Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Sir Squeaky on March 30, 2007, 09:16:44 pm
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Earlier on I finally got the system up and running. :)
The van wallows a bit with 300-odd litres on board.
It's a bit concerning, and as soon as I can change it I will.
I've got a few leaks, namely from the tank elbow and the plastic screw-in connecter to the pump inlet. :(
It's started already! :-\
However, I cleaned my front windows which hadn't been done for probably 3 months, and next door's which hadn't been done for 6 months+.
Apart from a few dirty runs probably caused by having dirty vents above them, they were surprisingly good. :)
No real spots that I could see, so customers that were done last month shouldn't be too bad at all.
I'm quite looking forward to it now, and that fibreglass extender should strengthen my arms up a treat. ;D
I just hope I'm not getting too pleased before the horrible shocks happen. :-\
So there you have it...I'm officially a WFP window cleaner.
'till my van packs up... ;D
Rog. ( sorry to bore you, but it's like a new job! )
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Welcome to the world of wfp Rog !
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Hehe,who'd have thought it eh!!! ;D
Every window is different squeaks but if you educate your customers and stick to the rules (always give a good rinse) you wont have many problems.
Good luck mate ;)
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Well done mate, pleased for you.
Did you use PTFE tape on the threads?
Get over the first 3 months mate & you will love it. Its the learning curse & best place to set up etc.
Apart from a few dirty runs probably caused by having dirty vents above them, they were surprisingly good. :)
No real spots that I could see, so customers that were done last month shouldn't be too bad at all.
I'm quite looking forward to it now.
I'm officially a WFP window cleaner.
Is this the same Squeaky :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o
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Top marks to you Rog ;) I still cant believe what I'm reading I'm half expecting you to say its a wined up ;D but just incase its not, welcome to the world of wfp I hope it all goes well for you.
P.S. have you wrapped the threads with PTFE Tape?? That will cure the leaks.
We could now change your name from squeaky to leaky ::)
Good luck Rog.
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PTFE will definitely stop any leaks. Glad you're getting on OK. It only gets better!
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Top marks to you Rog ;) I still cant believe what I'm reading I'm half expecting you to say its a wind up ;D but just incase its not, welcome to the world of wfp I hope it all goes well for you.
;D
I'll post some pics tomorrow (after I've taken some), as long as the site lets me.
I'm faffing about signing onto another site and uploading them there.
Guess I'll have to try and undo those connections and seal them with the tape.
Hope it works.
Hope I can bloody undo them too...
My mate did them up and he's a bodybuilder with arms like most people's legs.:o
Oh, and cheers Alex! ;)
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Thats ok Squeaks, you ignore me ::)
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:o :o :o :o :o :o :o 8) welcome 8) :o :o :o :o :o :o :o
brett :D
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did you actually clean the top vents rog or was it just stray water??
tony
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I just cleaned all over. ???
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my first tip for you mate, dont clean any vents, or better still no top frames at all. takes a little longer to master but will save hassle of drips, spots, streaks etc. ;)
tony
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you say that the elbow outlet from your tank is leaking.
i would advise that you make this your priority to repair, as this could cause problems of "drawing air" and stop you from working, as the pump will stop drawing water if it happens
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Sunday is April the 1st so be careful what you post Roger :)
Best of luck to you Rog because you of all people have a learning curve to overcome as well as the snide remarks which I know you will be able to live with.
As every body keeps saying - rinse, rinse, rinse and rinse again!
Here is wishing you a good future mate!
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Good luck with it all. Don't be suprised if you feel like chucking it in after the first week, thats normal.
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Good luck Roger....despite the niggles with the odd leak and battery charging etc...Just like any job you'll have the odd day where it all goes pearshaped and you'll have runs and spots etc....but in the end you'll love it
As I say good luck to you.
Dave.
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Good Luck Squeaky as everyone else said before PTFE tape will definatly stop your leaks although i don't agree with macmac about the vents and tops of frames, i have always cleaned them (thoroughly at first) and NEVER have any issues
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Good Luck Squeaky as everyone else said before PTFE tape will definatly stop your leaks although i don't agree with macmac about the vents and tops of frames, i have always cleaned them (thoroughly at first) and NEVER have any issues
Same as that, all Vents are cleaned on the initial clean and we charge on a new customer 50% more for the first clean to cover the time taken.
Once you've done the frames it will be a doddle!
Good luck with the system and just for fun I have saved a few of your old posts that slated WFP just so in 6 months when ya loving it I can reminde you how far you've come!!
All the best with your new system.
Trev
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Well done making the change over squeaky!
But take a look at this thread from last year - particularly the 7th and 9th posts down:
http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=17863.0
;) :) 8)
Andy
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Yeah yeah yeah... ::)
I had to because of my injury.
Saying that, my shoulders and arm ache from doing 2 houses yesterday.
It's a bit concerning how I'll cope with doing it all day. :-\
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good luck Squeaks.
"Your trip to the dark side is now complete.
WFP will rule the world HA HA HA HA HA"
*spoken in a devil like voice*
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when you start take time to work out best way to lie hoses etc as in the long run this can save a lot of time the first couple of days can be really frustrating when pipes etc keep getting caught and tangled on things . really looking forward to your posts this week as know they will be honest opinions and not just bulsh---t.
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Rog, keep an eye out for dog & cat cr*p, its not nice on your pipe.
I always wind it in with a cloth in my hand, keeps it clean & avoids any nasty things ending up on your hands.
Macc
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so have you got a RO unit set up then squeaks? or are you using a DI vessel?
I thought about going wfp, bought everything for a backpack system, with a DI vessel, then decided it was easier doing it trad.
It'll be interesting how you get on!
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Nice one Andy, shame we never got to the two year part lmao!!
As for your shoulders, its just becuase your using muscles you haven't used before. Remember what is was like having been up an down a ladder all day when ya first started, I know it hurt like hell for ages.
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so have you got a RO unit set up then squeaks? or are you using a DI vessel?
I don't even know what that means. ???
I'm getting my water from someone else.
On another note, I did the back windows of my house today, then before they were dry it rained on them.
There's quite a few spots on them, but I don't know if that was the cleaning, or dirty rain putting them on after.
We had had quite sandy rain lately.
What if I do a customer's house first time wfp then it rains.
I'll obviuosly get the blame and have to do them again. :(
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Squeeky
Have you ever slated off wfp to your customers before?
If you volunteer to go back to clean spotted windows you'll probably never have to.
It was probably the cleaning and not the rain that spotted the backs
Simon
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I had the same concerns as you mate, but dont worry it will come good & you will love it.
As for the frames, do them all, loads of scrubbing & rincing. As Trever said in a few months time it will make you job easy.
As for your aches they will improve. You will suffer a bit because muscles you didn't use before will ach. I feel 10 years younger now than i did when i was trad, some of the medical problems i had was one of the reasons i switched. I now no longer need a opp in my arm that was getting unbearible.
Macc
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so have you got a RO unit set up then squeaks? or are you using a DI vessel?
I don't even know what that means. ???
I'm getting my water from someone else.
On another note, I did the back windows of my house today, then before they were dry it rained on them.
There's quite a few spots on them, but I don't know if that was the cleaning, or dirty rain putting them on after.
We had had quite sandy rain lately.
What if I do a customer's house first time wfp then it rains.
I'll obviuosly get the blame and have to do them again. :(
I go around first cleans twice on one visit as it helps. I charge 50% more for first cleans. Clearly this would be awkward to impose onto your existing customers but it might be worth doing it in order to get the quality a bit better first time around with WFP. Obviously it will slow you down at first but it will come good I assure you. I had a terrible time during the first few months of WFPing but I haven't had any hassle for ages.
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so have you got a RO unit set up then squeaks? or are you using a DI vessel?
I don't even know what that means. ???
I'm getting my water from someone else.
On another note, I did the back windows of my house today, then before they were dry it rained on them.
There's quite a few spots on them, but I don't know if that was the cleaning, or dirty rain putting them on after.
We had had quite sandy rain lately.
What if I do a customer's house first time wfp then it rains.
I'll obviuosly get the blame and have to do them again. :(
So your buying your water from someone?
wouldnt that be more expensive than making pure water yourself?
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Doubt it.
I wouldn't care if it was, I can't be doing with the hassle.
Not feasible at my present house anyway.
When I move I'll look into it, by it suits me fine at the moment.
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I did my parents' house today.
It has pretty standard upvc windows with no vents.
I was really thourough on the top of the frame and the top edge of the glass.
I scrubbed lots and lots and rinsed loads.
When they dried later I found a couple were ok, but most had spots and runs.
Some were just awful. :o
I was really doing all I could too.
Tomorrow is the first day of work with it, and I'm not exactly full of confidence with it.
I've heard lots about spots.
I've gained jobs because of spots.
Ian showed me it in action and left spots.
I scrubbed and rinsed for ages and left spots.
Maybe it just doesn't do it right.
Maybe I'll get away with it though... :-\
Doesn't help that my brush on the extender threaded and won't attach now.
Have to use the modular all day. >:(
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I guess it must be down to technique cause this used to happen to me when i first used wfp ,I do now find i can goto a new clean that has not been done for ages and do a first class job 99% of the time
so stick at it , its gonna come good
Chris
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It would help if I knew the technique then before I started. :-\
I thought it was across the top and down the sides of the frame.
The the top edge and in the corners of the glass lots.
Then the rest of the glass then rinse off from the top downwards.
Isn't that right?
That's what Ian told me, and I did it over and over today with no success. :(
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I did my parents' house today.
It has pretty standard upvc windows with no vents.
I was really thourough on the top of the frame and the top edge of the glass.
I scrubbed lots and lots and rinsed loads.
When they dried later I found a couple were ok, but most had spots and runs.
Some were just awful. :o
I was really doing all I could too.
Tomorrow is the first day of work with it, and I'm not exactly full of confidence with it.
I've heard lots about spots.
I've gained jobs because of spots.
Ian showed me it in action and left spots.
I scrubbed and rinsed for ages and left spots.
Maybe it just doesn't do it right.
Maybe I'll get away with it though... :-\
Doesn't help that my brush on the extender threaded and won't attach now.
Have to use the modular all day. >:(
Remember the posts about it sometimes taking 2 - 3 cleans for top quality results? I usually try really hard on first cleans. Sometimes they come up really well. Sometimes it takes the second clean to achieve it. Occasionally you may need a third.
Mind you, I have had a few customers comment on how well they come up even after the first clean. I've also had customers grumble about the first clean but a few months later, they tell me that they want me to keep using the pure water. Of course, most say nothing so I have to assume that all is OK.
I'm not familiar with your pole/brush setup so won't comment on that.
What I will say (again) though is that if you persevere, it will come good.
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It would help if I knew the technique then before I started. :-\
I thought it was across the top and down the sides of the frame.
The the top edge and in the corners of the glass lots.
Then the rest of the glass then rinse off from the top downwards.
Isn't that right?
That's what Ian told me, and I did it over and over today with no success. :(
It can change a bit from person to person Rog but that is basically it. I feel that is important to get the first cleans right to make it easier later. I go around twice on the first cleans. Assuming no vents, I scrub frames and glass on the first pass ensuring that the top of the frame gets a very thorough scrubbing and cleaning and I use loads of water. Second pass is glass only - again with loads of water. Imagine the frames are on fire and you want to put it out.
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There's no doubt about it the first cleans are a pain in the neck. Tomorrow night you might feel like slashing your wrists. Do all the frames first then the windows with absolutely loads of rinsing off.
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This time next year you will look back and think its been a long journey but worth it and you will be giving wfp newbies advice yourself, lets face it theres plenty of advice here to put any mistakes right. Its all down to tehnique and patience
Best of luck for tomorrow Rog ;)
Brett
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Cheers guys.
I don't find it easy rinsing with just two jets of water.
It seems it would be a lot easier and more thorough with 4 or more across the brush.
I'll post a first day report tomorrow evening.
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As long as your water from the brush head is 000 TDS that should give you the confidence to do the job. It will be down to rinsing 99% of the time.
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I'm supplying Rog with water for a £1.00 a day, which I hope and think is fair.
Rog is goingto have a tough day today, and he's going to think he's wasted his money, he's going to be fed up with the hose snagging on everything, fed up with taking longer than before, fed up with getting wet, fed up with worrying about the fact he just can't get it right because of spotting and runs when the windows have dried out....And whats this about it being less hard work than trad?? at the end of the day he's going to ache like hell...
Everyone thinks it is sooooo easy this water on a stick lark, and of course, to a degree it certainly is...but you have to get through the learning curve, and it is a steep one.
I think that the WFP newbie needs to double clean houses first off.
Go around the house thoroughly washing everything, then once you've finished, go back to the first window and start again, but this time clean only the glass, and don't press too hard on the glass either.
With the ten inch brush, the 2 needle jets are fine for rinsing, he has his water jetting a good 12 feet or more, but you don't want to rinse from that distance of course :o
Hold the brush close to the glass, the water will spead nicely and won't splash, and you should be able to control that spread, push it just up to the top edges of the glass.
with practice and experience you will learn that you don't always have to rinse off the glass at all...I certainly don't, or if I do, it is only a quick, cursery rinse...
Don't forget, all the time you are washing the glass, you are also continuously rinsing the whole time.
I can't say that I had any aches and pains when I started WFP, but for those that do, well, they will soon fade as you become accustomed to the work.
Ian
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Good luck, Roger (Squeaks).
I bet in a few months you'll love it.
I look forward to your whining this evening! ;D
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Get out there and enjoy the experiance as it is a start to a profitable future....I agree I also look forward to your stories Roger ;)
Remember hoses are inanimate objects and do not have thought process's that make them want to snag and catch on other objects ;D ;D ;D
Cheers
Dave.
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I'm supplying Rog with water for a £1.00 a day, which I hope and think is fair.
Rog is goingto have a tough day today, and he's going to think he's wasted his money, he's going to be fed up with the hose snagging on everything, fed up with taking longer than before, fed up with getting wet, fed up with worrying about the fact he just can't get it right because of spotting and runs when the windows have dried out....And whats this about it being less hard work than trad?? at the end of the day he's going to ache like hell...
Everyone thinks it is sooooo easy this water on a stick lark, and of course, to a degree it certainly is...but you have to get through the learning curve, and it is a steep one.
I think that the WFP newbie needs to double clean houses first off.
Go around the house thoroughly washing everything, then once you've finished, go back to the first window and start again, but this time clean only the glass, and don't press too hard on the glass either.
With the ten inch brush, the 2 needle jets are fine for rinsing, he has his water jetting a good 12 feet or more, but you don't want to rinse from that distance of course :o
Hold the brush close to the glass, the water will spead nicely and won't splash, and you should be able to control that spread, push it just up to the top edges of the glass.
with practice and experience you will learn that you don't always have to rinse off the glass at all...I certainly don't, or if I do, it is only a quick, cursery rinse...
Don't forget, all the time you are washing the glass, you are also continuously rinsing the whole time.
I can't say that I had any aches and pains when I started WFP, but for those that do, well, they will soon fade as you become accustomed to the work.
Ian
£1 a day is a bargain Ian especially as Roger may need to return to base for a refill during the day on his first cleans.
If it wasn't for the support from this forum, I may have even reverted to ladders during the early weeks. I had a lot of spotting issues at first while trying to remove old detergent film that I had been putting on the windows over the years. I had cancellations from people who didn't like WFP. I had mystery cancellations from people who were possibly/probably cancelling due to WFP. I had to shed work where the only access was over a flat roof (still do two like this but do the back windows trad). I had oxidizing problems on two of the jobs which had bad access so we parted company anyway. That Winter there were more freeze-ups than what we've been used to in recent years and they came early so I had problems with that too. Add to that needing a replacement gearbox on my van. Then deciding to pass on my van system and replacing it with one that was easier to self maintain and where the RO actually produced some water - all this within the first few months of WFP. Oh yeah - and having a small fire in the back of my van as well - fortunately resolved before it got out of hand. I even had a situation where I broke a small pipe next to the pump. I had to get a passerby to hold their thumb over the pipe while I ran indoors for some plasticine (don't knock it, it worked well as a stopgap plug). Also, after laying out all that money, I lost my largest domestic and largest commercial customewr within weeks. This was nothing to do with WFP though. I hadn't even used WFP on the domestic one when the guy decided to rip me off for the money, and the commercial job was bought out by another company.
I started to think that I had paid a lot of money for a complete disaster. I got through it though.
Then things started coming together. I was offered a property to use for a water tank about the same time that a second hand IBC/RO setup became available. That meant I had some degree of independence in my water production and didn't need to tie the van up for long periods. About that time I was starting my second cleans so the actual cleaning was a bit easier too - though it took a few times around to re-learn my round properly.
It really was a baptism of fire and was severely stressful - especially as finance was very tight too.
If I can come through all that, I'm sure Rog will cope.
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Same here Shiner,
First 2 months the hardest thing is re learning your round. I used it on everything only to find it didn't suit some work. Month 4 the van broke down and took the garage 3 weeks to find the problem. After that it took another 2 months untill I was happy with the work.
Then I parted company with my partner, he had the trad work I kept the WFP work.
Working alone was a challenge, but now 1 year on from getting set up, everything is falling into place.
I've just helped set up a friend and i'm sure he will have 2-3 months of pulling his hair out as well.
All the best Roger. Stick with it.
Bear