Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Stoots on December 10, 2020, 02:14:49 pm

Title: Run out of water
Post by: Stoots on December 10, 2020, 02:14:49 pm
Last two houses of the day, both next to each other. Did the fronts.

Then cough and splutter, couldnt do the backs  >:( one of them was a first clean as well.

Never been so annoyed, half the street probably heard me swearing 🤬.

First time i recall that happening whilst on a job, ffs.
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: Mx19 on December 10, 2020, 02:30:09 pm
If i'm ever getting close to the end of my water I make sure to do as much of the tops as possible then if I need to break out the trad gear i can minimise lugging ladders around!
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: Rayleigh Window Cleaning Services on December 10, 2020, 02:43:44 pm
Thats a pain for sure.

I always have a 2 x25 litre drums on board just in case that exact thing happens, and it has to me  :)

My work is generally local, but still annoying to have to make all the gear up and drive to re fill.
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: dazmond on December 10, 2020, 03:12:10 pm
its only happened to me once and that was with a 350L tank......i am close some days though even with a 500L tank and working short days.......i usually end up with an airlock too so i have to disconnect my hose going to my reel a few times while running the pump on full first thing the next day......

it feels satisfying going home with an empty tank though....the van likes it too! ;D
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: Soupy on December 10, 2020, 03:13:05 pm
Park facing downhill.
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: NWH on December 10, 2020, 03:47:28 pm
Remember you earn a £ for every litre you use that’s a very good guide 👍 you must have earned well then.
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: zesty on December 10, 2020, 03:50:14 pm
Park facing downhill.

Always handy when the houses you clean are on dead flat land.
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: alank on December 10, 2020, 04:11:59 pm
I'm di only so if I did run out I could refill using a customers tap if I had to  ;D
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: Stoots on December 10, 2020, 05:04:29 pm
I used to carry a spare barrel of water and a backpack when i had a van but since i got my truck havent carried one. I will have to put them back in.

I tried the trick of parking one side up the kerb to get the dregs out but to no avail.

500l tank, i dont think its enough really i used to have a 650.
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: richard connett on December 10, 2020, 05:11:56 pm
Is that you on your own going through 500ltrs?
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: Bungle on December 10, 2020, 05:52:58 pm
Park facing downhill.

Depends where his outlet is. I'd have to park facing uphill and the near side parked on the kerb.
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: Stoots on December 10, 2020, 06:21:37 pm
Is that you on your own going through 500ltrs?

Yes

To be honest ive been close quite a few times and had to use the emergency barrel... i used to have a 650 tank and ive nearly run out of that before, when ive worked 2 man in the past we once ran out of 900l lol although that was a long day and we made it just by tipping the tank sideways out of the side door to get the dregs.
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: Suffolkcleaners on December 10, 2020, 06:27:12 pm
Is that you on your own going through 500ltrs?

Yes

To be honest ive been close quite a few times and had to use the emergency barrel... i used to have a 650 tank and ive nearly run out of that before, when ive worked 2 man in the past we once ran out of 900l lol although that was a long day and we made it just by tipping the tank sideways out of the side door to get the dregs.

I’m a little confused. How is 500 litres not enough for one man? I have  never run out on a full day. Do you have it on a really powerful flow? Pure freedom put in the controller etc which goes from  0-99 and I normally have it only on 30 for maintenance cleans. Occasionally for the fun of it I will Wack it to 99 last job of the day Lol
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: Suffolkcleaners on December 10, 2020, 06:31:15 pm
I sometimes work with 40-50 as I’m a particularly fast worker so the extra flow does obviously drain the water more but then I rinse less as a result. PF even said I could prob work with 20 on my controller but have been working with 30. Plenty and powerful enough
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: Stoots on December 10, 2020, 06:36:32 pm
Is that you on your own going through 500ltrs?

Yes

To be honest ive been close quite a few times and had to use the emergency barrel... i used to have a 650 tank and ive nearly run out of that before, when ive worked 2 man in the past we once ran out of 900l lol although that was a long day and we made it just by tipping the tank sideways out of the side door to get the dregs.

I’m a little confused. How is 500 litres not enough for one man? I have  never run out on a full day. Do you have it on a really powerful flow? Pure freedom put in the controller etc which goes from  0-99 and I normally have it only on 30 for maintenance cleans. Occasionally for the fun of it I will Wack it to 99 last job of the day Lol

It is most of the time, given that its the first time ive ever ran out mid job ..i would say i use 400l on average.

Usually between 70 and 100 depending, had it on 70 in the summer but in winter i have to turn it up. I had it on 85 today but  turned it up full for 3 first cleans... I like a good flow to get through the work, 24 jobs today......on 30 lol i would be there all day on some jobs.
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: windowswashed on December 10, 2020, 06:45:17 pm
I use a radial brush with two rinse bars on it, wash & rinse once on glass most jobs and use even less water now compared to stock brushes which waste so much trying to cover the glass
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: Suffolkcleaners on December 10, 2020, 06:48:54 pm
Is that you on your own going through 500ltrs?

Yes

To be honest ive been close quite a few times and had to use the emergency barrel... i used to have a 650 tank and ive nearly run out of that before, when ive worked 2 man in the past we once ran out of 900l lol although that was a long day and we made it just by tipping the tank sideways out of the side door to get the dregs.

I’m a little confused. How is 500 litres not enough for one man? I have  never run out on a full day. Do you have it on a really powerful flow? Pure freedom put in the controller etc which goes from  0-99 and I normally have it only on 30 for maintenance cleans. Occasionally for the fun of it I will Wack it to 99 last job of the day Lol

It is most of the time, given that its the first time ive ever ran out mid job ..i would say i use 400l on average.

Usually between 70 and 100 depending, had it on 70 in the summer but in winter i have to turn it up. I had it on 85 today but  turned it up full for 3 first cleans... I like a good flow to get through the work, 24 jobs today......on 30 lol i would be there all day on some jobs.

Are all controllers the same? I know with the one pure freedom installed 30 is really powerful.(they told me 20 for maintenance  cleans). If I had it on 70 odd it would be blasting out
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: Stoots on December 10, 2020, 07:34:41 pm
Is that you on your own going through 500ltrs?

Yes

To be honest ive been close quite a few times and had to use the emergency barrel... i used to have a 650 tank and ive nearly run out of that before, when ive worked 2 man in the past we once ran out of 900l lol although that was a long day and we made it just by tipping the tank sideways out of the side door to get the dregs.

I’m a little confused. How is 500 litres not enough for one man? I have  never run out on a full day. Do you have it on a really powerful flow? Pure freedom put in the controller etc which goes from  0-99 and I normally have it only on 30 for maintenance cleans. Occasionally for the fun of it I will Wack it to 99 last job of the day Lol

It is most of the time, given that its the first time ive ever ran out mid job ..i would say i use 400l on average.

Usually between 70 and 100 depending, had it on 70 in the summer but in winter i have to turn it up. I had it on 85 today but  turned it up full for 3 first cleans... I like a good flow to get through the work, 24 jobs today......on 30 lol i would be there all day on some jobs.

Are all controllers the same? I know with the one pure freedom installed 30 is really powerful.(they told me 20 for maintenance  cleans). If I had it on 70 odd it would be blasting out

All spring controllers will be the same, i assume thats what pure freedom ones are but not sure,

Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: dazmond on December 10, 2020, 07:41:13 pm
Is that you on your own going through 500ltrs?

Yes

To be honest ive been close quite a few times and had to use the emergency barrel... i used to have a 650 tank and ive nearly run out of that before, when ive worked 2 man in the past we once ran out of 900l lol although that was a long day and we made it just by tipping the tank sideways out of the side door to get the dregs.

I’m a little confused. How is 500 litres not enough for one man? I have  never run out on a full day. Do you have it on a really powerful flow? Pure freedom put in the controller etc which goes from  0-99 and I normally have it only on 30 for maintenance cleans. Occasionally for the fun of it I will Wack it to 99 last job of the day Lol

I can use 500L in 6 hours easily some days....do you wash doors down and sills with wfp too?



Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: JandS on December 10, 2020, 08:59:50 pm
500 litres last me all day especially in Winter.......run on 75 through a rinse bar and rinse on.
In Summer I take 3 or 4 barrels but rarely use them......not because I have plenty in tank but just like finishing early and tank running out is a good excuse.
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: Suffolkcleaners on December 10, 2020, 09:32:02 pm
Is that you on your own going through 500ltrs?

Yes

To be honest ive been close quite a few times and had to use the emergency barrel... i used to have a 650 tank and ive nearly run out of that before, when ive worked 2 man in the past we once ran out of 900l lol although that was a long day and we made it just by tipping the tank sideways out of the side door to get the dregs.

I’m a little confused. How is 500 litres not enough for one man? I have  never run out on a full day. Do you have it on a really powerful flow? Pure freedom put in the controller etc which goes from  0-99 and I normally have it only on 30 for maintenance cleans. Occasionally for the fun of it I will Wack it to 99 last job of the day Lol

I can use 500L in 6 hours easily some days....do you wash doors down and sills with wfp too?

Yep I wash front and back doors plus all frames and sills. Probably had about 3 complaints in 6 years WFP (20 years before that trad-started in 1995)

I’m not sure exactly what PF have put into in my van but a flow Of 30 easily gets me through  a 6 hour day with at least a quarter of a tank left. Like I said though I am an extremely quick (albeit efficient) worker.
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: Jonny 87 on December 10, 2020, 09:32:46 pm
Is that you on your own going through 500ltrs?

Yes

To be honest ive been close quite a few times and had to use the emergency barrel... i used to have a 650 tank and ive nearly run out of that before, when ive worked 2 man in the past we once ran out of 900l lol although that was a long day and we made it just by tipping the tank sideways out of the side door to get the dregs.

I’m a little confused. How is 500 litres not enough for one man? I have  never run out on a full day. Do you have it on a really powerful flow? Pure freedom put in the controller etc which goes from  0-99 and I normally have it only on 30 for maintenance cleans. Occasionally for the fun of it I will Wack it to 99 last job of the day Lol

I regularly use 650 litres a day.

Two of us use about 1200 I reckon. (We fill up again at lunch time.)

Flow set to 80, no messing around with little squirts of water. Why scrimp on something that’s basically free. 😁
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: Suffolkcleaners on December 10, 2020, 09:38:42 pm
Is that you on your own going through 500ltrs?

Yes

To be honest ive been close quite a few times and had to use the emergency barrel... i used to have a 650 tank and ive nearly run out of that before, when ive worked 2 man in the past we once ran out of 900l lol although that was a long day and we made it just by tipping the tank sideways out of the side door to get the dregs.

I’m a little confused. How is 500 litres not enough for one man? I have  never run out on a full day. Do you have it on a really powerful flow? Pure freedom put in the controller etc which goes from  0-99 and I normally have it only on 30 for maintenance cleans. Occasionally for the fun of it I will Wack it to 99 last job of the day Lol

I regularly use 650 litres a day.

Two of us use about 1200 I reckon. (We fill up again at lunch time.)

Flow set to 80, no messing around with little squirts of water. Why scrimp on something that’s basically free. 😁

No scrimping at all mate as per last message. I thought I used too much by using 3/4 of a tank lol. Good job I didn’t get a 350 litre tank.

It must just be me as it appears most easily use the 500 litres. The only thing I can honestly put it down to is my speed that I work. Pure water to glass on a maintenance clean really doesn’t take much rinsing and scrubbing in my opinion. I don’t get complaints so I can only go on my own experiences 😊
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: Simon Trapani on December 10, 2020, 09:46:01 pm
Hard to compare flow rates by the number on the controller. Too many variables such as battery condition, how worn your pump(s) are, single or twin setup, hose bore & hose length etc. You'd have to measure by litres per minute.
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: Suffolkcleaners on December 10, 2020, 09:52:22 pm
Fair comment Simon. Perhaps as my system is almost brand new the flow is at its optimum even on a lower number? No idea genuinely.

Also another point I thought of is let’s all be honest.... how many 4 weekly maintenance cleans  do you do and you turn up and the windows are actually clean as clean? It might vary in different areas don’t get me wrong. If you have jobs near the sea or by main roads etc etc then it can make the windows much dirtier but a lot of my work I turn up to clean windows. I almost feel bad for cleaning them. However someone’s interpretation of what is clean may differ. That customer may notice the slightest bit of dust.

I am sometimes too honest for my own good  though as if I pick up a new job I quite often tell them 8 weekly is more than fine but a lot still opt for 4 weekly.

In my case thank god so many do as my income relies so much on it and if they are happy then I am happy 😃
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: zesty on December 11, 2020, 07:35:59 am
Is that you on your own going through 500ltrs?

Yes

To be honest ive been close quite a few times and had to use the emergency barrel... i used to have a 650 tank and ive nearly run out of that before, when ive worked 2 man in the past we once ran out of 900l lol although that was a long day and we made it just by tipping the tank sideways out of the side door to get the dregs.

I’m a little confused. How is 500 litres not enough for one man? I have  never run out on a full day. Do you have it on a really powerful flow? Pure freedom put in the controller etc which goes from  0-99 and I normally have it only on 30 for maintenance cleans. Occasionally for the fun of it I will Wack it to 99 last job of the day Lol

I regularly use 650 litres a day.

Two of us use about 1200 I reckon. (We fill up again at lunch time.)

Flow set to 80, no messing around with little squirts of water. Why scrimp on something that’s basically free. 😁

Cor mate, you wanna live down here with a water tds of around 500.

Pure water is like gold here. Filters take a battering!
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: dazmond on December 11, 2020, 07:47:36 am
My tds is 021 at the moment straight out of my tap!

on topic i could take another 100L with me in 4 barrels giving me a total of 600L for the day but I very rarely do.....I'm much more likely to break out my squeegee for some ground floor work than take extra water if I'm working the odd long day....
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: Jonny 87 on December 11, 2020, 08:14:21 am
Is that you on your own going through 500ltrs?

Yes

To be honest ive been close quite a few times and had to use the emergency barrel... i used to have a 650 tank and ive nearly run out of that before, when ive worked 2 man in the past we once ran out of 900l lol although that was a long day and we made it just by tipping the tank sideways out of the side door to get the dregs.

I’m a little confused. How is 500 litres not enough for one man? I have  never run out on a full day. Do you have it on a really powerful flow? Pure freedom put in the controller etc which goes from  0-99 and I normally have it only on 30 for maintenance cleans. Occasionally for the fun of it I will Wack it to 99 last job of the day Lol

I regularly use 650 litres a day.

Two of us use about 1200 I reckon. (We fill up again at lunch time.)

Flow set to 80, no messing around with little squirts of water. Why scrimp on something that’s basically free. 😁

Cor mate, you wanna live down here with a water tds of around 500.

Pure water is like gold here. Filters take a battering!

That is true actually. I’m a northerner and tds is great. 😁
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: Simon Trapani on December 11, 2020, 08:24:13 am
My tds is 021 at the moment straight out of my tap!

on topic i could take another 100L with me in 4 barrels giving me a total of 600L for the day but I very rarely do.....I'm much more likely to break out my squeegee for some ground floor work than take extra water if I'm working the odd long day....

Think I’d just go home if I emptied my 650. Not to refill though. I’d just stay there. ;D
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: jk999 on December 11, 2020, 05:29:13 pm
How comes you get 021 out of the tap in my area its over 300
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: dazmond on December 11, 2020, 05:54:05 pm
How comes you get 021 out of the tap in my area its over 300

its always been low....it varies and sometimes its as high as  032.....its been like that for over 10 years since i switched to WFP.....once it went up to 122 one summer but that was only for a few weeks.....its never got to them heady heights since......
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: jk999 on December 11, 2020, 07:11:05 pm
So do you still filter your water
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: swanson on December 12, 2020, 08:08:28 am
I’ve got a double Di set up in my van.
I can fill up when I want .
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: dazmond on December 12, 2020, 09:13:27 am
So do you still filter your water

Of course....why wouldnt I?
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: dazmond on December 12, 2020, 09:14:56 am
I’ve got a double Di set up in my van.
I can fill up when I want .

I could do that but where I work the tap tds is 270-300!no thanks!
Title: Re: Run out of water
Post by: Dry Clean on December 12, 2020, 10:25:03 am
Is that you on your own going through 500ltrs?

Yes

To be honest ive been close quite a few times and had to use the emergency barrel... i used to have a 650 tank and ive nearly run out of that before, when ive worked 2 man in the past we once ran out of 900l lol although that was a long day and we made it just by tipping the tank sideways out of the side door to get the dregs.

I’m a little confused. How is 500 litres not enough for one man? I have  never run out on a full day. Do you have it on a really powerful flow? Pure freedom put in the controller etc which goes from  0-99 and I normally have it only on 30 for maintenance cleans. Occasionally for the fun of it I will Wack it to 99 last job of the day Lol

I regularly use 650 litres a day.

Two of us use about 1200 I reckon. (We fill up again at lunch time.)

Flow set to 80, no messing around with little squirts of water. Why scrimp on something that’s basically free. 😁

No scrimping at all mate as per last message. I thought I used too much by using 3/4 of a tank lol. Good job I didn’t get a 350 litre tank.

It must just be me as it appears most easily use the 500 litres. The only thing I can honestly put it down to is my speed that I work. Pure water to glass on a maintenance clean really doesn’t take much rinsing and scrubbing in my opinion. I don’t get complaints so I can only go on my own experiences 😊

Exactly, even with a good Shurflo pump and a new battery you would be lucky to get two litres a minute at the brush head, that would mean these guys are spending at least 300 minutes/5 hours a day scrubbing and rinsing glass, they are either wasting water between windows or are way too slow.