Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: bobby p on November 07, 2009, 08:28:15 am
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on 1st floor bays where are u lads placing the ladder ? and do u pitch it up twice or 3 times to do the bay totally ?. im pitching mine below the sill , but its a real stretch to reach the top openers . i pitch my ladder twice to do the whole bay
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by a pole dont stretch, or place ladders in a better place
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HI BOBBY, i put my ladder up 2 times to do a complete bay . I use a WAGTAIL which just gives the edge on reaching .about6 inch extra . place the ladder below the sill always and if the top openers have that fancy leaded glass i dont squeegee them,just clean with damp scrim. JON
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i guess you must be TALL blokes to reach like that ? else youv got long arms ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Last time i stretched for a window top opener i hit the ground very hard :'(
went out and brought WFP!!! ;D
Darran
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do you use a ladder stand off?
i have two ladders one with and one without and find the stand off one is now being used all the time
much safer and less stretching
bob
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Bobby
Pitch the ladder as many times as you need to and still feel safe and secure.
I can remember pitching the ladder once on each side of the bay and TWICE on the front for some properties.
As soon as you can afford to 'get rid of' any difficult properties, pass them on to someone else and make your own working day easier.
Mike
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pitch the ladder as many times as you have to so you are safe,sometimes i do them in 2 some 3 and odd ones 4,i try to put the ladder on the sill but if its sliding i go below,if you are streaching and the top opener is open get hold of the ledge with one hand, on some bays to do the side ones i put the ladder against the wall and clean from the side
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cheers for the advice lads / i might look for a very small standoff . you know what its like ,when youve loads of these bay window semis to do,anything,any tip that can speed u up (safely ) is welcome .
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what about A frame ladder?
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its a good idea topitch your ladder at the side of the window rather then on the frame or cill you can get a better angle to clean them at the sides but try get yourself a wfpole mate will change things for ya !! 8) 8)
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I use a stand off on tall windows, then the top of the ladder is a good rung past the cill, I can comfortably do the top whilst still having the ladder to grab at waist height.
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I dont know why more dont use stand-offs.
Bobby if you buy a stand-off, fit it to the ladder, and then on 1st floor windows have the stand-off ON the sill and you dont feel that your work day has been totally empowered then Im Dame Edna Everage :D
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I dont know why more dont use stand-offs.
Bobby if you buy a stand-off, fit it to the ladder, and then on 1st floor windows have the stand-off ON the sill and you dont feel that your work day has been totally empowered then Im Dame Edna Everage :D
;D
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When I use to be fulltime trad, I used a double pointer which I rested above the window.
Matt
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I dont know why more dont use stand-offs.
only use stand off on jobs i have to,in all my work that is 6 windows,its ok carring the ladder with stand off attached by it self but when carrying ladder with bucket in other hand from house to house it isnt safe ,i also find the bit that loops over the rungs is uncomfy on your knees and legs
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Stan a stand-off rested on the cill is a safety device all in itself. ANOTHER good reason to use one, when I was full-time trad I had mine fitted 24/7. IF the ladder slips (and they do whoever you are) the stand-off will stop it if its on the cill.
A stand-off ALSO creates more room for you to work in compared to not using one. They immediately raise you up and move you a foot or so away from the glass, no more cramped work conditions, easy reaching, no more face planted against the glass.
Try doing a gutter without one then fit one and compare.
They have numerous advantages. NO disadvantages.
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A stand-off offers greater stability compared to a ladder without one. I dont seem to remember having to carry a bucket round the back of houses, load your mop up and set off with that, leave the bucket round the front. If necessary do the patio doors first round the back with your dripping mop; but leave the bucket round the front....kepp it simple mate, no need to cart the kitchen sink everywhere you go. Simplicity and safety ;D
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A stand-off offers greater stability compared to a ladder without one. I dont seem to remember having to carry a bucket round the back of houses, load your mop up and set off with that, leave the bucket round the front. If necessary do the patio doors first round the back with your dripping mop; but leave the bucket round the front....kepp it simple mate, no need to cart the kitchen sink everywhere you go. Simplicity and safety ;D
still to carry the bucket to the next house
if the ladder slips i can see your point that the sill should stop it,but as the ladder is going backwards as well i wouldnt be 100% the stand off wouldnt drag back as well
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stan mate looks like you live life on the dangerous side bet your custies are in fear of you damaging there prized posessions do you still av any custies left mate
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stan mate looks like you live life on the dangerous side bet your custies are in fear of you damaging there prized posessions do you still av any custies left mate
more than most ;D ;D
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well its more luck then skill mate
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iv NEVER seen a trad cleaner with ladders on his shoulder AND a standoff hooked on the end . i know a lot of trad guys too, all just hav ladders with spikes , i think the standoff would slow you down too much BOBBY , imo
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iv NEVER seen a trad cleaner with ladders on his shoulder AND a standoff hooked on the end . i know a lot of trad guys too, all just hav ladders with spikes , i think the standoff would slow you down too much BOBBY , imo
thank god for that some one agrees with me ;D
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on 1st floor bays where are u lads placing the ladder ? and do u pitch it up twice or 3 times to do the bay totally ?. im pitching mine below the sill , but its a real stretch to reach the top openers . i pitch my ladder twice to do the whole bay
Are we talking old Victorian bay windows where the sashwindow is about 5' tall and your standard ladder just pokes over the sill and your face is up against the glass window lickin?
I used to avoid those windows like the plague when trad! They're a nightmare.
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thats it exactly ,where my face is right up agenst the glass . some of these bay windows curve round, with 5 long vertical panes with little square openers at the top . id guess theyr 5 foot tall yes . it took me a while to get any confidence with these, you cant put the ladder above the top-frame cos theres no room. the towns round here are full of these so i cant avoid em .
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Never has IME Stan.
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iv NEVER seen a trad cleaner with ladders on his shoulder AND a standoff hooked on the end . i know a lot of trad guys too, all just hav ladders with spikes , i think the standoff would slow you down too much BOBBY , imo
In all honesty mate I worked with a stand-off fixed permanently to my ladder for 11 years. Windows of this nature are a breeze with one. Of course if you want to work in cramped, less than safe conditions thats up to you, but theres too many advantages to a stand-off to not use one. All of which keeps your speed up and your self intact.
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Matt,i have just bought a 3.5 metre triple extender(titan) and stand off,i tried it out yesterday on my place and the extra reach and being able to hold top rung is brillient,but the ladders alone weigh a ton(i used it with top section off) and ladder stand off is extra weight and more awkward.i want to use it as much as possible,but as stan says(and others) it has to be a nightmare carrying it and bucket and ladder stop etc to next job,even if only next door.do you have any advice for this and did you leave stand off on or keep taking it off?also with regard to putting stand off on top of cill,i assume it will be resting on bottom window frame,could doing this potentially damage the frame or cill.thanks in advance for your valuable input
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Hello Bobby,
What type of ladder do you use, if its a standard ladder you will have to move it to clean bay windows.
The best ladder for that type of job is an a frame or (pointers as they are sometimes called).
hope this helps.
Kind regards.
Mr Bungalow. :) :) :) :)
www.mrbungalow.co.uk.
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Matt,i have just bought a 3.5 metre triple extender(titan) and stand off,i tried it out yesterday on my place and the extra reach and being able to hold top rung is brillient
Thankyou!!! I rest my case.
I have a 3.5 metre triple too, but dont use it set up as a triple unless Im doing gutters, most triples will wear you out. You'll get used to a heavier ladder if you use it daily. Give it a couple of weeks and come back and tell us if you notice the difference anymore ;)
Ay ya woffta just get with it, stop moaning, youll soon have them muscles sorted. I left my stand-off on 24/7 when I was on ladders and Im a short-arse, mine is made of steel, yours is probably aluminium so lighter, pull ya finger out and youll be like Arnie before you know ;D
You can put 1/2" pipe insulation on the standoff to protect the cill if you want or wrap cloth on it and fix it in place with cable ties.
Wit til you try it on gutters too and compare the job to cleaning out gutters without a stand-off, even MORE difference there than the difference on windows.
If you think a stand-off is good now you'll be thanking me for saving you from any broken bones when the ladder slips and the stand-off stops it from going any further. Cos that WILL happen.
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Matt ive been thinking about this,if you use a stand off on a round style bay window,you will only have contact in the middle of the stand off and then it would be possible for stand off to twist causing you to fall, also what stand off do you use as mine hooks over two rungs and i find this uncomfy and digging into my legs
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A stand-off on a circular window-cill will barely encroach over the edges Stan, even if it does it will STILL be more stable than without a stand-off.
My stand-off was handmade about 14 years ago, Ill take a pic of it tomorrow Stan, but its not one of those B+Q or Homebase ones, its a lot heavier, made of steel but lived permanently on my dpuble 3.5m Lyte on the roof-rack ever since I broke my leg in 2 places after falling off a ladder without a stand-off.
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i will be intrested to see your photo of your standoff MATT , ive just looked online there seems to be some with legs on them and some with a bar across the front . i can see your point that by widening the width of the ladder makes it stable. but WHY dont i ever see any window lads with one??
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I havent got a clue as to why others dont use them, no idea whatsoever, seems odd to say the least. Perhaps most shiners just dont give their safety much consideration or they think it'll never happen to them.
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Here you are fellas
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And some more
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It can be a bit awkward with the wheelie bin still attached, where theres lots of bushes and trees etc I remove the wheelie bin ;D
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If I had had to carry that around all day when trad I would have gone wfp a lot sooner.
Just my personal opinion.
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I dont know why more guys dont have a set of double pointers, after all they are ladders specifically for window cleaners.
The design of them gives you more accessability and IMO are safer than standard ladders.
Matt
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a very light stand-off is the B and Q one . THIS thread got me thinking and i saw one today. i put my knee on the front bar and bent it right in as i think it would work better touching at the corners only . but i didnt buy it , maybe after more thought ,i just might
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thanks for replying matt,and for your pics.i am sure i will get used to it as you say,i plan on using stand off and ladder stop all the time,just got to work out how to carry every thing!!
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thanks for replying matt,and for your pics.i am sure i will get used to it as you say,i plan on using stand off and ladder stop all the time,just got to work out how to carry every thing!!
ditch the ladder stop for ladder spikes
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will look into them stan,how do they work,do they need to stick in grass or something?