Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Swcs on June 24, 2013, 09:59:39 pm
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I have always got my flow valves from Gardiner's up to now, but I have found them to fall apart too easily.
When holding it in your hand whilst cleaning windows the red end caps can easily loosen and pop out because of the hose being pulled by gravity as you lift the pole up and down whilst cleaning.
Also my most recent nuance with them is you only have to get your pole hose caught or snagged once whilst walking and the red cap and internal metal retaining clip can fly out. And in my experience once the retaining clip flys out, if you find it, the valve is never the same again.
I called up Gardiner's today to let them know that the valve i purchased broke on the first job ( hose got caught whilst walking up steps ) but they said i was at fault because I yanked the hose.
For the record I try to look after my gear and appreciate the fragile nature of these flow valves, so don't just go yanking my hose everywhere... I digress...
Anyway, I need a more robust flow valve, any ideas or recommendations?
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yes ive had the same problem mate.2 broke within a few months.i use aqua-daptors now on my 22 and 25 footers and just the last remaining pole tap on my 40 footer.
the new aqua-daptors are expensive esp with the gooseneck adaptors but they are fantastic.i cant praise them enough!very light and sturdy and are a tight fit on the end of my poles and dont come loose.
best wishes
dazmond
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I've always used one of these on the end of my reel of microbore (you need to adapt it with a short length of 1/2" hose and a barbed reducer)
http://www.worldofgardena.co.uk/Products/Art-2942-26-Gardena-Hose-Connector-With-Control-Valve-13mm--2942-26.html
never had any of the problems you've described
Simon
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Hi Luke
Just been through exactly the same!!!!
Recommendations from Alex:
It may be worth using these on the poles hose - http://www.gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/acatalog/John-Guest-8mm-stem-to-6mm-Barb-PM250806E.html
If you wanted a different type of valve then you an use these:
http://www.gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/acatalog/replacement-valve-body-and-tap.html
and you can then fit two of these to it:
http://www.gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/acatalog/brass-male-screw-thread-to-hose-barb-fittings.html
Kind regards
Alex Gardiner
Director
Gardiner Pole Systems Ltd
I am using the Replacement valve body (above link) and tap and I prefer it. The worst that can happen is you can pull the hose off the barb. So much easier to fix than searching someone's garden for a little red cap and springy circular barb that is impossible to push back in if you do happen to find them again.??? ??? ???
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i have been using one of these for 3 years now
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Microbore-SINGLE-LEVER-Tap-8mm-Hosetail-and-8mm-Hosetail-Size-Rectus21-Connector-/251222641193?pt=UK_HomeGarden_CLV_Cleaning_CA&hash=item3a7e094a29 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Microbore-SINGLE-LEVER-Tap-8mm-Hosetail-and-8mm-Hosetail-Size-Rectus21-Connector-/251222641193?pt=UK_HomeGarden_CLV_Cleaning_CA&hash=item3a7e094a29)
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This has got to be the next area that needs development. I too have problems: I use the Pure Freedom red ball valve http://www.purefreedom.co.uk/brass-female-female-ball-valves-p-373.html (barb into the microbore and a male Rectus 21 on the other end) and then a Rectus 21 or Gardiners EZ Snap female on my pole hose. I have Protecta balls on both hoses.
The ball valves last OK; the male fittings need replacing regularly (say 12 weeks). I've had new female 21s leak after the first house. I have found no real advantage to replacing both the male and the female at the same time (as is recommended). I tend to put up with constant leaks until I get so pis sed off that I give in and replace them.
I might be wrong but I think the problem is we are using equipment that is designed for other applications and making it work for WFP. We need a new approach to the problem and yer man Alex is the type of bloke to give it some thought.
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yes ive had the same problem mate.2 broke within a few months.i use aqua-daptors now on my 22 and 25 footers and just the last remaining pole tap on my 40 footer.
the new aqua-daptors are expensive esp with the gooseneck adaptors but they are fantastic.i cant praise them enough!very light and sturdy and are a tight fit on the end of my poles and dont come loose.
best wishes
dazmond
Thanks daz I have been looking into this, the only reason I haven't done it yet is that it's quite expensive. Have you had any problems with hose snagging making the connection come lose etc? Or has it been as hassle free as it looks? I take it you have the latest model?
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I've always used one of these on the end of my reel of microbore (you need to adapt it with a short length of 1/2" hose and a barbed reducer)
http://www.worldofgardena.co.uk/Products/Art-2942-26-Gardena-Hose-Connector-With-Control-Valve-13mm--2942-26.html
never had any of the problems you've described
Simon
Thanks Simon! I appreciate the recommendation, never seen that before!
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Hi Luke
Just been through exactly the same!!!!
Recommendations from Alex:
It may be worth using these on the poles hose - http://www.gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/acatalog/John-Guest-8mm-stem-to-6mm-Barb-PM250806E.html
If you wanted a different type of valve then you an use these:
http://www.gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/acatalog/replacement-valve-body-and-tap.html
and you can then fit two of these to it:
http://www.gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/acatalog/brass-male-screw-thread-to-hose-barb-fittings.html
Kind regards
Alex Gardiner
Director
Gardiner Pole Systems Ltd
I am using the Replacement valve body (above link) and tap and I prefer it. The worst that can happen is you can pull the hose off the barb. So much easier to fix than searching someone's garden for a little red cap and springy circular barb that is impossible to push back in if you do happen to find them again.??? ??? ???
Haha! Glad it's not just me searching the garden for the broken bits!
Did you try the John Guest barbs at all before the replacement body?
How frequently have you had the hose separate from the barb with the replacement valve body? Looks more sturdy for sure!
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I just use the ones from cleaning spot
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yes ive had the same problem mate.2 broke within a few months.i use aqua-daptors now on my 22 and 25 footers and just the last remaining pole tap on my 40 footer.
the new aqua-daptors are expensive esp with the gooseneck adaptors but they are fantastic.i cant praise them enough!very light and sturdy and are a tight fit on the end of my poles and dont come loose.
best wishes
dazmond
Thanks daz I have been looking into this, the only reason I haven't done it yet is that it's quite expensive. Have you had any problems with hose snagging making the connection come lose etc? Or has it been as hassle free as it looks? I take it you have the latest model?
you say its expensive but on average its £15.00 for a flow valve delivered from gardiners, so if you have used a couple in a few months thats almost half the Aqua adapter ?
I have used an aqua adapter and its good kit and probably the most efficient way to save water
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This has got to be the next area that needs development. I too have problems: I use the Pure Freedom red ball valve http://www.purefreedom.co.uk/brass-female-female-ball-valves-p-373.html (barb into the microbore and a male Rectus 21 on the other end) and then a Rectus 21 or Gardiners EZ Snap female on my pole hose. I have Protecta balls on both hoses.
The ball valves last OK; the male fittings need replacing regularly (say 12 weeks). I've had new female 21s leak after the first house. I have found no real advantage to replacing both the male and the female at the same time (as is recommended). I tend to put up with constant leaks until I get so pis sed off that I give in and replace them.
I might be wrong but I think the problem is we are using equipment that is designed for other applications and making it work for WFP. We need a new approach to the problem and yer man Alex is the type of bloke to give it some thought.
Problem with these pf valves, is the tap nut always comes loose, and end up falling off !
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I use these on the end of the delivery hose. http://www.gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/acatalog/replacement-valve-body-and-tap.html
However I get them from Pirtek at the ones supplied by Gardiners have a plastic handle which breaks very easily but Pirtek supply them with metal handles. I find these last at least a year. I find this method very fast and easy to use although some don't like the loop of hose at the bottom of the pile.
Simon.
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why is it that people like gardiners and the like spend so much time working on how light and strong they can make poles instead of sorting the water flow problem ??? surely they could make a clamp placed at the bottom of the pole to nip the pipe when closed stopping the water ??? that way cutting out any need for taps and the like ???
what about a twist grip at the end of the pole nipping the water pipe ?? ok it will wear the pipe and you may need to shorten it after a few months but got to be worth it cutting these problems out
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http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-4-Shut-off-valve-Coupling-JOHN-GUEST-JG-RO-water-filter-Push-fit-GENUINE-/221203296653?pt=UK_HGKitchen_SmallApp_RL&hash=item3380be718d
been using this for the last 2 days, it was recommended by someone on here, it needs 8mm stem to barb insert but so far its great
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Thank you all for your your recommendations and suggestions.
I have now placed an order with Aqua-adapter for both my poles, lets hope they last at least 4 times as long as the Gardiner flow valves! ;D
My pockets are now empty! :'(
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good choice luke.they are great.fastest way to control your water flow!put a post up when you get em and tell us what you think when you ve been using them for a few days! ;) :) :)
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Hi Luke, check this thread out for the perfect lightweight solution to your problem. No no, don't thank me! http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=172369.0
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good choice luke.they are great.fastest way to control your water flow!put a post up when you get em and tell us what you think when you ve been using them for a few days! ;) :) :)
Yeah I agree can't beat the aquadapters :)
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Hi Luke, check this thread out for the perfect lightweight solution to your problem. No no, don't thank me! http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=172369.0
Thanks Barry! I'll keep that link bookmarked. I'm never very good at putting size adaptors on, mine always manage to leak etc. i know i must be doing something wrong, but , anyway...
I'll have to be taught how to do it by a pro who live down West Cornwall .:p
We'll see how I get on with the aqua adapters now that they're on their way!
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Hi Luke, check this thread out for the perfect lightweight solution to your problem. No no, don't thank me! http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=172369.0
Thanks Barry! I'll keep that link bookmarked. I'm never very good at putting size adaptors on, mine always manage to leak etc. i know i must be doing something wrong, but , anyway...
I'll have to be taught how to do it by a pro who live down West Cornwall .:p
We'll see how I get on with the aqua adapters now that they're on their way!
I'd be interested in how you get on with the Aquadapter. I got one of the first versions a couple of years ago, it went into my shed a couple of weeks later and hasn't seen the light of day since. Although the idea is very good, I found the weight to be too much of a burden, almost cancelling out the advantage of having a carbon fibre pole (SLX). I know the current versions are lighter, so maybe I need to give it another go.
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Barry I'll make another thread to review it after a couple of weeks working with the aqua-adapters. :D
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Cheers Luke, look forward to a highly professional, well thought out and intelligently laid out review, with no spelling mistakes and correct use of punctuation. No pressure. :D