Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: simbag on March 16, 2005, 12:39:55 pm

Title: Wind!
Post by: simbag on March 16, 2005, 12:39:55 pm
Hello all,

I just wondered if any of you guys have contigency plans for when the winds are high, as far as ladder work goes?

I have no problems with working up ladders, until I was up there the other day, reaching up to start to squeegie, when all of a sudden a gust of wind decides it doesn't want me to be up the ladder any more! :o

Fortunately, no harm was done and I was able to stay put, but it was one aspect of the weather that I hadn't thought about when starting out.

The same goes fore today, I don't know what its like where you are but the winds are pretty damn strong today here (Cambidgeshire). I just wondered, other than not using ladders, if there was any safety methods that could be put into practise? The method I am using today, is sitting in the house and waiting for the trees to stop bending backwards, before I go out!

Also, do you wfp users have problems in the wind, or is the pole pretty steady once you get it on the glass?


Thanks,

Simon
Title: Re: Wind!
Post by: windows_chepstow on March 16, 2005, 01:02:05 pm
British Summer Time optimistically begins on the 30th March this year; only fourteen days away, but the weather is miserable here too!

With the wind; try and save up any inside work or ground floor commercial for bad weather days.

If you haven't any; take the day off and 'make hay when the sun shines (or wind drop)', as they say.  I think we've all been caught by that sudden gust of wind that makes you hold tight to a window ledge.

We were out all morning; soaked to the skin.  Now looking out of the window, it looks like it's brightening up.

Ruddy British Weather.

Modified (half an hour later).  The latest from Chepstow is that it's raining 'cats and dogs' outside!  Glad I didn't go back out.
Title: Re: Wind!
Post by: Ian_Giles on March 16, 2005, 02:35:23 pm
Unlike Windows_Chepstow (Tosh) I did go back out, was back home again drenched to the
Title: Re: Wind!
Post by: Ian_Giles on March 16, 2005, 02:43:07 pm
Unlike Windows_Chepstow (Tosh) I did go back out, was back home again drenched to the skin.
Yes, I'm from Chepstow too :-\

If it is really windy, get off that ladder!

Using wFP you can work in conditions that would stop you working if using a ladder, not that you don't have to be careful of course, left unattended, the wind will have over far quicker than a ladder of course!!

Ian

Title: Re: Wind!
Post by: Ian_Giles on March 16, 2005, 02:43:55 pm
Not sure what happened there ???

Ian
Title: Re: Wind!
Post by: Duke on March 16, 2005, 04:17:12 pm
yeah, I went out and got a bit wet too....still made £80 though in 2.5 hours....started to get the sniffles, so jacked it in for the day at 12ish and came home...I got paperwork to do anyway...
Title: Re: Wind!
Post by: AuRavelling79 on March 16, 2005, 04:46:02 pm
While waiting for your pole system (!)


Don't take risks but you can use ladder mitts on top your ladder to increase friction (and protect customers cills, transoms etc) - I do - they're great.
Title: Re: Wind!
Post by: simbag on March 16, 2005, 05:45:10 pm
Malc,

Do you actually lean the laddders on the upvc sill? I don't trust them to be honest, wooden sills, fine, but upvc? I feel like it would crack or something!
Title: Re: Wind!
Post by: Duke on March 16, 2005, 05:54:03 pm
UPVC are fine....I had no problems in the past.....but when I used an A frame ladder I used to stick it in the brickwork corner angle (forgot the name ) either side of the window....anywhere to lock the groove in the rubber top in basically...and jump on the bottom a couple of times to make sure it's not going to sink....like on gravel, or mud.
Title: Re: Wind!
Post by: thewindowcleaner1 on March 16, 2005, 07:03:26 pm
When I first started and knew no different I put my ladders onto PVC sill I put my arm to the right, the ladders went to the left and I landed on the only piece of grass in the road, lay there for a while breathing a problem trying to decide if I was alive or dead then the old lady came to me with a cup of tea and said O dear here you are this'll make you feel better.NEVER AGAIN.. No ladders on sills.
Further down the line going up the ladder and put one hand onto Concrete sill to suport myself, sill came away in my hand, Luckly a wooden fence broke my fall still hurt though,then the customer tried to get me to pay for the fence I,d damaged........
I love my WFP

alan
Title: Re: Wind!
Post by: Ian Fletcher on March 16, 2005, 07:17:43 pm
yeah, I went out and got a bit wet too....still made £80 though in 2.5 hours....started to get the sniffles, so jacked it in for the day at 12ish and came home...I got paperwork to do anyway...
what was that doing
Title: Re: Wind!
Post by: Duke on March 16, 2005, 07:20:35 pm
lol...just what I do....clean windows....was a bit blustery though....never mind, the show must go on !
Title: Re: Wind!
Post by: Ian Fletcher on March 16, 2005, 07:23:03 pm
lol...just what I do....clean windows....was a bit blustery though....never mind, the show must go on !
thats not doing houses is it
Title: Re: Wind!
Post by: Duke on March 16, 2005, 07:30:40 pm
yes...what did you think I meant ?
Title: Re: Wind!
Post by: Ian Fletcher on March 16, 2005, 07:32:31 pm
shops and that,,so i am guessing there where big houses then
Title: Re: Wind!
Post by: Duke on March 16, 2005, 07:39:52 pm
7 ten quid jobs next to each other...and a couple of £5.50's...one of then had a little conservatory added to the back since the last clean....so I put him up to £9.50...
Title: Re: Wind!
Post by: Ian Fletcher on March 16, 2005, 07:43:39 pm
7 ten quid jobs next to each other...and a couple of £5.50's...one of then had a little conservatory added to the back since the last clean....so I put him up to £9.50...
thats class that working on your own
Title: Re: Wind!
Post by: Duke on March 16, 2005, 07:45:49 pm
I thought it was about normal...there's better men than me on this forum....respect...
Title: Re: Wind!
Post by: AuRavelling79 on March 16, 2005, 07:48:00 pm
Back to the question about putting the ladders on upvc cills - I do all the time but only since I have had ladder mitts - never before. I even put them on transom bars - they are excellent - but don't get complacent!

I too have a wfp now and instead of about 70 ladder "climbs" a day it's down to when I want to!
Title: Re: Wind!
Post by: windows_chepstow on March 16, 2005, 07:48:22 pm
yeah, I went out and got a bit wet too....still made £80 though in 2.5 hours....started to get the sniffles, so jacked it in for the day at 12ish and came home...I got paperwork to do anyway...
what was that doing

Ian (I hate Frogs),

Have a look at this thread before you start questioning earnings on here, mate:

http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=5529.0

I've read a 'few' of Dukes posts; he's honest!  (Too bloody honest sometimes).

I'm not in his league, or quite a few of the others around here, but stick around and listen to some of the advice given and I'm sure we'll get there!

Regards,

Tosh.

PS.  I think people from Wolverhamton are class.  The way they speak just makes me want to wet myself!  
Title: Re: Wind!
Post by: dustycorner on March 16, 2005, 07:55:18 pm
Hi all,

funny old thing this weather i been working in bury st edmunds for last 2 days not far from simbag in miles and we've had no wind and ive been wearing my shorts weather been that good, although a couple of customers have gone blind with the whiteness of my legs. still summer is on the way.
Title: Re: Wind!
Post by: Duke on March 16, 2005, 07:59:10 pm
Don't underestimate yourself Tosh...I respect your opinon as much as anybody else's.
Title: Re: Wind!
Post by: Ian Fletcher on March 16, 2005, 08:05:11 pm
yeah, I went out and got a bit wet too....still made £80 though in 2.5 hours....started to get the sniffles, so jacked it in for the day at 12ish and came home...I got paperwork to do anyway...
what was that doing
yeah had a look..10 yards at 20 sheets guess you can do it,
Ian (I hate Frogs),

Have a look at this thread before you start questioning earnings on here, mate:

http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=5529.0

I've read a 'few' of Dukes posts; he's honest!  (Too bloody honest sometimes).

I'm not in his league, or quite a few of the others around here, but stick around and listen to some of the advice given and I'm sure we'll get there!

Regards,

Tosh.

PS.  I think people from Wolverhamton are class.  The way they speak just makes me want to wet myself!  
Title: Re: Wind!
Post by: Duke on March 16, 2005, 08:09:37 pm
????
Title: Re: Wind!
Post by: AuRavelling79 on March 16, 2005, 08:11:32 pm
OK - my day today.

7 am Raining hard so extra tea and toast
7.30 Clears up  so drive down to a couple of second cleans on a not too distant trading estate - work 7.45 to 9.30 (includes a first time inside clean too) (using ladders and squeegee outside cuz some windows have bars on. Nice area!)

Rains - go to barber - hair back to the wood - no.3 on top/no.2 on the sides! ;D(summer's coming!)

Go home and see what slackers are on this forum ;D

Clears up - go and do two houses with trolley.

Rains - go home - marmite sandwiches and coffee!

Safto'

Go eight miles (scoff two bananas on the way) to a factory I do monthly and do all insides from 1pm (offices quiet - lunchtime) to 2pm and factory offices 'til 4pm (did a spectaklier job even if I say so myself which means I can be a little less thorough (and twice as quick) next time. (I'll do the outsides tomorrow - weather permitting - with wfp)

(While doing conference room lady says "there's loads of buffet stuff left over - help yourself!" I do - three chicken sarnies, two beef sarnies, some crisps, a sausage roll, a kiev thing amd a bit of pizza! ;D

On way home knock on the door of an out of the way industrial office speak to very pleasant office manageress give a verbal quote and get good vibes - we'll see though!

Went home for 4.30

Faffy old day but still earned £123 for five and a half hours work and a bit of driving.

I luv my job!
Title: Re: Wind!
Post by: Duke on March 16, 2005, 08:17:55 pm
well done..it's a funny old game...
Title: Re: Wind!
Post by: simbag on March 16, 2005, 11:15:15 pm
When I first started and knew no different I put my ladders onto PVC sill I put my arm to the right, the ladders went to the left and I landed on the only piece of grass in the road, lay there for a while breathing a problem trying to decide if I was alive or dead then the old lady came to me with a cup of tea and said O dear here you are this'll make you feel better.NEVER AGAIN.. No ladders on sills.
Further down the line going up the ladder and put one hand onto Concrete sill to suport myself, sill came away in my hand, Luckly a wooden fence broke my fall still hurt though,then the customer tried to get me to pay for the fence I,d damaged........
I love my WFP

alan

OH...MY..GOD!!! :o

No wonder you now use WFP, kind of a lesson for us all there I think!