Sodium Hypochlorite is the bread and butter of every Professional Pressure Washer. But are you spraying your SH into the wind and losing precious resources to improper applications? With the right know-how and a little bit of research you can leave a job feeling confident that you haven’t squandered your resources, and your customers will be happy.
It should go without saying that every job will require your attention to detail and knowledge of the surfaces being cleaned. While this blog has sound advice on a starting point. It cannot be stressed enough that each scenario will require fine tuning. Be sure to do your own research and use small, inconspicuous spots to test your solution and application.
Sodium Hypochlorite
Sodium Hypochlorite, SH, Bleach. Whatever you call it, it is what holds this industry together. Many projects you approach will require SH, and understanding how to properly mix SH into your solution is the very first step in applying it to your job. Every scenario and surface will require a different SH ratio in the solution, but a nice rule of thumb that we like to follow is 1.5-2% for houses and siding, ~4% for concrete and masonry, and in very rare and specific circumstances as much as ~6% SH can be utilized. Be sure to check your chemical bottles so that you know what ratio of SH to water is already present, and do the math to ensure that the SH+water solution being used on the surface is close to the numbers above.
The Importance of Surfactant
Surfactants are an integral part of the pressure washing process. Surfactants act as bonding agents to allow the SH and water solution to adhere to the surface being cleaned. Many contractors just starting out may find that without a surfactant, their SH+H2O solution simply runs down the side of a house affecting surrounding plants and soil, or pools in the low spot on a patio or driveway. Many surfactants will also contain cleaning agents. The addition of a surfactant can help to eliminate wasted water and SH, as well as providing a better looking and cleaner surface. It is also especially important in colder weather, roof cleaning, and during application on vertical surfaces. The pressure washing industry has no shortage of surfactants for contractors to choose from. Here at Clean Pro Supply we really like Secret Agent because it clings particularly well. When you are choosing which surfactant to include in your solution be sure to check that the surfactant is intended to be used in pressure washing settings, mixes well with SH, and investigate what other chemicals are included. Soaps, detergents, and scents are often mixed in them. Ensuring that those chemicals will react nicely with the surface being cleaned is an important step that should not be skipped.
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Application Methods
There are many ways that one could choose to apply their solution. While there is no wrong way, some methods will certainly work better than others given the right circumstances.
-Pump Sprayer-
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Pump Sprayers are versatile, cheap, and can be taken anywhere. The solution being used is premixed, so ensuring that you are maintaining the right ratio is as easy as it can get. Because of their versatility Pump Sprayers can often provide the creative solution to a problem on the job. These are only to be used at close range and you are limited to the amount of solution that the sprayer can hold.
-X-Jet-
An X-Jet is a great attachment near the tip of your lance that can allow you to draw chemical solutions from a pail. It bypasses your machine as well as your high pressure hose. This allows for higher ratios of solution in cases where it is needed. A major step up from the pump sprayer, the only downside is that you have to lug around a pail of solution with you wherever it is needed.
-Down Stream Injector-
A downstream injector is a low maintenance and cost effective application method that will get the job done extremely well in nearly all residential settings. Simply attach the injector to the water outlet of your pressure washer pump, and your solution will pull through your high pressure hose. This allows you to avoid moving a cumbersome pail of solution around your jobsite. However, due to the smaller orifice required to create suction through your high pressure hose, a lower concentrate of solution would need to be utilized than what can be done using the X-Jet.
-12 Volt Diaphragm Pump w/ Viton seals-
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Diaphragm pumps are a great option for contractors who are looking for a way to apply a high SH ratio solution at a high GPM (gallons per minute). Be sure to look for pumps that include Viton seals, which are resistant to bleach and won’t get eaten away nearly as quickly. These small pumps are a great option for soft washing where not as much pressure on the pump itself is required.
-Gas Roof Pump-
Gas Roof Pumps are rapidly gaining popularity in the industry for their heartiness and reliability. While your solution will still run through this gear driven machine, its functionality is what sets it apart. In this case, functionality comes at a cost, which is what turns some contractors off from Gas Roof Pumps, but these machines are gaining popularity at a rate that is impossible to deny.
The ability to use a higher volume of water will often require you to transport a buffer tank, or large water tank. Utilize the methods that best fit your budget, available space, and business model. Understanding your solution ratios can make or break a job. Ensure that the ratios and chemicals you use are appropriate for the surface you are working with. Trust the product and chemicals you are using to do the work they are intended to do. Be sure to give your solution enough dwell time to work on the surface. And finally, don’t be afraid to bring some creative solutions to a project. Sometimes a little out-of-the-box thinking can take your work to new heights. Wash on!
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