Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: ftp on January 12, 2009, 02:38:10 pm

Title: How can you work in the rain?
Post by: ftp on January 12, 2009, 02:38:10 pm
On a normal day i pride myself on my work, i try really hard to avoid any areas of dirt that may cause spotting, i wait for the tops to stop dripping before doing the bottoms. I then check the driest windows for spotting and runs especially from air vents.

Today i cleaned one property in the rain - what a laugh! Blowing a gale, rain flying in all directions, water streaming down the property walls, drips blowing from the windowsills - rainwater everywhere.

How can you possibly work in these conditions and expect the same results?  ::)
Title: Re: How can you work in the rain?
Post by: williamx on January 12, 2009, 02:45:22 pm
You can't, you will possible get spotting, so prepare your self for that phone call.

You can work in the rain if its a drizzle and the wind is not to strong, but anything above that is when a compliant might arise. 
Title: Re: How can you work in the rain?
Post by: ftp on January 12, 2009, 02:49:55 pm
It was a semi-commercial job so they are unlikely to complain. If it was residential i wouldn't even consider it. May go back tomorrow to check on it if i get the chance. These guys who work all weathers can't possibly do a top job. I'm never happy on a normal day, so in these conditions my work would be sub-standard no doubt about it.
Title: Re: How can you work in the rain?
Post by: pingu on January 12, 2009, 03:01:14 pm
I do work in the rain but when the wind gets up, this is when problems will arise...it's just a judgement call...I do not think anyone can say for certain.

This week I will be working, rain or shine..am more than skint...I owe my rainy day money...a fair few quid.

Thank god the weather is easing...this must be the 1st day in I do not know how long, that we have had plus 0 deg...it's a barmy 4.4 out there and Ijust had my t-shirt on!!

Title: Re: How can you work in the rain?
Post by: simbo on January 12, 2009, 03:19:29 pm
we seem to be very unfortunate at mo lurching from one set of bad weather to another, worst few months in my 4 years its really getting me down now!!
paul
Title: Re: How can you work in the rain?
Post by: williamx on January 12, 2009, 03:29:23 pm
Don't worry too much, we still got febuary and march to get though yet and they are the months when the snow arrives. :o

and then we move into the drought period. 8)

Oh what joy working for yourself ;D
Title: Re: How can you work in the rain?
Post by: elite mike on January 12, 2009, 03:30:52 pm
yeh bum day for me too

but it made me decorate the dining room, :o not long finished ;D

mrs will be pleased ;)

just got to keep them flipping ;D cats out now
Title: Re: How can you work in the rain?
Post by: rhys11 on January 12, 2009, 03:37:19 pm
It was a semi-commercial job so they are unlikely to complain. If it was residential i wouldn't even consider it. May go back tomorrow to check on it if i get the chance. These guys who work all weathers can't possibly do a top job. I'm never happy on a normal day, so in these conditions my work would be sub-standard no doubt about it.



to true ftp

where are you from ftp if you dont mind me asking

rhys
Title: Re: How can you work in the rain?
Post by: ftp on January 12, 2009, 03:39:12 pm
West Wilts.  :)
Title: Re: How can you work in the rain?
Post by: seandyer2003 on January 12, 2009, 03:58:25 pm
I thought WFP was the cure to working in the rain, no more missed days :) ???
Title: Re: How can you work in the rain?
Post by: chrisyg on January 12, 2009, 04:02:26 pm
Got soaked thru today, im behind from the frozen weather so i have to work to keep up. All customers that were in didn't mind, and i said that if they are not happy with the result to call me and i'll do it again free. Most are happy just to have me doing it regularly, as they always say they cant find a reliable window cleaner, so it looks good doing it wet thru - shows i stick around!

Title: Re: How can you work in the rain?
Post by: Dave Turley on January 12, 2009, 05:12:37 pm
I worked 2/3rds of today in the rain (first time), no probs at all.

I picked jobs which I knew there would be no one in and smaller jobs which i'm not so bothered about.

I offered one custy a rain guarantee as it was chucking it down when they came back home!
Title: Re: How can you work in the rain?
Post by: Tosh on January 12, 2009, 05:15:46 pm
This morning I did an office block; part of which overlaps one of Ian_Giles shop accounts.

Ian turned up to clean the shop; showed me his new wagtail; cleaned his shop and naffed off.

I then cleaned the windows above the shop with WFP!

And it was chucking down with rain.

 ;D
Title: Re: How can you work in the rain?
Post by: Kevin R on January 12, 2009, 05:19:45 pm
On commercial we work - the weather is irrelevant - its scheduled and thats that, the residential work we do, we work on a very simple basis - if the rain is dripping from the windows above and splashing on the sills below we don't do it. Apart from that it gets done. The rain has to be fairly heavy or persistent to do this.
Title: Re: How can you work in the rain?
Post by: kevin James on January 12, 2009, 05:24:44 pm
As the others have said, it's the wind rather than the rain. I worked all day & offered rain guarantees. Did outside of pub in the morning & inside @ 4ish. There was only a few spots & this pub is on a crossroads with plenty of traffic & rain. As said, judgement call.

Kevin.
Title: Re: How can you work in the rain?
Post by: chrisyg on January 12, 2009, 05:28:30 pm
This morning I did an office block; part of which overlaps one of Ian_Giles shop accounts.

Ian turned up to clean the shop; showed me his new wagtail; cleaned his shop and naffed off.

I then cleaned the windows above the shop with WFP!

And it was chucking down with rain.

 ;D

hahaha!
Title: Re: How can you work in the rain?
Post by: kevin James on January 13, 2009, 06:36:58 pm
On a normal day i pride myself on my work, i try really hard to avoid any areas of dirt that may cause spotting, i wait for the tops to stop dripping before doing the bottoms. I then check the driest windows for spotting and runs especially from air vents.

Today i cleaned one property in the rain - what a laugh! Blowing a gale, rain flying in all directions, water streaming down the property walls, drips blowing from the windowsills - rainwater everywhere.

How can you possibly work in these conditions and expect the same results?  ::)

Dave, you're letting your previous trade affect your thinking! As a printer, if you make a mistake, it can cost 'farsends', but in this trades mistake can cost as little as 50p! So it's worth taking the risk. If there's comments, offer apolgies & acouple of pound offand you're forgiven. You'll end up ahead! A mistake in a book glares at you forever but spots on a window will be gone in 6 weeks.

Kevin
Title: Re: How can you work in the rain?
Post by: ftp on January 13, 2009, 07:18:36 pm
Your probably right, in two years i haven't worked in the rain.
Title: Re: How can you work in the rain?
Post by: darren73 on January 13, 2009, 09:08:43 pm
mate i work 5 days a week in any weather i find wfp is fine the only problem i have with blading is detailing the edges
Title: Re: How can you work in the rain?
Post by: windowwashers on January 13, 2009, 09:22:07 pm
we work in all weather, wind, rain, snow ect.
if we ever get a complaint it is sorted out so they are happy.
every customer is told we work like this and any problems we always will come back.

Works for me ;)

Ian
Title: Re: How can you work in the rain?
Post by: paulscotney on January 13, 2009, 09:33:09 pm
I turn up and just do them. I give all my customers a Rain Guarantee. I explain I have to earn a living. If I have to phone for the side access to be opened and they say it is raining. I just explain that rain unless torrential is ok etc. If they moan I leave them another month and if the same happens again I sack them. I have never had a problem.  Most customers just want a reliable service. They aren't bothered with perfection. Just an honest job but RELIABLE.

I don't work in continuous heavy rain.  Everyone has to earn a living and most customers understand that. I can't understand how some window cleaners live if they only clean when it is nice warm weather. Maybe they just sponge off a partner/parents etc.
Title: Re: How can you work in the rain?
Post by: paulscotney on January 13, 2009, 10:03:23 pm
Hi Stan, no problem with that. I was on about when it rains all day for days on end.One day lost every 10 weeks or so is no problem.  Then I have my Aston Villa coat to keep me ok. Not really. Just  a decent waterproof.
Title: Re: How can you work in the rain?
Post by: Niall McAllister on January 13, 2009, 10:33:57 pm
i don't offer a rain garantee, i have a general call if you are not happy. no point hi-lighting one area or they may look for faults when it rains :o
Title: Re: How can you work in the rain?
Post by: lovewindows on January 13, 2009, 11:14:16 pm
[ I'm never happy on a normal day, so in these conditions my work would be sub-standard no doubt about it.
Quote
So if your never happy normally is your work normally sub standard ? not being funny but as long as your customers are happy whats the problem ?
Title: Re: How can you work in the rain?
Post by: ftp on January 13, 2009, 11:18:35 pm
I'm very fussy and always look for perfection that's why i'm never happy. I wouldn't say i do a bad job but half a dozen spots and i get annoyed.
Title: Re: How can you work in the rain?
Post by: lovewindows on January 13, 2009, 11:24:11 pm
You get 6 spots and your annoyed , thats not perfectionism thats sloppy work ,  :P
Title: Re: How can you work in the rain?
Post by: windowwashers on January 14, 2009, 08:46:55 am
I'm very fussy and always look for perfection that's why i'm never happy. I wouldn't say i do a bad job but half a dozen spots and i get annoyed.
any spots and I get annoyed, problem is we cant be pefect all the time how ever much we try, as long as the customer is happy that is what really matters.