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UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: H20cleaning on April 29, 2014, 12:44:47 pm

Title: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: H20cleaning on April 29, 2014, 12:44:47 pm
I have an office block i do inside and out, the insides take me about 30-40 mins would a karcher vacs battery last this long? And would it make my job any quicker?
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: Simon Mess on April 29, 2014, 12:53:21 pm
Never used one myself, but i have heard 2 opposing views from customers!. One saying the battery does not last very long, but the other saying she can do all the interior windows of her 2/3 bed bungalow with small conny at the front ???
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: H20cleaning on April 29, 2014, 12:55:24 pm
Ahhh! Hopefully i will get a few more opinions aswell:) i wonder how much extra battery packs are
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: C o z y on April 29, 2014, 12:58:29 pm
Never used one mate, found a great invention called mop and squeegie

This bird uses a Kärcher though!!  ;D ;D

(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1398772636_imagesCAQDMCIX.jpg)




Couldn't resist  :D
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: Sean Kelly on April 29, 2014, 01:30:38 pm
I wouldn't use one if a customer sees you using it there's potential of them buying one and doing it there self, as these are quite popular it would more than likely happen if they saw you using it "my window cleaner has one" I'll save some money for £50
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: C o z y on April 29, 2014, 01:47:20 pm
The other point is, I also have my wife running the carpet and upholstery business of ours. How would you feel about coughing up 100 quid for someone to clean 2 rooms with a poxy Vax?? The machines we use cost around 3K, and aren't top of the range. Some truck mounted machines cost 15k to 20K
Then we have conny cleans here that cost the customer over 200 quid, and I turn up with a Kärcher??
Sorry mate, just made me laugh. Just stick to what you're good at. Outsides only.  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: H20cleaning on April 29, 2014, 02:21:46 pm
I said a office block not other jobs lol i dont take domestic inside jobs as usually they are a nightmare!
Its for a commercial office block, aslong as they are clean i cant see them minding how they are done? I do the outside WFP and usually squeeqy  and blade the insides. However i am so slow because i dont often use trad that i wondered if anyone uses them:)
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: C o z y on April 29, 2014, 02:57:12 pm
Keep ya Alens on mate, it's only a forum  ;D
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: wfp master on April 29, 2014, 03:07:11 pm
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1398780405_images (2).jpg)
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: SherwoodCleaningSe on April 29, 2014, 03:11:41 pm
I think you would run the risk of losing the job if you turn up and use a bit of gear that isn't deemed to be pro.

People pay money for either you to use expensive gear they can afford or skills they don't have. Karcher screams amature to me. Trad skill = pro.

Simon.
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: wfp master on April 29, 2014, 03:22:24 pm
ye a bit housewife ish. :)
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: H20cleaning on April 29, 2014, 03:39:09 pm
I see where use are coming from thats why i asked, i didnt think there would be a problem as a karcher is just a more expensive squeeqy really!
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: C o z y on April 29, 2014, 03:48:36 pm
You seem pretty sure you want to use one, so go for it. Just ignore those nasty uncles and aunts that giggle behind your back when you're working. Let 'em think what they want mate.  ;)
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: C o z y on April 29, 2014, 03:57:05 pm
You could get one of these.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLS-KbZ6RkM

Or this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqCxxpUOwkg

Here's a good idea, 230v, no battery problems


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSGRY98J1Cc
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: H20cleaning on April 29, 2014, 04:11:09 pm
I cant help wanting to use one! Ever since i tried one in b&q i just fell in love!  ;D
Nah in all seriousness if no one else used them i wont use one, i dont want to be the first
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: *Hector* on April 29, 2014, 04:12:30 pm
my mum uses one if that is any help?
she is 71 but only uses it at home and not at the golf club...

 ;D
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: H20cleaning on April 29, 2014, 04:15:27 pm
my mum uses one if that is any help?
she is 71 but only uses it at home and not at the golf club...

 ;D
Im quite upset and disturbed you let your 71 year old mother clean her own windows!  ;D
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: C o z y on April 29, 2014, 04:16:13 pm
Yeah, mean git, ban Hectoid  ;D
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: *Hector* on April 29, 2014, 04:19:10 pm
I'm a carpet cleaner.... what would I know about cleaning winders....??


mind you I did make her clean her own carpets last month too...

 ;D ;D
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: jarvy on April 29, 2014, 04:25:40 pm
I brought a window vac from lidl a couple of weeks ago for the missus. Very bulky and a pita when you get to the bottom of the glass. Not bad for her though, only cost £20. Couldn't see much use for my work unless it was for the inside of conny roofs.
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: H20cleaning on April 29, 2014, 04:34:55 pm
I'm a carpet cleaner.... what would I know about cleaning winders....??


mind you I did make her clean her own carpets last month too...

 ;D ;D

Get on yer own section!!!! This is for windows cleaners  ::)roll haha
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: G Griffin on April 29, 2014, 04:40:31 pm
my mum uses one if that is any help?
she is 71 but only uses it at home and not at the golf club...

 ;D
So she had you when she was 11?  :o
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: *Hector* on April 29, 2014, 04:47:14 pm
We grow up quick in Yorkshire you know..

 ;D

And H2o we can multi-task so I can read carpet and winder stuff...  :P

 ;D
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: SeanK on April 29, 2014, 04:55:14 pm
Like everything they have a place, I have a couple for interior conservatory roofs
and also for high interior velux.
For normal windows I would stick to a squeegee as the karcher is no quicker and it doesn't do
a great job.
You should get about 15 mins on a full charge which would do the insides of a mid size 3 bed semi easily
as long as you switch it off between windows.
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: Marc Stock on April 29, 2014, 04:58:39 pm
I wouldn't use one if a customer sees you using it there's potential of them buying one and doing it there self, as these are quite popular it would more than likely happen if they saw you using it "my window cleaner has one" I'll save some money for £50

Nahh, they'd soon get fed up with doing it themselves.

Whats stopping them saving even more money and cleaning their own windows with a £2 squeegee anyway?

or even use newspaper and vinegar?

its a fad, result of a huge marketing and advertising spend from karcher.

You wait when the thing wears out, they gotta either buy a new one for whatever the cost will be. bet they wont.  
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: seamus campbell on April 29, 2014, 05:15:52 pm
You be better off with 2 waffle Microfibre cloths, handier an cheaper than a karcher vac and isa y quicker 2
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: 8weekly on April 29, 2014, 05:20:54 pm
You be better off with 2 waffle Microfibre cloths, handier an cheaper than a karcher vac and isa y quicker 2
Unless the insides are really dirty, for domestics I just use microfibres now. For me it is much quicker that mop & squeegee. Any regular internals with average sized glass generally only needs a quick wipe.
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: H20cleaning on April 29, 2014, 05:50:19 pm
Or i could benefit from someone training me in trad as im so slow! My unger tools are wasted on me 👀
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: 8weekly on April 29, 2014, 05:55:40 pm
Or i could benefit from someone training me in trad as im so slow! My unger tools are wasted on me 👀
Youtube and practice.
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: lee_dewing on April 29, 2014, 07:09:27 pm
As Sean k.
Have one and use on interior connie roofs done on 2 so far.

Great for that as when pour water out of vac from connie roof its black.

Always make sure custie sees.

For doing inside windows squeegee big windows abd doors and micro fib the rest with spray bottle with pure and a dash of gg3.
 ;)
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: capn sparkle on April 29, 2014, 07:58:15 pm
As above - Underside of conny roofs - had mine about a year still going strong
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: Smudger on April 29, 2014, 11:53:52 pm
Use them all the time, commercial and domestic, less mess quicker cleaning,
Battery is about 20 mins continual use, each widow take around 15 seconds to clean turn off between each window.

Never lost a job using one, in fact i have several customers that have them sitting in the house unused while we use ours  ::)roll

So whats more professional, a guy who invests in the latest technology, does a quick clean no mess job, or the guy who arrives with a stick of brass channel and rubber strip? Costing around £2

Answer - neither both get paid to clean a window, weapon of choice is down to the individual!

and having used both the end result is the same - perfect.
( just less hassle with the karcher )

Darran
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: C o z y on April 30, 2014, 12:44:13 am
Deleted that.  :( Was having a bad hair da or summat.  ::)roll
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: gary999 on April 30, 2014, 12:51:19 am
Bit harsh cozy ;D

i can use a blade but i avoid all inside cleaning as much as possible

outside work windows,con cleans and fascia is enough for me to
make a decent living i have no need to do more.for me its another
freedom of choice and i am happy doing what i am doing :)
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: SeanK on April 30, 2014, 08:23:56 am
I feel the same as Cozy I served my time as a road sweeper so there's no way I would use
one of those motorized sweepers, I wouldn't want people to think I hadn't mastered my trade.
 


Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: martin hulstone on May 01, 2014, 08:37:39 pm
thats like going to an indian for a meal and he gives you an asda one he has microwaved. totally amateurish, maybe practice trad on your own inside windows every night after work to pick up speed. plus the karcher leaves terrible streaks in direct sunlight, my missus uses one to take condensation off the windows in the mornings.
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: wfp master on May 01, 2014, 09:06:22 pm
thats like going to an indian for a meal and he gives you an asda one he has microwaved. totally amateurish, maybe practice trad on your own inside windows every night after work to pick up speed. plus the karcher leaves terrible streaks in direct sunlight, my missus uses one to take condensation off the windows in the mornings.
correct.
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: dazmond on May 01, 2014, 09:22:32 pm
i have an appointment with a customer at 11am tomorrow.insides £40 outsides £30.mop and blade every time.to be fair her inside windows are usually pretty clean as they get cleaned every 12 weeks.non smoker.nice posh clean house! ;) ;D

it makes a nice change to use a mop and blade rather than poling all day which is the norm these days! ;)
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: TomSE on May 01, 2014, 10:25:48 pm
I think like most things alot of it is in our head, I doubt the majority of customers would mind if you use a karcher if you seem confident in using it and it gets good results. I would prefer personally to use a squeegee etc but I would just crack on if I felt that would be better, its just another tool.
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: ben M on May 01, 2014, 10:40:28 pm
battery last 20 mins
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: deeege on May 01, 2014, 10:44:28 pm
Not for me. Mop and blade every time. I couldn't care less if the customer thinks it looks less professional or not but a mop and blade will be quicker and do a better job when used correctly.
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: trippyboy on May 01, 2014, 10:50:56 pm
I use one where you have to be carefull on certain insides,works brill on inside of conny roofs.
Plus I bought the karcher extension pole for mine I use it on glass conny roofs, as I found before you can rinse to the cows come home and still have those tiny annoying debris left the size of sand,the karcher takes care of those.
Warning bin the crappy blade and replace with unger or a brand name

Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: windowswashed on May 02, 2014, 12:23:39 am
Practice your trad skills again. I clean inside a factory once a month every month trad and you soon pick it up again :)
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: Tadgh O Shea on May 02, 2014, 12:40:02 am
 I would agree with Seamus little waffle glass cloths, use one damp to clean and one dry to polish off for a streak free finish, no mess no spills and the finish is always perfect, it dose not get any easier for internals.
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: wfp master on May 02, 2014, 03:54:06 pm
I would agree with Seamus little waffle glass cloths, use one damp to clean and one dry to polish off for a streak free finish, no mess no spills and the finish is always perfect, it dose not get any easier for internals.
waffle cloth mentioned tadghs on the case . ;D
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: Tadgh O Shea on May 02, 2014, 07:17:04 pm
 Just trying to point ye guys to the quick and easy option.
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: 8weekly on May 02, 2014, 07:19:12 pm
Just trying to point ye guys to the quick and easy option.
Whether it's waffle cloths or microfibres, for semi regular internal cleans, it's quicker with cloths on most windows for those that started with WFP.
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: CleanClear on May 02, 2014, 08:22:54 pm
Just trying to point ye guys to the quick and easy option.
Whether it's waffle cloths or microfibres, for semi regular internal cleans, it's quicker with cloths on most windows for those that started with WFP.

I've found the waffle cloths (even though they are a type of microfibre) far superior to a normal microfibre, they have a sort of tight weave about them and leave no lint. To be honest, they remind me of a really good scrim, only better.

In general though when asked to do internals its because they are minging and havn't been done, and using mop and blade can be a very messy job. Its fine on shop or factory windows, no so good in someones house with beige carpets, cream leather sofa and marble everywhere.
And if you're doing internals as maintainance, then a cloths well quicker and easier than any blades. Thats my opinion anyway.

 Oh, the Karcher. I've used my mates and think its great. Although i do find the cloths easier as their battery never runs out.  ;D
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: Susan Dean (1stclean) on May 02, 2014, 08:37:04 pm
I said a office block not other jobs lol i dont take domestic inside jobs as usually they are a nightmare!
Its for a commercial office block, aslong as they are clean i cant see them minding how they are done? I do the outside WFP and usually squeeqy  and blade the insides. However i am so slow because i dont often use trad that i wondered if anyone uses them:)

is this the same office block that as people working in it ? the same people that may use your services ? all them new customers you could have because your a top window cleaner in a nice van and a uniform , then you pull out a vac nice !

see where I am comeing from
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: AuRavelling79 on May 03, 2014, 07:45:52 am
I said a office block not other jobs lol i dont take domestic inside jobs as usually they are a nightmare!
Its for a commercial office block, aslong as they are clean i cant see them minding how they are done? I do the outside WFP and usually squeeqy  and blade the insides. However i am so slow because i dont often use trad that i wondered if anyone uses them:)

is this the same office block that as people working in it ? the same people that may use your services ? all them new customers you could have because your a top window cleaner in a nice van and a uniform , then you pull out a vac nice !

see where I am comeing from


Left field?
Title: Re: Anyone use karcher window vacs?
Post by: Griffus on May 03, 2014, 10:55:37 am
Against mmy advice my Mrs bought one of these.

It was returned for a refund  :o