Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Kenny83 on June 19, 2012, 11:29:55 pm
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Hi, i am into pressure washing but i clean conservatories using viro sol / tfr and a long brush using a hose / gun to swill off, I am getting more and more enquiries from people asking me to clean their windows aswell as upvc etc, currently I have to refuse as i don't fancy cleaning the windows via ladders / squeegee etc, so I was thinking of getting a trolley system... my question is this .. would I be better off with a trolley systemand buying di / ro? (im a complete novice) or would i need to purchase some kind of R O system and install it in my garage, im only asking as the di water on ebay is £17 a drum! or maybe I would be better off buying a small van set up say 125 litres as my neighbours always complain about the window cleaner never turning up round here etc so may have scope for a little local work, I dont want a cheap set up, just a small one, I have learned over the years that you really do get what you pay for so i would like the best quality gear if possible, also advice on poles, pumps etc would be welcome.
any advice welcome
thanks
Lee
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havnt read your whole post but
the one best bit of advice i can give you is not to get a trolly we have already made mistakes for you go straight to van mount.
350L for a days work.
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my first step would be to get a hand held TDS meter, and test your water, this will let you know if you need an ro and di or di only, I am sure manchester is hard water as was there the other week, to be sure get one of these they are about £15 you will need one of there regardless if you want to make pure water.
If your only using windows as an add on and not intending on going at the full time, then a trolley is fine to use due to it being portable and not affecting your insurance drasticley (spelt wrong) like a van mount will, just remember to secure everything as 1liter of water is 1kg and check the payload of the van your using as not to overload it.
One more thing remember you have to lift this trolley so I would adivse not to get one that carries more than 25l barrels due to weight. a seperate sack barrow or trolley as others call them to take more if needed will be a good add on. The reason to have this is so you don't have to carry weight all over the place reducing rsi (they are a nightmare if you have to hump them about all day every day) trust me, been there done it and the t-shirt is not a good one.
if your going into to more than van mount without a doubt, but with this comes added costs
if this is not regular work there maybe a company that sells water in your area is worth a try, ebay and water transport is expessive which I guess you already know
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get a backpack mate, trolleys are ok but plenty of places you cant get them to,a backpack can go anywhere even through a house if need be and they are only heavy if you fill them right up & there are smallish ones & they're much cheaper than trolleys
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honestly just get van mount and pay the extra if you can trollys and backpacks are back breakin constant lifting and messing about!
you cant beat taking for hose for a walk compared to lifting barrels!
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I have trolleys and backpacks.had van systems.got rid.quicker and easier with a backpack.anyone who says its back breaking must be a wimp.
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well carrying say 20kg on your back i know it aint for ages cos it gets lighter but surley you cant beat lifting nothing?
allyou do is take your hose for a walk...
and your water is attached to it
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Never had a bacpack on my back.i just carry it.easy.
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right, quite a few mixed replies there, i appreciate the comments but i think I'm more inclined to the back pack and trolley systems as it is only a small part of what i would be doing, if the demand is there then maybe move up to a van mount.....
if i get a trolley / back pack what good poles should i look for? a good all rounder say? i also want to apply chemical through them like virosol for upvc/gutter cleaning, which ones would you recommend? should i buy a good second hand one? or go for new? thanks
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ok since its your side line then backpac i would understand and if you dont wana spend much then maybe a clx 18 footer ?
personally i would only look at slx 25 footers.
best all round pole and decent price will last you very well
had it new and i have given it a rough time its still perfect almost a year soon
best perchase prolly i ever made.
you could get an clx but the slx is alot better ive got both and various poles in my shed
the slx all the way
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Clx 22 allday long.you will reach 99 percent of windows.
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Ok guys, I recieved my TDS meter through the post today... tested my water out the tap and it reads 065ppm.... what would I need to get pure water 000ppm? just a filter or RO system aswell?
Thanks
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65ppm is very soft,
softest water ive had in old place was about 200 now its 400 so ro for both houses i think you might be just fine with a large resin vessle but im sure someone in a soft water area like yours will tell you in a sec.
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thanks mate
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DI is enough,lucky you! ;)
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how many liters do you need a month here is a chart
http://www.gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/Resin%20Calculator.htm
you cant go wrong with DI you said window cleaning is a side line for you atm?
1000l a month will only cost you a few quid in resin per month so get the largest sack it will last you over a year,
you can buy a DI unit anywhere
http://www.thecleaningwarehouse.co.uk/
www.windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk
http://www.cleaningspot.co.uk/
or look on ebay
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would this also work.... I met a guy in the gym selling magnetic bracelet type things... he reckoned if you put a magnet on your water pipe before your tap it dras all the iron out the water... a long shot i know but the thought just crossed me mind...
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no i have never heard of that put your hand in your pocket and have pure water :)
your only 65ppm some of us spend loads of money!
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would this also work.... I met a guy in the gym selling magnetic bracelet type things... he reckoned if you put a magnet on your water pipe before your tap it dras all the iron out the water... a long shot i know but the thought just crossed me mind...
so funny ;D ;D ;D
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would this also work.... I met a guy in the gym selling magnetic bracelet type things... he reckoned if you put a magnet on your water pipe before your tap it dras all the iron out the water... a long shot i know but the thought just crossed me mind...
Is that the new Ionics parts per billion system?
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havnt read your whole post but
the one best bit of advice i can give you is not to get a trolly we have already made mistakes for you go straight to van mount.
350L for a days work.
A few points, first of all how can you say a van system is best for him when you don't know the nature of his work or indeed how much window cleaning he has got? I have a trolley system that earns me £150 a day for 5 barells of water, hardly back breaking stuff is it unless you can't lift a 25 litre barrell out of a vehicle ::) If I used a van mount system on my round it would be a nightmare ::)
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How much window cleaning have you got or plan on getting? What are the access issues with your properties? Is your work scattered as I expect it is? Have you got plenty of money to spend on equipment? Or on you on budget, buying stuff on a budget doesn't necesssarily mean buying inferior gear, for example spending hundreds on a slx 18 pole when it won't get used much is pointless when with a light brush on a clx pole which costs much less is good enough, also you will need a water saving device, the only dead cert is you only need di, dependent on how much water you plan on using will determin whether one or two vessels would benefit you more. May I say how much I like this site, window cleaning issues are discussed as long as you skip the "How to become an overnight window cleaning milionaire" section. D
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would this also work.... I met a guy in the gym selling magnetic bracelet type things... he reckoned if you put a magnet on your water pipe before your tap it dras all the iron out the water... a long shot i know but the thought just crossed me mind...
Is this a joke? A copper bracelet might help if your water pipe has arthritis?
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think he has decided what do to by now his original post was ages ago
a trolly is ok if its just a bit here and there and its only a side line of his work.
but for any window cleaner the more water you carry the better you will get alot of people who swear by van mounts im one of them ive had both if you are doing x with a trolly you can normally do x times 2 with a van mount... remember i have had a trolly and have learnt the way forward if it works for you then cool
regarding pole if you are on a budget sure clx is fine ive got one in the shed as a spare, but if you have the money just get an slx25 no one has ever regretted it probably my best purchase ever and im sure everyone els will 2nd that
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is your clx for sale mate?
im going for a trolley or back pack and getting a resin filter, what size filter would i need?
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kenny give one of those guys a call im sure they will recomend you one if you are on a budget you could get maybe 11liters.
the reason why i aint recomending you budgeting is cos i did that and it was silly window cleaning really works you dont need to worry about saving on your profession i just want to pass over mistakes that others have done too spend that money and have the best kit its worth it!
dont really want to sell the clx mate not worth it prefer it in the shed where i know i can use it if i ever need to as a backup!
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Kenny im only up the road from you mate! Even though i don't normally talk to pie eaters, i will lend you a di vessel if you want pal ;)?
Danny
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Kenny im only up the road from you mate! Even though i don't normally talk to pie eaters, i will lend you a di vessel if you want pal ;)?
Danny
;D
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Kenny im only up the road from you mate! Even though i don't normally talk to pie eaters, i will lend you a di vessel if you want pal ;)?
Danny
yes mate, sounds good, unless you want to sell it? where do you live mate? do you have the same low tds reading as me? (065ppm)
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Nah mate ill just lend it to you for a couple month to see if its worth it for you and if it is ill tell you where to get one! Im in st helens but my TDS level is double/triple yours! Give me a bell on my mobile if you want mate and i will try and help you out 07896065583
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id snapp that up kenny really sweet of you to help him out kleen!
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Top guy aren't I 8)
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I started with a trolley system... Was great as I started my business in the back of my Toyota Aygo!
After around 8 months I was desperate for a van. I then installed a 400 litre tank and have never looked back!!! Best business decision I've ever made.
Lifting barrels all day... No thank you!
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I started with a trolley system... Was great as I started my business in the back of my Toyota Aygo!
After around 8 months I was desperate for a van. I then installed a 400 litre tank and have never looked back!!! Best business decision I've ever made.
Lifting barrels all day... No thank you!
thats my point lee, end of the day if you want to stay in this trade for long term you need the best equipment and make it as easy as possible. so lifting barrles all day every day will take its toll soon..
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Indeed!
When I went from trolley to van mount I gained HOURS each day to find new business.
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did you start from scratch or buy a round Lee?