Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: richard connett on May 12, 2023, 05:12:29 pm
-
I’m sure some of you out there must have suffered similar. Been doing this job for around 10 years now and apart from the odd twinge and a sore neck not doing too bad considering
One thing that has me worried recently has been what I think is trigger finger. My hand locks up at night and is hard to open out again. I have a bump of my palm that wasn’t there before, painful/stiff fingers and my little finger is looking a bit crooked
I do follow the Daz window cleaning commandments and keep fit etc etc but I’m worried that this will get worse and be the reason I give it up in the end.
Any advice out there before I go to the docs for steroids ?
-
I’m sure some of you out there must have suffered similar. Been doing this job for around 10 years now and apart from the odd twinge and a sore neck not doing too bad considering
One thing that has me worried recently has been what I think is trigger finger. My hand locks up at night and is hard to open out again. I have a bump of my palm that wasn’t there before, painful/stiff fingers and my little finger is looking a bit crooked
I do follow the Daz window cleaning commandments and keep fit etc etc but I’m worried that this will get worse and be the reason I give it up in the end.
Any advice out there before I go to the docs for steroids ?
Could be arthritis. I saw a specialist the other week. I get very painful heels. It's looking like enthesitis which is a type of arthritis that flares up in different areas of your body. Doc is sending my for a scan etc. part of getting old buddy.
-
I try to only work 5 hours a day now.
Reducing your hours on the glass will help considerably, I did a massive job today and my neck was aching as well as left shoulder, planned it for a Friday so I’ve got the weekend off to recover.
Hope it gets better for you!
-
I only work 5 or 6 hours a day but flat out out really .
It’s getting old isn’t it , would be nice to slow it down though.
Been thinking I should put the h- man onto creating a handle for my pole . I reckon the gripping isn’t helping . I’ve got a wheelbarrow handle on order to see if I can fit that .
-
You feel it after the big jobs eh . Problem is I’m too young to retire and need to keep my body going for another 15 years !!
-
You feel it after the big jobs eh . Problem is I’m too young to retire and need to keep my body going for another 15 years !!
How old are you? I'm getting really exhausted doing this job and I'm not enjoying work at all at the minute. I wish I could just pack it all in and retire, but that isn't an option unfortunately.
-
I went through a phase where I was constantly knackered and aching all the time. Neck, elbows, hands. I had trigger finger for a while but it seems to have gone.
Dunno why but I don't feel as bad lately.
-
I’m sure some of you out there must have suffered similar. Been doing this job for around 10 years now and apart from the odd twinge and a sore neck not doing too bad considering
One thing that has me worried recently has been what I think is trigger finger. My hand locks up at night and is hard to open out again. I have a bump of my palm that wasn’t there before, painful/stiff fingers and my little finger is looking a bit crooked
I do follow the Daz window cleaning commandments and keep fit etc etc but I’m worried that this will get worse and be the reason I give it up in the end.
Any advice out there before I go to the docs for steroids ?
I'd go and see a doctor rather than ask a bunch of window cleaners ;D
I don't have many aches and pains and I'm 52 this year.i did used to get carpal tunnel syndrome in my hands but it seems to have mysteriously cleared up now...
I'm still hitting the gym 2 or 3 times a week which I think is a big help in keeping me strong and fit for window cleaning.
I've been WFP for 13 years now and 17 years on the ladders.
-
You feel it after the big jobs eh . Problem is I’m too young to retire and need to keep my body going for another 15 years !!
How old are you? I'm getting really exhausted doing this job and I'm not enjoying work at all at the minute. I wish I could just pack it all in and retire, but that isn't an option unfortunately.
How old are you mate?
What's your diet like?
What hours do you work?
Do you drink alcohol excessively?
Do you smoke?
How's your sleep?
What exercise do you do?(cardio/weights,etc)
If you can sort out some of the above things it'll make you feel a whole lot better.
-
I was thinking doctors is the way to go now. It’s nice to hear some of you have gotten over these ailments , that’s making me feel more positive . I’m 47 but need to keep going a lot longer !!
-
Daz I’m in the gym 4 times a week. Cardio and weights
Im a ex chef and eat fresh food and know how to cook properly
Im not overweight
I work 5/6 hours per day . 4 weeks on 2 weeks off (almost)
I love this job and want to keep doing it for as long as possible
Maybe arthritis is a weakness for me personally
-
Daz I’m in the gym 4 times a week. Cardio and weights
Im a ex chef and eat fresh food and know how to cook properly
Im not overweight
I work 5/6 hours per day . 4 weeks on 2 weeks off (almost)
I love this job and want to keep doing it for as long as possible
Maybe arthritis is a weakness for me personally
Yes, a lot of it is genetics and the type of work you do.
Not a lot you can do about repetitive strain, other than cut down on how much you do.
Joe blogs could have the worst diet ever, yet never get carpal tunnel or the like.
Meanwhile John Smith has a sound diet and gets down the gym yet has tennis elbow and a bulging disc.
It really is a mixed bag, just gotta reduce the hours and give the body rest.
-
I’m sure some of you out there must have suffered similar. Been doing this job for around 10 years now and apart from the odd twinge and a sore neck not doing too bad considering
One thing that has me worried recently has been what I think is trigger finger. My hand locks up at night and is hard to open out again. I have a bump of my palm that wasn’t there before, painful/stiff fingers and my little finger is looking a bit crooked
I do follow the Daz window cleaning commandments and keep fit etc etc but I’m worried that this will get worse and be the reason I give it up in the end.
Any advice out there before I go to the docs for steroids ?
I'd go and see a doctor rather than ask a bunch of window cleaners ;D
I don't have many aches and pains and I'm 52 this year.i did used to get carpal tunnel syndrome in my hands but it seems to have mysteriously cleared up now...
I'm still hitting the gym 2 or 3 times a week which I think is a big help in keeping me strong and fit for window cleaning.
I've been WFP for 13 years now and 17 years on the ladders.
It’s amazing what a tin of beans can do these days😉
-
You feel it after the big jobs eh . Problem is I’m too young to retire and need to keep my body going for another 15 years !!
How old are you? I'm getting really exhausted doing this job and I'm not enjoying work at all at the minute. I wish I could just pack it all in and retire, but that isn't an option unfortunately.
How old are you mate?
What's your diet like?
What hours do you work?
Do you drink alcohol excessively?
Do you smoke?
How's your sleep?
What exercise do you do?(cardio/weights,etc)
If you can sort out some of the above things it'll make you feel a whole lot better.
Doctor Daz, obviously not a windowcleaner on the internet!
-
You feel it after the big jobs eh . Problem is I’m too young to retire and need to keep my body going for another 15 years !!
How old are you? I'm getting really exhausted doing this job and I'm not enjoying work at all at the minute. I wish I could just pack it all in and retire, but that isn't an option unfortunately.
How old are you mate?
What's your diet like?
What hours do you work?
Do you drink alcohol excessively?
Do you smoke?
How's your sleep?
What exercise do you do?(cardio/weights,etc)
If you can sort out some of the above things it'll make you feel a whole lot better.
Doctor Daz, obviously not a windowcleaner on the internet!
None of those will prevent RSI. Except age and hours worked :(
People get so hung up of lifestyle, and yes it absolutely helps prevent a miriad of diseases and some mobility issues. BUT, it does very little if anything to prevent RSI.
Think of the amount of professional athletes and sportsman with tendon, muscle and ligament issues. It’s all RSI and nothing to do with general health.
WFP is a very demanding job on the shoulders, neck and hands, my observations are:
Swapping sides, I.e learning to hold the pole left and right handed.
Tucking elbow in where possible to bring the bicep in to play, helping the deltoid out. (On the arm that’s stretched out at higher end)
Lightest grip you can get away with.
Lowering pole before collapsing it (when doing three story and higher) so as not to have shoulder high in the air undoing clamps.
Xtreme pole, xtreme bushes only. Lighter pole, easier work.
Using the lower arm at the base of pole to do most of the work where possible.
Rinsing on the glass - never had an issue doing this.
Working the minimum hours possible.
-
Bang on I’d say.
Avoid the jobs you know give you trouble. I used to wash gutters down until I got frozen shoulder in both.
Conservatory roofs give me tennis elbow if I do too many.
Less working hours would be my tip too.
-
Bang on I’d say.
Avoid the jobs you know give you trouble. I used to wash gutters down until I got frozen shoulder in both.
Conservatory roofs give me tennis elbow if I do too many.
Less working hours would be my tip too.
Agree, I always softwash SFG’s now. No way I’m standing there scrubbing them, horrible jobs!
-
Zesty what equipment/method do you use to clean f/s/g out of interest?
Thanks
-
Hello Richard
Zestys work tips great advice
I’d say you’re to young for arthritis
But I no doctor 🤦🏻♂️
Think you have bruised swollen ligaments in your hand RSI
I’d add to the mix try taking MSM
I get off Amazon from lindens £9 ish 60 tablets take as recommended
I take 1 a day so last 2 months, basically cheaper form of glucosamine
Sulphur is responsible for repairing ligaments and tendons in the body
See a good YouTube video
See if I can find.
I’d get a powerball off Amazon
Basically looks like a tennis 🎾 ball
It’s a gyroscope
Search on YouTube it will help treat your hand 👍
Also good for wrist elbow shoulder
I hope you recover quickly Richard
Ps
Ova 8 poles are elliptical shape
Poles
Smudger has and squeaky clean YouTube now uses as he was getting pains in his hands
Basically RSI gripping to hard which is what I’m guessing you’re doing
Good luck Richard
We’ve all had bad backs, knees, ankles, elbows, shoulders, wrists 😢
Hope you’re mending quickly 👍
-
Go to the doctor and tell him that a window cleaner that you don't know on the interweb has been doing the job longer than yourself but doesn't have the same problem.
See what he says.
He might prescribe some drumming.
-
Thanks chaps some good advice here
I take glucosamine , cod liver oil and msm but might up the msm dosage. I’ll get one of those ball things too and add it to the array of other things I have !!
I think there’s got to be a more comfortable grip for our poles and having an oval would help a bit. Shame nobody’s marketed something to add to the poles yet. Some sort of soft gel handle . I use Slx atm but probably need to bite the bullet and go extreme 18 for 80% of my work. I’ll check out the ova though and compare weight
Could be just strained so will join the waiting list to see a doctor !!
Thanks everybody and remember to look after yourselves!
-
Zesty what equipment/method do you use to clean f/s/g out of interest?
Thanks
I just softwash them with the usual gear, a rolltek machine from Rutland pumps.
On small jobs you can use a backpack sprayer though…
-
It’s written in the stars m8 Arthritis is a degenerative problem Cods sweat 😓 won’t replace missing cartilage,once it’s gone it’s gone.
Best way to get rid of aches and pains is to get someone to do 60-70% of the work when working as a pair lol along with electric reels and the lightest most expensive poles and hot water,scrubbing massively reduced when using hot water much easier on the body you are dusting windows not heavy mopping em 👍.
-
Thanks chaps some good advice here
I take glucosamine , cod liver oil and msm but might up the msm dosage. I’ll get one of those ball things too and add it to the array of other things I have !!
I think there’s got to be a more comfortable grip for our poles and having an oval would help a bit. Shame nobody’s marketed something to add to the poles yet. Some sort of soft gel handle . I use Slx atm but probably need to bite the bullet and go extreme 18 for 80% of my work. I’ll check out the ova though and compare weight
Could be just strained so will join the waiting list to see a doctor !!
Thanks everybody and remember to look after yourselves!
I often think some sort of handles would be good for WFP poles, no one has come out with anything decent yet.
The Gardiner control bars are only for 47 plus poles and they are way too fat anyway.
-
Daz I’m in the gym 4 times a week. Cardio and weights
Im a ex chef and eat fresh food and know how to cook properly
Im not overweight
I work 5/6 hours per day . 4 weeks on 2 weeks off (almost)
I love this job and want to keep doing it for as long as possible
Maybe arthritis is a weakness for me personally
Sorry Richard I was replying to Bungles post about being exhausted and wanting to pack window cleaning in.....
IME it's usually down to being run down,not enough sleep,poor food choices,working too many hours and drinking and smoking
-
hi not sure how old you are,i started window cleaning 15 years ago all work wfd i was as fit as a fxxk now 62 fxs my body now aches ,struggle to pick my hose up off the floor,aching hands, back, knees, (some of it is from playing football back in the day over the last 15 years it has slowly got worse,i now feel the cold more than ever,as much as i hate to say it for me im just getting old !! i never thought it would happen to me ! all you young guys crack on ! but unless your very lucky you time will come ! on a posotive not the suns shining game on !
-
It's called w@nkers cramp. Do a Google search on it.
NWH has had it for years.
-
Main thing is Colin you’re still going and earning money. Must still be the better option than working for somebody else on paye. I hope to be finished or nearly finished by the time I hit 62 . By that time I’ll have amassed enough money and will retire to my yacht !
-
Yeah work your whole life wherever you walk and look you keep seeing that big number 65 printed on walls everywhere,they didn’t make the retiring age 65 for nothing it’s all worked out.
Unless you can retire at 50-55 I wouldn’t get over excited about retirement once 65-70 comes you’ll be lucky if you don’t need a bungalow coz you’ve had enough of the stairs,spend it before you’re kids do in a generation and a half no one will have known you were ever here unless they look in an ancient photo album 🤣🤣.
-
It's called w@nkers cramp. Do a Google search on it.
NWH has had it for years.
I think it also affects his ability to use a keyboard. I like to think there is a logical reason as to why he posts such vast amounts of inane nonsensical drivel.
-
Retirement not worth the paper it’s written on if the age is set at 65 that’s telling you it should probably be set at 50-55,don’t be a 🐑 sheep like the majority of the country spend it or have a few days off if Arthritis is giving you grief in the colder weather.
It’s just so sad when I hear people say only 10 years and I can pack up work etc,what a waste of life.
-
Retirement age is 67 rising to 68. Government wants to raise it to 70. I am semi retired at 57 now mortgage is paid. Life is for living a happy balance of work, rest and play, enjoy it whilst your young and can because at 68 you won't be able do what you can easily do now!
-
You may as well spend it all whilst you can they'll only take it all off you when you get ill.
My grandma had a stroke about 10 years ago now. She had followed the traditional path in regards to a having a fully paid for house and a fair few grand in savings. They sold her 200k+ house to pay for her care that is as soon as her savings ran out...Inheritance gone, all them years of work gone in a flash.
Be a dosser on the dole and it's all paid for ::)roll
-
⬆️ I’ve seen it so many times and it’s happening on an hourly basis to people,it’s set at a certain age for a reason 51 years in paying income Tax and NI contributions oh it’s so exciting the thought of retiring and being worse off than when I was working 😂,
-
If you have that level of problem with your hand then, get yourself to the docs and on to a specialist as soon as poss.
From then on, I would ditch the SLX and focus on making your life EASIER and less strenuous, it will really help:
Xtreme poles and brushes, electric reel, use 30m of reinforced pole hose on your reel, ditch the jobs that cause the most strain (cleaning over large connys) etc. It will cost you a bit to get set up, but in the long term you'll be far better off. Nice little easy houses, or better still bungalows, in and out with no stress.
Unfortunately as you get older (I'm 59) things start to ache a bit. I'm in fairly good nick but since covid I haven't exercised, so I would recommend some form of exercise; choose something you enjoy doing. I did boxing a while back (my son in law wanted to go, but not on his own) so idiot here went with him. It was actually really good exercise, both physically and mentally, but he got fed up with it so I eventually stopped too. I am looking to start some form of exercise again, I quite fancy pilates or Krav Maga.
As for retiring, it's unfortunate there are a few negative comments; but I actually think there is some truth to them. If I had my life again, I would aim to retire at 60, or earlier. I would plan in my early 20s to get a good pension (they're not brilliant but they are tax efficient) and I would definitely invest in property, especially with the onset of Airbnb. If my crypto comes in Rodney, this time next year we'll be millionaires! ;D ;D ;D
-
I’m not waiting around to retire . I love my lifestyle and want to carry, on that’s the point . The yacht comment was meant as a joke
Nwh , you need to use a comma here and there . Would make it much easier to understand you
-
The boat was a joke I would have never known lol.
-
Definitely gonna try and make my life easier though in future . Work smarter and all that
-
Yeah don’t blame you honestly waste of time running round like a fool trying to catch up all the time,one thing I have learnt is that loyalty in this job at times can seem as obtainable as a Unicorn 🦄 being ridden by Lord Lucan.
-
Main thing is Colin you’re still going and earning money. Must still be the better option than working for somebody else on paye. I hope to be finished or nearly finished by the time I hit 62 . By that time I’ll have amassed enough money and will retire to my yacht !
yes im still earning money,im also in quite a good financial position,mortgage paid off,i have a private pension and also investments.
when its come to retiring its quite scary how much money you will need, to be able to have a similar standard of living.
ie a pot of 500k will give you an income of £1000 a week for ten years.
for me personally i will need to downsize my house to release some money to top up my pension and ivestmens,to enable me to have a similar lifestyle to what i have now. (if i want to fully retire )
a lot of the downturn in pensions pots and investements over the last few years is due to brexit,covid and a power crazy russian
-
You’ll need £520,000 for ten years!
-
You’ll need £520,000 for ten years!
guess thats why im a thick window cleaner as i cant count
-
;D
Frightening isn’t it when you look at it that way?
State pension, what’s that less than £1k a month?
-
If your talking about when you get to 65 I wouldn’t worry you’ll have hardly any appetite you won’t want to stand at check in anymore or go on 10 mile walks,just save enough for the odd latte and toasted sandwich in the local cafe a huge pension is wasted unless you are fit enough to enjoy it 55 would be more realistic.
The number 65 is branded on peoples brains and has been for years by the big machine,it’s like the wizard of Oz once you get to the end of the yellow brick road you’ve walked for years you face the disappointment when you look behind the curtain.
-
If your talking about when you get to 65 I wouldn’t worry you’ll have hardly any appetite you won’t want to stand at check in anymore or go on 10 mile walks,just save enough for the odd latte and toasted sandwich in the local cafe a huge pension is wasted unless you are fit enough to enjoy it 55 would be more realistic.
The number 65 is branded on peoples brains and has been for years by the big machine,it’s like the wizard of Oz once you get to the end of the yellow brick road you’ve walked for years you face the disappointment when you look behind the curtain.
[/quote
Can't disagree with you
-
If your talking about when you get to 65 I wouldn’t worry you’ll have hardly any appetite you won’t want to stand at check in anymore or go on 10 mile walks,just save enough for the odd latte and toasted sandwich in the local cafe a huge pension is wasted unless you are fit enough to enjoy it 55 would be more realistic.
The number 65 is branded on peoples brains and has been for years by the big machine,it’s like the wizard of Oz once you get to the end of the yellow brick road you’ve walked for years you face the disappointment when you look behind the curtain.
You talk some twaddle nigel!
My mum is 75 and has loads of friends the same age and goes on 4-5 holidays abroad a year,always going out for meals,theatre and walking holidays,etc
She's living her best life now my dad's passed away.shes also got rheumatoid arthritis but it doesn't stop her living life to the full!
-
You are a fool if you think that Daz of course it’s possible with what you say it’s the big picture most people don’t get to live like that in later life,no one will give you anything if the government or big pension people tell you 65 In reality they mean 50-55.
3 score years and 10 is a saying and it’s very accurate we all know it’s up to the individual but if you think you’ll live long enough to spend it you are a fool,trust me Daz when some people sit down they don’t get up again m8.
Sit down and speak to a pensions-finance plum all they’ll say is but what about the kids etc,yeah but there in their 30s but that’s what I mean don’t you want them to be driving around in Range Rovers thanks to you 🤣🤣🤣🤣.
-
This doesn't sound that stupid after all. ;D
Hilti Exo-S Exoskeleton while Waterfed Pole Window Cleaning - A Real Game-changer!!
https://youtu.be/SrwC7LBPGNw
-
Are you allowed to wear that in the nursing home?
-
This doesn't sound that stupid after all. ;D
Hilti Exo-S Exoskeleton while Waterfed Pole Window Cleaning - A Real Game-changer!![
I was hoping you could design an ergonomic handle for us h man. Not a full robot suit . Bit like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut
-
Well at age 64 I am still helping out Dan the Man when he gets behind on his work and here's my twopenn'orth.
Extreme poles. I use a 4 section 20ft for my everyday work and have a 25ft on board for anything that needs it. (Plus a 47)
As mentioned, 33m of reinforced pole hose at the start of my reel. Such a game changer over using just microbore.
6 hours a day with about 30 minutes of breaks (10/20/10) as the usual schedule but can do 7 or 8 if it means a day off the next day. Often 5 hours.
I stopped FSG (one or two bungalow customers an exception) and most conny roofs (except straightforward easy access customers) a couple of years back.
At the moment state pension age is 66 but you who are now over 45 and under 63 will be 67.
My daughter is home between universities (and gallivanting round the world) this summer and works with me three or four days a month at £12 per hour so that helps us both.
I plan on dropping back on some of the more awkward stuff come autumn and might even drop Xmas to February 1st this winter (except a handful of commercials)
I want to cut back to 3K a month turnover. It keeps creeping up towards 4K especially in April (schools) and was almost 5K this April which I don't need.
-
Interesting about the 33m of pole hose. Which one are you using? I’d be worried about it not laying flat on paths etc and getting in a tangle. But I can see that the weight reduction could be good
-
Interesting about the 33m of pole hose. Which one are you using? I’d be worried about it not laying flat on paths etc and getting in a tangle. But I can see that the weight reduction could be good
Streamline red. Don't get much tangling. Though in winter I use warm water to soften hoses.
Modus operandi is I usually walk to the first 'pinch point', pull enough hose to hold in loops together to the farthest point and go to it paying it out as I go.
-
This doesn't sound that stupid after all. ;D
Hilti Exo-S Exoskeleton while Waterfed Pole Window Cleaning - A Real Game-changer!![
I was hoping you could design an ergonomic handle for us h man. Not a full robot suit . Bit like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut
Yes done this about 10years ago we called it Pole Control .
HERE IS A CLOSER LOOK HOW THE HANDLE WAS PUT ON THE POLE. SEE HOW IT WORKS
Here we have made it so the Attachment can now Swivel Around the Pole and move Up/Down while Using your Pole.
Gives Great Power Transfer while have Complete Control of the of your Pole.
This would also be good you using a gutter vac as the poles have bit larger diameter..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-C-PtPxNLF0