Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Steven Biggs on October 21, 2015, 06:30:56 am
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Ay up , I am new to this job and wondering what everyone does in January . Do you take a month off , I might as I am a little bit scared of the dark mornings , also it might get a teeny bit cold , I've got goretex mittens tho , but I keep losing em . Looks a bit scarey this morning as well . Might go back to bed . Any tips anyone . Cheers baz .
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I would stay in bed now until the end of March. Dazmond sleeps in full Goretex pyjamas throughout January.
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Might have some ready brek . Then go out later . Does Alex sell goretex covers for my extreme poles yet . They felt a little bit cold yesterday .
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Man up and crack on with it.
The last few winters have been very mild (in the north west) with only a few frosts so it hasn't effected my work at all. If we get a winter like 2009/2010 again where temperatures drop to -15 degrees then prepare to have a bit of time off, you should put a bit of money aside for this throughout the year.
Kit yourself out with good gloves, work boots , hat, waterproofs and you'll be fine.
You may need some kind of heater for your van to stop reels etc freezing over night (that's if you are WFP) but it hasn't been needed for the last few years.
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When wfp freezes up and too risky to get ladders out then just trad bottoms . On cold morns I watch thermometer when its rising and hits-2 time to start when I get a skin of ice forming in bucket its time to go home . Just miss out unheated conservatories .
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most window cleaners fly to goa for a month in january.average temperature is 28c. ;D ;D ;D
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Ay up , I am new to this job and wondering what everyone does in January . Do you take a month off , I might as I am a little bit scared of the dark mornings , also it might get a teeny bit cold , I've got goretex mittens tho , but I keep losing em . Looks a bit scarey this morning as well . Might go back to bed . Any tips anyone . Cheers baz .
Sounds like the voice in your head will say sod that and stay in bed anyhow ;D
Wfp method is a total waste of time in sub zero temps if you ask me so just wait until the temp rises.
Whatever method you use you will soon learn what can be done or not to try keeping the pennys rolling in without risking your neck in doing so.
Whilst out and about keep yourself warm and dry & take hot drinks with you to avoid the risk of getting hyperthermia.
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Love the winter not too hot no sun burn sorts out the summer brigade and dole boys/girls who stay in bed through winter
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I sell my van at the end of December and stop working then buy it back at the end of April when the ass who bought has had enough.
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;D
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You only have to look on fleebay how many used wfp vans and kit are for sale and rises towards winter months for some strange reason ::)roll
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I think Baz is pulling ya legs ;D
But in all seriousness,
I don't do anything different in winter.
However I don't have anything in the van to frost damage even though I am wfp.
I have a removable battery/pump/controller box that I take in every night to charge, a tank and a hose reel and that's it.
I drain the reel each night, if it still freezes I use a backpack for first few jobs until temp rises.
No hot water, no overnight heater.
If its too cold I don't work, but that's maybe a day or two, compared to the expense and faffing about trying to combat nature.
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I remember one prolonged cold snap after having an operation so was off a few weeks thinking great I'm fit enough now to get out and do a bit. Only to find the water in me van tank had turned into one big iceberg. Doh!... hidsight is a wonderful thing ;D
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I will soldier it out in me shorts for as long as I can, like above it's only if there's a 5-10 day cold snap of less than -5, and everything is freezing over but north west has been ok last few years
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Hot water is the solution they have a frost stat mode which comes on when the temp drops below 2-3 circulating the water back to the tank. When you get in the van everything is hot and the hoses are soft as jelly,when cold I to ignored the van over the weekend and I had the worlds biggest ice cube in the van you've ever seen it took a whole day nearly with around 10 kettles of hot water to defrost it
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I'm thinking of putting salt in my tank . That should help towards stopping it freezing . Anyone tried it gotta be a lot cheaper and easier than gas or immersions . Just don't know how much . I'm thinking 500 grams for 500 litres . Cheers barry .
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Facelift do a van heater that will heat the rear of the van and comes on when the temp drops,around £500 I think
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I'm thinking of putting salt in my tank . That should help towards stopping it freezing . Anyone tried it gotta be a lot cheaper and easier than gas or immersions . Just don't know how much . I'm thinking 500 grams for 500 litres . Cheers barry .
Good idea, surprised it hasn't been thought of before.
Let us know how you get on.
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I'm thinking of putting salt in my tank . That should help towards stopping it freezing . Anyone tried it gotta be a lot cheaper and easier than gas or immersions . Just don't know how much . I'm thinking 500 grams for 500 litres . Cheers barry .
Great idea. Then if I'm stopping for a chippy at lunch I can just sprinkle some of my wfp water over them for extra flavour. I use vision too, so my chips will be extra shiny!
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Sandals string vest and speedos go back into storage until march.
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i usually just stick me onsie on and crack on mate 👍(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1445442274_image.png)
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Also gunna get a blow torch in the back of the van . Owt freezes up , like your brush heads a quick zap with theblow torch and your away again
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Facelift do a van heater that will heat the rear of the van and comes on when the temp drops,around £500 I think
You mean one of these but in a fancy box maybe? ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScxZmQoAUH8
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I remember one prolonged cold snap after having an operation so was off a few weeks thinking great I'm fit enough now to get out and do a bit. Only to find the water in me van tank had turned into one big iceberg. Doh!... hidsight is a wonderful thing ;D
i remember that! it was 2010.at the time i had 10 barrels in my van and they all froze solid!it went down to -15 overnight which is very rare in the north west. ::)roll ;D
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I'm thinking of putting salt in my tank . That should help towards stopping it freezing . Anyone tried it gotta be a lot cheaper and easier than gas or immersions . Just don't know how much . I'm thinking 500 grams for 500 litres . Cheers barry .
i have 2 aquarium heaters(about £20 each) that i drop into my tank if its forecast freak minus temperatures overnight(-10 and lower).the water is just very luke warm in the morning but it stops it freezing.usually its an oil filled radiator if say -5 overnight which is sufficient.
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your all poofs im still wearing shorts ;D
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My truck goes in the garage overnight hose reel will get a duvet chucked over it and an aquarium heater in the tank .
If we get a good covering of snow on the ground then its all good as hose is less likely to freeze and most window cleaners wont dare go out in their vans ;D ;D
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January...I take it off and spend my tips from xmas ;D
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You got a frock for Christmas ???
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I'm thinking of putting salt in my tank . That should help towards stopping it freezing . Anyone tried it gotta be a lot cheaper and easier than gas or immersions . Just don't know how much . I'm thinking 500 grams for 500 litres . Cheers barry .
This is what I used to do, 'til one cold mornin whilst I was scrubbing away, one of my customers came out his house all aggressive asking what the bleep I was cleaning his windows with, words were exchanged, things turned real nasty and I ended up getting done for asalt
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i usually just stick me onsie on and crack on mate 👍(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1445442274_image.png)
I prefer the Morph suite ;D
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I'm thinking of putting salt in my tank . That should help towards stopping it freezing . Anyone tried it gotta be a lot cheaper and easier than gas or immersions . Just don't know how much . I'm thinking 500 grams for 500 litres . Cheers barry .
This is what I used to do, 'til one cold mornin whilst I was scrubbing away, one of my customers came out his house all aggressive asking what the bleep I was cleaning his windows with, words were exchanged, things turned real nasty and I ended up getting done for asalt
;D
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Yes Guys, January and February can be tough months, focus on solutions not the problems, i am going to share a few ideas some will laugh and others might think why not its worth a try, this is all to do with internal cleaning for high street retailers nice and warm and even die hard wfpers can capitalize on these jobs, i think its fair to say most shiners but not all focus on exterior glass mainly and sometimes interiors, take for example large department stores who have huge amounts of internal glass and mirror surfaces which are cleaned all year round mainly with traditional type glass and mirror cleaners which just end up leaving greasy residues built up on these surfaces, by approaching these retailers and carrying out a simple demonstration showing them that their internal glass and mirrors can be cleaned properly by leaving no SSRs (Streaks,Smears,Residues,) behind. we have developed a method for achieving these results which are very well received by all types of retailers and when i say all types of retailers i am talking about the likes of department stores,hair and beauty salons,jewelers,opticians,boutiques,barbers,tile and bathroom showrooms,glass mirror and lighting showrooms,food retailers for their deli glass display counters,etc,etc. trust me guys the opportunities in cleaning and detailing the likes of interior glass,mirrors,lighting,high gloss display surfaces,chrome and stainless steel fixtures and fittings,granite and marble countertops,security camera lenses and mirrors,interior signage,recessed ceiling lights,etc,etc. there are so many opportunities its hard to comprehend, we have spent years developing safe and effective methods in solving these type problems for all sorts of retailers and they are over the moon with the results our methods can achieve on all their different types of surfaces, i will say again they are open and receptive to solutions and its just a two minute demo to show them the difference when cleaning or detailing is carried out properly using the right applicators and safe cleaning solutions, these are really simple safe and effective methods that can be carried out by anyone who is open and receptive to new ways of developing business, i am happy to share information on these ideas under no obligation by email info@jskcleaning.ie or call 00353 87 9406650 regards Tadgh
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I use Stardrops all round cleaner works treat costs £0.99 a little goes a long away and i don't use a waffle cloth ;) , Double density microfibre used for detailing cars or use the spray bottle mix of water and stardrops and squeegee off .
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You got a frock for Christmas ???
Dick! ;D
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You got a frock for Christmas ???
Dick! ;D
Prosthetic?
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I use Stardrops all round cleaner works treat costs £0.99 a little goes a long away and i don't use a waffle cloth ;) , Double density microfibre used for detailing cars or use the spray bottle mix of water and stardrops and squeegee off .
when using little waffle glass cloths its recommended to use them with just water, if you take e-cloths for example probably one of the largest suppliers of microfiber across Europe, their little waffle glass cloths are one of the best sellers for them.
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Yes Guys, January and February can be tough months, focus on solutions not the problems, i am going to share a few ideas some will laugh and others might think why not its worth a try, this is all to do with internal cleaning for high street retailers nice and warm and even die hard wfpers can capitalize on these jobs, i think its fair to say most shiners but not all focus on exterior glass mainly and sometimes interiors, take for example large department stores who have huge amounts of internal glass and mirror surfaces which are cleaned all year round mainly with traditional type glass and mirror cleaners which just end up leaving greasy residues built up on these surfaces, by approaching these retailers and carrying out a simple demonstration showing them that their internal glass and mirrors can be cleaned properly by leaving no SSRs (Streaks,Smears,Residues,) behind. we have developed a method for achieving these results which are very well received by all types of retailers and when i say all types of retailers i am talking about the likes of department stores,hair and beauty salons,jewelers,opticians,boutiques,barbers,tile and bathroom showrooms,glass mirror and lighting showrooms,food retailers for their deli glass display counters,etc,etc. trust me guys the opportunities in cleaning and detailing the likes of interior glass,mirrors,lighting,high gloss display surfaces,chrome and stainless steel fixtures and fittings,granite and marble countertops,security camera lenses and mirrors,interior signage,recessed ceiling lights,etc,etc. there are so many opportunities its hard to comprehend, we have spent years developing safe and effective methods in solving these type problems for all sorts of retailers and they are over the moon with the results our methods can achieve on all their different types of surfaces, i will say again they are open and receptive to solutions and its just a two minute demo to show them the difference when cleaning or detailing is carried out properly using the right applicators and safe cleaning solutions, these are really simple safe and effective methods that can be carried out by anyone who is open and receptive to new ways of developing business, i am happy to share information on these ideas under no obligation by email info@jskcleaning.ie or call 00353 87 9406650 regards Tadgh
Nice post... indoor work defo has advantages in bad weather ;)
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Yes Guys, January and February can be tough months, focus on solutions not the problems, i am going to share a few ideas some will laugh and others might think why not its worth a try, this is all to do with internal cleaning for high street retailers nice and warm and even die hard wfpers can capitalize on these jobs, i think its fair to say most shiners but not all focus on exterior glass mainly and sometimes interiors, take for example large department stores who have huge amounts of internal glass and mirror surfaces which are cleaned all year round mainly with traditional type glass and mirror cleaners which just end up leaving greasy residues built up on these surfaces, by approaching these retailers and carrying out a simple demonstration showing them that their internal glass and mirrors can be cleaned properly by leaving no SSRs (Streaks,Smears,Residues,) behind. we have developed a method for achieving these results which are very well received by all types of retailers and when i say all types of retailers i am talking about the likes of department stores,hair and beauty salons,jewelers,opticians,boutiques,barbers,tile and bathroom showrooms,glass mirror and lighting showrooms,food retailers for their deli glass display counters,etc,etc. trust me guys the opportunities in cleaning and detailing the likes of interior glass,mirrors,lighting,high gloss display surfaces,chrome and stainless steel fixtures and fittings,granite and marble countertops,security camera lenses and mirrors,interior signage,recessed ceiling lights,etc,etc. there are so many opportunities its hard to comprehend, we have spent years developing safe and effective methods in solving these type problems for all sorts of retailers and they are over the moon with the results our methods can achieve on all their different types of surfaces, i will say again they are open and receptive to solutions and its just a two minute demo to show them the difference when cleaning or detailing is carried out properly using the right applicators and safe cleaning solutions, these are really simple safe and effective methods that can be carried out by anyone who is open and receptive to new ways of developing business, i am happy to share information on these ideas under no obligation by email info@jskcleaning.ie or call 00353 87 9406650 regards Tadgh
Nice post... indoor work defo has advantages in bad weather ;)
Yes there are many ways to develop new business for indoor cleaning, if you take for example jewelers their glass presentation cases usually have built in sliding glass doors, staff can clean the outside of the glass with sprays and cloths which just end up with smears from continuous use, for the likes of jewelers presentation is everything and the only way to clean or detail these sliding glass doors properly is to lift them off their slide rails take them down as its the only way to clean or detail the inside and outside of the glass properly,we normally take one sliding glass door down and detail the glass (both sides) when its put back up and placed next to the glass door which has not been detailed they are just blown away by the results, one glass door completely free of SSRs (Streaks,Smears,Residues,) and the one next to it is full of SSRs, now you have a solution to a serious problem for jewelers and will have them in the palm of your hand guaranteed they will go with your price to have them all done the same way and have you to come back when ever required, and of course this type work pays very well and can always generate plenty of other referral jobs, just one way of developing new business when the weather is cat out there. and there are many other ways for shiners to develop new business all indoors of course for high street retailers again for when the weather is against outdoor work. Tadgh
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Already started stocking up on soup!....
For the tank! Lol so I can earn selling soup to all those cold and freezing window cleaners out there!😂😂😂
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Facelift do a van heater that will heat the rear of the van and comes on when the temp drops,around £500 I think
You mean one of these but in a fancy box maybe? ;D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScxZmQoAUH8
A diesel heater uses a lot of current when starting up ( between 15 and 20 amps for around 30 - 40 seconds) and then uses at 2.5 amps whilst running.
Better to install one of the Propex LPG gas heaters if that's the route you decide to take.
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@ Tadgh
Haven't you heard of paragraph breaks?
@Baz
I just stick another log on the fire in January.
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Already started stocking up on soup!....
For the tank! Lol so I can earn selling soup to all those cold and freezing window cleaners out there!😂😂😂
I did that and ended up with a load of leeks in my system.
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@ Tadgh
Haven't you heard of paragraph breaks?
@Baz
I just stick another log on the fire in January.
Paragraph breaks what are they for, i left school when i was 11 and started cleaning windows.
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Late starter then Tadgh got a picture of me cleaning windows when I was about 5 standing on a chair using windowlene .
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I just fitted a propex heater in a van last weekend seems excellent. But we will see, as they are not cheap.
Roy
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Late starter then Tadgh got a picture of me cleaning windows when I was about 5 standing on a chair using windowlene .
Good old windowlene one of the best products ever if you wanted to have smears on the glass.
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Already started stocking up on soup!....
For the tank! Lol so I can earn selling soup to all those cold and freezing window cleaners out there!😂😂😂
I did that and ended up with a load of leeks in my system.
G. Griffin 😂😂😂
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Late starter then Tadgh got a picture of me cleaning windows when I was about 5 standing on a chair using windowlene .
Good old windowlene one of the best products ever if you wanted to have smears on the glass.
I prefer a karcher window vac myself than using windowlene as it sucks ;D
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I think Baz is pulling ya legs ;D
But in all seriousness,
I don't do anything different in winter.
However I don't have anything in the van to frost damage even though I am wfp.
I have a removable battery/pump/controller box that I take in every night to charge, a tank and a hose reel and that's it.
I drain the reel each night, if it still freezes I use a backpack for first few jobs until temp rises.
No hot water, no overnight heater.
If its too cold I don't work, but that's maybe a day or two, compared to the expense and faffing about trying to combat nature.
Sounds like an excellent idea Barry removing the battery, pump and controller, especially in the winter - any chance of sending a pic of that? Do you have the pump and controller on a removable board and does it involve a bit of faffing about with wiring etc?
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If you like humping stuff about then this is the type of thing you can make yourself if you already have a pump, pump controller, battery etc and stick it all in a suitable size box.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genie-in-a-box-Pump-box-Water-Genie-NO-BATTERY-OFFER-Window-Cleaning-/350563782518
To be honest having to bring something like that indoors every night would be a bit of a chore so just to charge the battery up but would indeed protect it from frost. I found it was bad enough with a purefreedom trolley and that was on wheels so started charging it up whilst left in the van. Sods law though if like me would forget on the coldest night to bring it in. Oops! ;D
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the thing is that in January, February most custys would be happy not to have their windows done!!!
And that's a fact !
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That may be the case but most window cleaners like to be paid throughout January and February just as their clients do.
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Already started stocking up on soup!....
For the tank! Lol so I can earn selling soup to all those cold and freezing window cleaners out there!😂😂😂
I did that and ended up with a load of leeks in my system.
;D
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of course you're absolutely right quarter light!
Personally I take january off not because of cold weather but to give my custys a break!
I just hate it when you feel that custys resent paying you!
Having said that I can afford to take the month off!
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I think Baz is pulling ya legs ;D
But in all seriousness,
I don't do anything different in winter.
However I don't have anything in the van to frost damage even though I am wfp.
I have a removable battery/pump/controller box that I take in every night to charge, a tank and a hose reel and that's it.
I drain the reel each night, if it still freezes I use a backpack for first few jobs until temp rises.
No hot water, no overnight heater.
If its too cold I don't work, but that's maybe a day or two, compared to the expense and faffing about trying to combat nature.
Sounds like an excellent idea Barry removing the battery, pump and controller, especially in the winter - any chance of sending a pic of that? Do you have the pump and controller on a removable board and does it involve a bit of faffing about with wiring etc?
None at all, I just bought one of these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pump-Box-with-12V-Battery-and-70psi-Pump-for-Window-Cleaning-or-use-us-Sprayer-/121358493955?hash=item1c4187a903:m:mdYA7ggkT5nK37JcCPGNe7A
from a different ebayer though for cheaper at £115, he doesn't appear to have any left for sale though.
It does need to be recharged every night, but is so easy and portable to do, 2 months use and no issues as yet, used up to 40 feet with my smax no probs.
I changed from a van to a pick up and needed to set up and get working quickly hence the purchase, I still have a 110 leisure battery indoors plus controller and shurflo pump mounted on a board as spare just incase it gives up on me but tbh am more than happy with this little unit, its so simple and has plenty of power for a days work ;)
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just found this pic on my tablet Heb Alpha.
the orchard sprayer pump box is in bottom left of the pic ( blue box ) disconnect two hoselock connectors, one from tank, other from reel, carry indoors end of day, charge overnight, replace in morning - simples :D
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the thing is that in January, February most custys would be happy not to have their windows done!!!
And that's a fact !
As you are saying that this is a fact! I take it you put out a questionnaire regarding this to your customers?
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the reason why I take January off is because I've tested the water before and I've yet to meet a custy who did mind not having his windows cleaned that month.
all the festivities are over, people are back to work ( some hard up) .
The days are short and cold!
The last thing on people's minds is probably having their wi dows cleaned
if I really needed the money of course I would work! but in my very humble opinion and in my very own case I consider missing January as some sort of good customer service.
Ps: I'm certainly not saying that windys shouldn't work in January I'm only talking for myself
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I pick up loads of work from Windies who don't clean in the winter months where I'm from. Had one walk over today, window cleaner doesn't Come October til febuary ::)roll £12 4weekly, il take that
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Hey! I only said January off lol
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Hey! I only said January off lol
Haha yeah to be honest I work up until Christmas eve and have Christmas and boxing day off, then work until New year's eve and have a week off. I see what you mean about January, not many peoples favourite time of the year
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the thing is that in January, February most custys would be happy not to have their windows done!!!
And that's a fact !
Absolute rubbish!!
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The last thing on people's minds is probably having their wi dows cleaned
It's a good idea after all those sprouts though.
If you meant windows, then if it''s the last thing on their mind they won't mind having them done.
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of course you're absolutely right quarter light!
Personally I take january off not because of cold weather but to give my custys a break!
I just hate it when you feel that custys resent paying you!
Having said that I can afford to take the month off!
so what do you do for a month?do you go abroad to warmer climates?
this is my 23rd winter window cleaning and ive always worked all year round including jan and feb but as i get older im planning on going abroad for a month in january to give myself a break from working in the cold.