed air, from an air compressor, you can blow out any remaining water from the plumbing, pump, and hose lines. This will help ensure that no water is left to freeze and potentially cause damage.
  3. Using Antifreeze: I prefer to run a solution of antifreeze through the system to provide protection against freezing. I prefer using a fully concentrated Anti Freeze. Some guys will use RV/Marine Anti Freeze or Non Concentrated Anti Freeze. But there are reports of machines still freezing using this. Be sure to run the anti freeze through the bypass hose as well. So you’ll need to turn your ball valve off, so that it goes into bypass. Once done, leave you ball valve in the open position.
  4. Cleaning Filters and Nozzles: This is also a good time to remove and clean the filters and nozzles to prevent any debris or mineral buildup that could affect the pressure washer’s performance when you get back to work.

MORE STEPS TO TAKE

  1. Protecting from Rodent Damage: If you have an open trailer or truck rig, inspect the pressure washer for any potential entry points for rodents and take measures to protect the machine from nesting or damage.
  2. Disconnecting the Battery: If your pressure washer is equipped with a battery, disconnect it to prevent drainage and potential damage during storage.
  3. Fuel tanks: For gas-powered pressure washers, it’s important to follow additional steps such as stabilizing the fuel. If you have a machine with a fuel shut off, I recommend while running the machine, with water coming out of your ball valve, turn the fuel supply off. This will drain the Carburetor of gas. Any excess gas in the tank should be treated with a fuel stabilizer.
  4. Cleaning Exposed Surfaces: Thoroughly clean the exterior of the pressure washer to remove any dirt, grime, or chemical residue that may have accumulated during use.
  5. Storing in a Dry Location: Find a dry and secure location to store your rig during the winter months, such as a garage or shed, to protect it from the elements.
  6. Following Manufacturer Recommendations: Always consult the manufacturer’s guidelines for specific winterization procedures and recommendations tailored to your pressure washer model.

By following The Ultimate Guide to Winterizing Your Pressure Washer, you can help prolong its life.  In addition, you will ensure it’s ready for use when the warmer weather returns. Remember that proper maintenance and care are essential for keeping your pressure washer in optimal condition, especially during periods of extended storage.

In conclusion, winterizing your pressure washer is a proactive measure that can prevent costly repairs and downtime in the future. Whether you have a gas-powered or electric pressure washer, taking the time to properly winterize it will pay off in the long run by preserving its performance and functionality.  We hope The Ultimate Guide to Winterizing Your Pressure Washer is helpful to your business.  For a video on this subject, click here.  For more training opportunities, check out The Pressure Washing School.

by Dean Dean

Pressure Washing Wand Tips

Pressure Washing Wand Tips

When you purchase a pressure washing machine, it usually also comes with a gun.  The gun is usually hard attached to a wand or grip of some sort.  Sometimes you will find a need to remove the wand or lance and use something else like jrod nozzles.  This video provides clear instructions of the fittings you will need and the step by step installation instructions.  There is so much in this business that boils down to personal preference.  My preference has always been to use our pressure washing gun assembly.  This is simply because I like having that wand or lance for gripping and for other reasons.  The great thing about this pressure washing wand tips video is it shows you how to switch back and forth between the two.

ALUMINUM PIPE WANDS

At 8:00 into the video, I talk about the possibility of also using aluminum pipe wands.  These are very light weight and have their own fittings called “wand saver plug.”  You do need to be a little more careful with these because they do break easily.  These wands are available in various lengths from 24 to 59 inches.  This longer reach will help you reach higher places like gutters and things like that.  You could actually connect two of these wands for even longer distances.  Hopefully this pressure washing wand tips video will clear up some confusion and help save time on the job.  Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions about this video.

ADDITIONAL TRAINING

Be sure and stay up to date on all the training opportunities we provide both in person and online.  There are monthly training schools here in Houston for those looking to start a pressure washing business.  And we also have an online video school that is more self paced and on demand.

pressure washing school december
by Doug Rucker Doug Rucker

Pressure Washing School December

Pressure Washing School December

Learn how to start and operate a Pressure Washing and Soft Washing business.  You’ll gain practical, hands-on and classroom training and benefit from Doug’s years of experience as a pressure washing contractor! You will significantly shorten your learning curve. Register for The Pressure Washing School December, located in the Houston, Texas, area, and owned by Doug Rucker. Doug also owns PowerWash.Net, a Kingwood, Texas-based Pressure Washing Company, as well as DougRuckerStore.com for all your equipment and supplies to start your new business.

CHECK OUT THE FAQ PAGE FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION

What type of training will I receive?

pressure washing help

You will receive “hands on” training as well as classroom training. The first day of training is held at my home. During this training, we will go over Spraying Techniques, Soft Washing, Pressure Washing, Different Chemical Application methods for Soft Washing and Pressure Washing,  Chemical Mix Ratios,  and you are given the opportunity to use the equipment as well.  Attire for this day is work type clothes and something you would not mind getting spotted since we may use bleach for cleaning.  November through February, be sure to bring cold weather attire, as the weather here can be cold one day and 80 degrees the next. In the event of rain on the first training day, we may switch the class room and field training day.  If there is rain both days, then extended class room time will be given at the training center.  NO REFUNDS are given due to weather or cancellations.  You can always schedule for another date if you have to cancel prior to attending.

Day Two

The second day of training is classroom training and is held at our training center. The classroom portion consists of PowerPoint presentations that cover House Washing, Roof Cleaning, Concrete Cleaning, Property protection, equipment needed, mixing ratios, different application methods, bidding residential jobs, preparing the job site, identifying surfaces, stains and best application methods, and more. 

Each day starts at about 8:30am, unless advised a different start time, and we usually finish by 12:00-1:00 each day.  You will receive a text message or email the Saturday or Sunday prior to the school with the location we will meet at. In the event of rain on the field training day, we may switch the class room and field training day.  If there is rain both days, then extended class room time will be given at the training center. You are also granted access to the class room portions via video, so you can review once you leave the school.

If you have any other questions not covered in the FAQ link please call or text 281.883.3630 or use our Contact Form

Be sure to check out my You Tube Channel.

by Dean Dean

FAMILY BUSINESS RIG BUILD

FAMILY BUSINESS RIG BUILD

If you need a family business rig build, you’ve come to the right place!  In this video, a mother and father work together with their boys on a homeschool project.  In this particular case, the project is to start a business.  So this family brought a very basic 10 foot trailer to us.  We we’re able to provide them with a starter set up with the very minimum equipment needed to start a power wash business.  If you would like to start a family business, maybe this family business rig build would fit your family as well.

PRESSURE WASHER

This Family Business Rig Build starts with a 5.5 Gallon Per Minute pressure washer.  It is a gear drive machine that delivers 3000 PSI with an option to choose between pull start or electric start.  They chose electric start.  Feeding the pressure washer machine is an 80 gallon water tank.  You can choose various size tanks that range from 16 gallons to 225 gallons.  The tank also has a job float valve which automatically shuts the water off once the tank is full.  Then they have two Kings hose reels with a stack kit.  The top reel has a garden hose while the bottom reel has 200 feet of fierce jet pressure hose.  This hose also has the ball valve set up.  You will also notice the downstream bypass injector.  They will downstream out of a bucket.

SURFACE CLEANER

The FAMILY BUSINESS RIG BUILD also has a 20 inch Whirl-A-Way surface cleaner for driveways and sidewalks.  While they chose the floater option, you could also get it with casters instead.  They have our pressure wash gun assembly along with the jrod nozzle kit.  And they have a couple of extension wands.  This set up has room to add equipment as their business grows and they expand services.  Eventually, they’ll have a soft wash system for roof cleaning with another hose and another tank.  At approximately 4:00 into the video, take note of why it’s important to utilize a dual axle trailer for all power wash rig builds.  Again, this is a great little starter basic set up if you’re looking for a family business rig build.  Aside from the trailer cost itself, the equipment cost for this rig build is in the $8000 general ball park price range.  If you have any questions or if we can help in any way, send an email to Info@DougRuckerStore.com.  Also, don’t forget to check out my online video school that will drastically cut your learning curve.

by Dean Dean

ENCLOSED TRAILER SETUP

ENCLOSED TRAILER SETUP

This ENCLOSED TRAILER SETUP video post is a final walk through just before customer pick up.  It starts with an 8 GPM HOT WATER PRESSURE WASHER from BE.  This unit provides water up to 200 degrees for heavy-duty industrial projects. It’s built on a Honda GX690 with a powerful 4-stroke OHV twin-cylinder, electric start with forced-air cooling.  So it can handle the toughest jobs with ease. It is powerful, versatile, and built to withstand frequent use.  The FLOW PRO REMOTE BYPASS SYSTEM sits securely on the pressure washer.

KINGSLINGER SOFT WASH

Next is our proprietary KINGSLINGER SOFT WASH SYSTEM.  In addition to cleaning roofs, he will use this to apply the new soy based roof rejuvenation oil spray.  All of our builds are custom builds, and in this case, we elevated the pump station for convenience.  And this particular ENCLOSED TRAILER SETUP comes with three tanks.  One is for water, one is for bleach, and one is for the roof rejuvenation oil spray.  All of the plumbing is nice and clean as we do strive not just for efficient and effective customs setups, but for great looking ones as well.  Check out the three way valve and why that’s important at the 4:00 time stamp.

TRAILER SIDE DOOR SETUP

This ENCLOSED TRAILER SETUP also has a side door for great functionality and additional access.  Here, you find the 24 inch U-handle surface spinner from Steel Eagle.  This unit has several great options for our customers to choose from.  The Kings Hose Reels with stack kit along with a tank, guns and spare hose also fits nicely here tin he front side of the trailer.  We always enjoy working closely with each customer to provide custom truck, trailer and van builds.  Our speciality is delivering the precise vision each customer has for their rig.  Keep in mind we also provide complete website services for pressure washing businesses.  Please don’t hesitate to leave a comment on this post if you have any questions.  Or you could email Info@DougRuckerStore.com.

by Dean Dean

CHECK VALVE REPAIR

CHECK VALVE REPAIR

This 2023 CHECK VALVE REPAIR video post features the repair kit for downstream injector check valves.  Recently, email and text message questions came in regarding how to repair them rather than replacing them to save a few dollars.  Later in this video, I go into further detail about how use them, why we use them and when to use them.  I also cover installation steps.  We hope this CHECK VALVE REPAIR video helps you in your day to day pressure washing business.  Our business is to help your business save time, money, and effort so that you can maximize profitability.

REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS

It’s important to take note of the small arrow which indicates the way the water flows.  But it also points to the side which you’ll need to release with a vice and pliers to start the repair steps.  As you loosen this piece, be ready for the spring and check valve itself to fall out.  Notice the precise order so you can put them back in correctly.  Then you would use a dental pick to left the small o-ring from its seating inside.  You are simply installing the new spring and 0-ring into the existing case or housing piece.  At the 4:15 time stamp, I demonstrate how to blow through it for the purpose of diagnosing CHECK VALVE REPAIR problem issues.  Once again, our line of High Performance oils comes in handy.  The lubricant spray will help unseat challenging o-rings if you have problems trying to remove them.  6:15 is a critical time stamp spot you don’t want to miss.

 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING

At approximately 9:00, I transition from repair to the ins and outs of using them.  I talk in detail about installing and using the downstream injector check valve setup.  These are available on our Doug Rucker Store website in a couple of difference types or configurations.  There is also an option of RTU, which means ready to use.  The DIY option means you will assemble it yourself and save a few dollars that way.  Be sure and watch the entire video to get the full impact and information you need for your pressure washing business.  Finally, I want to invite you to one of our monthly hands on trainings here in the Houston area.   It’s a great way to get equipment orientation with classroom learning.  It will drastically reduce your learning curve!

 

by Dean Dean

PRESSURE WASHER CONNECTIONS

PRESSURE WASHER CONNECTIONS

Thanks for checking out this PRESSURE WASHER CONNECTIONS video post.  The Doug Rucker Store is both online and also has a physical location.  We are in Porter, Texas where I often tell people: “It’s not the end if the world, but you can see it from here!”  If you are even in the Houston area, we hope you’ll stop by to talk some shop.  This video post is in response to questions about how to connect a pressure washer to the battery and the gas tank.  One of the most popular machines our customers seem to like is the 8 GPM cold water skid unit.  This machine does not come with a battery, battery cables, or a gas tank.

 

BATTERY CONNECTIONS

PRESSURE WASHER CONNECTIONS usually start off with a battery.  You will need a positive wire and a negative wire (red and black) with crimped fittings.  The fittings must properly fit the battery terminals as well as the starter on the machine.  The length of these wires must fit how far the location of the battery will be from the machine.  It should be pretty precise so that you are not short, nor do you end up with extra wire.  This is why custom builds are a key piece of our business and why Doug Rucker Store works so tirelessly with our customers on this.  At about the 2:00 time stamp with clear lighting and pictures, I help you identify the starter.  It can be difficult to locate.  I discuss the various options for grounding this connection.  Apply some sort of grease to each of those connections. I also discuss various battery sizes that you can use.

GAS TANK CONNECTIONS

PRESSURE WASHER CONNECTIONS are not complete until the gas tank is also in place.  I use 1/4 inch clear braid hose for the fuel line connection.  This hose is clear enough that it allows you to see the gas flow.  You could also use standard black fuel line if you prefer for other reasons.  You could install a Y fitting to supply a second machine such as our KINGSLINGER SOFT WASH SYSTEM.  I also discuss oil changes so be sure and watch the entire video for all the details.  I hope this helps answer some questions you may have regarding pressure washer connections.

 

 

by Dean Dean

Best Power Wash Trailer

BEST POWER WASH TRAILER

Doug Rucker Store features the BEST POWER WASH TRAILER for your business in this video.  While we are in the Houston, Texas area, we work with customers throughout the country on custom rig builds.  This particular build is for a local customer from Katy, Texas.  With the exception of the two tanks, all equipment on this build is from the Doug Rucker Store.  We provide a step by step walk through in this BEST POWER WASH TRAILER video.

POWER WASH EQUIPMENT

First, this trailer has an 8 GPM cold water pressure washer.  Next, you will see three Kings Hose Reels with a Kings Stack Kit.  For soft washing, he went with the extremely light weight and portable SOFT E electric soft wash system.  The Soft E is a 12 volt five gallon per minute machine.  He did a great job painting the floor of this trailer and securing all of the equipment himself.  He then brought it back to us to finish the trailer by plumbing the entire system.  There is something very important I explain at 3:00 into the BEST POWER WASH TRAILER video.  It is great advice for those who are just starting out in the pressure washing business.  This trailer also includes the fierce jet pressure hose as well as the flexilla garden hose.

SURFACE CLEANER

Last but not least, he went with the 24 inch Steel Eagle surface cleaner.  This is especially great unit for doing to commercial work.  Right at 6:00 into the video, Chris actually arrives to pick up his trailer.  For additional training for your pressure washing business, check out our events page and take advantage of monthly hands on training.  My passion is helping pressure washing business owners develop their skills and grow their business.  With over thirty years of experience in this industry, I look forward to helping you any way that I can.  Be sure and leave a comment if you have any questions about this BEST POWER WASH TRAILER video post.

by Doug Rucker Doug Rucker

Pressure Washing School September

Pressure Washing School September

Learn how to start and operate a Pressure Washing and Soft Washing business.  You’ll gain practical, hands-on and classroom training and benefit from Doug’s years of experience as a pressure washing contractor! You will significantly shorten your learning curve. Register for The Pressure Washing School September, located in the Houston, Texas, area, and owned by Doug Rucker. Doug owns PowerWash.Net, a Kingwood, Texas-based Pressure Washing Company.

Any questions please call or text 281.883.3630 use our Contact Form

Feel free to check out my You Tube Channel.