Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: pjulk on February 18, 2008, 12:20:28 pm
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Got up this morning and van system frozen again.
I have the pipes lagged and the pumps covered but still frozen.
And the sun is out and i can't work.
Been out there this morning to try and defrost with a hair dryer to no avail.
This is the only thing that cheeses me off about WFP losing work as everything has froze.
I can't run a heater to my van as my van is parked in a car park outside my house.
And i don't trust having a parafine heater in there as knowing my luck to van will go up in flames.
Paul
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try to modify your system so that you have a valve/tap at the outlet of the tank, then at night turn this off and drain pumps and hose of water. this way in the morining the pump and the hose will not be frozen.( they may have a very small amount of ice in them but this will quickly melt). and you could also try this http://www.cleantech.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22_56&products_id=377 it can be run from a leisure battery.
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I have taps to turn the water off at the tank and at the pump but the way i run the hose's im sure is why it keeps freezing as im running the hose behing the vans panneling so it looks tidy.
But i think i will have to get some sort of valve to drain the system.
I try and get it out but unless i disconnect all the jubliee clips most of the water stays in there.
Now i will have a look at the link.
Paul
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Great link i will order one of those.
I have a spare leisure battery.
paul
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Paul, i dont have a solution for the tank of water freezing, but for the pipes and hoses , after your last job, disconnect the pipe from the tank and attach it to a container of windscreen washer fluid, pump it all the way through until it comes out the other end, In the morning just turn on the pump again and pump back into the container, If you have a di then dont run fluid through it
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Thanks pat will give that a go.
Paul
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Had the van heater in overnight.
It was -2 until 10 am everything freezes, its was a surreal hell and heaven day, I even got my diy "warm" system out and the glass still froze when I left. Its hot enough to sunbathe now. Thanfully not many days in the year like this. Blue skies showing up every fault as well.
Same tomorrow ???
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Hi Paul,
Just get a backpack, keep it indoors, this will mean you can start cleaning first thing, and when things warm up use the van, job done! ;D ;D
Gazza
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I got caught out again this morning i just never learn stripped out all the hoses and dismantled the pump put them all in hot water and everything was fine took about an hour though :-\
Dean
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Just get a backpack
Not a good idea as i have already had a back operation and don't fancy another.
Paul
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In did get a bit done eventually got one pump working other one's still froze.
The one i got working i have now put windscreen washer fluid in the pipe's so hopefully it will be ok tomorrow.
Paul
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i got caught out today . first time all has frozen this winter. did ladder work until 10:30 then all good.
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My pump froze again - inside the van mounted to a board with bubble wrap behind it then the pump wrapped in several more layers of bubble wrap then wrapped in a duvet backed up the van as close to the house as possible - just how cold did it go last night?
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Even worse tonight boys, -6 oC .No problem for me tradding away from 7am. Got loads done ;)
Regards
Adam
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Apart from having my Tank insulated, when I get home like today, I get my hi-vis coat out of the boot and chuck it over the hose, I also chuck a lumber jacket over the pump and filter, Never had a problem yet and this morning I was scraping ice of my windscreen.
Use an old quilt this is bound to keep the frost off it, I know its a pain in the bum having to keep covering/uncovering every night/morning but a least i can go to work.
I also bring my backpack indoors Just incase.
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Hi Paul,
Just get a backpack, keep it indoors, this will mean you can start cleaning first thing, and when things warm up use the van, job done! ;D ;D
Gazza
CUE GROUNDHOG!!!! ;D
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I have just brought in my backpack pump and two di vessels not getting caught out again
Dean
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Even worse tonight boys, -6 oC .No problem for me tradding away from 7am. Got loads done ;)
Regards
Adam
Well they say every dog has its day! ;D
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Wasn't having a dig BVC, I also use WFP but only when I need to. Prefer to trad cos it gives less problems so just use it a another tool of my trade.
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Paul,
Why would it be a problem with your back?
just put it on a small trolley.
Gazza
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No need as i already have an omnitrolly which i no longer use.
Not going back to any trolleys again
Paul
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Insulated all my pipes with foam tubing and wrapped my tank and poles in various covers still froze solid and it didn't thaw out till midday, nevermind the ladder work kept me warm and i like it every now and then!!
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How practical was the foam when working and how did you join it ?
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my main pump box was still frozen the last time i checked ( about 3 ish )
no worries though, i took my spare pump box in the garage and it was fine, i also worked till 5,
3 good days coming up
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Omnipole water heater,lol stress free window cleaning on very cold mornings
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van frozen solid outside right now,
but inside nice and warm, put small electric fan heater which turns on when temp drops, and clicks back off when room temp is ok.... everything is lovely and warm..
but i dont think it will be switching off tonight. :D
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had a full day of bungalows 8)
got my trolley & pole in the house nice & warm ;D
brett
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everything is still warm...
and no frost in van, but i have a feeling that it could freeze during my first cleans this morning....
have you guys had your water freezing when it hits the ground after cleaning a house?
i have salt and all that but what a pain lol ???
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Jeff-the foam tubing has been useless for me i joined it all up with insulating tape and it all still froze so it did't do what it said on the pack! lol I might try the stuff with the reflective covering on or invest in a small heater it will save much hassle!
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Frozen up completely, even the water in the tank!
Just chalk it down to a bad week.
No point fretting about it.
It'll be warmer by thursday.
2 days flat out will pay the bills if need be.
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Thats the way to look at it squeaky, this is not an ideal job in this weather you just have to take the rough with the smooth, it will be milder before we know it!!
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Actually I've just been up to Wilkinsons and bought a 2000W fan heater for £6.50.
It's on in the van now.
Shouldn't take too long to thaw things out!
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thats what i have squeaky ;)
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Yep froze up here too.
Took the hosereel inside but everything froze leading up to the pump even with blankets wrapped over it.
Last night of freezing tonight and milder weather for Thursday, but that generally means rain coming :(
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thats what i have squeaky ;)
I hope it works in the end.
It must be using some serious electricity!
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Squeaky
Did you manage to get it thawed out
Paul
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Certainly did.
Only took an hour or so.
Started about 11ish and still knocked out £100 by 3pm.
Well worth the £6.50 in the end! ;D
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Could of done with one of those yesterday
I think i will be in willkinsons tomorrow :)
Paul