Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Bungle on July 11, 2025, 06:48:10 pm
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Would you feel awkward cleaning windows splashing precious water all over the place if a ban was in place?
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Absolutely!
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I was wondering when this question got asked. Happens every year.
Absolute not worried about it.
Annoying though that I could clean my van but not my car too. 🤣
In fact, it's good for business. Customers can't clean their own windows but they can pay us to do it.
At least those stupid contraptions that the budget retailers and Tic Tok sellers flog to the public will loose sales themselves after trying to take ours 🤣. Love a bit of Karma.
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Would you feel awkward cleaning windows splashing precious water all over the place if a ban was in place?
No
I'm cleaning windows to make money so just crack on as usual. Over the years there's been plenty of hosepipe bans here in the North West in the summer months. Its not uncommon.
Unless there is a drought order we can work as usual.
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Over here there’s restrictions every year.
We’re currently on stage 1 which doesn’t affect commercial businesses. If it goes to stage 2 I’ll have to spend my days on the beach.
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When I drink my beer in water shortage do I feel guilty about the thousands of galons used each day by the brewers.
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One of the local newspapers reported the conditions of hose pipe use with the Yorkshire hose pipe ban by Yorkshire water.
They specifically mentioned the cleaning of windows with a hose pipe was forbidden under the ban. No clarification was to whether it was the homeowner or a window cleaner who was banned from cleaning windows with a hose pipe.
Even I was confused by the wording of the report, knowing how previous bans didn't apply to businesses.
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One of the local newspapers reported the conditions of hose pipe use with the Yorkshire hose pipe ban by Yorkshire water.
They specifically mentioned the cleaning of windows with a hose pipe was forbidden under the ban. No clarification was to whether it was the homeowner or a window cleaner who was banned from cleaning windows with a hose pipe.
Even I was confused by the wording of the report.
I think it's a hosepipe connected to a mains supply. Like watering your garden.
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One of the local newspapers reported the conditions of hose pipe use with the Yorkshire hose pipe ban by Yorkshire water.
They specifically mentioned the cleaning of windows with a hose pipe was forbidden under the ban. No clarification was to whether it was the homeowner or a window cleaner who was banned from cleaning windows with a hose pipe.
Even I was confused by the wording of the report.
I think it's a hosepipe connected to a mains supply. Like watering your garden.
I agree. But the wording of the report didn't clarify that. It was reported in a way that could be read as a blanket ban of cleaning windows with a hose pipe.
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One of the local newspapers reported the conditions of hose pipe use with the Yorkshire hose pipe ban by Yorkshire water.
They specifically mentioned the cleaning of windows with a hose pipe was forbidden under the ban. No clarification was to whether it was the homeowner or a window cleaner who was banned from cleaning windows with a hose pipe.
Even I was confused by the wording of the report.
I think it's a hosepipe connected to a mains supply. Like watering your garden.
I agree. But the wording of the report didn't clarify that. It was reported in a way that could be read as a blanket ban of cleaning windows with a hose pipe.
Journalists won't ask the finer points unless it is of interest to their main readership and will assume that an article will be read by their paper's main audience and will want to make the article a talking point to get shared.
In their capacity as home owners or renters.
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It only applies to private cleaning, not paid for services.
Time for a boom in sales calls 🤣
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One of the local newspapers reported the conditions of hose pipe use with the Yorkshire hose pipe ban by Yorkshire water.
They specifically mentioned the cleaning of windows with a hose pipe was forbidden under the ban. No clarification was to whether it was the homeowner or a window cleaner who was banned from cleaning windows with a hose pipe.
Even I was confused by the wording of the report, knowing how previous bans didn't apply to businesses.
Have a look at the HSE website spruce it says some ware that hose pipe bans don’t affect window cleaners as it’s a health and safety issue the only thing that could affect us is a drought order but even then depending what you are cleaning if it’s classed as as a safety issue it’s still ok .
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Bottom line is, as long as the treasury are getting their cut from our endeavours it’s carry on regardless😉
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Irrespective of whether we can or not, it wouldnt be a normal relaxed day out on the glass, i would feel there's a row waiting round every corner, were talking about the general public here and someones bound to say something at some time. quite probably passers by not even customers.
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Irrespective of whether we can or not, it wouldnt be a normal relaxed day out on the glass, i would feel there's a row waiting round every corner, were talking about the general public here and someones bound to say something at some time. quite probably passers by not even customers.
I've worked loads of times during hose pipe bans over the years and gave it very little thought. I might have had the odd remark from customers or passers-by but I soon put them straight.
Never ever have I been fearful of "a row around every corner!"🤣
I don't care what other people think or say on the matter.
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Irrespective of whether we can or not, it wouldnt be a normal relaxed day out on the glass, i would feel there's a row waiting round every corner, were talking about the general public here and someones bound to say something at some time. quite probably passers by not even customers.
I've worked loads of times during hose pipe bans over the years and gave it very little thought. I might have had the odd remark from customers or passers-by but I soon put them straight.
Never ever have I been fearful of "a row around every corner!"🤣
I don't care what other people think or say on the matter.
We're not all thick skinned like you, ;D
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Same. Never ever had a problem.
Only issues I've seen are on this forums. Happens every year 🤣
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Irrespective of whether we can or not, it wouldnt be a normal relaxed day out on the glass, i would feel there's a row waiting round every corner, were talking about the general public here and someones bound to say something at some time. quite probably passers by not even customers.
We have had hose pipe bans in the past and just continue as normal, some have questioned it but we just explain it doesn’t apply to us and if they are concerned check with the water authorities and the HSE here’s our company details give them a card so it showed we are open about what we are doing never had a problem.
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Irrespective of whether we can or not, it wouldnt be a normal relaxed day out on the glass, i would feel there's a row waiting round every corner, were talking about the general public here and someones bound to say something at some time. quite probably passers by not even customers.
We have had hose pipe bans in the past and just continue as normal, some have questioned it but we just explain it doesn’t apply to us and if they are concerned check with the water authorities and the HSE here’s our company details give them a card so it showed we are open about what we are doing never had a problem.
Yep, having a prepared response gives confidence.
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I think in all my time of using WFP we have had 2 hosepipe bans here and both times I've carried on as usual with no problems
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Rain forecast here the next few days and its very welcome news.....along with a much needed dip in temperature. My dog doesn't like the heat! She s currently on the bed with me with air con blasting!😎👍.
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Remember the guy's on here who were convinced we'd get lynched for working during lockdown ;D maybe it'll be the same for cleaning windows during a hosepipe ban, probably get mobbed and our vans set a light ;D
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My biggest concern about a hosepipe ban is mother nature's habit of evening things out, we could be in for a very wet autumn /winter.
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Remember the guy's on here who were convinced we'd get lynched for working during lockdown ;D maybe it'll be the same for cleaning windows during a hosepipe ban, probably get mobbed and our vans set a light ;D
I was working at 9am the very next day after Boris made 'that speech'.....never affected me at all.😄👍
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My biggest concern about a hosepipe ban is mother nature's habit of evening things out, we could be in for a very wet autumn /winter.
You worry too much mate!
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Remember the guy's on here who were convinced we'd get lynched for working during lockdown ;D maybe it'll be the same for cleaning windows during a hosepipe ban, probably get mobbed and our vans set a light ;D
I was working at 9am the very next day after Boris made 'that speech'.....never affected me at all.😄👍
Lie in?
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Remember the guy's on here who were convinced we'd get lynched for working during lockdown ;D maybe it'll be the same for cleaning windows during a hosepipe ban, probably get mobbed and our vans set a light ;D
I was working at 9am the very next day after Boris made 'that speech'.....
I wasn't. I thought it best to respect the situation and my customers. Money didn't come into it at that time. I went back 3 weeks later when it all started to calm down.
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Remember the guy's on here who were convinced we'd get lynched for working during lockdown ;D maybe it'll be the same for cleaning windows during a hosepipe ban, probably get mobbed and our vans set a light ;D
I was working at 9am the very next day after Boris made 'that speech'.....
I wasn't. I thought it best to respect the situation and my customers. Money didn't come into it at that time. I went back 3 weeks later when it all started to calm down.
I knew some others window cleaners who had weeks off work too. In hindsight they said they should of just cracked on!👍😄
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I researched this thoroughly in 2022. This is what I found:
"Hosepipe bans" don't exist anymore, they were replaced by Temporary Use Bans (TUBs)
And they CAN include commercial use, depending on what the water company decides.
But, this is a critical point, the actual law states that in a Temporary Use Ban, there is a statutory exemption for Health and Safety use. Section 12 of the The Water Use (Temporary Bans) Order 2010 says : (note section 12(2) )
12.—(1) The category of use in section 76(2)(i) of the Act applies only to the cleaning of the external walls or windows of domestic premises.
(2) Using a hosepipe to clean the walls or windows of domestic premises for health or safety reasons is not to be treated as falling within the category of use in that section.
(3) In that section, “domestic premises” means—
(a)a building used principally as a dwelling or dwellings;
(b)a garage, shed, outbuilding or other building or structure used or enjoyed in connection with a building mentioned in sub-paragraph (a); or
(c)a wall or other means of enclosure within the curtilage of a building mentioned in sub-paragraph (a).
[Read it here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/2231/article/12 ]
If you're wondering if this H&S exemption applies to us, then look at this
Managing through drought: code of practice and guidance for water companies on water use restrictions 2023
(All UK water companies are signatories to this)
[Read the full thing here : https://ukwir.org/update-to-the-drought-code-of-practice-2013]
Relevant statutory and non statutory exemptions are listed on page 73 and 81 and especially page 128 and 188
Apparently, in the 2011-2012 drought, some of the water companies told window cleaners to go back to using ladders. Window cleaners (it was actually representations made by The BWCA) pointed out to them that this would breach the Work at Height regulations, as a safer alternative could be used. The result was that, in drafting the new Tempoary Use Bans, (again at the urging of the BWCA) , they decided that protecting people from the serious risk of falls from height trumped saving the tiny amount of water (relatively speaking) that window cleaners use.
A good result.
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There's absolutely no way I'd go back to using ladders....
I have lots of windows to clean every day that are inaccessible.
WFP has allowed me to accrue lots of jobs that would be impossible to clean on my own using ladders.
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Anyone else had the email from Spotless Water to say they WONT be restricted to selling water during a hosepipe ban.
Government need our tax they don't tell industry to stop using water so they are forced to stop work.
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This is interesting although it's probably safe to say that most window cleaners don't have a blue badge
Blue Badge holders typically qualify for exemption based on mobility or medical needs, but this recognition often requires a formal process.
Water companies need to verify the specific circumstances of each individual, as not all disabilities impact water use in the same way.
For instance, someone who requires regular vehicle cleaning due to limited mobility or someone who depends on a garden for therapeutic activities may have stronger grounds for exemption than others.
In the case of Southern Water, the company has clearly stated that customers who are on their Priority Services Register which includes Blue Badge holders and those receiving the WaterSure tariff are exempt from current hosepipe bans.
This allows eligible individuals to continue using a hosepipe for essential purposes without the risk of fines or enforcement actions.
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This is interesting although it's probably safe to say that most window cleaners don't have a blue badge
Blue Badge holders typically qualify for exemption based on mobility or medical needs, but this recognition often requires a formal process.
Water companies need to verify the specific circumstances of each individual, as not all disabilities impact water use in the same way.
For instance, someone who requires regular vehicle cleaning due to limited mobility or someone who depends on a garden for therapeutic activities may have stronger grounds for exemption than others.
In the case of Southern Water, the company has clearly stated that customers who are on their Priority Services Register which includes Blue Badge holders and those receiving the WaterSure tariff are exempt from current hosepipe bans.
This allows eligible individuals to continue using a hosepipe for essential purposes without the risk of fines or enforcement actions.
I can walk with a limp.