Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: TomCrowther on January 08, 2020, 05:41:18 pm
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I'm 54 years old and in the last 12 months or so seem to have aged about ten years. Getting ladders off the van roof is an effort. Did two awkward gutter jobs today. Reaching over extensions/conservatories etc, pretty hard work. All this stuff used to be a doddle.
To the guys on here who are even older than me {yet still alive}. Did you notice a slow down at any time and have got any advice on how to combat it?
Cheers, just going for a lie down.
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Buy a WFP System.
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He's right.. I'm 45 and went ladderless a year ago. No point doing it the hard way anymore go get wpf.
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I use WFP but not for guttering jobs?
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I use WFP but not for guttering jobs?
Look into a vac system. It's well worth it.
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Or just don’t bother with gutter jobs and stick to the easy stuff (windows).
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I'm 48 and do the odd gutter job for a few customers I've had years.
I dont mind it but if you are doing alot of gutter cleaning I would buy a gutter vac.
I wont buy one as I don't do alot of them.
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I hit 51 and then the health issues kicked in - at 53 I am no longer able to do any physical cleaning - thankfully ive got employees
Darran
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I invested in all the right gear on day one ten years ago. WFP, gutter vac with carbon poles etc. I overdid things last year and became literally exhausted. Doing a house up, window cleaning etc and also covering for missing staff on another business which meant very little sleep for around five months. Up at 04:00 and bed at 11:00 type rubbish.
Before then I felt great but haven't "bounced back" as I thought I would.
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Regular exercise and a good diet would probably help a bit
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Ime 57 and yes I agree with what you are saying I can still do what I did 20 years ago but it’s hard work and when I get home Ime knackered 😂😂😬, you just have to accept you cannot work at the same speed that you did adjust your working day accordingly or get employee and drive them around and get them to do the harder stuff
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im only 48 and i sacked off gutter clearing jobs years ago,up and over garage roof jobs and most awkward jobs that require ladders......i only work around 25 hours (actually cleaning) per week and another 5 hours or so purifying water,admin,equipment maintenance,printing slips/invoices,chasing debts,etc....thats more than enough for me these days....
every year i refine my work that little bit more to make it as easy as possible...of course xtreme poles and light brushes,hot water and electric reels all help too
away from work i like going the gym and playing drums,very much like i did in my teens........my lifestyle is a lot better though now(no alcohol,cigarettes or street drugs) ;D
i know 2 old timer window cleaners in their 70s!both ARE STILL ON LADDERS and look years younger than their age so it suits some chaps.....
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I invested in all the right gear on day one ten years ago. WFP, gutter vac with carbon poles etc. I overdid things last year and became literally exhausted. Doing a house up, window cleaning etc and also covering for missing staff on another business which meant very little sleep for around five months. Up at 04:00 and bed at 11:00 type rubbish.
Before then I felt great but haven't "bounced back" as I thought I would.
you sound like a workaholic......you ll crash and burn one day if you dont slow down.......its inevitable.......surely theres no need to work so hard at your age?it takes its toll on your health.....
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As has been said get rid of the awkward work, even for younger guys gutter washing from the ground can be hard going,.
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I'm 55 and had a dodgy elbow, what works for me is:
1. Lightest equipment:
Xtreme 22, with xtreme brushes, I've added 50m of gardiners reinforced pole hose on my main reel (easy to use and reel in), working out the side of my van (so it's usually a straight run).
2. Easy, small houses.
I try and avoid big connies that you have to reach over, or large extensions that need step ladders. Nice, simple in and out work for me. I am even thinking of offering front only on terraced, or specifically targeting bungalows.
3. Stress, keep it to a minimum.
I can't be bothered with: first floor flats (unless I can get the block!), custies with dogs, people who no speaky English, going through terraced houses, or drive round the back, rude people, idiots, bad payers, people who take 10 mins to answer the door, or pick up the phone, etc etc etc!
In fact when someone calls me with a 3 bed semi, no connie, and they're normal...it's like a breath of fresh air.
I shall try pilates soon as well.
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Im 57 and still manage to knock one out now and then,
Does that count?
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Out of interest whose the oldest on the forum?
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I invested in all the right gear on day one ten years ago. WFP, gutter vac with carbon poles etc. I overdid things last year and became literally exhausted. Doing a house up, window cleaning etc and also covering for missing staff on another business which meant very little sleep for around five months. Up at 04:00 and bed at 11:00 type rubbish.
Before then I felt great but haven't "bounced back" as I thought I would.
normally you should notice a difference in your physical abilities from a decade ago, that's normal ageing. noticing a difference from the last year is not typical ageing.
i think you've got your answer though. you massively overdid it last year and you've burned yourself out. and i believe the older we are the longer it takes to recover from over exertion.
i'm 44 but i overdid it last year myself in terms of very long days and nights, and loads of stress sorting things out and putting plans in place. i managed it for about 8 months, but the last 6 weeks i hit a wall and am having to take it really easy and just stay steady.
you live you learn...
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Definitely change over to wfp but even then i have to say ive noticed im much slower with the pole than i used to be, and im 54, got another 13 yrs at least before retirement. :(
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Definitely change over to wfp but even then i have to say ive noticed im much slower with the pole than i used to be, and im 54, got another 13 yrs at least before retirement. :(
im hoping ill still be able to get out and clean some windows well into my 70s just like the 2 old timers i know......we ll see..... :) ;D
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I’m hoping I’m retired before I’m as old as you lot!!!!
Probably get bored though.
It’s only a hard job if you go at it hammer and tongs. Trying to do silly amounts everyday.
Cant’t be much harder than playing golf, if you take it gently.
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As you get older you are going to slow down so perhaps a idea would be to push for higher priced/ easier work.
Invest some money into building the round with better prices.
That way you can work slower and still earn the same money.
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I go to the gym and play the drums, in the evenings I attend gigs and lift weights. I’m thinking of taking up alcoholism.
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I’m 51 and relatively fit, I play 5 a side football one night a week. In the past I’ve had a rotator cuff issue and tennis elbow. I used to have quite a big round with 4 employees but over the last 4 years or so have sold off a lot of work and kept the cream to myself. I got a new van in July and didn’t even bother putting a roof rack on it, the few jobs that required a ladder to get onto a flat roof got passed on to another window cleaner. I don’t clear gutters or wash fascias anymore either, I much prefer the regular window cleaning, which I find easy in comparison.
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Why? Why at that age would you still be happy to climb ladders cleaning gutters?
Im only 43 and gave ladders up when switched over to wfp. Ive done the odd gutter clean but regret it as soon as i start to climb the ladder. So there is no way i would want to be doing so this year or any yr moving forward. Invest in a gutter vac or simply stop doing them. As others have said, increase prices or drop your lower price work and take on new.
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Out of interest whose the oldest on the forum?
It's Soupy, I think.
He's in his 70's and he works with his Dad.
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I’m 56 I Still work now as hard as I did when I was 30. 2yrs a go I had bilateral hip replacement this took 3 months to recover from, and the previous 3yrs before the operation I was suffering bad pain but still worked.
I do a lot of fascia-soffit-gutter cleaning off ladders and using poles, nothing we do is hard unless you are talking 8hr days 6 days a week then there might be a cumulative effect but easy 5hr days shouldn't be a problem
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I’m 51 and relatively fit, I play 5 a side football one night a week. In the past I’ve had a rotator cuff issue and tennis elbow. I used to have quite a big round with 4 employees but over the last 4 years or so have sold off a lot of work and kept the cream to myself. I got a new van in July and didn’t even bother putting a roof rack on it, the few jobs that required a ladder to get onto a flat roof got passed on to another window cleaner. I don’t clear gutters or wash fascias anymore either, I much prefer the regular window cleaning, which I find easy in comparison.
What treatment did you have for the rotator cuff and tennis elbow? I've got a second appointment at MSK clinic today for shoulder, physio doesn't seem to have helped over last few weeks.
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I'm 66 now and started to notice the slow down effect a year ago when I reached 65, I now only do about 60% of what I used to do
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Can relate to all the comments, I will be 53 this year and for last 4 years I have wound window cleaning hard going. Especially during the winter, the aches start at back of my neck, shoulders,wrists, lower back, knees, ankles,feet. I do a handful of gutter jobs in winter and find the ladder work tough now, even 10 years ago, I was still fit. This is why in late 2018 I started the carpet cleaning business to try and get out of the window cleaning.
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As you get older you are going to slow down so perhaps a idea would be to push for higher priced/ easier work.
Invest some money into building the round with better prices.
That way you can work slower and still earn the same money.
We should all be doing this anyway...its called refining your round......keep putting existing jobs up every few years as well as charging more for new jobs......
Also I'll be phasing out any work over 25ft over the next decade....
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Can relate to all the comments, I will be 53 this year and for last 4 years I have wound window cleaning hard going. Especially during the winter, the aches start at back of my neck, shoulders,wrists, lower back, knees, ankles,feet. I do a handful of gutter jobs in winter and find the ladder work tough now, even 10 years ago, I was still fit. This is why in late 2018 I started the carpet cleaning business to try and get out of the window cleaning.
What hours are u doing day to day window cleaning?
What pole are u using?
Do u use a fixed electric reel with microbore hose?
Do u rinse on the glass for upper windows?
If your already using xtreme poles,electric reels and working short days,do u think u might be suffering from arthritis? :(
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My default setting(typical day) these days is....
3 hrs work then 30 min lunch followed by another 2 hrs work.then home,fill up and print slips,charge batteries.all done and dusted by 4pm-430pm.
Today I'll work
930-3pm
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Over the last few years I've phased out all the ball ache jobs only take on jobs now if I can hit it all with an 18 ft extreme you can keep the 3 and 4 storey stuff been there done that.
Only on the glass four days a week now most prices will be going up in the spring and all new work is priced as high as possible I'm 53 and still have aches and pains but at least my work load is manageable and I don't have to work all day every day.
Daughter works with me and I subcontract some work out to another window cleaner this all lightens the load. ;D
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I hate the 40's lol. Personally i think your health takes a nose dive at 35 and without your consent lol.
Up till that age, I could eat whatever i wanted and without worry of weight gain and now ive cut right back and mostly on a diary free diet (not classing myself as a vegan s true vegans seem to be nuts lol)
I also never got ill for longer than 24 hrs and now colds etc take 48 hrs and sometimes longer to shake off.
Sleep, well I think ive said before how little sleep I usually get but I feel in this last week, all the years lack of sleep has caught up with me. Im shattered going back to work this week ::)roll
But then, it could just be the stress levels of non work related stuff
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i could never ever go back to ladders now if all of a sudden we had to I would have to re think what I do you earn money,I pity anyone over 40 that has to ladder every job they must be sadomasochistic.
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I hate the 40's lol. Personally i think your health takes a nose dive at 35 and without your consent lol.
You probably think you're old too....
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I hate the 40's lol. Personally i think your health takes a nose dive at 35 and without your consent lol.
You probably think you're old too....
Nope, just a noticeable difference but i have a bad ankle from an old football injury now playing up. A bad back that flares up periodically and trigger finger which i have two injections per year to manage as i dont want the op yet! So by time im your age I will definitely feel old
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I hate the 40's lol. Personally i think your health takes a nose dive at 35 and without your consent lol.
Up till that age, I could eat whatever i wanted and without worry of weight gain and now ive cut right back and mostly on a diary free diet (not classing myself as a vegan s true vegans seem to be nuts lol)
I also never got ill for longer than 24 hrs and now colds etc take 48 hrs and sometimes longer to shake off.
Sleep, well I think ive said before how little sleep I usually get but I feel in this last week, all the years lack of sleep has caught up with me. Im shattered going back to work this week ::)roll
But then, it could just be the stress levels of non work related stuff
personally ive loved my 40s up to now......lots of luxury holidays that once i could only dream of,financially stable,we got the band back together,i met my current girlfriend when i was 41,new van,grippa hot system,new golf GTD and i earn more money now than i ever have cleaning windows and short hours to boot,i took up bodybuilding again when i was 44(4 years ago),ive now finally got my dream drum kit and cymbals(which will last me the rest of my life now!).......
i can honestly say its been the best decade of my adult life,its been a blast........ :D
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I’m 51 and relatively fit, I play 5 a side football one night a week. In the past I’ve had a rotator cuff issue and tennis elbow. I used to have quite a big round with 4 employees but over the last 4 years or so have sold off a lot of work and kept the cream to myself. I got a new van in July and didn’t even bother putting a roof rack on it, the few jobs that required a ladder to get onto a flat roof got passed on to another window cleaner. I don’t clear gutters or wash fascias anymore either, I much prefer the regular window cleaning, which I find easy in comparison.
What treatment did you have for the rotator cuff and tennis elbow? I've got a second appointment at MSK clinic today for shoulder, physio doesn't seem to have helped over last few weeks.
A decent Physiotherapist should be able to recommend the best stretching exercises for them, also the NHS website has stretching instructions for both. You should also look at how you work, for instance, how you hold the pole when scrubbing. If you’re like me and you have the right hand near the base of the pole, the left hand should be alternated throughout the day so you see the day so sometimes your knuckles should be showing and at other times it should be your finger nails showing, doing this uses all the muscles around the rotator cuff so there is less chance of RSI. For tennis elbow I found the two best exercise were 1, stretching your arm out with your knuckles showing ( as if to say stop ) then with the other hand pull your hand back and forward slowly from the base of the fingers ( not the point of the fingers ) 2, stretching your arm out but this time point your hand downwards, place your other hand between wrist and knuckles and press your hand slowly back and forward. Hope this makes sense...it does to me🤪
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Can relate to all the comments, I will be 53 this year and for last 4 years I have wound window cleaning hard going. Especially during the winter, the aches start at back of my neck, shoulders,wrists, lower back, knees, ankles,feet. I do a handful of gutter jobs in winter and find the ladder work tough now, even 10 years ago, I was still fit. This is why in late 2018 I started the carpet cleaning business to try and get out of the window cleaning.
What hours are u doing day to day window cleaning?
What pole are u using?
Do u use a fixed electric reel with microbore hose?
Do u rinse on the glass for upper windows?
If your already using xtreme poles,electric reels and working short days,do u think u might be suffering from arthritis? :(
It probably is Daz, I have a large boney lump at the base of each thumb. Working hours are generally 9am start, coffee break 10/10.15 for 15 mins, 30 min lunch break 12-12.30, finish about 3/3.30 this time of year. 4/4.30 the rest of the year . Using Gardiners SLX 25 with superlite xtreme brush, but manual wind up metal reel. I have been considering a power reel, I am due to get an inheritance this year sometime so will be getting a much newer van too, as this one is sh#$, so will maybe get a power reel too.
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i am 51 years old and i was all ok until i was 47 when i was in the best shape of my life,
i then had accident,not my fault and now because of the injury, i fill the slower in the winter months,summer i can work as hard as any one,but if i am truthful i sold some work and now on the scale down to four days a week on the windows,
i still train 5-6 days a week but very structured and smart and not hard. and still complete at a very good competitive local level
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I'm 65 and up until arround 2 years ago I would have out worked most 20 year olds. I've been back and fore to the doctors in the past 2 years trying to get them to see why I was very out of sorts, with no luck. It all came to a head last August when I ended up being rushed to hospital by ambulance with a heart attack. I'm booked in to (I hope) have it all sorted out on the 21st and plan to be back at it full time in a couple of months (just in time for the spring).
So, if any of you are feeling unwell or out of sorts don't be put off by doctors receptionists or over worke GP's and keep pushing for them to do their jobs.
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I'm 66 now and started to notice the slow down effect a year ago when I reached 65, I now only do about 60% of what I used to do
Did it coincide with you reaching retirement age by any chance? ;D
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I hate the 40's lol. Personally i think your health takes a nose dive at 35 and without your consent lol.
Up till that age, I could eat whatever i wanted and without worry of weight gain and now ive cut right back and mostly on a diary free diet
That's a new one on me and it sounds easy enough.
Do you just give up dates then?
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Can relate to all the comments, I will be 53 this year and for last 4 years I have wound window cleaning hard going. Especially during the winter, the aches start at back of my neck, shoulders,wrists, lower back, knees, ankles,feet. I do a handful of gutter jobs in winter and find the ladder work tough now, even 10 years ago, I was still fit. This is why in late 2018 I started the carpet cleaning business to try and get out of the window cleaning.
What hours are u doing day to day window cleaning?
What pole are u using?
Do u use a fixed electric reel with microbore hose?
Do u rinse on the glass for upper windows?
If your already using xtreme poles,electric reels and working short days,do u think u might be suffering from arthritis? :(
It probably is Daz, I have a large boney lump at the base of each thumb. Working hours are generally 9am start, coffee break 10/10.15 for 15 mins, 30 min lunch break 12-12.30, finish about 3/3.30 this time of year. 4/4.30 the rest of the year . Using Gardiners SLX 25 with superlite xtreme brush, but manual wind up metal reel. I have been considering a power reel, I am due to get an inheritance this year sometime so will be getting a much newer van too, as this one is sh#$, so will maybe get a power reel too.
something doesnt sound right mate..i work similar hours to you and very rarely get any aches and pains at all,the only trouble ive had is a lower back strain which has healed now(and that was lifting too heavy on a deadlift in the gym a few months ago),a 25ft xtreme pole will help,much lighter and more rigid than the SLX and a fixed electric reel without a doubt.....
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I hate the 40's lol. Personally i think your health takes a nose dive at 35 and without your consent lol.
Up till that age, I could eat whatever i wanted and without worry of weight gain and now ive cut right back and mostly on a diary free diet (not classing myself as a vegan s true vegans seem to be nuts lol)
I also never got ill for longer than 24 hrs and now colds etc take 48 hrs and sometimes longer to shake off.
Sleep, well I think ive said before how little sleep I usually get but I feel in this last week, all the years lack of sleep has caught up with me. Im shattered going back to work this week ::)roll
But then, it could just be the stress levels of non work related stuff
personally ive loved my 40s up to now......lots of luxury holidays that once i could only dream of,financially stable,we got the band back together,i met my current girlfriend when i was 41,new van,grippa hot system,new golf GTD and i earn more money now than i ever have cleaning windows and short hours to boot,i took up bodybuilding again when i was 44(4 years ago),ive now finally got my dream drum kit and cymbals(which will last me the rest of my life now!).......
i can honestly say its been the best decade of my adult life,its been a blast........ :D
Yes but we're talking health and work daz and all im saying is that for me, i noticed a change from 35 onwards as regards my own health.
Yet in comparison
By time i was 25 I owned my own house, happily married with a car a piece and 2 holidays a year plus many short breaks.
By 33, divorced and taken to the cleaners and had to rebuild myself again. Naturally back to gym etc etc and pick up the pieces and try best with 3 young ish kids to balance emotionally.
By 36, remarried to a great woman and had another family. Forward to now and the business etc is great, my health isnt too bad apart from what mentioned and things are good apart from wifes health and my other daughter suffers from borderline personality disorder and other mental health issues.
So on one hand my 40's is great, business wise and happily married etc etc but on the other hand my 40's is a whole lot of hard work n stress etc lol
But who doesnt have additional problems eh
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I hate the 40's lol. Personally i think your health takes a nose dive at 35 and without your consent lol.
Up till that age, I could eat whatever i wanted and without worry of weight gain and now ive cut right back and mostly on a diary free diet
That's a new one on me and it sounds easy enough.
Do you just give up dates then?
I was meant to add, that the weight seems to stick regardless of how much i cut back.
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I hate the 40's lol. Personally i think your health takes a nose dive at 35 and without your consent lol.
Up till that age, I could eat whatever i wanted and without worry of weight gain and now ive cut right back and mostly on a diary free diet
That's a new one on me and it sounds easy enough.
Do you just give up dates then?
I was meant to add, that the weight seems to stick regardless of how much i cut back.
you need to do some strength training nathan.....if you build more muscle you ll be able to eat more without becoming a fat knacker......basically you ll burn more calories at rest(BMR)
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I hate the 40's lol. Personally i think your health takes a nose dive at 35 and without your consent lol.
Up till that age, I could eat whatever i wanted and without worry of weight gain and now ive cut right back and mostly on a diary free diet
That's a new one on me and it sounds easy enough.
Do you just give up dates then?
I was meant to add, that the weight seems to stick regardless of how much i cut back.
I think Griff was playing on the fact you typed “diary” instead of “dairy”, big fella.
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I'm 55 and only clean bungalows
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I hate the 40's lol. Personally i think your health takes a nose dive at 35 and without your consent lol.
Up till that age, I could eat whatever i wanted and without worry of weight gain and now ive cut right back and mostly on a diary free diet
That's a new one on me and it sounds easy enough.
Do you just give up dates then?
I was meant to add, that the weight seems to stick regardless of how much i cut back.
I think Griff was playing on the fact your typed “diary” instead of “dairy”, big fella.
Ahhh, i knew there was a pun in there, just didnt connect it.... ::)roll ;D
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I’m 51 and relatively fit, I play 5 a side football one night a week. In the past I’ve had a rotator cuff issue and tennis elbow. I used to have quite a big round with 4 employees but over the last 4 years or so have sold off a lot of work and kept the cream to myself. I got a new van in July and didn’t even bother putting a roof rack on it, the few jobs that required a ladder to get onto a flat roof got passed on to another window cleaner. I don’t clear gutters or wash fascias anymore either, I much prefer the regular window cleaning, which I find easy in comparison.
What treatment did you have for the rotator cuff and tennis elbow? I've got a second appointment at MSK clinic today for shoulder, physio doesn't seem to have helped over last few weeks.
A decent Physiotherapist should be able to recommend the best stretching exercises for them, also the NHS website has stretching instructions for both. You should also look at how you work, for instance, how you hold the pole when scrubbing. If you’re like me and you have the right hand near the base of the pole, the left hand should be alternated throughout the day so you see the day so sometimes your knuckles should be showing and at other times it should be your finger nails showing, doing this uses all the muscles around the rotator cuff so there is less chance of RSI. For tennis elbow I found the two best exercise were 1, stretching your arm out with your knuckles showing ( as if to say stop ) then with the other hand pull your hand back and forward slowly from the base of the fingers ( not the point of the fingers ) 2, stretching your arm out but this time point your hand downwards, place your other hand between wrist and knuckles and press your hand slowly back and forward. Hope this makes sense...it does to me🤪
Thanks, yes makes sense.
Already doing some of the exercises mentioned. Has helped slightly but pain still wakes me up through the night.
Outcome of today's appointment was referred for steroid injection, problem is they can't fit me in before I go on holiday next Thursday. Hopefully some rest and sunshine may help ☀️
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Can relate to all the comments, I will be 53 this year and for last 4 years I have wound window cleaning hard going. Especially during the winter, the aches start at back of my neck, shoulders,wrists, lower back, knees, ankles,feet. I do a handful of gutter jobs in winter and find the ladder work tough now, even 10 years ago, I was still fit. This is why in late 2018 I started the carpet cleaning business to try and get out of the window cleaning.
What hours are u doing day to day window cleaning?
What pole are u using?
Do u use a fixed electric reel with microbore hose?
Do u rinse on the glass for upper windows?
If your already using xtreme poles,electric reels and working short days,do u think u might be suffering from arthritis? :(
It probably is Daz, I have a large boney lump at the base of each thumb. Working hours are generally 9am start, coffee break 10/10.15 for 15 mins, 30 min lunch break 12-12.30, finish about 3/3.30 this time of year. 4/4.30 the rest of the year . Using Gardiners SLX 25 with superlite xtreme brush, but manual wind up metal reel. I have been considering a power reel, I am due to get an inheritance this year sometime so will be getting a much newer van too, as this one is sh#$, so will maybe get a power reel too.
something doesnt sound right mate..i work similar hours to you and very rarely get any aches and pains at all,the only trouble ive had is a lower back strain which has healed now(and that was lifting too heavy on a deadlift in the gym a few months ago),a 25ft xtreme pole will help,much lighter and more rigid than the SLX and a fixed electric reel without a doubt.....
I have had several injuries over the years though Daz, fractured my heel in 3 places, broke my wrist in 2 places, and finally broken ankle and 3 fractured verterbrae. Last year I had osteopathy on my neck, about 5 sessions and it sorted the problem totally. I still get the odd ache on my neck but it doesn't linger.
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I'm 66 now and started to notice the slow down effect a year ago when I reached 65, I now only do about 60% of what I used to do
Did it coincide with you reaching retirement age by any chance? ;D
not at all, it just happened at that age
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I recommend you get invest in a reach and wash system as it is a lot more lighter work then carrying ladders all day
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I recommend you get invest in a reach and wash system as it is a lot more lighter work then carrying ladders all day
Who? I already have it.
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Hi, I'm 58 and definitely feeling my age over the last couple of years
various back and shoulder aches after a hard days work particularly after using the pole horizontally.
Maybe the CLX 27 is too heavy for this kind of work..
Quote from RCPPS
I have a large boney lump at the base of each thumb.
I recently developed these too, my hands don't hurt working, but when I wake up in the morning???
Have taken to wearing padded gloves to protect the boney lumps!
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Hi, I'm 58 and definitely feeling my age over the last couple of years
various back and shoulder aches after a hard days work particularly after using the pole horizontally.
Maybe the CLX 27 is too heavy for this kind of work..
Quote from color=red]RCPPS[/color]. RPCCS actually ;D
I have a large boney lump at the base of each thumb.
I recently developed these too, my hands don't hurt working, but when I wake up in the morning???
Have taken to wearing padded gloves to protect the boney lumps!
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RPCCS actually!
sorry, it's senility setting in!
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Hi, I'm 58 and definitely feeling my age over the last couple of years
various back and shoulder aches after a hard days work particularly after using the pole horizontally.
Maybe the CLX 27 is too heavy for this kind of work..
Quote from RCPPS
I have a large boney lump at the base of each thumb.
I recently developed these too, my hands don't hurt working, but when I wake up in the morning???
Have taken to wearing padded gloves to protect the boney lumps!
Treat yourself to a 25ft xtreme pole and brush...even better use a carbon gooseneck too.......absolutely light as a feather and super rigid for near horizontal work.......
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I'll look into it Daz
They're quite dear arent they?
Oh well, its about time for a price rise...
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I’m 63 in March and just started my 36th year of window cleaning. I’m doing more now than I ever have, but at the end of the day the energy levels are a low. Bad back, knees, torn shoulder’s and stiff neck, but I can blink with out pain ;D
It’s a great job and love it. Also loosing it ;D
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Out of interest, those of you that have been cleaning windows for a few years, why haven’t you grown the business, so you don’t have to punish your body in your 50’s and more?
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In my case I never planned to do it for so long. On one hand it's great being outside and all the other health benefits but the repetitive nature just wears out the shoulders and in my case neck. I have a touch of osteo and the whole looking up for hours on end is taking it's toll. In my forties I could literally work all day, big blocks of flats whatever and then go to the gym. Fifties are proving a different story.
I don't want to stop completely but cut down and do other stuff. Wear out some other parts of my body :-)
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I'll look into it Daz
They're quite dear arent they?
Oh well, its about time for a price rise...
Yes they are....over £600 for a 25 footer but u can kiss goodbye to a lot of your aches and pains mate......
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In my case I never planned to do it for so long. On one hand it's great being outside and all the other health benefits but the repetitive nature just wears out the shoulders and in my case neck. I have a touch of osteo and the whole looking up for hours on end is taking it's toll. In my forties I could literally work all day, big blocks of flats whatever and then go to the gym. Fifties are proving a different story.
I don't want to stop completely but cut down and do other stuff. Wear out some other parts of my body :-)
That was the same for me, it was meant to be until something else tuned up, nothing did, so here I am 30 years later..
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I'm 58 been cleaning windowsfor 12 years using wfd,I'm still doing the same amount of work as I did 12 years ago,
.i used to be able to finish work and have some energy left to do small jobs I've cut the grass,I'm now finding when I finish work I very tired and often in bed bed 9 pm
I'm also finding the tiredness is putting me off being a window cleaner,but l don't have a choice
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If you plan a long career in window cleaning as a sole trader you really need some sort of retirement plan.
Most on the forum seem to be regularly earning upwards of £50 per hour, just find something to invest some of it in.
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The trick is to refine your work over many years so you only work short efficient hours using the very best,lightest equipment and look after your body in regards to fitness,diet,etc.......works for me.....
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If you plan a long career in window cleaning as a sole trader you really need some sort of retirement plan.
Most on the forum seem to be regularly earning upwards of £50 per hour, just find something to invest some of it in.
Why?who wants to retire?I dont....I'll work until I'll physically cant do the job anymore......
Work provides structure and routine to my day as well as earning a living......I dont want to give it up unless I have to....
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Hi, I'm 58 and definitely feeling my age over the last couple of years
various back and shoulder aches after a hard days work particularly after using the pole horizontally.
Maybe the CLX 27 is too heavy for this kind of work..
Quote from RCPPS
I have a large boney lump at the base of each thumb.
I recently developed these too, my hands don't hurt working, but when I wake up in the morning???
Have taken to wearing padded gloves to protect the boney lumps!
Ive got these too, although not giving me pain, i put it down to hard skin callouss from holding the pole. With that and the regular neck pain there are definite long term ergonomic problems with poling. Any one else got any any other long term issues we can look forward to?
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Hi, I'm 58 and definitely feeling my age over the last couple of years
various back and shoulder aches after a hard days work particularly after using the pole horizontally.
Maybe the CLX 27 is too heavy for this kind of work..
Quote from RCPPS
I have a large boney lump at the base of each thumb.
I recently developed these too, my hands don't hurt working, but when I wake up in the morning???
Have taken to wearing padded gloves to protect the boney lumps!
Ive got these too, although not giving me pain, i put it down to hard skin callouss from holding the pole. With that and the regular neck pain there are definite long term ergonomic problems with poling. Any one else got any any other long term issues we can look forward to?
How long have u been wfpoling?10 years this year for me and zero neck/shoulder/arm aches.......27 years window cleaning altogether this year.....
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Out of interest, those of you that have been cleaning windows for a few years, why haven’t you grown the business, so you don’t have to punish your body in your 50’s and more?
because its a ball ache
lots have given it ago and thought feck that i would rather punish my body than punish my mind.
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Out of interest, those of you that have been cleaning windows for a few years, why haven’t you grown the business, so you don’t have to punish your body in your 50’s and more?
Punish your body?its not coal mining for 12 hours a day!
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Out of interest, those of you that have been cleaning windows for a few years, why haven’t you grown the business, so you don’t have to punish your body in your 50’s and more?
because its a ball ache
lots have given it ago and thought feck that i would rather punish my body than punish my mind.
This!!
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Out of interest, those of you that have been cleaning windows for a few years, why haven’t you grown the business, so you don’t have to punish your body in your 50’s and more?
Punish your body?its not coal mining for 12 hours a day!
Going by the moaning about aches and pains, you’d think it was.
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10 years this year for me and zero neck/shoulder/arm aches.......27 years window cleaning altogether this year.....
Zero eh ?
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10 years this year for me and zero neck/shoulder/arm aches.......27 years window cleaning altogether this year.....
Zero eh ?
Exactly what about his back, this reminds me of the guy who bragged about having perfect teeth but failed to mention that his gums were rotten. lol
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10 years this year for me and zero neck/shoulder/arm aches.......27 years window cleaning altogether this year.....
Zero eh ?
Exactly what about his back, this reminds me of the guy who bragged about having perfect teeth but failed to mention that his gums were rotten. lol
the back strain i had before xmas was caused by heavy deadlifts in the gym NOT work related....its healed nicely now...back in the gym tomorrow... 8)
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10 years this year for me and zero neck/shoulder/arm aches.......27 years window cleaning altogether this year.....
Zero eh ?
Exactly what about his back, this reminds me of the guy who bragged about having perfect teeth but failed to mention that his gums were rotten. lol
the back strain i had before xmas was caused by heavy deadlifts in the gym NOT work related....its healed nicely now...back in the gym tomorrow... 8)
Tool
Box.
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Out of interest, those of you that have been cleaning windows for a few years, why haven’t you grown the business, so you don’t have to punish your body in your 50’s and more?
I did but I found I just couldn't get on with the robots.
They did my swede in, constantly answering back trying to sound clever like Stephen Hawking. I threatened them with Daleks and everything but to no avail. I had enough and made the metal buggers work in the rain hoping they'd rust.
Then I melted them down and made a Brodex pole out of them.
Boogie boogie.
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I thouht it was boogie woogie?
...or boogie wonderland?
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If you plan a long career in window cleaning as a sole trader you really need some sort of retirement plan.
Most on the forum seem to be regularly earning upwards of £50 per hour, just find something to invest some of it in.
Why?who wants to retire?I dont....I'll work until I'll physically cant do the job anymore......
Work provides structure and routine to my day as well as earning a living......I dont want to give it up unless I have to....
This is really short sighted, retirement may be forced on you out of nowhere and if you've only got your oap you're going to struggle.
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I thouht it was boogie woogie?
...or boogie wonderland?
Thanks. That will be in my head all day now.
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If you plan a long career in window cleaning as a sole trader you really need some sort of retirement plan.
Most on the forum seem to be regularly earning upwards of £50 per hour, just find something to invest some of it in.
Why?who wants to retire?I dont....I'll work until I'll physically cant do the job anymore......
Work provides structure and routine to my day as well as earning a living......I dont want to give it up unless I have to....
This is really short sighted, retirement may be forced on you out of nowhere and if you've only got your oap you're going to struggle.
dont get me wrong im putting money away for when im older but ive no plans to retire unless i cant physically do the job anymore....
the 2 window cleaners i know who are 72 and 75 are still window cleaning(on ladders too)they look great for their age despite them both having private pensions as well as state pension,obviously they are part time but still enjoy getting out on the tools....one of them has been window cleaning since he was 18!57 years on the tools! :D...
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so what do you guys do for fitness and looking after yourself as you get older?
obviously any of you who smoke cigarettes need to give it up now and either quit drinking altogether if you cant control the amount you drink or cut it down to moderate amounts....if i can do it anyone can....
diet?.......do you eat a wide variety of foods?....plenty of fruit,vegetables,nuts,seeds,lean cuts of meat and fish,etc
walking?running?strength training in the gym?cycling?stretching/yoga?
hobbies?
for me its a combination of working short days keeping stress levels to a minimum,no smoking or drinking alcohol whatsoever,walking the dog,stretching/yoga,gym(both strength training and a bit of cardio)and making time for hobbies.....
keeping a regular bed time most of the time helps too.i need a good 6 or 7 hours sleep per night,sometimes 8......
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Fair play to the 70 year olds still working, if I reach that age I will probably still do a bit of work, not windows though. I dont smoke and only drink at weekends, one bottle Friday, Sat and Sunday night. Once every few months I meet some mates and go to a pub, but would only have 3 or 4 pints, I physically cant drink any more. During spring summer and autumn. I go out on my bike every weekend, doing minimum of 8 miles, sometimes 12.
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I went out on my motorbike a few weeks back. Nice day but cold. Drove about seventy odd miles, lovely. Stopped at the lights round the corner from where I live and there was an old boy on his push bike. I guess he was about seventy. Had a quick chat with him before the lights changed to green. He had ridden nearly as far as I had driven! He said it was a short ride for him!!! Fair play.
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I’m 52 and work 5 hours a day.
5 days a week.
I have 150 domestic customers and 20 commercial.
That gives me a very tidy living.
I’m also a black belt in shotokan karate which keeps me fit and agile.
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nice 60 min full body workout in the gym at lunchtime,25 min walk first thing this morning(walked back from the garage),got my haircut then picked van back up..passed MOT no problem but ill have to change my front tyres for next year though as their close to the legal limit,only done 10,000 miles on them!it must be the weight of the water......
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I enjoy reading your posts Dazmond
Your always positive .
It’s good to keep your mind sharp as well as your body. I think hobbies are very important.
Well a week off now going to Tenerife (Costa Adjea) adult only with tui.
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I enjoy reading your posts Dazmond
Your always positive .
It’s good to keep your mind sharp as well as your body. I think hobbies are very important.
Well a week off now going to Tenerife (Costa Adjea) adult only with tui.
enjoy your trip mate......its going to be stormy here for a few days so its a good time to go,my mum and dad love tenerife,they usually go for a month every year to the same place your going..... :)
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Cheers mate.
A little bit of sunshine is good for the soul.
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Hi, I'm 58 and definitely feeling my age over the last couple of years
various back and shoulder aches after a hard days work particularly after using the pole horizontally.
Maybe the CLX 27 is too heavy for this kind of work..
Quote from RCPPS
I have a large boney lump at the base of each thumb.
I recently developed these too, my hands don't hurt working, but when I wake up in the morning???
Have taken to wearing padded gloves to protect the boney lumps!
Ive got these too, although not giving me pain, i put it down to hard skin callouss from holding the pole. With that and the regular neck pain there are definite long term ergonomic problems with poling. Any one else got any any other long term issues we can look forward to?
How long have u been wfpoling?10 years this year for me and zero neck/shoulder/arm aches.......27 years window cleaning altogether this year.....
For me,wfpoling for 13yrs, window cleaning in total 16yrs . I could definitely help myself by losing a couple of stone mind.
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so what do you guys do for fitness and looking after yourself as you get older?
obviously any of you who smoke cigarettes need to give it up now and either quit drinking altogether if you cant control the amount you drink or cut it down to moderate amounts....if i can do it anyone can....
diet?.......do you eat a wide variety of foods?....plenty of fruit,vegetables,nuts,seeds,lean cuts of meat and fish,etc
walking?running?strength training in the gym?cycling?stretching/yoga?
hobbies?
for me its a combination of working short days keeping stress levels to a minimum,no smoking or drinking alcohol whatsoever,walking the dog,stretching/yoga,gym(both strength training and a bit of cardio)and making time for hobbies.....
keeping a regular bed time most of the time helps too.i need a good 6 or 7 hours sleep per night,sometimes 8......
Sometimes 8 all depends on whether or not that leg gets over lol lol
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Hi, I'm 58 and definitely feeling my age over the last couple of years
various back and shoulder aches after a hard days work particularly after using the pole horizontally.
Maybe the CLX 27 is too heavy for this kind of work..
Quote from RCPPS
I have a large boney lump at the base of each thumb.
I recently developed these too, my hands don't hurt working, but when I wake up in the morning???
Have taken to wearing padded gloves to protect the boney lumps!
Ive got these too, although not giving me pain, i put it down to hard skin callouss from holding the pole. With that and the regular neck pain there are definite long term ergonomic problems with poling. Any one else got any any other long term issues we can look forward to?
How long have u been wfpoling?10 years this year for me and zero neck/shoulder/arm aches.......27 years window cleaning altogether this year.....
For me,wfpoling for 13yrs, window cleaning in total 16yrs . I could definitely help myself by losing a couple of stone mind.
Slimming world mate, get over the fact it’s full of women! I’ve done 4 stone since August last year
piece of hiss (not cake)