Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Sapphire Window Cleaning on July 07, 2010, 11:05:44 pm
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How do you guys deal with leaking openers?
I had a new customer today with wooden georgian style windows, and noticed that the openers were leaking a little, the customer wasn't too happy about it.
If I were to clean these windows traditionally I would have to charge her double as it would take atleast twice as long to clean them the "rag and polish" way.
Matt
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If I were to clean these windows traditionally I would have to charge her double as it would take atleast twice as long to clean them the "rag and polish" way.
Why would it take you twice as long trad unless you are slow!
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Because they are Georgian
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If I were to clean these windows traditionally I would have to charge her double as it would take atleast twice as long to clean them the "rag and polish" way.
Why would it take you twice as long trad unless you are slow!
Have you ragged and polished georgian windows? lol
Plus I would be going up and down the ladders, which would slow me down considerably.
Matt
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Yes matt i do rag gorgian windows this way so easy!
First thing you need is a good quality microfibre. Not the light green unger rubbish that gets water logged so quickly. If your talking a 4 weekly clean, and the window are not that dirty just do the following.
Couple of swipes with the mop end on each window, leaving a water/washing up liquid solution on the window. No more that what you need, just enough or you will waste time drying. Then get your microfibre and 3 or 4 passes up and down and it comes up A1. It takes a matter of seconds. Much quicker than the usual trad technique, even WFP.
I clean lightly dirty windows (normal and leaded) like this all the time. Its a lightening fast method that produces good results. Keep the squeege in the holster.
this was from another poster joe!
but instead of microfibre i use a damp scrim and buff with a dry one!
If they are not to dirty wet scrim dry scrim!
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I use spray bottle with pure water and a microfibre now. but it will still be slower than WFP as it only takes 1-2 seconds to move from one window to the other, where as traditionally you have to climb up the ladder then work then climb down then move the ladders to the next window then quickly check the ladders are in a safe position then climb them and clean.
Matt
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dump it ;)
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dump it ;)
Yes, I agree - but only if you've tried turning the pressure right down on the offending windows.
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Yes dump it or trad it? but don`t expect a very compact round if you keep dumping houses if they are not wfp friendly!
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;)
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Is that because wfp is better/more popular?
Is this question for James or myself?
Matt
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Matt is the opener leaking in from the top or the bottom where it closes ?
i've had/got some that have leaked at the top - usually first clean. - if this looks likely i always tell the
custy first this may happen due to the intensity of the clean and age of the frames.
thereafter i do minimal clean/water on that opener and get no water ingress. (so far!)
if it leaks at the closure ( depending on style ) so no matter how little water you use it runs inside to the
lower payne then you may have to come to an agreement to leave those or trad and price accordingly.
i have 2 new windows like this (well 3/4 year old frames) they leak wfp and in the rain! so custy does not
have them cleaned every time ( over a conny so no trad option )
but to be honest its only a little trickle at worst
Darran
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The opener leaks from the top, it runs from of the window above the opener, I hardly used any water, just enough to wet the brush then used this to scrub, then I did the lightest of rinses.
The job is only £20 per month. and its half hour drive away, but I do have customers in that area.
I am seriously thinking of dumping the customer, as she wants me to clean them traditionally, so no regards to my safety.
Matt
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Is that because wfp is better/more popular?
Better hmmm notice the majority of posts looking for help are from wfp operators and not trad!
Popular with wfp operators maybe!
What you have to remember all these problems that wfp spring up were not a problem trad
wfp is good on some houses but they have to be hand picked and you won`t know until you clean them if they are a problem!
You can trad any house!
If i am going to clean a house that i know is not wfp friendly i will trad it not dump them, i built a very compact round and i am not going to ruin it by dumping customers because wfp does not suit the house,
Some days now i just go out and trad other days wfp i like the mix, if i was to wfp every day i would jack window cleaning in as wfp is so boring
I sold my round a few years ago and have it all back and more, when i think back it was because of wfp i just got so fed up with it even though i was doing a good job i just did not enjoy window cleaning anymore i did not feel that way trad, so that`s why now i like to mix it to stop the boredom setting in and i know from reading posts on this and other forums i am not the only one to feel this way,
Wfp is a good tool but that is all it is another tool for window cleaners to use!
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could you not give her a roll of kitchen towel ??
she could do the insides for you ;D
Darran
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Is that because wfp is better/more popular?
Better hmmm notice the majority of posts looking for help are from wfp operators and not trad!
Popular with wfp operators maybe!
What you have to remember all these problems that wfp spring up were not a problem trad
wfp is good on some houses but they have to be hand picked and you won`t know until you clean them if they are a problem!
You can trad any house!
If i am going to clean a house that i know is not wfp friendly i will trad it not dump them, i built a very compact round and i am not going to ruin it by dumping customers because wfp does not suit the house,
Some days now i just go out and trad other days wfp i like the mix, if i was to wfp every day i would jack window cleaning in as wfp is so boring
I sold my round a few years ago and have it all back and more, when i think back it was because of wfp i just got so fed up with it even though i was doing a good job i just did not enjoy window cleaning anymore i did not feel that way trad, so that`s why now i like to mix it to stop the boredom setting in and i know from reading posts on this and other forums i am not the only one to feel this way,
Wfp is a good tool but that is all it is another tool for window cleaners to use!
That all depends on access to windows. if it unsafe to use ladders on some windows then you have to use WFP.
Matt
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could you not give her a roll of kitchen towel ??
she could do the insides for you ;D
Darran
I did mention this funny enough, but she is concerned because of the water sitting on the frame of the opener.
Matt
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Can`t you use a trad pole mb?
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Can`t you use a trad pole mb?
using a traditional pole on 1st and second floor georgian windows?
yes I can use tradtional gear considering I have been traditional for 14 years and WFP for 18 months.
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So there you have it the windows are not the problem but wfp is ;D
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How would you clean Georgian windows using a traditional pole James?
The panels are too small to use a 6" mop and squeegee. and using an unger clamp I am sure you would leave smears. plus how long do you think it would take to pole the first and second floor windows?
The smallest of the windows has 36 little panes.
I personally think the quickest way of doing it would be for me to WFP the outsides and let my other half microfibre the insides.
Matt
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MB would this do you ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4n_Cri5_Jo&feature=related
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mb
leave it for the next newbie or give it to a trad die hard, dont forget your in business to make money dont be embarassed by that fact, if the punter wont pay extra, why should you risk trad and earn less when you can replace her?
yes its not the peerfect solution bit we pick and choose our jobs all the time so treat this one accordingly
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MB would this do you ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4n_Cri5_Jo&feature=related
LOL they're French windows not Georgian. ;D
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Well Said Jeff,
i was looking for the right words earlier but it started sounding like a rant.
whether trad or WFP making money is the name of the game, and one of the other reasons to running my
own biz was to make decisions on what work i do and how many hours i work.
not slave away for someone else
Darran
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matt they are just the old winds so its goin to leak a bit bet it leaks when it rains so its not you fault that they are crap winds advise the custie of this and say i can do these windows trad style but i have to charge a higher price if they dont want to pay the extra then you have advised them of the problem are they a good custie
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Agree with her on all the leaking,its her problem you did not make the windows.Give a price for trad and for WFP or no clean and then she can deside.AS I said make it her problem.
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i did some high small windows with a long trad pole /damp scrim wrapped over a small channel swivel squeegee . admit it hurt my arms as it was many windows and took me a couple of hours,but very good results