Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: windows_chepstow on October 09, 2005, 05:08:43 pm

Title: Do you put any pressure on your pole?
Post by: windows_chepstow on October 09, 2005, 05:08:43 pm
Hi,

I was out playing with my WFP this morning, cleaning mine and the neighbors (again) when a local window cleaner (John Hughes) called round to make fun of me.

He also uses WFP and I asked for a demonstration of how it 'should be done'.

He uses a similar technique to the one I've adopted, but shortened the pole length to make it less bendy, then put a fair bit of pressure on the pole to really scrub those windows.

Is this necessary for a normal monthly clean?

(He also warned me in a 'friendly' fashion to stay away from his patches.  Of course I told him there was no such thing; and for a laugh I may spend an hour or two leafleting one of his areas with some bogus leaflets from someone claiming to be the 'cheapest window cleaner in Chepstow'.  I'll use his own telephone number on the leaflet.  He'd have a heart attack!)
Title: Re: Do you put any pressure on your pole?
Post by: H h20 on October 09, 2005, 05:13:22 pm
I suppose it depends on how dirty they are,theres no need to put as much pressure or even water on if they are not as dirty,Gaz
Title: Re: Do you put any pressure on your pole?
Post by: Davindo Cleana on October 09, 2005, 05:36:22 pm
The weight of the brush on the glass should be pressure enough - wouldn't have thought there was much margin for adjusting pole length during use.
I have a powerpole so maybe it's different as it's not so flexible.

The thing about patches is bizarre - even when someone thinks they have an area sewn up do they have 100% or more like 50% - maybe some of the w/c's with big accounts could answer that one :)
Title: Re: Do you put any pressure on your pole?
Post by: thewindowcleaner1 on October 09, 2005, 05:46:15 pm
Quote
The thing about patches is bizarre - even when someone thinks they have an area sewn up do they have 100% or more like 50% - maybe some of the w/c's with big accounts could


You're only as good as your last clean...

Quote
He uses a similar technique to the one I've adopted, but shortened the pole length to make it less bendy, then put a fair bit of pressure on the pole to really scrub those windows.

It depends on high up you're working I've found that at about 30ft the weight of brush and pole is enough. At 20ft I use normal pressure on regular cleans (unless it has impacted soilage)(especially this time of the year Blackberrys impacted on glass can be a pain)

Alan
Title: Re: Do you put any pressure on your pole?
Post by: matt on October 09, 2005, 07:44:18 pm
i just let the weight of the brush head do the work, EXCEPT on bird mess, then you have to scrub a little :)
Title: Re: Do you put any pressure on your pole?
Post by: poles apart on October 09, 2005, 08:17:10 pm
You don't need to put pressure on the brush for your normal monthly clean as it's the pure water and brushing 'action' which cleans the glass. It's only normal though to try to scrub harder when you come across bird muck but I tend to lift the brush off the glass and let the jet of water hit the muck for a few seconds to soften it before brushing. On birds muck brush up and down and side to side and it will come off, some quicker than others.
Rod
Title: Re: Do you put any pressure on your pole?
Post by: windows_chepstow on October 09, 2005, 09:32:15 pm
Cheers, guys; simple question I know, but I think I'll stick with your advice.

It's saved me scrubbing those windows tomorrow!
Title: Re: Do you put any pressure on your pole?
Post by: craig jwc on October 09, 2005, 09:56:23 pm
Sometimes i find if bird muck is really hard to get off even with alot of rinsing and brushing i use the rubber in the side of the brush to try and loosen it.
Otherwise i just use the weight of the brush and pole to clean the windows.
 8) 8)
Title: Re: Do you put any pressure on your pole?
Post by: AuRavelling79 on October 09, 2005, 10:45:22 pm
......then put a fair bit of pressure on the pole to really scrub those windows.


I'm going to try this tomorrow - here's my plan.

MG (Grabbing Pole by throat) "Listen mate! I want you to work really hard today. I want you to really scrub those windows!"

Pole (Cowering away in abject terror) "I only get here from Warsaw to work for my family! I work hard for you! I not a slacker. I want to send zlotyies back home for my family!"

MG (Softening) "OK! As long as you understand! Me boss!"

Pole (Blood coming back into face) "I scrub for you!"


Next day after Polish worker has worked his little socks off and earned me loads because I "put a fair bit of pressure" on him to scrub harder!

MG (Pacing up and down muttering to self): "Where's that Pole? I'll wring his neck! The lazy perisher!"

MG (10 minutes later - phoning Pole): "Where are you? I'm warning you! It's back to the salt mines in Krackow for you if you don't get your cheeks around here right away!"

Pole: "You big-a bully! I not ever work for you again! I get nice job in warm at McDonalds, they treat me better - you always say scrub ze windows harder...no...no... the nice lady at immigration tells me we are all in EU now and I'm off double-quickski!. I soon earn enough to go back to my Irenka in Zakopane... Good bye!"

MG (Really miffed but resigned, writes note to self "Do not ever listen to Tosh and his advice to 'put a fair bit of pressure on the Pole to scrub the windows' again!)
Title: Re: Do you put any pressure on your pole?
Post by: Paul Coleman on October 09, 2005, 11:43:30 pm
......then put a fair bit of pressure on the pole to really scrub those windows.


I'm going to try this tomorrow - here's my plan.

MG (Grabbing Pole by throat) "Listen mate! I want you to work really hard today. I want you to really scrub those windows!"

Pole (Cowering away in abject terror) "I only get here from Warsaw to work for my family! I work hard for you! I not a slacker. I want to send zlotyies back home for my family!"

MG (Softening) "OK! As long as you understand! Me boss!"

Pole (Blood coming back into face) "I scrub for you!"


Next day after Polish worker has worked his little socks off and earned me loads because I "put a fair bit of pressure" on him to scrub harder!

MG (Pacing up and down muttering to self): "Where's that Pole? I'll wring his neck! The lazy perisher!"

MG (10 minutes later - phoning Pole): "Where are you? I'm warning you! It's back to the salt mines in Krackow for you if you don't get your cheeks around here right away!"

Pole: "You big-a bully! I not ever work for you again! I get nice job in warm at McDonalds, they treat me better - you always say scrub ze windows harder...no...no... the nice lady at immigration tells me we are all in EU now and I'm off double-quickski!. I soon earn enough to go back to my Irenka in Zakopane... Good bye!"

MG (Really miffed but resigned, writes note to self "Do not ever listen to Tosh and his advice to 'put a fair bit of pressure on the Pole to scrub the windows' again!)

Quite a few years ago, at the Olympic games, the pole vault was actually won by a Pole.