Variable Chemical Delivery Roof Cleaning System

The Apple Vari Flow Roof Cleaning System

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Guys, I THINK I have stumbled upon what will be a major advancement in a roof cleaning set up.
Imagine having NEVER to mix your chemicals again ?

Here is how it works on our trucks.
Here at Apple Roof Cleaning we use flatbed trucks.

Previously, we had 500 and 600 gallon tanks, premixed with TSP, Chlorine, and water.

We do from 3 to 5 roofs a day, and mostly shingle.

Now, let's say we have 2 shingles, THEN a big tile roof.
This previously meant we had to re fresh our mix with more Chlorine.

Not anymore !!!

Here is what we now do.

We got rid of the one big tank setup, and are going to a dual tank setup.
One 250 gallon Chlorine tank, and a 325 water tank.

ALWAYS pull from the TOP of your tanks guys, bulkheads leak!

We use PVC feed tubes in our tanks, the one in the chlorine tank feeds an inch or so off the bottom, the water feed is 6 inches from the bottom so the undissolved TSP is not sucked up.

You DO use TSP I hope ?

Coming out of the suction of our pump, we use a TEE connector that splits the feed into 2 lines.

In each line after the TEE and going to the twin tanks is a very special type of valve.

These twin valves CONTROL flow!

Yes, this means we have the ability to totally vary the strength of our mix for the requirements of ANY Roof Cleaning Job!

Rinsing our pumps/hose is simple, we just shut off the Chlorine valve, and pull straight water.

I am considering adding a THIRD tank for Sodium Hydroxide.

The combo of TSP/Water, Chlorine and Caustic is an "old school" house wash and general cleaning solution handed down from the "old timers" on the Delco board.

In this case, I would simply use a three way valve coming from my pumps suction, three feed lines to my 3 tanks, and 3 of the inline "special valves" we have found.

The caustic tank can be simply "turned off" when not needed simply by closing the valve.

I am NOT sure a Shurflo type pump has enough "Pull" to do this ?
The Delevan 5800 pumps do.
John Blues will NOT work!

The reason WHY a John Blue will not work is because a John Blue is a Positive Displacement pump that must have a bypass hose going back into a tank to UNLOAD pressure, or it will blow a head.


The OLD Apple Roof Cleaning system consisted of a high GPM, low pressure Shurflo pump, and 5/8 hose.

This system, with the Delevan 5850 series pump, is far superior, and reflects our latest "thinking" on the ultimate roof cleaning setup


Chris

This may be a stupid question, but I will ask anyway

Would it be possible to mix the solutions excluding the water in a 5 gallon bucket, (would need some water to mix the TSP) then use a black tip on the end of a power washer to meter and dispense the chemical in the bucket. This would be low pressure, it would save on having to haul all that water, no trailer, etc... ?

I called a power washing equipment sales and service center about it and they said that it should not cause damage to the pump. (they said it bypasses the pump and goes straight to the hose) I just don't know if it would be too weak of a batch?
Would like some feedback on this since I am a newbie

onebaddogo wrote:

This may be a stupid question, but I will ask anyway

Would it be possible to mix the solutions excluding the water in a 5 gallon bucket, (would need some water to mix the TSP) then use a black tip on the end of a power washer to meter and dispense the chemical in the bucket. This would be low pressure, it would save on having to haul all that water, no trailer, etc... ?

I called a power washing equipment sales and service center about it and they said that it should not cause damage to the pump. (they said it bypasses the pump and goes straight to the hose) I just don't know if it would be too weak of a batch?
Would like some feedback on this since I am a newbie

We were ALL new once my friend!
The method you are speakeing of is called downstreaming.
It will not work very well, IF at all on a dirty roof.
You will make an azzhole out of yourself with customers !
You NEED an inexpensive chemical pump, under 150 dollars, and simply use 5/8 Vinyl Garden hose.
Once can use 2 100 foot lengths of Garden hose, and simply unscrew the extra 100 feet if you dont need it.'
ALWAYS wanna keep the hose as short as possible, and ad BIG as possible for max pump performance.