Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: john63. on March 04, 2015, 08:06:15 am
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Started wfp month ago basic setup doing ok with it but need a tap or something to turn water off on brush or pole to save time knocking off at van.
What's best and where from
Thanks
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You buy a basic in line tap for £7 odd quid and put it on the end of the reel hose. Cheap and it works ok, you will drag it about and its a pain reaching down for it. If you don't mind being tethered you can wear a holster as well.
Or spend a bit more and invest in either an aquadaptor or aquatap, I've used both but prefer the aquatap, more reliable, shorter and lighter. These fit to the top of the pole and brush screws to them, in the case of the aquadaptor a spung loaded mechanism is operated by pulling your pole hose to turn on/off the water. With the Aqua tap you twist the pole to operate it on and off
Darran
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Or even better fit that same tap to the top of the pole before the brush. Then as you work your way down the glass to ground floor its at hand to close off the water flow. A easy solution to the problem.
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Slap Bash with that method you are wasting water moving from window to window, and also when your putting the pole up and down.
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Where can u get the aqua tap
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Window Cleaning Warehouse.
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Aqua Dapter. Cant understand why anyone would use anything else
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Aqua Dapter. Cant understand why anyone would use anything else
Because the aquatap is better 8)
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I did a test a couple of years ago using the 'slapbash' method (inline tap at brush head) and then an aquadapter.
The inline tap method is what all our vans now use.
Total water saving over a 7 hour cleaning day was just a drop over 20 ltrs using the aquadapter. We reasoned the extra length and weight added to the pole wasnt worth it for 20 ltrs of water saving.
Please note this was an aquadapter not aquatap.
Hope this helps
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David do you use your system on a reduced water flow? I am taking it you do, and if so your right, with a 20L saving its hardly worthwhile. A massive saving can be made for people using an AquaTap and a good powerful flow.
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Yes peter we use digital controllers, controlling flow down to around 30%.
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Can't see how any of these aqua products can beat the speed of having a tap to hand on your hip. Would love to see some of these products in action with competent operators.
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Sunshine you are eliminating the loop of hose you inevitable have when your pole is not fully extended. The extra money to buy the product would be well worth the investment to eliminate even one trip. With a device on top of the pole you can forget about the hose. With the AquaTap you can have both hands on the pole at all times, no taking your hand off the pole to operate a tap, and it's just as easy to stop the water between windows than leave it running.
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I've used Aquadapters, but didn't like 'em.
I prefer working with a pliable external pole hose; one that is easily nipped and the water stops.
It also has the following positives:
1. It's very simple; there's nothing to break.
2. The pole is easier to extend and retract. I rest the pole on my foot and lower it; there's no hose running through the pole.
3. Dirt/grit doesn't get inside my pole; no hose running through there to drag it up.
4. I can swap brush heads onto another pole very easily.
5. No added weight at the top of the pole. No extra length either.
Works for us.
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Tosh 1,2,3 and 4 makes no difference with an AquaTap as the hose can be external as well. Operating the tap is easier than nipping the hose. The AquaTap only adds 75 grams, little more than a standard angle joint, and adds just over 5 inches. Pretty unbreakable as well, and made with stronger material than an angle joint.
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Tosh 1,2,3 and 4 makes no difference with an AquaTap as the hose can be external as well. Operating the tap is easier than nipping the hose. The AquaTap only adds 75 grams, little more than a standard angle joint, and adds just over 5 inches. Pretty unbreakable as well, and made with stronger material than an angle joint.
I can't see how anything can be easier than nipping a bit of hose. It's only pole hose. It's already in my hand (along with the pole).
Oh, I've just thought of another; it's absolutely free as well.
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That probably depends on how much water you want to save? and that's the whole idea of the AquaTap. Can't you think of times when nipping the hose is not practical? Surely putting the pole up and down is much easier if your holding the pole in one hand and working the clamps with the other without having to worry about nipping the hose? Surely there are times when you would like to leave the pole somewhere while your doing something else? Everyone is different in what they use and the way they work, but I can tell you if it was easier nipping the hose then there would be no such thing as an AquaTap.
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That probably depends on how much water you want to save? and that's the whole idea of the AquaTap. Can't you think of times when nipping the hose is not practical? Surely putting the pole up and down is much easier if your holding the pole in one hand and working the clamps with the other without having to worry about nipping the hose? Surely there are times when you would like to leave the pole somewhere while your doing something else? Everyone is different in what they use and the way they work, but I can tell you if it was easier nipping the hose then there would be no such thing as an AquaTap.
It's just a bit of polehose, Peter, it's not difficult to hold it - and the pole - in one hand and lower the pole with the other.
Even Wor Lass can do it no problems, and she's like 8 stone wet.
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Who's Daz?
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Who's Daz?
Dazmond?
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Who's Daz?
Dazmond?
Not Dazmond's thread.
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That probably depends on how much water you want to save? and that's the whole idea of the AquaTap. Can't you think of times when nipping the hose is not practical? Surely putting the pole up and down is much easier if your holding the pole in one hand and working the clamps with the other without having to worry about nipping the hose? Surely there are times when you would like to leave the pole somewhere while your doing something else? Everyone is different in what they use and the way they work, but I can tell you if it was easier nipping the hose then there would be no such thing as an AquaTap.
I use a remote control for those situations.
It's cheaper as well.
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No one is saying it can't be done, but we are talking about what's easiest.
If you go back quite a few years you thought using a ladder was faster and just as easy as a WFP, do you still think that's the case? You have to move with the times, and don't dismiss anything until you have at least tried it.
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Ross again you have to stop what your doing to operate the remote control. I used one around 13 years ago and fitted them to all my trolley systems at the time. Although the best thing available at the time they were still not ideal.
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No one is saying it can't be done, but we are talking about what's easiest.
If you go back quite a few years you thought using a ladder was faster and just as easy as a WFP, do you still think that's the case? You have to move with the times, and don't dismiss anything until you have at least tried it.
Ignore him, Peter, he can't even keep up with names.
It's a good job he's not a moderator or anything?
And he probably thinks that you are a Mulsim (sic).
Oops, forgot my smiley.......I'm off to read a book 📚.
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No one is saying it can't be done, but we are talking about what's easiest.
If you go back quite a few years you thought using a ladder was faster and just as easy as a WFP, do you still think that's the case? You have to move with the times, and don't dismiss anything until you have at least tried it.
I'm not dismissing anything, Peter; read my original post; I'm sharing my experience!
I've used Aquadapters, but didn't like 'em.
I prefer working with a pliable external pole hose; one that is easily nipped and the water stops.
It also has the following positives:
1. It's very simple; there's nothing to break.
2. The pole is easier to extend and retract. I rest the pole on my foot and lower it; there's no hose running through the pole.
3. Dirt/grit doesn't get inside my pole; no hose running through there to drag it up.
4. I can swap brush heads onto another pole very easily.
5. No added weight at the top of the pole. No extra length either.
Works for us.
And it's free.
It's very easy, it's effective, and if I thought there was a better way, I'd be using it.
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I can't see how anything can be easier than nipping a bit of hose. It's only pole hose. It's already in my hand (along with the pole)
Thought that was you dismissing it, anyway not to worry it gives me a chance to explain the positives so its all good.
And yes your right its free, but so is a couple of old rags but we don't see many window cleaners doing it that way now:)
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And yes your right its free, but so is a couple of old rags but we don't see many window cleaners doing it that way now:)
You're resorting to silliness now.
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How do you make that out? Just stating a fact that things move on, it was not too long ago people were cleaning windows with old rags.
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How do you make that out? Just stating a fact that things move on, it was not too long ago people were cleaning windows with old rags.
Yes, mate. Any time you wish to state the ruddy obvious, just go ahead.
But it is silly.
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I did a test a couple of years ago using the 'slapbash' method (inline tap at brush head) and then an aquadapter.
The inline tap method is what all our vans now use.
Total water saving over a 7 hour cleaning day was just a drop over 20 ltrs using the aquadapter. We reasoned the extra length and weight added to the pole wasnt worth it for 20 ltrs of water saving.
Please note this was an aquadapter not aquatap.
Hope this helps
I also like the tap at the brush head.
I use a John Guest inline valve which is very light and it has the added benifit of being able to totally control the volume of flow as well. I also have a heavier more durable valve/tap at the end of the main hose.
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I tried Aquadapter but it wasn't for me. Good customer service tho'
Here is something I posted previously on this...
http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=194033.msg1683405#msg1683405
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im with you tosh im a bit of a pole hose pincher myself , i have a tap were my pole hose connects to the minibore but use pinch meathod when need to stop flow for a short moment