Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: HuggyBear on June 11, 2008, 06:27:51 pm
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Hi Im in need of help I am a new wndow cleaner been cleaning for about 3months using trad. last week end went out with a cleaner with a wfp, I was blown away how easy and quick it was. so I now want to investesting in a complete system but dont know where to start. What's the best I can get so I need some help from the pros I am also buying a new van so I will get the van to go with the system so not to worry.I have budget of about £3,500 but would like to spend half of that
Thank Guys and Girls ::)
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Hi Im in need of help I am a new wndow cleaner been cleaning for about 3months using trad. last week end went out with a cleaner with a wfp, I was blown away how easy and quick it was. so I now want to investesting in a complete system but dont know where to start. What's the best I can get so I need some help from the pros I am also buying a new van so I will get the van to go with the system so not to worry.I have budget of about £3,500 but would like to spend half of that
Thank Guys and Girls ::)
www.purefreedom.co.uk would be a good start. You can look on ebay for there stuff also type in wfp system
Your welcome to give me a call on 01234 870 225 or 07788 732 789 if you want a chat about it, I do not work for any wfp suppliers and give honest advice in plain english.
Good luck either way.
Ian
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A Purefreedom system:
www.purefreedom.co.uk/ff.htm (http://www.purefreedom.co.uk/ff.htm)
They do the cheapest professional systems, fitted into the floor of your van with a pump, battery, varistream ( to control the water flow ) and microbore hosereel ( usually 100m of hose ) and purification to suit the area in which you live ( soft or hard water )
Then theres the poles. Well no doubt somebody will suggest a converted Harris pole but myself I would reccomend a 25ft SL-X full carbon fibre pole. Its the perfect domestic pole, with short sections which means its small when closed and when open its very light and very stiff.
www.gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/acatalog/Gardiner_Pole_Systems_SL-X.html (http://www.gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/acatalog/Gardiner_Pole_Systems_SL-X.html)
This is everything you will need on a budget but not compromising on quality at all, Luke
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First make sure your round is suited before spending £££ on equipment then get youself a TDS meter to test your water to see if you need DI or RO their are loads of different suppliers check them all out to see what suits you best or try the diy system route
look at www.cleantech.co.uk
Dean
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Don`t spend anymore than 1k on a system you don`t need to,just over the 1k will get you a static setup aswell.Spend more money on a van firstly and then poles,you need a good van to get you to work and a good pole to let you work quicker.
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Cant agree more about purefreedom, great service and help after too, but this was while Andrew McCann was there.
Chris
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Here is one of Pureefreedoms ebay systems:
cgi.ebay.co.uk/40-INCH-RO-PRO-WATER-FED-POLE-SYSTEM-WINDOW-CLEANING_W0QQitemZ250254850799QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item250254850799&_trkparms=72%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C65%3A12&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/40-INCH-RO-PRO-WATER-FED-POLE-SYSTEM-WINDOW-CLEANING_W0QQitemZ250254850799QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item250254850799&_trkparms=72%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C65%3A12&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14)
Or there is the DIY way. Which basically involves buying all the components needed to make a system from one supplier or different suppliers.
There is a saving to be made but for the price of the Purefreedom, what is the point?
Luke
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I have the Ionics pro5 600lt which is probably the most expensive but what I can gather it is the best! I bought it 2.5 years ago and (touchwood) I havent had any problems and would buy another. Your budget is 3.5K but their pro5 600lt is £4115 plus VAT but they do a deal for £144.02 over 3 years, so that works out at £5184.72. Lots of money but if you can afford £144+VAT a month its worth it.
You will get a lot of negative (and positive) feedback from other posters on this site about Ionics because of the price but I do think the aftersales support, reliability, and the security that the equipment has been crash tested in a van is worth alot. (Insurance companies are beginning to ask for Ionics standard of crash testing before they will insure you).
I wouldnt buy their poles though....They are very expensive and Gardinerpolesystems.co.uk are much better for poles and accessories. Also, Alex Gardiner (The daddy of wfp!) is regularly on this site answering queries.
By the way, I dont work for Ionics, just a very happy customer. Fel free to contact me on info@ro-sheen.co.uk if you want anymore info.....
PS: Welcome to this site!
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I have the Ionics pro5 600lt which is probably the most expensive but what I can gather it is the best! I bought it 2.5 years ago and (touchwood) I havent had any problems and would buy another. Your budget is 3.5K but their pro5 600lt is £4115 plus VAT but they do a deal for £144.02 over 3 years, so that works out at £5184.72. Lots of money but if you can afford £144+VAT a month its worth it.
You will get a lot of negative (and positive) feedback from other posters on this site about Ionics because of the price but I do think the aftersales support, reliability, and the security that the equipment has been crash tested in a van is worth alot. (Insurance companies are beginning to ask for Ionics standard of crash testing before they will insure you).
I wouldnt buy their poles though....They are very expensive and Gardinerpolesystems.co.uk are much better for poles and accessories. Also, Alex Gardiner (The daddy of wfp!) is regularly on this site answering queries.
By the way, I dont work for Ionics, just a very happy customer. Fel free to contact me on info@ro-sheen.co.uk if you want anymore info.....
PS: Welcome to this site!
Ignore that,if your starting out and thinking of spending that amount on your first system your mad you don`t need to.It will look better when you open the van doors but that`s about it,if you can get water up a pole no ones any better than you in my book.
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Wow you guys are helpful and super quick ;D this is going to be my new home please keep em coming I do like the freedom systems. and I was going to buy a round off the cleaner I worked with for 2-3 times it's value is that right?
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I have the Ionics pro5 600lt which is probably the most expensive but what I can gather it is the best! I bought it 2.5 years ago and (touchwood) I havent had any problems and would buy another. Your budget is 3.5K but their pro5 600lt is £4115 plus VAT but they do a deal for £144.02 over 3 years, so that works out at £5184.72. Lots of money but if you can afford £144+VAT a month its worth it.
You will get a lot of negative (and positive) feedback from other posters on this site about Ionics because of the price but I do think the aftersales support, reliability, and the security that the equipment has been crash tested in a van is worth alot. (Insurance companies are beginning to ask for Ionics standard of crash testing before they will insure you).
I wouldnt buy their poles though....They are very expensive and Gardinerpolesystems.co.uk are much better for poles and accessories. Also, Alex Gardiner (The daddy of wfp!) is regularly on this site answering queries.
By the way, I dont work for Ionics, just a very happy customer. Fel free to contact me on info@ro-sheen.co.uk if you want anymore info.....
PS: Welcome to this site!
Ignore that,if your starting out and thinking of spending that amount on your first system your mad you don`t need to.It will look better when you open the van doors but that`s about it,if you can get water up a pole no ones any better than you in my book.
Its not about image, its about safety. NWH, Can you recommend another company that crash tests their equipment to that level of Ionics? If you can, please let us know as they will have a new customer from me next year as long as the price and service is right. Thanks in advance
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I got everything except the battery from Gardiners.
Top service, friendly, knowledgable.
Aftersales and general help is excellent.
Can't recommend them enough. :)
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I have the Ionics pro5 600lt which is probably the most expensive but what I can gather it is the best! I bought it 2.5 years ago and (touchwood) I havent had any problems and would buy another. Your budget is 3.5K but their pro5 600lt is £4115 plus VAT but they do a deal for £144.02 over 3 years, so that works out at £5184.72. Lots of money but if you can afford £144+VAT a month its worth it.
You will get a lot of negative (and positive) feedback from other posters on this site about Ionics because of the price but I do think the aftersales support, reliability, and the security that the equipment has been crash tested in a van is worth alot. (Insurance companies are beginning to ask for Ionics standard of crash testing before they will insure you).
I wouldnt buy their poles though....They are very expensive and Gardinerpolesystems.co.uk are much better for poles and accessories. Also, Alex Gardiner (The daddy of wfp!) is regularly on this site answering queries.
By the way, I dont work for Ionics, just a very happy customer. Fel free to contact me on info@ro-sheen.co.uk if you want anymore info.....
PS: Welcome to this site!
Ignore that,if your starting out and thinking of spending that amount on your first system your mad you don`t need to.It will look better when you open the van doors but that`s about it,if you can get water up a pole no ones any better than you in my book.
Its not about image, its about safety. NWH, Can you recommend another company that crash tests their equipment to that level of Ionics? If you can, please let us know as they will have a new customer from me next year as long as the price and service is right. Thanks in advance
I`ll tell you why all they keep going on about is safety and that`s because it`s there main selling point,could they care about it maybe they do but they know that no other firms are willing to invest so much money in a company like thatcham.My system is fitted exactly how they would do it and is just as safe as 1 of there`s,in the last WC magazine they were trying to scare the life out of anyone thinking of buying 1,any newbie thinking of buying 1 that consults with the Mrs about spending that amount of money i can see it now her thinking she wants to keep hubby safe when out on the road,with all the bad press they give about is your vehicle safe etc is it any wonder WFP virgins go and buy 1.These days they know there is serious competition and plugging safety is there No 1 selling point.
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Yes safety is their selling point but seeing that no other company is going to invest in that level of safety it is very 'trusting' to believe another supplier when they say their system is just as safe. Maybe they are as safe or maybe even safer but without the proof I personally wouldnt want to put my life at risk.
Although safety is their selling point, I was also very impressed with the reliability and aftersales service, but like I said before, I WOULD buy from another company that was priced right and had the thatcham testing under their belt.
Mate, I dont want to turn this into an arguement about 'Who is best' as this isnt what this is about. I just wanted to tell Huggybear my experience of buying from Ionics, pros and cons.
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The Ionics crash test is only at 30 mph and not with a full tank.
The other tank they show for comparison does not appear to be secured at all, so IMO does not provide a fair comparison.
My tank is bolted to the chassis, I don't think Ionics fix to chassis.
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well said ro-sheen i ve got same system as you,had mine 5years ish. i get a bit fed up sometimes with people slagging my investment off and i start wondering if i ve done the right thing,then i read posts on here this is broke that is broke,got to work and no water etc etc.well my expensive system has never stopped ,never had a spanner on it and it has earned more money than you can imagine,and yes i ve got jobs because of how it looks.my advice buy the best you can afford. cheers mick
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well said ro-sheen i ve got same system as you,had mine 5years ish. i get a bit fed up sometimes with people slagging my investment off and i start wondering if i ve done the right thing,then i read posts on here this is broke that is broke,got to work and no water etc etc.well my expensive system has never stopped ,never had a spanner on it and it has earned more money than you can imagine,and yes i ve got jobs because of how it looks.my advice buy the best you can afford. cheers mick
What can break,a pump a varistream and a battery if you`ve got a dodgy 1 and been unlucky.
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Just have to step in and say, NWH is not slating Ionics nor are others they are giving there opinons on it, and the crash test thing is true it was done at 30mph (if you drive at that speed then great)
Ionics are good I will admit that (there sytems can break just the same as other systems I do not know there warranty on there systems if it was 5 year I would get one tomorrow. They are expensive yes (have to pay for advertising and there mag, only joking) I could knock a few things on there system but thats for another post
moving on swiftly, the cheaper system makers oput there are in my opinion giving just as good back up (sometimes better from what I hear)
DIY systems I cant knock some of the ones I have seen, but others are truly shocking and dangerous.
IMO I would have the tank fitted at least from someone that knows about weight/mass and movement (cant remember the word sry) not just think they know.
At the end of any day your safety is top priority water weighing 1kg per L hurts/kills if it hits you.
Other systems can be just as good and are cheaper with the same result when cleaning (pure 000 tds water)
We are meant to be helping this guy and not having an arguement about Ionics (which I guess they love even the haters speak about them, result for them I think)
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thats my point nothing goes wrong with mine,so how come this forum is full of help please this is wrong that is wrong my water is reading 500 my resins gone a funny colour my pump won t pump more a than a foot,etc etc.buy the best. cheers mick
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I have the pro 5, i work away from home a few times a month so this system is great as i can fill the van over night wherever i am as the whole set up is with me all the time.
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Why are there cartridges sealed,i`ll tell you why so you have to give them another 60 odd quid everytime they run out that`s why,why do the cartridges hold such little resin i`ll tell you why again because they don`t last as long.There is no other reason to hold resin in them other than to make more money out of you,a resin vessel would give you 3 times production in some cases that`s just 1 example.A few people i know have all modified there ionic system in some way in order to make it more economical.
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Hi,this. is the first time i added to issues, I have read lots info and learnt a lot.
I am newish to wfp and have had 650 lt system purefreedom fitted two weeks ago after a lot of looking and pricing up.
I found the guys there brillant!!!! they know ther stuff, very helpful, no pressure to buy, they let you look at all the equipment and go away with a price that they honour when you go back and order. I had my garage owner mate check over the tank mounting fixings and he said they were over enginered.
Well pleased and it works perfect!!
Hope this helps.
Mart.
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Why are there cartridges sealed,i`ll tell you why so you have to give them another 60 odd quid everytime they run out that`s why,why do the cartridges hold such little resin i`ll tell you why again because they don`t last as long.There is no other reason to hold resin in them other than to make more money out of you,a resin vessel would give you 3 times production in some cases that`s just 1 example.A few people i know have all modified there ionic system in some way in order to make it more economical.
You are absolutely right!! I personally have drilled a hole in the DI vessell when it has colour changed, flushed it out and refilled it with Rohm and haas resin, covered the hole with a rubber band and then held it tight with a giant jubilee clip. Works a treat!
Like I said before they are expensive but they are good safe sysyems. They suit me but not everyone.
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gotta say i agree with NWH
bit of research
modicum of common sense
some pro help fitting tank
save a lot of money and do same job
if you need your hand held a bit and can afford it then maybe go franchise route
personally i never wanted to spend that much
as for the safety thing.........that will go on all night ::)
i think it depends what your personal values are
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I have to say that nwh is talking a lot of sense here!! You really don't need to spend a fortune to get a decent system. All you need is a tank a pump, and a hose for your van, and an ro with a tank in your garage or garden, £1000 absolute maximum spend!
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My system is a DIY system fitted by WCW. It cost very little really, but doesnt compromise on quality at all. The most important thing is the purification, hose, pole and brush.
Luke
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just to add about the diy debate. I have a tank, a flojet pump and a hosereel and that ain't broke down in over 2 years.
Also have a freedom trolley and that has been just as reliable.
A 400 litre tank, a pump, hose and reel + jubilee clips will cost £400. A tank fixing kit from cleantech will cost another £100. There was anohter £80 charge for a garage to install it.
Just need a pole and pure water and a transfer pump and you are good to go.
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If I was to start again, I would
1, Use the company who ALWAYS answer the blooming phone, not an answer machine ::)
2, Have experience in the trade
3, Open most of the year and dont close for holidays except for the obvious ie crimbo.
Bob
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Thanks guys you have been very very helpful. Although saftey is a high priority to me because you can't really put a price on your life so I appreciate that ro sheen but with my budget I think I might sway towards the pureefreedom so i will give them a call a see what they can do. Thanks alot again guys ;D
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You're welcome mate. This site is great for advice and help so dont be afraid to run your ideas through us. As you will have noticed there can be conflicting views but that gives you a wider picture with pros and cons and will hopefully help you with your decisions.