Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Ste M on September 24, 2009, 10:38:57 am

Title: Just about to buy my backpack
Post by: Ste M on September 24, 2009, 10:38:57 am
As the title says im about to invest in my first back pack, spoke to the very helpful guys at Window cleaning warehouse and also read as many threads as i possibly can on here. Just got a bit of advice to ask before i part with my hard earned cash.

This is the list of the things they said i would need, has anyone any experiance of this backpack and how do you rate it? i did ask if it was worth spending out for the more expensive shurflo backpack but the man said this one is better for my needs, i clean mostly 2,3 and 4 bedroom houses and im looking at expanding my industrial work soon. Also i will be occasionally cleaning 3 storie houses and wondered what is the best pole for this and how much does it cost? I dont want the most expensive one as i wont be using it as much to clean 3 storie as i will normal size houses, but i do want a half decent pole and brush head.

WCW BackPack
GXTEL30SPEC Exel Glassfibre Pole 30ft (7 Section)
DI11LC DI VESSEL COMPLETE 11LTR
MB400 Mix Bed Resin 25L bag
TDS3 TDS Meter
WCW25LB 25L Containers with Black Cap
FEQRS Female QR Connector

This is my first step into WFP cleaning which is why i have opted for the backpack as its the cheapest and easiest way of trying it out, if i am happy with everything and i feel it is worthwhile then i will invest in the full van set up at a later date.

Cheers ste
Title: Re: Just about to buy my backpack
Post by: EZclean on September 24, 2009, 11:48:40 am
you can get aload of containers fromyour local carwash for FREE.
call in and ask. i got a van full last time i went all with lids.
give em a good wash out though like 10-15mins each.
save you about £5/tub.

do you already know your tap TDS? mine is 100ish and it cost me alot of money in resin when i first started.

good luck
Title: Re: Just about to buy my backpack
Post by: mick partington on September 24, 2009, 12:05:30 pm
ezclean were abouts are you my tds is 97 here in bolton do,s that mean i,d be better with a ro than a di type machine sorry ste for jumping on your thread.
Title: Re: Just about to buy my backpack
Post by: EZclean on September 24, 2009, 12:42:03 pm
i'm in halifax

definately better with RO, in my opinion unless tap TDS is less than 50ppm, RO every time.
my DI vessel is small 6.5ltr, i was using 5ltrs a week in resin. making about 1100ltrs it was costing me £24/wk to have resin delivered.(5ltrs a time) and at the time (i started wfp in Jan) i always had the £24 to order some more, but it worked out cheaper to get the full bag, but i could never spare the £85.
i paid £230 for my RO in march, and it comes out at 1ppm before DI. i changed the resin at the same time. that should be good for around 90,000-100,000ltrs.(18months?) it's 99% more efficient.
the 3 pre filters are about £12 and these need changing every 6months or so. i haven't done it yet.  Membranes are 3yrs or so and are £45 each x2 200gpd.

it was a no brainer for me really.
Title: Re: Just about to buy my backpack
Post by: ian1972 on September 24, 2009, 03:17:23 pm
thats really high i am in wigan and mine out of tap is 47 i did used to use a di but invested in the ro better quality water i feel anyway just a lot slower to fill the tank now
Title: Re: Just about to buy my backpack
Post by: Frankybadboy on September 24, 2009, 05:32:26 pm
first thing first m8 check your water with tds,then you get a better idea of what you need,just  oder a tds meter check water then think about what you are going to order.

dont just trow money at it without knowing the most important thing.

hope that helps dude
Title: Re: Just about to buy my backpack
Post by: Ste M on September 24, 2009, 06:38:04 pm
The fella from the company said the water in my area is very soft and that is what i need. Got to admit my water does 'feel' soft. The main thing i wanted to know is if the pole is a good price? he did say to me that he could supply a stronger and lighter pole for around the 380 mark so i was wondering if the one im getting is ok for occasional high work?

thanks for the replys ste
Title: Re: Just about to buy my backpack
Post by: EZclean on September 24, 2009, 06:43:32 pm
i live in a soft water area. compared to down south.
doesn't matter what he says you've got to know exactly. get a tds meter.
i been in your position, its the last thing you wanna do, just want to clean the windows, i know.
upto you  ::)
Title: Re: Just about to buy my backpack
Post by: Ste M on September 24, 2009, 06:57:37 pm
ok now ive looked back into it i see what you mean (im still getting used to all the phrases you all use), ill order the TDS tomorrow and get my water rating and then go from there,

 thanks for your help ;D

Any advice on the pole side of things ?

ste
Title: Re: Just about to buy my backpack
Post by: G Griffin on September 24, 2009, 08:21:12 pm
Ste,
        Keep us posted about how it goes with your backpack please.

                            Gerry.
Title: Re: Just about to buy my backpack
Post by: matt on September 24, 2009, 08:43:14 pm
GXTEL30SPEC Exel Glassfibre Pole 30ft (7 Section)

personally i would ditch this and get a fishing pole, really light and a pleasure to use
Title: Re: Just about to buy my backpack
Post by: EZclean on September 24, 2009, 10:26:04 pm
GXTEL30SPEC Exel Glassfibre Pole 30ft (7 Section)

personally i would ditch this and get a fishing pole, really light and a pleasure to use


i would agree with the fishing pole, this one actually:

http://www.cheshirefishing.co.uk/shop/rthompson/poles.htm

that would give you a 30+ carbon pole for £60, plus a brush and some hose 5mm tube.

then go to B&Q and get one of these for anything upto 1 floor above ground:

 http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9373232&ecamp=trf-005&CAWELAID=266956798

use 1 brush to start off with and swap them between poles till you decide to get another. ask away on how to make the simple job of turning it into a water fedpole.
for domestic work there's nowt better. (upto 2nd floor that is) IMHO
Title: Re: Just about to buy my backpack
Post by: matt on September 25, 2009, 06:26:06 pm
GXTEL30SPEC Exel Glassfibre Pole 30ft (7 Section)

personally i would ditch this and get a fishing pole, really light and a pleasure to use


i would agree with the fishing pole, this one actually:

http://www.cheshirefishing.co.uk/shop/rthompson/poles.htm

that would give you a 30+ carbon pole for £60, plus a brush and some hose 5mm tube.

then go to B&Q and get one of these for anything upto 1 floor above ground:

 http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9373232&ecamp=trf-005&CAWELAID=266956798

use 1 brush to start off with and swap them between poles till you decide to get another. ask away on how to make the simple job of turning it into a water fedpole.
for domestic work there's nowt better. (upto 2nd floor that is) IMHO

 ;)