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UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: ftp on December 28, 2008, 07:47:39 pm

Title: Anyone working this week?
Post by: ftp on December 28, 2008, 07:47:39 pm
Not looking good as far as the temperature goes.  :-\
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: matt on December 28, 2008, 07:54:19 pm
i did a few hours this morning

ive thought of working tomorrow and tuesday, but im not sure

Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: R.V.A Window Cleaning Services on December 28, 2008, 07:56:23 pm
I finished on the 22nd Dec and will start back on the 5/6/or 7th of Jan, not decided yet.Happy Holidays ;)
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: jsm on December 28, 2008, 08:01:18 pm
they giving 1'C for the next few days - whats the problem you wimps haha  :D

tho i may be thinking a little different in the morning when all my stuff is frozen ....... :-\
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: Oakley Windows on December 28, 2008, 08:01:36 pm
Na!

Cant be bothered ::)
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: Feen on December 28, 2008, 08:17:24 pm
Full day planned for Tuesday and a little on Wed assuming it ain't too miserable ;) Then it's Monday 5th and the fun starts again in earnest. God I hate January :'(
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: Nathanael Jones on December 28, 2008, 08:20:32 pm
I'm doing a bit this week,... not too much though!
;)
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: Chris Cottrell on December 28, 2008, 08:22:55 pm
of course I am, had 25th / 26th off back tomorrow, will have thurs off then back to norm 5 days a week, got wages & bills to pay
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: pingu on December 28, 2008, 08:27:07 pm
Its been around -3 deg here in Holland for the best part of the day and were looking at -5 to -8 deg tonight so I only have 2 days booked for this week so they'll be postponed.

Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: East coast window cleaning Services on December 28, 2008, 08:36:04 pm
In tommorow large block of flats to do.
Then off to bultins bognor with the kids till 2nd Jan
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: gary999 on December 28, 2008, 08:40:38 pm
yep christmas has finished back to normal apart from new years day
i dont work on a official holiday ;)
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: simonwonder on December 28, 2008, 09:09:28 pm
much as normal
gentle jog of work every day
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: Sir Squeaky on December 28, 2008, 09:15:11 pm
Don't want to, but due to the way christmas fell on a thursday I'll have to really.

Rather than just a week off it would be best part of two weeks.
Probably do monday, tues, and a couple of hours weds.

But will people want to be bothered?
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: *Derek* on December 28, 2008, 09:26:52 pm
I'm working tuesday only. Then back to work on the 5th...
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: djhaydn on December 28, 2008, 09:27:19 pm
in tomorrow, got a school to do, golf tuesday, may work weds, then back in full swing next week
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: R.V.A Window Cleaning Services on December 28, 2008, 09:29:03 pm
yep christmas has finished back to normal apart from new years day
i dont work on a official holiday ;)

Have you not heard there are 12 days of christmas :D
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: tacky on December 28, 2008, 09:31:15 pm
mon tues wens . fri .sat sunday off then back to normal
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: Klean07 on December 29, 2008, 12:23:24 am
Had intended to be off till the 5th January but getting bored now. So I'll be starting on Friday as all my December work is up to date. ;D
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: Londoner on December 29, 2008, 07:03:30 am
Its Monday 7am, still dark outside. I am just sitting drinking a cup of coffee. I have a full days work booked for today (all pre booked jobs) and I really don't feel like it right now but it will be OK once I get started. First job 8.30

After that its work straight through except for new years day
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: Paul Coleman on December 29, 2008, 07:13:06 am
I only had 25th/26th off.  I did a fairly full day on 27th and another couple ofd hours of commercial jobs on 28th.  I will be working this coming week as I'm behind with work.  Looks like late starts though until the temperature gets to above freezing.  If I work between Xmas and new year, I tend to start later anyway on domestics as it's a holiday for many people.  I have a 2 hour commercial job for next weekend.  May pull it forward to new years day. Public holidays don't mean much to me but I tend to not work xmas and boxing day and easter sunday.  I've never worked xmas day but have worked boxing day before on non residential when I was in a financial hole.
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: pingu on December 29, 2008, 07:34:22 am
postponed my 29th & 30th until the New year as the temps here are dropping it's -5.7deg here (08:30am)..it's been like that for a couple of days and the day temps hover around -1 so as the water hits the ground it will freeze in an instant.

Now given that I have never really done much trad, well not when it's this cold how do you guys cope ? (this is not a dig but an innocent question :-).

Dave.
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: ftp on December 29, 2008, 07:46:48 am
So you've not tried the magic isopropanol in Holland? Some say a coke can of the stuff is all you need.
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: pingu on December 29, 2008, 07:50:30 am
Trouble is that I have heard some many contradicting stories about iso ..ranging from the technical that states that minute amounts will have no affect to those who believe it is a magic cure all.

My van is fine I plug it in at night and a timer heats the van during the night and in the morning I can get into it and it is toasty warm...but my main worry is water freezing as it hits the ground causing a very serious hazard.

Cheers
Dave.
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: SherwoodCleaningSe on December 29, 2008, 08:22:34 am
Filled my truck up and off to work. 2C so cold but not freezing and the hoses are all fine and ready to go.  Hard to get going after a few days off though, I'll feel sorry for those going back after 2 weeks.

Simon.

Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: mlscontractcleaner on December 29, 2008, 08:24:32 am
I'm just about to leave the house now ( 8.22am ) to do a night club we do every day ( contract clean ) and then I've the windows to do on two residential homes and a few shops and I'll see how I feel after that ............ it's still Christmas time after all  ;)
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: Xline Systems on December 29, 2008, 09:14:26 am
back to normal! got thursday off :-\
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: mick hay on December 29, 2008, 10:21:40 am
Went out, 1st house, brush kept on freezing, ok on the sunny side but any shade, that was it..so.......home now... >:( >:( >:(

To rub salt into the wound, on the way home they said on the radio....  -4 tonight, and next week down to -13!!!!!

OMFG
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: windowswashed on December 29, 2008, 12:33:24 pm
Work to live, not live to work. Loads of work behind, not going back until 5 January. It's Xmas holiday, entitled to a break just like everyone else. Customers will understand. Customers don't really want to see me turn up on their doorstep cleaning their windows during the holiday.
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: niceandclean on December 29, 2008, 01:16:22 pm
Went out, 1st house, brush kept on freezing, ok on the sunny side but any shade, that was it..so.......home now... >:( >:( >:(

To rub salt into the wound, on the way home they said on the radio.... -4 tonight, and next week down to -13!!!!!

OMFG

-13?? I have never experienced it as cold as that in this country!!
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: ftp on December 29, 2008, 01:51:56 pm
Did a handfull this morning but everyone seems a bit grumpy. Had a phantom sill wiper just after i'd finished so she wound me up, small school to do but locked out then another miserable old woman who said "not today it's Cristmas after all!"
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: john tomkins on December 29, 2008, 02:09:09 pm
Went out, 1st house, brush kept on freezing, ok on the sunny side but any shade, that was it..so.......home now... >:( >:( >:(

To rub salt into the wound, on the way home they said on the radio.... -4 tonight, and next week down to -13!!!!!

OMFG

-13?? I have never experienced it as cold as that in this country!!
Supposed to have been -27.2 in the UK in 1995 :o
www.bbc.co.uk/weather/features/understanding/uk_records.shtml
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: SherwoodCleaningSe on December 29, 2008, 02:52:42 pm
Done all my regulars. Everybodys smiling and happy, picked up a new one and even got a fiver tip. Warmer than they said as well.

Simon.
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: East coast window cleaning Services on December 29, 2008, 03:02:00 pm
Work to live, not live to work. Loads of work behind, not going back until 5 January. It's Xmas holiday, entitled to a break just like everyone else. Customers will understand. Customers don't really want to see me turn up on their doorstep cleaning their windows during the holiday.

You must be living comfortable  ;D
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: AuRavelling79 on December 29, 2008, 03:21:54 pm
10.30 to 4.30 tomorrow Tuesday (Old people's home and a block of flats) then off 'til Jan5th
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: windowswashed on December 29, 2008, 04:05:02 pm
Work to live, not live to work. Loads of work behind, not going back until 5 January. It's Xmas holiday, entitled to a break just like everyone else. Customers will understand. Customers don't really want to see me turn up on their doorstep cleaning their windows during the holiday.

You must be living comfortable  ;D

There's more to life than money, like a life :)
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: Sir Squeaky on December 29, 2008, 04:23:03 pm
Went out, 1st house, brush kept on freezing, ok on the sunny side but any shade, that was it..so.......home now... >:( >:( >:(

To rub salt into the wound, on the way home they said on the radio.... -4 tonight, and next week down to -13!!!!!

OMFG

-13?? I have never experienced it as cold as that in this country!!
It won't happen.
Don't believe the hype.

Lowest for the daytimes is forecast to be about 5c.
18 less at night? Yeah right. ::)
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: seandyer2003 on December 29, 2008, 05:28:05 pm
Full day planned for Tuesday and a little on Wed assuming it ain't too miserable ;) Then it's Monday 5th and the fun starts again in earnest. God I hate January :'(

exact same here :)
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: elite mike on December 29, 2008, 05:32:18 pm
Went out, 1st house, brush kept on freezing, ok on the sunny side but any shade, that was it..so.......home now... >:( >:( >:(

To rub salt into the wound, on the way home they said on the radio.... -4 tonight, and next week down to -13!!!!!

OMFG

-13?? I have never experienced it as cold as that in this country!!

hi there

i the early 80 s we had a recorded temp of -29 here :o

was not much fun
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: gary999 on December 29, 2008, 05:48:21 pm
worked 10-3 got all my work done plus £11 tips and a new
customer people seemed to be in a really good mood :)
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: peter holley on December 29, 2008, 05:57:50 pm
worked 10-3 got all my work done plus £11 tips and a new
customer people seemed to be in a really good mood :)

worked 10-2 then knocked doors for a while....5 new custies ;D....and that is my pattern for the rest of the week, apart from thursday ;D
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: landy2 on December 29, 2008, 06:54:24 pm
went out today water froze in pipes put it in the van and defrosted it then just kept the water flowing made it harder to freeze managed to do full day hope to do the same tuesday then of till monday back to normal
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: stfc on December 29, 2008, 07:13:09 pm
im not back until the 5th but if i had a few more i would be,but in the mean time until im meant to be back im handing out business cards.
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: matt on December 29, 2008, 07:50:53 pm
Did a handfull this morning but everyone seems a bit grumpy. Had a phantom sill wiper just after i'd finished so she wound me up, small school to do but locked out then another miserable old woman who said "not today it's Cristmas after all!"

most just will not want you around, they will be at home enjoying family time, they dont want to have some1 peering though the windows at them ;)
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: simonwonder on December 29, 2008, 09:45:29 pm
been out today and  alittle on tommorrow , customers were not in today so will take tommorrow as it comes , wednesday off with the wife and kids thursday off friday and saturday in for a bit then monday back to normal  thank the lord ,
kids back to school on monday so only another week with them
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: NWH on December 29, 2008, 10:12:37 pm
I`m doing commercial tomorrow and 1 large domestic property,i`m bored lol. ;D
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: mci services on December 29, 2008, 11:06:21 pm
i worked all day today and picked up a new customer and worked all xmas eve and will work till about 4 on wed, i cant understand why people woudnt expect you to be working its not a public holiday the bin men, posties, wheelie bin cleaners etc are all working, as far as i am concerned if the banks are open then why not. dont get me wrong if everything was rosie and i was made of money i wouldnt bother either ;D
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: mark dew on December 29, 2008, 11:34:59 pm
couple of hours today. probably 3 tomorrow and 4 on friday.
I wanted to stay off until 2nd but i was itching to get back again. Xmas fell on a funny time this year.
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: pingu on December 30, 2008, 06:32:03 am
It's -6.7 deg here in Holland (07:31am) so I don't think I'll be splashing it all about today.....

Cheers
Dave.
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: Londoner on December 30, 2008, 07:21:00 am
It's -6.7 deg here in Holland (07:31am) so I don't think I'll be splashing it all about today.....

Cheers
Dave.

Its amazing how much colder it gets on the mainland of Northern Europe compared to here.
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: pingu on December 30, 2008, 07:44:18 am
Just dropped to -7.1 but I have always found this time of day to be the coldest at around 08:30...

Just too cold to work have tried the brush heads and they just freeze within minutes...but it is the jets and feed pipes on the brush heads that freeze first.

Cheers
Dave.
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: Tosh on December 30, 2008, 09:12:22 am
I'm enjoying the time off; this is the longest I've had off in years; and I'm not going back to work till the 5th; but funds are running low to be honest, since we've all over-spent this Christmas.

Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: ftp on December 30, 2008, 09:25:33 am
I might pop out for a bit later but it's very tempting to stay in. £50 would be better than nothing at all. What worries me is that if i wait untill the fith then the weather could be even worse.  :o
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: Sir Squeaky on December 30, 2008, 09:46:30 am
I was going to do a few hours today, but I'm still frozen up in the hose.

I've had a hot fan heater in the van for nearly an hour now, but microbore is still crunchy! :(

Annoying, because there's no frost this morning.
Obviously much colder in the middle of the night.
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: Tosh on December 30, 2008, 09:53:29 am
Squeaks, that's got to be annoying; the back pack does have it's benefits.

Would taking the hose inside your house overnight be possible?
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: Steve CM on December 30, 2008, 10:13:05 am
I was going to do a few hours today, but I'm still frozen up in the hose.

I've had a hot fan heater in the van for nearly an hour now, but microbore is still crunchy! :(

Annoying, because there's no frost this morning.
Obviously much colder in the middle of the night.

if its just a hose chuck a kettle of boiling water over it. a kettle or 2 will sort it out straight away. i do it all the time with no problems
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: Sir Squeaky on December 30, 2008, 10:24:40 am
Yeah, you're probably right.
Should be ok now anyway though.

Tosh, I carried it in once, but never again.
The old back suffered after.
Have you felt the weight of 100m of hose full of water?!
I've got 14 steps up to my house too! :o
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: Paul Coleman on December 30, 2008, 11:40:06 am
I was going to do a few hours today, but I'm still frozen up in the hose.

I've had a hot fan heater in the van for nearly an hour now, but microbore is still crunchy! :(

Annoying, because there's no frost this morning.
Obviously much colder in the middle of the night.

If I've misjudged it and get a frozen hose, I bring it in and put it in front of the fire.  Not too hot though as I don't want to melt it.  I'm going to check the outdoor temperature in a minute as it might be OK now to get an afternoon in.
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: Paul Coleman on December 30, 2008, 11:42:22 am
Yeah, you're probably right.
Should be ok now anyway though.

Tosh, I carried it in once, but never again.
The old back suffered after.
Have you felt the weight of 100m of hose full of water?!
I've got 14 steps up to my house too! :o

I know it's not so great on the back is it?  I live in a middle floor flat which is probably the equivalent of your garden steps.  It's a pain but it's a necessary one.
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: pingu on December 30, 2008, 01:18:21 pm
Cold ...I have just been out ice skating (badly) on our local pond !!!

Dave.
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: suds window service on December 30, 2008, 03:52:09 pm
no chance....back in on 2 jan .......but have put 1000 litre ibc in the garage today
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: Dean Aspects on December 30, 2008, 04:18:54 pm
I used to work inbetween xmas and new year but i now take two weeks off i work hard enough through the year so for me its a well earned break
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: AuRavelling79 on December 30, 2008, 06:03:14 pm
Well I worked today - well 12 noon to 4pm - just got over three figures in and a £5 tip!

Coolio! 8) (It was actually - 1 to 2 degrees C this afternoon)

No more 'til Monday the 5th!
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: carlm on December 31, 2008, 01:07:11 am
of course I am, had 25th / 26th off back tomorrow, will have thurs off then back to norm 5 days a week, got wages & bills to pay
the way eh !
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: ftp on December 31, 2008, 08:49:34 am
Well, it's orrible out there this morning, so i'll finish refurbishing my slx pole instead. I've taken  the clamps off the top two sections removed the worn out carbon and re-cut the slots and drilled new holes. Just got to tape the base of all the sections to stop them flying out then put it back together.
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: Sir Squeaky on December 31, 2008, 09:12:46 am
Too frozen out there at the moment (heater is in the van), but I want to get at least an hour in at some point, just to finish an area before 4 days off.
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: matt on December 31, 2008, 09:50:18 am
MINUS 3 here still, its allmost 10 in the morning, i guess its not going to warm up

whats the forecast like for next week ? ?? ?
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: elite mike on December 31, 2008, 09:56:24 am
MINUS 3 here still, its allmost 10 in the morning, i guess its not going to warm up

whats the forecast like for next week ? ?? ?

just looked at the ten day one matt

going to be below freezing until next fri :'(
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: Oakley Windows on December 31, 2008, 09:59:23 am
At least that means dry, just got make sure everything stays unfrozen.
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: gary999 on December 31, 2008, 10:36:42 am
1st day ever i have had anything freeze on me, the ground and everything
around us frozen solid doesnt help with this fog that wont lift ,just tried
my trolley system water came out of brush head for a few seconds then
nothing :'( come back in for a cuppa then going leafleting...looks like i will
be working saturday :(
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: john tomkins on December 31, 2008, 11:00:46 am
Well, it's orrible out there this morning, so i'll finish refurbishing my slx pole instead. I've taken  the clamps off the top two sections removed the worn out carbon and re-cut the slots and drilled new holes. Just got to tape the base of all the sections to stop them flying out then put it back together.

I don't like the sound of that :o
Like others I paid £400 for mine and expected it to last for at least a couple of years, had it about 5 months and already the slots and holes are splitting.


When you say "worn out carbon" is that where it clamps in the closed position, as in where the glass fibre poles tend to start spinning?
How much length have you lost?
How easy to get the clamps off?
What are you using to re-bond?
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: ftp on December 31, 2008, 11:20:59 am
Don't panic! Mine was still working perfectly but the carbon had worn away completely in places inside the clamps so i have removed them and cut about an inch off the offending sections. If you speak or mail Alex he will tell you how to do it or you can have them refurbish for you. It's not a good idea for me to post how to do it in case i give bad advice obviously.
My pole does show a fair bit of wear which is unavoidable i think. I am pretty heavy on my poles for some reason - my first extender lasted five weeks!
Splits around the holes are not a problem - mine was split on every one after the first day.
Have to say i'm pretty unimpressed with the wear but what's the alternative? People who say their pole is in the same condition as it was three years ago can't be getting the same use out of it as i do.
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: pingu on December 31, 2008, 12:19:52 pm
John...I have had the same with the Sl-X and my pole has had some abuse if you contact Alex he'll sort you out...

Alex had my pole from Holland and repaired it on the friday afternoon it was working for me back here in Holland Wednesday afternoon.

Nothing is ever perfect but his customer service is the stuff of legends...give him a chance.

Cheers
Dave.
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: john tomkins on December 31, 2008, 01:56:47 pm
I usually get about 6 to 8 months out of an x-tel gf pole @ £80 all in, to say there are splitting/wear problems on the £400 sl-x after a few months use doesn't look good for longetivity of the pole.
As Dave said
Quote
what's the alternative?
about time some of the big boys bought out a compact carbon for a bit of healthy competition
Title: Re: Anyone working this week?
Post by: ftp on December 31, 2008, 02:12:03 pm
I think my pole will go on for a long time yet - but several years? I can't see it without it being a foot shorter. I don't know how you can stop wear unless the carbon/resin mix can be altered in the manufacturing stage. Make it too hard and then the carbon probably goes brittle.