Aqua tap reviews

« **on:** January 13, 2015, 09:01:05 am »

Anybody got a a aquatap review for me? Been speaking to a local suppler and said he didnt rate them because it was hard to operatate at 30-40 foot and was difficult to tell if water was on or off? Opinions please?

Thanks Wayne

« **Reply #1 on:** January 13, 2015, 11:55:47 am »

I use one everyday but for your heights I would use a normal inline tap.

« **Reply #2 on:** January 13, 2015, 12:26:46 pm »

I use an aquadapter it`s superb. However at the max height it is a little difficult to turn. I work upto thirty feet so might not suit your needs.

« **Reply #3 on:** January 13, 2015, 02:56:37 pm »

Aqua Tap review.

Good water control is one of the key factors in being able to use a high flow rate and save water, over the years I have tried different taps, remote control systems, even pinching the pole hose, NONE of these come close to using the Aqua tap in ease of use.

Why? – firstly the Aqua tap responds to your touch instantly, giving you total control over the flow rate of your water, great when scrubbing green soffit, fascia and gutters with cleaning chemical before flicking over to full flow to rinse off.

Secondly, it's the only system I know where both hands are on the pole during operation, no searching for that tap dragging behind you, the remote hanging around your neck, no balancing a 30ft long pole while you try to tug the pole hose in a vain hope the aqua-daptor will operate correctly.

We have been using Aqua taps for nearly a year now, so it's safe to say they have been well and truly tested, and there are no long term issues, no breaking springs, they work just as well ground level as they do 40 foot up in the air. It is lighter, yet more rugged than its main rival the Aqua-daptor, it's also more compact and had less moving parts providing excellent reliability.

Using the Aqua tap for the first few times may feel a little strange, mainly because it's so easy to use, you just twist the pole! Simples! No more taking a hand off to operate a tap, or pull the pole hose to operate a lever, just instant flow control.
For the new user the only issue I can see is when scrubbing and standing to the left you can inadvertently twist the pole in your hands and turn off the water flow, however by the second day this minor blip is overcome. Ongoing the Aqua tap suffers from no wear and tear and remains reliable, for your own personal preference the Aqua tap can be separated and the 2 o rings re greased with silicone grease to keep the swivel action nice and smooth – separating the Aqua tap is very easy, it's a matter of pulling out 2 dowel pins and then pulling the two sections apart, this takes around 5 minutes to undertake and we perform this ‘service’ once every month.

In our opinion, there is nothing better than the Aqua tap for controlling water flow on your water fed pole, it's easy to use, reliable and saves water.

Darran

« **Reply #4 on:** January 13, 2015, 03:08:57 pm »

Nice review Darren, one of my concerns about the aqua tap is the fact you have to touch the glass to turn it off
so anything on the brush could be returned to the glass.
Could I ask what way do you work it as not to get this and also does it add much weight to the pole.
Thanks Sean.

« **Reply #5 on:** January 13, 2015, 03:27:40 pm »

After using the Aqua daptor for a couple of years the pole was lighter the Aqua tap is 70 grams so you may feel something if going from a bare pole with brush to adding this.

I've always used the bottom edge of the frame or the leading edge of the sill

Darran

« **Reply #6 on:** January 13, 2015, 04:06:35 pm »

Nice review smudger

« **Reply #7 on:** January 13, 2015, 04:19:28 pm »

Who sell's these thing's please? And Smudger, how are they when working through balcony railing's?

« **Reply #8 on:** January 13, 2015, 05:53:02 pm »

Do you ever break the nipples off and are they replaceable?
Tony

« **Reply #9 on:** January 13, 2015, 06:21:01 pm »

Peter fogwill
You can get them from the wcw ( they were £15 at the w/end so I got another 4 )
Or from here...

http://www.windowcleaningstuff.co.uk/brushes-poles-accessories/997-aquatap.html

No problem through railings, and the hose tails have never broken, they are plastic, but quite rubbery so they don't shatter or crack. Some of the guys hold the hose in place with an o clip but I've worked happily with the hose just pushed onto the barbs

Darran

« **Reply #10 on:** January 13, 2015, 06:43:10 pm »

My only gripe with the A/tap is when using hot water the hose pops off the "nipple"

« **Reply #11 on:** January 13, 2015, 07:07:44 pm »

My aquatap is very stiff, I have to turn it by hand before I start cleaning the window. I'm on my second one, the first was perfect, only a small amount of pressure was needed to turn. My current one has been stiff from day one, though I havnt taken the time to figure out why.

« **Reply #12 on:** January 13, 2015, 07:12:10 pm »

My first day with the Aquatap,infact this morning it was still sitting in the parcel companys depot, they tried to deliver it yesterday but no one was in so I collected it this morn, promising myself I would install it after my days work, alas I couldn't wait

. Got to my first job and fitted it on the pavement.

No first day issues to report , the thing done what it says on the tin and I am happy with it up to now.
Very early days I know but it beats bending down , and with my dodgy knees that's a big bonus.
Got to say also that it feels like a well made quality product , and for the small price its worth getting one and trying it because no one is going to grumble if they end up binning it.

« **Reply #13 on:** January 13, 2015, 07:32:43 pm »

Chris, sometimes they do 'dry out', if you remove the two pins you can pull the tap apart, On the front half are 2 o rings, if you smear a little silicone grease over them it lubricates and returns the tap to a nice free movement, I understand if using extreme brushes you can remove one o ring for really easy (almost loose)movement !

When doing lots of soffit fascia gutter work, they tend to need lubricating every six weeks, reg window work once every 3 to 4 months.

Darran

« **Reply #14 on:** January 13, 2015, 08:22:14 pm »

Cheers smudger il give that a try. It is a great bit of kit and I couldn't be without it now.

« **Reply #15 on:** January 13, 2015, 08:33:30 pm »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sfrIQ4_zLk

« **Reply #16 on:** January 13, 2015, 08:35:11 pm »

im not keen on it i find it turns off all the time its sat in the van colecting dust but its more robust compaired to the aquadapter an liter im a aquadapter fan much beta i think

« **Reply #17 on:** January 15, 2015, 09:59:59 am »

Thanks for your review smudger.
I was never taken with the idea of the aquadapter due to weight issues and earlier models parts breaking.
Does anybody use an aquatap with gardiners quick release and quick loc systems ?
I use a supermax 40 as my only pole ( sections removed for lower work ! ) and am considering trying out an aquatap on it.

Looking on gardiners site it would appear I need to buy these two parts to adapt my
pole to fit the aquatap.

http://gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/aluminium-acme-accessory-screw-thread.html

and

http://gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/quick-loq-resi-neck-type-2.html

is that correct ?

Does it make the pole much longer ?

« **Reply #18 on:** January 15, 2015, 12:59:51 pm »

Quote from: Smudger on January 13, 2015, 02:56:37 pm

Aqua Tap review.

Good water control is one of the key factors in being able to use a high flow rate and save water, over the years I have tried different taps, remote control systems, even pinching the pole hose, NONE of these come close to using the Aqua tap in ease of use.

Why? – firstly the Aqua tap responds to your touch instantly, giving you total control over the flow rate of your water, great when scrubbing green soffit, fascia and gutters with cleaning chemical before flicking over to full flow to rinse off.

Secondly, it's the only system I know where both hands are on the pole during operation, no searching for that tap dragging behind you, the remote hanging around your neck, no balancing a 30ft long pole while you try to tug the pole hose in a vain hope the aqua-daptor will operate correctly.

We have been using Aqua taps for nearly a year now, so it's safe to say they have been well and truly tested, and there are no long term issues, no breaking springs, they work just as well ground level as they do 40 foot up in the air. It is lighter, yet more rugged than its main rival the Aqua-daptor, it's also more compact and had less moving parts providing excellent reliability.

Using the Aqua tap for the first few times may feel a little strange, mainly because it's so easy to use, you just twist the pole! Simples! No more taking a hand off to operate a tap, or pull the pole hose to operate a lever, just instant flow control.
For the new user the only issue I can see is when scrubbing and standing to the left you can inadvertently twist the pole in your hands and turn off the water flow, however by the second day this minor blip is overcome. Ongoing the Aqua tap suffers from no wear and tear and remains reliable, for your own personal preference the Aqua tap can be separated and the 2 o rings re greased with silicone grease to keep the swivel action nice and smooth – separating the Aqua tap is very easy, it's a matter of pulling out 2 dowel pins and then pulling the two sections apart, this takes around 5 minutes to undertake and we perform this ‘service’ once every month.

In our opinion, there is nothing better than the Aqua tap for controlling water flow on your water fed pole, it's easy to use, reliable and saves water.

Darran

it's funny isn't it how opinions differ
Aquadapter for me, on my extreme18 turning the aquatap was awkward and seemed stiff from the word go
Back to Aquadapter again and will buy another in the future
each to their own eh!!!

« **Reply #19 on:** January 15, 2015, 01:05:59 pm »

I did as smudger suggested, took one of the o rings out and greased up the other, the tap works a charm now.

« **Reply #20 on:** January 15, 2015, 01:20:47 pm »

I wouldn't mind trying this but can figure out how I'm going to attach it to my Gardiner resi neck.
I don't use the quick loq so do I straighten out my existing resi neck add the aqua tap and then add another resi neck.
If that make sense.

« **Reply #21 on:** January 15, 2015, 02:06:04 pm »

Sean, it screws on the threaded part on top of the pole and the AT has a screw thread in top of it to screw an angle joint on.
Jonboy, you may have got one of a small batch I made deliberately tighter as people were saying they were too loose to begin with. As standard during assembly I use a small amount of silicon grease which makes them a little looser than normal for the first week or two, then tightens slightly. I thought I could get round this by making them that little tighter to begin with, but they ended up too tight. Its worth opening it up and putting a touch of grease on the O'rings.

« **Reply #22 on:** January 15, 2015, 02:12:01 pm »

Peter Gardiner poles don't have the screw top on their poles they have a resi neck that pushes into the pole and tightens with a clamp.
Is there an adaptor for this ?

« **Reply #23 on:** January 15, 2015, 02:41:24 pm »

There is Sean, you need one of Gardiners pole inserts with the screw thread on top, then you need an extra No1 clamp to secure the resi neck on the AquaTap. There is then something screws onto the AquaTap to take the resi neck which I can supply FOC if you are buying the Aquatap from me.

« **Reply #24 on:** January 15, 2015, 03:06:13 pm »

This is what you need Sean..

http://gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/all-products/water-fed-poles/goosenecks-pole-fittings/pole-fittings/alloy-quick-release-top-adapter.html

« **Reply #25 on:** January 15, 2015, 03:56:49 pm »

Quote from: Peter Fogwill on January 15, 2015, 02:41:24 pm

There is Sean, you need one of Gardiners pole inserts with the screw thread on top, then you need an extra No1 clamp to secure the resi neck on the AquaTap. There is then something screws onto the AquaTap to take the resi neck which I can supply FOC if you are buying the Aquatap from me.

Hi peter
can you just screw one of these resi necks straight on to the aquatap without the need of an extra no 1 clamp and an extra part from yourself ?

http://gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/all-products/water-fed-poles/goosenecks-pole-fittings/plastic-gooseneck-system/quick-loq-resi-neck-type-2.html

« **Reply #26 on:** January 15, 2015, 04:14:12 pm »

Quote from: DaveG on January 15, 2015, 03:06:13 pm

This is what you need Sean..

http://gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/all-products/water-fed-poles/goosenecks-pole-fittings/pole-fittings/alloy-quick-release-top-adapter.html

Cheers Dave sorry for being a pain but where does the hose come out if I use that adaptor is there a hole in it
that I cant see or do I need to drill a hole into my pole. Cheers

« **Reply #27 on:** January 15, 2015, 04:16:31 pm »

Yes but you will need one of these for the pole if you don't already have one.
http://gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/alloy-quick-release-top-adapter.html

« **Reply #28 on:** January 15, 2015, 04:18:39 pm »

The hose will go through the top of the pole and out the AquaTap into its connector, then out the AquaTap to the brush.

« **Reply #29 on:** January 15, 2015, 04:29:22 pm »

Quote from: Peter Fogwill on January 15, 2015, 04:18:39 pm

The hose will go through the top of the pole and out the AquaTap into its connector, then out the AquaTap to the brush.

+1

« **Reply #30 on:** January 15, 2015, 04:39:03 pm »

Cheers guys thanks for the info, looking forward to giving this a go.

« **Reply #31 on:** January 15, 2015, 05:23:49 pm »

Let us know how you get on Sean?

« **Reply #32 on:** January 15, 2015, 09:30:14 pm »

Did I read somewhere that you are not recommended to use one with the extreme range of poles?

Stu

« **Reply #33 on:** January 15, 2015, 10:47:18 pm »

Yes
Aquadapter as well

« **Reply #34 on:** January 15, 2015, 10:49:22 pm »

Quote from: stu_thomson on January 15, 2015, 09:30:14 pm

Did I read somewhere that you are not recommended to use one with the extreme range of poles?

Stu

For what reason?

« **Reply #35 on:** January 16, 2015, 07:59:42 am »

I know Aqua daptor isn't reccomended for any Gardner pole because of the weight, as I found out you can split the no.1 clamp ( less likely if use a long stem insert )

But the aqua tap is so much lighter I can't see it being a problem

Darran

« **Reply #36 on:** January 16, 2015, 08:46:45 am »

Aquadapter is 104 grms
aquatap is 80 grams

« **Reply #37 on:** January 16, 2015, 12:51:52 pm »

Quote from: DaveG on January 13, 2015, 06:43:10 pm

My only gripe with the A/tap is when using hot water the hose pops off the "nipple"

Why not try and crimp it in place with an "O" clip.
Something like this from Gardiners?

http://gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/all-products/pump-hose/hose-fittings-adapters/hose-clamps-o-clips/o-clips.html

« **Reply #38 on:** January 16, 2015, 01:25:02 pm »

Just fitted my not that impressed
So loose just the weight of brush head will turn the water on and off anyone know if you can tighten them up a bit

« **Reply #39 on:** January 16, 2015, 01:29:07 pm »

I have never heard of an AquaTap breaking any Gardiner clamps, or anything else for that matter. Anyone else?
Mick it will tighten itself up in a week or two. Even so you are working a slightly different way and you need to get used to it.

« **Reply #40 on:** January 16, 2015, 01:48:35 pm »

One of mine broke was great for a month then the water wouldn't fully turn off so I took it apart cleaned it greased it and put it back together then it would work utill you turned it off and wouldn't turn back on again tried all this again same thing , worst thing was I couldn't send it back as I have a few and can't remember which supplier it was from

« **Reply #41 on:** January 16, 2015, 03:04:28 pm »

Michael you can send them back to me.
Anyone else as well I will fix it like new, or send you a new one. If its out of guarantee send a stamped addressed envelope with it and I will repair it FOC.

« **Reply #42 on:** January 16, 2015, 03:47:17 pm »

Is there a way of using a gooseneck with aquatap?
I got one off aquadaptor but can't see a way of fitting it without removing the aquatap.
Iv just switched from sill brushes to normal brushes but I think a gooseneck really helps get at sills without a sill brush.
At the mo I can't decide between having a gooseneck or aquatap at the end of my pole, would prefer both if there's a way!

« **Reply #43 on:** January 16, 2015, 04:17:11 pm »

Quote from: Smudger on January 16, 2015, 07:59:42 am

I know Aqua daptor isn't reccomended for any Gardner pole because of the weight, as I found out you can split the no.1 clamp ( less likely if use a long stem insert )

But the aqua tap is so much lighter I can't see it being a problem

Darran

Using either an Aquatap or Aquadapter on the Etreme poles nullifies the warranty as I found out to my cost