Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Alistair@AWC on May 20, 2009, 04:23:47 pm

Title: Awkward Clean, Any Ideas???
Post by: Alistair@AWC on May 20, 2009, 04:23:47 pm
Hi Guys,

I've been asked to clean a property quite similar to this

(http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/BertDanger/Building.jpg)

Now Ive seen that there is a 4ft gooseneck on the market, does anybody know if that would be enough to get around the walkway type things

Or does anybody have any better ideas?

Regards

Al
Title: Re: Akward Clean, Any Ideas???
Post by: bluez on May 20, 2009, 05:08:49 pm
Whats the access like around the building, I would use an mewp
Title: Re: Akward Clean, Any Ideas???
Post by: MJH on May 20, 2009, 05:22:24 pm
Hi Guys,

I've been asked to clean a property quite similar to this

(http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/BertDanger/Building.jpg)

Now Ive seen that there is a 4ft gooseneck on the market, does anybody know if that would be enough to get around the walkway type things

Or does anybody have any better ideas?

Regards

Al

Gooseneck? not a prayer mate, you would need powered access for that!!
Title: Re: Akward Clean, Any Ideas???
Post by: RO-Sheen on May 20, 2009, 05:49:09 pm
Hi Guys,

I've been asked to clean a property quite similar to this

(http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/BertDanger/Building.jpg)

Now Ive seen that there is a 4ft gooseneck on the market, does anybody know if that would be enough to get around the walkway type things

Or does anybody have any better ideas?

Regards

Al

Gooseneck? not a prayer mate, you would need powered access for that!!

Or a jet pack!
Title: Re: Akward Clean, Any Ideas???
Post by: MJH on May 20, 2009, 06:19:32 pm
Hi Guys,

I've been asked to clean a property quite similar to this

(http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/BertDanger/Building.jpg)

Now Ive seen that there is a 4ft gooseneck on the market, does anybody know if that would be enough to get around the walkway type things

Or does anybody have any better ideas?

Regards

Al

Gooseneck? not a prayer mate, you would need powered access for that!!

Or a jet pack!

Stilts and extending arms might do the trick >:(
Title: Re: Akward Clean, Any Ideas???
Post by: Alistair@AWC on May 20, 2009, 06:28:34 pm
Its supposed to be a maintenance walkway, so maybe we could harness up and do them by hand.


Its currently done by MEWP and was hoping by not needing them I could put together a keen price
Title: Re: Akward Clean, Any Ideas???
Post by: MJH on May 20, 2009, 06:30:46 pm
Its supposed to be a maintenance walkway, so maybe we could harness up and do them by hand.


Its currently done by MEWP and was hoping by not needing them I could put together a keen price

Well if you can walk on it, thats a possible solution if its for maintenance it should have anchor points or hook and eye bolts.
Title: Re: Akward Clean, Any Ideas???
Post by: Alistair@AWC on May 20, 2009, 06:39:25 pm
I'm going to have a look at it tomorrow so I'll find out if it really is a maintenance walkway.


Back to the gooseneck idea, if I got a gooseneck that was at least as long as the walkway surely that would work, wouldn't it??
Title: Re: Akward Clean, Any Ideas???
Post by: MJH on May 20, 2009, 06:42:39 pm
I'm going to have a look at it tomorrow so I'll find out if it really is a maintenance walkway.


Back to the gooseneck idea, if I got a gooseneck that was at least as long as the walkway surely that would work, wouldn't it??

Never heard of that idea, would be very awkward and you would need an extremely rigid pole, i would forget that.
Title: Re: Akward Clean, Any Ideas???
Post by: Llaaww on May 20, 2009, 06:45:59 pm
Hi Guys,

I've been asked to clean a property quite similar to this

(http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/BertDanger/Building.jpg)

Now Ive seen that there is a 4ft gooseneck on the market, does anybody know if that would be enough to get around the walkway type things

Or does anybody have any better ideas?

Regards

Al

Gooseneck? not a prayer mate, you would need powered access for that!!

Or a jet pack!

Stilts and extending arms might do the trick >:(

 :D rocket boots :D
Title: Re: Akward Clean, Any Ideas???
Post by: windowswashed on May 20, 2009, 07:54:19 pm
Fit a 4ft extension gooseneck and try cleaning windows with it...... very awkward indeed and very easy for gooseneck to flip over and smack the glass if you're not very careful. Not worth the hassle.
Title: Re: Akward Clean, Any Ideas???
Post by: Alistair@AWC on May 20, 2009, 08:13:10 pm
Fit a 4ft extension gooseneck and try cleaning windows with it...... very awkward indeed and very easy for gooseneck to flip over and smack the glass if you're not very careful. Not worth the hassle.

Windowswashed, I take it your speaking from experience then  ;D

Are they really that difficult to work with??
Title: Re: Akward Clean, Any Ideas???
Post by: windowswashed on May 20, 2009, 08:20:14 pm
Fit a 4ft extension gooseneck and try cleaning windows with it...... very awkward indeed and very easy for gooseneck to flip over and smack the glass if you're not very careful. Not worth the hassle.

Windowswashed, I take it your speaking from experience then  ;D

Are they really that difficult to work with??

Yes, but don't take my word for it, try for yourself, just be very careful.

It's a real strain on the wrists trying to keep the brush flat against the glass with such a long neck fitted  if sweeping sideways across the glass. It's okay scrubbing up & down the glass, just difficult sweeping across large panes...better to make small, slow horizontal movements and let the water cascade down instead.
Title: Re: Awkward Clean, Any Ideas???
Post by: Glyn H on May 20, 2009, 11:25:39 pm
This is a 2' 45 degree gooseneck extension in action (http://www.phcleaning.com/phcleaning/rooflight.jpg)

We  used 4' 45 degree to clean the roof here
(http://www.phcleaning.com/phcleaning/hillingdon-bridge.JPG)
Title: Re: Awkward Clean, Any Ideas???
Post by: Glyn H on May 20, 2009, 11:30:57 pm
The second pole (blue one ) in this photo we are using 4' goosneck. If you wanted to clean verticle windows the main 1' gooseneck would be a straight one not an angled one.
Everybody like the WFP Thames work boat with 1000 litre IBC and pumping system?  :)

(http://www.phcleaning.com/phcleaning/festival_pier_72dpi.jpg)
Title: Re: Awkward Clean, Any Ideas???
Post by: Alistair@AWC on May 20, 2009, 11:33:38 pm
Glyn,

So do you think its do-able then, and does using a very large brush head help with the stability?
Title: Re: Awkward Clean, Any Ideas???
Post by: Glyn H on May 20, 2009, 11:41:01 pm
Certainly looks do-able apart from the very bottom of the glass by the walkway but I dont think you will need one,we would work off the walkways - if thats what they are.
You will  need to do a method statement and risk assesment and may need a certificate from the premises manager to say that the walkway has been tested to work from. Obviously PPE will be needed.
Title: Re: Awkward Clean, Any Ideas???
Post by: Alistair@AWC on May 20, 2009, 11:54:33 pm
Thanks Glyn,

The glass doesn't appear to go all the way to the bottom, so I think it would be OK.


Method Statements & Risk Assessments are not a problem, and I am going to ask about anchor points and weight ratings of the walkway.

The reason I really want to WFP it is I would be OK sending out 1 guy to do the job, but using harnesses and ladder access turns it into a 2 man job.

Do you sell these goosenecks in your photos and can I adapt them to fit a SL2?

Al

Title: Re: Awkward Clean, Any Ideas???
Post by: Glyn H on May 21, 2009, 12:14:38 am
Hi Al
I am not sure if they can be made to fit an SL2, due to the steped clamping system we use
Alex would probably know as he has used our poles.

Personaly I would use a team on a job that size - but its your job so who am I to comment.
Title: Re: Awkward Clean, Any Ideas???
Post by: Alistair@AWC on May 21, 2009, 12:21:58 am
Cheers Glyn,

I'll have a chat with Alex

Regards

Al
Title: Re: Awkward Clean, Any Ideas???
Post by: bluez on May 21, 2009, 11:22:02 am
Its a days work on a cherry picker, why complicate it. What does it cost in the u.k. to hire a cp? It's about €250 here for 16 mtr machine which would be easily enough to get all of that.
Title: Re: Awkward Clean, Any Ideas???
Post by: MJH on May 21, 2009, 06:57:55 pm
Its a days work on a cherry picker, why complicate it. What does it cost in the u.k. to hire a cp? It's about €250 here for 16 mtr machine which would be easily enough to get all of that.

That is the most practical method!!