[BDCS]

Is it just me or has the phone stopped ringing for pressure washing since they announced to hose ban ? Usually at this time of year I have plenty booked but I've not quoted any for the last month - its a good job other services are busy

[Kenny83]

About 3 years ago in the summer we had a ban up here, I was really quiet too, I think that was down to the ban, was also speaking to the guy at a pressure washing company and he said it happens everytime theres a ban, he reckoned he was quite due to hose pipe ban and people going on holiday (although the latter doesent realy apply this time of year)...
Have you had any rain down there  yet, any signs of the ban being lifted?

[BDCS]

Yes its rained today but I think the ban will stay all summer. I've not had the regulars that I've done every year ringing this year - if I get quiet I'll have to ring them

[mike roberts]

As Lee said last time really had an impact on our business - This time we have far more repeat customers and still gaining new customers / cleans - Intend to update website to state that we can still clean once work starts to slow down, also using local media to highlight situation and to inform public ... Think the ban will stay now until next year   which is ok as long as they still allow us to trade.
Might just be a 'blip' with yourself hope it picks up.

[Kenny83]

Yeah i hope it picks up for you too, ringing regulars is a good idea, even if there wasn't a ban on, it's something i thought about after my first year but got too busy to ring all previous customers with new work just kept coming in, luckily I have never had the need to but if I expanded a little i would definately start with ringing previouse customers, i thought about maybe putting all there numbers on a database and sending text alerts out to start with, that way it would save time, maybe offering them a discount if they book before a certain date, this would give them some inscentive to ring you... or maybe even mailshots through theyre letterbox via royal mail, that way its got more of a personal touch than a bulk text or leaflet drop

[Alan McTernan]

We have had 3 clients cancel in the past 2 weeks because they "felt guilty" using the water

So i have just spent a few quid on advertising stating that we are unaffeted by a hose pipe ban!!! (at the moment)

But we also have a lot of repeat clients calling!!! Even without the mailshot i have had sitting on my desk for the past month

[M W.]

really feel for you lads, no shortage of water here. frosts causing probs for us.

[Buckland]

Yep this could be a pointer to the years ahead - our WA is finally insisting on meters being installed as from this year and started to go street to street with orders and timings etc - although when I looked out the actual cost per litre for a customer who wanted to know it was minimal cost 1000 litres for 120pence plus your standing charge natch

ANYWAYSABOUT time has come to start thinking of the two avenues open to FSCleaners

I believe there will be restrictions or bans eventually on the use of PWshers and not just domestic ones - THEN the George Podell solution (see http://www.hotandmighty.com/) will come into its own - there are several over here already - complete recycling of all recovered water for re-use in PWshing - the use of booms and vacuums will become necessary - lets face it, it is astonishing how much water you can get thru with a good commercial machine - the van we use for our PW service has a 24hp watercooled vacuum system (PowerClean) but we dont use it as it is not set up to filter - but how difficult can it be!! (in the words of Clarkson)

Second solution is the Powerbrush scrubbing - could make good sense if the machinery is up to it - there are some pretty useful petrol driven flail type and rotating brush machines used to clean large paved areas - deffo it will use less water - anyone gone down this path yet???

Dave

[Rob_Mac]

If it is so easy why do Tensid do a recycling system that when I spoke to Richard Turk, the other day could not be split from their pressure washer and starts retailing at £23000.00 and Richards price was way beyond that (I presume it included VAT).

The Hot & Mighty recycling system is just under £6000.00 plus import & delivery - £10.000??. This would suit my main machine because it is a Hot & Mighty with pump upgrade.

I am working with a pressure washer manufacture, trying to scale down one of his set ups to fit alongside my H & M. The system they are working on for me is in trial now and could be fitted into my vehicle within a couple of weeks.

From the supplier -' you have to take into account settlement, cavitation, full filtration, size, load'.

Some of the biggest problems with the American self made set ups are to do with knackered unloaders & pumps and I don't want that for my machine.

I have discussed bag filters, cyclone filters, hydrovortex filters and I am now leaving it in the capable hands of the supplier and see what he comes back with.

If it was that easy I should be able to pick this lot up off the shelf without having to go bespoke!!!!

Rob

[Rob_Mac]

Buckland

I have been working in your area recently at Portswood - new build Sainsbury's and am currently waiting to go to work tonight at the Sainsbury's store - Hedge End.

Rob

[Buckland]

Rob

No thats what I'm saying, its not easy at all - a la Jezza Clarkson - have you ever seen anything he's made work properly!!?? Cheapest route for a smaller UK operator would be to import a H&M then?

I can see with lots of commercial work you would need to be pretty careful not to develop a system that costs you money that clients will not stump up for - you need a level playing field - why should you save the planet if no-one else is - that means tho' eventually the EU or some other busybody will make it their business to legislate so evryone has to re-cycle washwater - does this form part of planning law yet for car and truck washing plants? - we only do domestic drives etc so not really in public eye like working on a BandQ

I made a customer LOL yesterday - it was ping down here and I went to her door after packing up (I was soaked thru) to get the cheque (carpets) and said to her "This drought is a real pain isnt it?"

Dave

Rob - nice website btw

[Rob_Mac]

Dave

I am taking a slightly different view.

For me it is a safe marketing tool. As you have said this isn't just a problem for now, it will be ongoing. I hope that no one else adopts recycling because it will be heavily marketed and noted on the website.

My client/s know they don't have to worry about hosepipe bans for now but I am not naive enough to think that they aren't interested in any escalation. If I can give them a way of working around any problems we will be remembered more than already.

I spoke to a senior money man on a project in Southport last week - his response 'excellent'

We will have an answer and this ought to be enough to satisfy both themselves and the water boards.

The website is an ongoing development - thank you for the compliment!

Rob