October 31, 2023 by Dean Dean

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.

October 11, 2023 by Doug Rucker Doug Rucker

Pressure Washing School April

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 April, 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?

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.

March 30, 2023 by Dean Dean

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.

November 17, 2022 by Dean Dean

PRESSURE WASHING WEBSITE VIDEO

How is your PRESSURE WASHING WEBSITE VIDEO performing? If you own a pressure washing business, you know how important is to have an effective website. At Doug Rucker Store, we have been offering website services for years and enjoy working with fellow contractors on this. We build new websites from scratch, but we can also provide a complete overhaul and upgrade to existing websites that are not producing the kind of results you need. In addition, we also provide website service for painting services, apartment complexes and other small businesses. We build and host websites and would welcome the opportunity to help your business grow and succeed in this crucial area.

WEBSITE FACTORS TO CONSIDER

Our PRESSURE WASHING WEBSITE service begins with helping every person we work with clearly understand how the process works. That’s what this video is all about. All of our website builds are responsive design, which means your website will adapt to look great and operate efficiently on any device. The process begins with a step by step walk through of how you can purchase your domain. We do not want to own your website, and you really don’t want anyone else to own your website. You’re the owner of your business, and you’ll own your pressure washing website. We also offer hosting service, and all of these details can be found in this video or on our website description product page.

WEBSITE COLLABORATION

Your input, ideas, and overall direction is very important as we build your pressure washing website. So we use BASECAMP to manage the entire project start to finish for effective and clear communication. You will be in direct communication online and through emails with my staff. This includes myself, our website builder or backend manager, and the content writer. This ensures prompt communication and keeps the entire staff on one page as the website takes shape. In addition, we will provide brief training on how you can add content to your own pressure washing website. It’s important to blog on a regular basis in order to increase traffic and maximize your S.E.O. results. We will help you learn and develop this critical skill. Be sure to watch the entire video for all the details concerning our website services.

Feel free to call or text me at 281-883-3630 or use our Contact Form if you need more info.

March 21, 2022 by Doug Rucker Doug Rucker

Pressure Cleaning QnA

PRESSURE CLEANING QnA

Thank you for checking out this PRESSURE CLEANING QnA video post. We receive many questions from various platforms and know that providing answers to these questions can be helpful to many others. So the first question comes to us through our YouTube channel in the comments section. Ron asks about a particular SH mix ratio for house washing while down streaming using a modified x jet. He is using a 5 gallon per minute pressure washer.

EXACT PERCENTAGES

While there are ways to calculate exact mix ratios and percentages, this is something that I have never done. There really isn’t any reason for me to know the exact percentage. Thus my main concern is this. Is the mix I’m using strong enough to change the color of the organic stains on the surface that I am cleaning? I cover various surfaces, various stains and the degree of staining and what color those stains are. These are determining factors in determining whether the bleach mix ratio is strong enough. In this Pressure Cleaning QnA, I also provide pictures that demonstrate what I’m speaking about. Experience does play a key role in helping to determine a general mix ratio of 30%, or 40% or 50% or stronger. This is what we might call “the eye test.” Here is the X Jet product I mention in the video on the Doug Rucker Store website.

ROOF CLEANING QnA

The second question I address is from Jamie and is specifically about roof cleaning and house washing. Will my mixture consist of solely bleach or would I be adding surfactant? This is a great question! One factor in answering this question relates to the grade and quality of the bleach you are using. Testing and experience is crucial here as I explain at the 7:30 time stamp. This Pressure Cleaning QnA video ends with one final question about surface cleaner maintenance. If this information has been helpful for you in your pressure washing business, check out my online video school.

February 24, 2022 by Doug Rucker Doug Rucker

PRESSURE WASHING BUSINESS VIDEO

What is the number one thing you need when STARTING A PRESSURE WASHING BUSINESS? For over ten years, I’ve been helping entrepreneurs with starting a pressure washing business. I do this through my online video school and monthly 2 day training school events in Houston. This video post is a little bit different from most of my videos because I just wanted to speak straight from my heart on this. There is one thing you need before you do anything else if you are going to start this business. Before you purchase a pressure washer, a trailer or truck, or any other equipment, THIS is what you need to work on! Even before you get the training, you need to work on your VISION for starting a pressure washing business.

VISION FOR PRESSURE WASHING

You first need to work on cultivating a VISION for what your business is going to look like. Are you able to visualize yourself outside cleaning houses, driveways, and roofs? Vision is defined as the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom. Jonathan Swift says vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others. Vision without action is merely and dream, and having a vision for your business is a critical first step toward success. Are you able to visualize yourself communicating with customers? Can you visualize your truck or trailer? Can you visualize your office set up?

PRESSURE WASHING BUSINESS VISION BOARD

I encourage you to set up a vision board as a first step when starting a pressure washing business. Perhaps you would have a picture of a truck or trailer that you dream of having some day. Or maybe you’ll have other pieces of equipment you will need in future such as a surface cleaner, the Kingslinger soft wash system, or a hot water machine on that vision board. These are basically visual goals that give you something to strive for as you grow and develop your business. At time stamp 4:15, I talk about some of the strong impressions early in my life all the way back to childhood which helped form my vision. Ultimately, my own personal vision statement became “I CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD!”

PERSONAL EXAMPLES

There are a few personal examples of vision outside of our business that I mention. One of them is the vision of my childhood pastor to start a Christian high school in Clearwater, Florida. I also talk about a student that started in this industry with my school in 2012 and today, he has a large franchise operation. So make sure you have a vision before starting a pressure washing business. Over time, you will grow, develop, and refine that vision.

January 17, 2022 by Doug Rucker Doug Rucker

COMMERCIAL POWER WASHING EQUIPMENT

The unique challenge for this COMMERCIAL POWER WASHING EQUIPMENT VIDEO is pine needles. On this particular commercial building, there is a covered parking structure with pine trees overhead. There was a large accumulation of pine needles both on top of the parking structure as well as three covered entry ways. We were able to include the cost for removing and disposing these pine needles in the power washing proposal. Normally, a landscaping or their lawn service would handle this. However, some of these services are now also adding pressure washing to their service list. So whenever possible, it’s best to provide the services they request so that you don’t lose the opportunity to another company.

TOOLS TO USE

The basic tools to use for this COMMERCIAL POWER WASHING EQUIPMENT video is a rake, a blower, and trash bags. However, for the parking structure, a pool brush really can really save quite a bit of time. Using a blower for this portion of the project would require more time and effort. We were able to simply push all of the pine needles off of the parking structure to the ground below. Then we went straight down line to rake and bag up all the pine needles by hand. I was able to dispose of these pine needles at my house by burning them. Be sure and watch the entire video for all the details!

ADD WINDOW CLEANING SERVICE

Another important part of this COMMERCIAL POWER WASHING EQUIPMENT video is window cleaning. Most commercial buildings have windows and they desire window cleaning service along with power washing. On this job, we use the REACH IT waterfed pole cleaning system. Many window cleaning service companies are expanding their services to include power washing. This is because most commercial property owners and managers want to complete the entire project with one contractor rather than two.

ANOTHER TIP

One more important component of this COMMERCIAL POWER WASHING EQUIPMENT video post is our KINGSLINGER soft wash system. We can easily clean up to three stories with this soft wash system. There was a lot of green and black organic staining. But the Kingslinger gives us the ability to deliver a much stronger mix. At time stamp 7:50 in this video, I also explain the various nozzles we use.

January 3, 2022 by Doug Rucker Doug Rucker

Pressure Washing Business Truck

PRESSURE WASHING BUSINESS TRUCK

I recently converted my PRESSURE WASHING BUSINESS TRUCK from a standard bed to a utility bed. Even though the transition is not complete, I got the video together as soon as I could. This is because there were so many requests from my YouTube channel community members to see it. I greatly appreciate all the support my viewers have provided through the years with likes and shares as well as questions and comments. The results are fantastic and I am so glad I made the invest of time and effort to this truck conversion project.

EQUIPMENT ON DRIVER SIDE

We begin highlighting the 10 GPM KINGSLINGER SOFT WASH SYSTEM with the GF valves. I note in the video that I will add the drain kit to the compressor in coming days. Then we have an 8 GPM cold water skid pressure washer with a Honda GX 690. We use this machine for residential and light commercial projects. On the previous truck set up we also had a 5 GPM machine which was never really used, so this machine was not included in the transition. I like the result of more space with a cleaner look, as well as less weight. In this PRESSURE WASHING BUSINESS TRUCK video, I show the old ski set up at the 4:30 time stamp.

EQUIPMENT ON PASSENGER SIDE

I call the other side of this PRESSURE WASHING BUSINESS TRUCK the residential service side. This side always faces the house so that all the hoses unwind in that direction. In the cabinets on this side, I keep most of my tools. Wrenches, plyers, water keys, fittings, downstream injectors and more are all organized for fast and easy access. I also keep two pump up sprayers containing my RAP and Dougie Fresh cleaners. Our Dougie Fresh is great for windows and other places around the property needing soap. We use the RAP mainly for gutters as well as light grease and oil stains. There is also a separate storage compartment for property protection items that help us detail certain areas such as entry ways, porches and the like. Of course, rounding out the top of the residential service side is three hose reels. We have a pressure hose, a garden hose, and a soft wash hose. Don’t hesitate to leave a comment in the YouTube comments section if you have any questions about this PRESSURE WASHING BUSINESS TRUCK bed conversion.

October 30, 2021 by Doug Rucker Doug Rucker

WINTERIZING PRESSURE WASHING EQUIPMENT

One of our loyal YouTube Channel viewers requested we provide insight into WINTERIZING PRESSURE WASHING EQUIPMENT. This particular trailer rig has a 9 GPM cold water pressure washer along with our KINGSLINGER soft wash system. It is not often that we need to winterize equipment here in the Houston, Texas region. RV antifreeze is what we use here because it’s not as strong as regular antifreeze and it’s more affordable. But in more northern extreme climates were certainly recommend using regular antifreeze.

WATER INLET

There is a water inlet that comes off of your water tank into your machine. While we use cam lock fittings, some might have a hose barb on the water inlet. Inserting antifreeze into the system helps prevent water from freezing inside the machine. This could cause damage to the machine, which is what we are preventing. Another option is using an air hose to blow all of the water out of the system. That’s certainly worth considering as well. But we prefer anitfreeze because we find it to be an easier process and requires less time and effort. It also gives me a little more confidence knowing the anitfreeze inserted throughout the system, including the hoses.

THE PROCESS

First it is important to let all the water drain out from the tank. Then we will install another hose to the cam lock fitting. That hose is then run to a 5 gallon bucket with the antifreeze solution. You are then ready to fire up the machine and run the antifreeze up into the system. Your ball valve should be open when you start the machine. You will eventually notice a difference color once the antifreeze has penetrated the entire system. Once you see this, you’ll want to turn your ball valve to the closed or off position. This way the antifreeze gets into the bypass hose as well as the tank. Here is another great post for those interested in choosing the right pressure washing equipment for your business.

October 27, 2021 by Doug Rucker Doug Rucker

PRESSURE WASHING VS SOFT WASHING

This PRESSURE WASHING VS SOFT WASHING post and video examines the difference between these two cleaning strategies. This is from my perspective as I got started in the business over 40 years ago. But it also addresses changes in the industry over the years. My very first pressure washing job was in 1979 as a junior in high school.

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

When I began there was no pressure washing vs soft washing debate. However, we did soft wash, but without using that specific terminology. Basically, we would apply the mix gently. In other words, when using gentle pressure we would downstream. We would use the black, green and yellow tips, applying the stream or mist from a distance back away from the surface. So to me personally, down streaming is the original soft wash method. Pressure Washing vs Soft Washing did become more relevant about 10 years later. A franchise power washing company began using, promoting and marketing soft washing as a service alternative. ‘

SOFT WASHING DEFINITION

I define soft washing the following way. Soft washing means applying mix to any surface softly with a dedicated pump. It also always includes a light rinse. This approach allows applying a stronger mix than what down streaming can deliver. In the video, I explain that the original dedicated pump is a pump up sprayer. Be sure and watch the entire video as I provide an answer to the question many people ask me about this. That question is “How do I know what my mix ratio is when down streaming or using a downstream injector?”

NEW PUMP OPTIONS

Pressure Washing vs Soft Washing gains quite a bit of traction once new electric pumps take the place of a pump up sprayer. 12 volt pumps were first, which were wired and hooked into systems and tanks. In addition to new pump options, tank sizes grew well beyond the pump up sprayer size. This allows a new approach we call “batch mixing.” This means creating a cleaning solution with bleach, soap, and water. Then air diaphragm pumps such as the FLOWJET pump came along. This is what we have on our KINGSLINGER soft wash system. Booster pumps and gas operated systems also became more and more prevalent over time. We sell all of these systems and options through the Doug Rucker Store. The full video is 23:00 so I encourage you to take the time to view the entire video.