Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: TonyD on August 14, 2009, 11:51:46 pm
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I'm just starting out and would rather use wfp, but obviously need to build a round and be confident that I enjoy the work and will be sticking with it first, so, I've been looking at the trad extension poles that are available as I just don't like the daily risk with the ladder for every job.
Is it possible to do the first floor windows (ladderless) trad with an extension pole, and using a cloth clamp to detail etc. ?
AND, most importantly, is it possible to do it and do a good job of the clean ?
Has anyone tried it and failed or mastered the method ?
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Hey fella your not crystal clear are you ?
Hows the canvassing going. As for the question iv always done traditional -never used extension pole so cant help you there
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The canvassing's going ok....so far. Done my first 10 customers today.
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have a look on u tube mate at wagtail although those guys make it look easy I'm sure with practice you will get there
good luck
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good luck mate - If your looking for good work id suggest eccleston. I sold a few rounds up there last month but i know from the area the window cleaners arnt reliable
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Just curious as I've not seen trad with pole mentioned, even after searching, but seen the poles available, and as a newbie it's something that had crossed my mind but thought maybe it was wishful thinking that trad could be done without a ladder for every window.
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good luck mate - If your looking for good work id suggest eccleston. I sold a few rounds up there last month but i know from the area the window cleaners arnt reliable
lol, funny you should say that as that's where I've got my first customers...
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as I said mate look on u tube at the wagtail method
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Just been looking at some wagtail vids, this was pretty impressive -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7vAnNErmp0&feature=related
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Tony is that you then - Crystal Clear ?
There was leaflets in a cafe i dropped into today thought your number looked familiar
Where in eccelston did you canvass?
Was it anywhere near kitchener st or rivington road?
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Does anyone use these wagtails? We clean frames as well suppose ud still need a ladder for this ...........
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can't see trad pole working watched guy yesterday who has been at it years was''nt cleaning windows properly at all and he has a good round hotels shops etc , also without been funny sparrowteeth you need to try and get over your fear with ladders they 're only dangerous when not used properly try and get a few days with window cleaner in your area , most lads are ok and don't mind heelping out
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i use a wagtail (flipper) on a pole most days . its taken alot of practice but is worth it . i was using a 6metre ali pole but recently i bought a roach fishing pole off ebay that iv shortened down to 9 metres ,this is lighter and doesnt bend like the alli pole does / this takes an 18 inch wagtail , i use the wagtail "angle arm "as in that youtube video,in fact i bought 2 of the angle arms as they are really handy to reach into a sill high up.
i modded the flipper to take a pulex microtiger sleeve as the original yellow pad is pants (trimmed down the fibres to a 1/4 inch so it still flips good)
to detail the edges i just fold a scrim on the end of the pole .the detailing is the easy part of poling iv found
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Hard enough to get pole work perfect up close, like on tall shops windows.
On first floor opening light windows?
No chance. Absolutely no chance!
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Tony is that you then - Crystal Clear ?
There was leaflets in a cafe i dropped into today thought your number looked familiar
Where in eccelston did you canvass?
Was it anywhere near kitchener st or rivington road?
No I'm not Crystal Clear, I'm currently cleaning under my handyman business name, linked to my website in my signature.
Website - DILLON Projects (http://www.dillonprojects.co.uk)
I'll be setting up a separate business and name if the window cleaning expands into a full business.
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customer with 3rd floor bedroom window has been after it cleaned for ages,so ladder full out today just below the gutter on 2nd floor bay ,and poled the window from there,bit of messing about changing applicator and blade,then stuck scrim on pole for edges not a brillent job but should keep him happy,only be doing it a few times a year,those being when i have someone to foot the ladder and not to windy
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Hard enough to get pole work perfect up close, like on tall shops windows.
On first floor opening light windows?
No chance. Absolutely no chance!
Squeaky is right there, no chance. What about the sills & bottom frames, are you going to leave all the muck you pulled off on there?
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Squeaky is right there, no chance. What about the sills & bottom frames, are you going to leave all the muck you pulled off on there?
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well,, using the pad on the wagtail flipper i wipe the frame and the sill and never have any bother .i wipe the frame side and top first then do window and wipe sill as the last thing , pretty much the same as a normal clean but praps a few seconds more as i have to bring the pole down to put a scrim on it to do the detailing. mind u ,i read on a forum somewhere that guy WAGGA has a mod with a detailing cloth on the back of his wagtail and i might try that sometime it looked like a bent spoon with cloth wrapped on it
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I started out with poles as I couldn't get a ladder on my vehicle. I would say yes they are a much need tool. They can take a little longer to work with than a set of ladders and that is why I only use them when I have to. When it is windy I use them instead of a ladder to keep the work going. I would say you get a better job when you are at the window as you can spot any mistakes that may need detailed.
The thing that holds me up the most with poles is when the window has 2 pains 1 above the other, as you have to dry of the cross bar to stop any drips, which in turn leaves you cloths soaking and you go through them quicker.
The only problem is getting over sills on higher windows, and I haven't found a good angle adapter yet, the under one just comes loose on you, so it is really only be good for first floor work.
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Squeaky is right there, no chance. What about the sills & bottom frames, are you going to leave all the muck you pulled off on there?
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well,, using the pad on the wagtail flipper i wipe the frame and the sill and never have any bother .i wipe the frame side and top first then do window and wipe sill as the last thing , pretty much the same as a normal clean but praps a few seconds more as i have to bring the pole down to put a scrim on it to do the detailing. mind u ,i read on a forum somewhere that guy WAGGA has a mod with a detailing cloth on the back of his wagtail
How can you see the sills on the first floor? Just wipe them and hope for the best?
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obviously i cant see the sills . but most of these high up windows iv done using the ladders previously and i know they arent covered in leaves . if you ever try using a wagtail flipper you can see its potential , on a high pole i tend to use the 14 inch wagtail as its easier to flip up there . ive never had a problem wiping the frames and the sills . i currently use a 18 inch flipper as my main everyday squeegee and its ace
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The only problem is getting over sills on higher windows, and I haven't found a good angle adapter yet, the under one just comes loose on you, so it is really only be good for first floor work.
id say go get a wagtail angle arm, theyre cheap enuf . i have 2 of them float around in my bucket , im forever picking one or other up to jam it on a pole ,and now n then ive used the 2 together as well
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Thanks for the views there, obviously a split view on whether or not it can be done. I might give it a try as Jonnyald seems to do ok with this method. Sounds like a lot of practice and checking for a while to get perfect results but probably worth it if the technique can be mastered due to the hugely reduced ladder risk. Could be a great bonus skill for the times that placing a ladder is a bit tight/tricky too.
I'd think a clamped m/f to wipe the sill/detail would work fine so long as the sill was over wiped to make sure as it's not visible.
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Really is a bad idea to try and trad with a pole. It's ok on shop windows where you might only have a few foot of pole but when using 10 or more feet it nye on impossible. I have a few jobs where I have to but fortunately these are commercial and nobody will ever look at these windows, when I do the other side on a flat roof I can see all the mistakes I've made. Certainly not recommended for domestics.
Simon.
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I have to agree with the wagtail users above. They are your best bet on a pole, they will allow you to fan the window thus leaving no marks (when you get used to it)
I have made the mods that wagga has done where the pad flips over the top instead of down, this is better for upper windows as you can see whats going on better, i use normal wagtail on ground floor. Also do the dogearing he has done and there is hardly any detailing to be done.
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hi sparrowteeth,some rubbish been spouted on here at times.YES U CAN USE EXTENSION POLES EFFECTIVELY ON 1ST AND SECOND FLOOR WINDOWS but it takes a lot of practice,it a little slower and u will have to get over fear of ladders cos u will always need them for access over gates and flat roofs etc.i use ladders mainly and poles for awkward and ALWAYS for second floor windows.i have lots of TRAD equipment and poles,vise versa,swivel squeegys etc.fixi clamp for scrim or microfibres.i use poles alot more during the winter months when its wet and slippy for ladders.why do u think they still sell them?u just need practice and the right techniques.why more cleaners dont use them is beyond me.they use them far more in the states.and u dont get soaked.i even rag the odd leaded/frosted window with damp scrim in clamp on pole if windows are done regularly and r fairly clean.NEVER had a complaint in 15 yrs.but majority i clean off ladders cos its quicker but if u work alone on wet/frosty days GET THE POLE OUT ;D.
1. use good rubber on squeegy
2.use v.dry microfibre/scrim in clamp for detailing
3.use backflip/vise versa where possible
4.dont soap right to top edge unless v.dirty
5.cut in at the top edge and feather if downward strokes
6.have micro/scrim in clamp in pouch ready to swap quickly
dont have t mop too wet unless first time clean,hope this helps pal.best wishes.
also have a 4in scraper handy in case of stubborn bird muck/paint etc to pop on end of pole when needed
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Thanks for all replies, I'm much better on the ladder now, just took my first 10 or so cleans till I got used to the strangeness of working up there. I'll still be practicing with a pole though, as mentioned above could be a godsend on icy ground in the winter. I've heard from a few people that are doing fine with a wagtail and pole.