Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Window Washers on December 21, 2009, 07:51:31 am
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Been out to van and cant get in them lol, solid ice :o these are parked on road which I skated across to get to. Never had a personal ice rink before!!
I dread to think what I will find when I can get in there, am thinking today will be a short working day :(
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Van outlet hozes frozes solid!
No windows will be cleaned by us today....and tomorrow's not looking good either :-[
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not wrong, its mad. even if i do get the delivery pipes defrosted, it's not going to be safe on the roads, or walking in peoples drives + patios...ffs, come on, warm upppppppppppppppp!!!!
just defrosted mrs car and it was showing -4. :-[ :-[ :-[
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I am now kicking myself, I un connected/opened everything so I thought, this is how strong water is when freezing >:(
This is the tap from ibc :o
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holy poo batman! :o :o :o
i HATE winter - official!
All this lovely Christmassy weather, and it will be wet n mild on Friday, you watch!
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holy poo batman! :o :o :o
i HATE winter - official!
All this lovely Christmassy weather, and it will be wet n mild on Friday, you watch!
You know it will, always does it this week of the year. ::) oh well, will go and do some trad when I can open the van lol so not all lost today, just wait for all the morning traffic to warm the road up for me ;D
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was -5 when I left my birds house this morning, van solid with a 600 Ltr block of solid ice for company, didn't take that much ice to sink the Titanic ;D ;D ;D
gonna switch the thermapure on in a few mins but even with that I don't hold much hope as I'm sure the seals will pop somewere like last year
watch this space !
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same here vans frozen cant get in it -5 so yet another day wasted
no way ill get it all done by Thursday now
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I am now in ;D, only to find wet scrims on floor >:( they are not wet they are welded to the floor ffs, my guys job now is to get them off the floor and will teach him a lesson, DONT LEAVE CLOTHS ON THE FLOOR!, Just running a bath for the hose reels, what the wife does not know will not hurt her ;)
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We've had snow and I've kept my barells in the house so nothing is frozen, but I've a big farmhouse to do inside and out for our first job and I'm not sure if I'll be able to get to there. Its at the top of a big hill and if its covered in snow...
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Yeah, solid here also.
First snowfall for us last night, and as pretty as it looks, I don't know how I'm going to pay the bills now.
Tank isn't frozen, and hose and brush are indoors, but all pipes and pump are.
And anyway, should I really be calling on people to use wfp in the snow?
Doesn't really seem right... :-\
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ice and snow here in manchester but im ok cos im trad only!gonna do 10am-330pm if the water doesnt freeze on the glass!got 3 tubs of screenwash at the ready! ;) ;)
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You're climbing ladders in snow and ice? :o
That's worse than using wfp!
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not at all squeaky!i used to years ago!i use my trad pole for all first floor windows and leave the ones above flat roofs til next month!simple.keeps me earning.ithink all u wfpolers should have trad poles as well for the odd bad week!.what u all gonna do if it lasts for 3 weeks? ::) ::)
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not at all squeaky!i used to years ago!i use my trad pole for all first floor windows and leave the ones above flat roofs til next month!simple.keeps me earning.ithink all u wfpolers should have trad poles as well for the odd bad week!.what u all gonna do if it lasts for 3 weeks? ::) ::)
I would use the ladder myself in such conditions. I have a rubber mat that I would take around with me and ladder mitts for the tops of ladders. Obviously I would work more slowly due to the conditions and there are some jobs I would have to leave out. It can be done reasonably safely IMO so long as you don't try to do anything a bit dodgy.
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not at all squeaky!i used to years ago!i use my trad pole for all first floor windows and leave the ones above flat roofs til next month!simple.keeps me earning.ithink all u wfpolers should have trad poles as well for the odd bad week!.what u all gonna do if it lasts for 3 weeks? ::) ::)
get bladdered ;D ;D
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I'm off out now, 20mins later than planned, but hey ho.
I had everything in the garage bar the tank which I filled 3/4 last night, so hooked it up and good to go :)
Hasn't been snowing here, just icy. The sun is out and blue skys, so should warm up.
Have a great day lads and be carefull
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im not gonna bother today i smashed my car up in weather like this last year and its a 25 mile trip too work so forget that, but if it carries on all week might venture out a day or two to see wht i can get done, otherwise i have a scholl at the end of ,my street to do in xmas hols anyway so will at least make something over the hols then off to wifes family anyway , just have to have a good january i think
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I spent 5 hours yesterday defrosting my transfer pipe, van and IBC, Im tempted to stay at home, but if I do it'll only be harder to get things moving again tomorrow and that water in the van'll be a block of ice by then.
Left a convector heater in the van overnight, quite funny really, looked out the window my van is totally ice free whilst all around the other cars have got 2 inches on them ;D
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am wfp all pipes and that are ok as ive had heater on all night but its reading minus 2 in wifes car cant see my customers being happy me spraying cold water everywhere icing up ther windows paths etc more than they already are and im just wandering what would happened if someone slipped on some water that iced up after id been cleaning there windows plus there no chance you'd get me on ladders in this looks like my xmas has started early ho ho ho merry xmas all ;D
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Not going out to even do trad. Did some Saturday am and its just too unpleasant to work in. Ice on the blade, applicator fibres closing up.... ::)
Just starting my Christmas break early. I mean, it won`t last forever and it could be raining heavily instead.
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-2.5 outside; it looks like a day off. Wayhay!!! ;D
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no way would i use my ladders in snow and ice!(not any more!)i used to when i was younger.i always use mitts and ladderstopper in normal conditions but trad pole in this weather!too risky IMO.
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van in garage,heater on, its a quite cosy 17 degrees in there !!
Mr B
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no way would i use my ladders in snow and ice!(not any more!)i used to when i was younger.i always use mitts and ladderstopper in normal conditions but trad pole in this weather!too risky IMO.
I don't think using ladders in snow is that dangerous, but granted you've got to look out for ice, but its rare you get a big sheet of ice somewhere.
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A balmy -1.4 here.
(http://www.scottjamesholidays.com/images/beach_scene.jpg)
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-2.5 outside; it looks like a day off. Wayhay!!! ;D
Correct! Let`s get some perspective. It`s only the weather.
As long as it doesn`t damage you or your equipment.
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its the ice on window sills/upvc fascias u gotta watch out for even with ladder mitts.also its easier to slip on the actual rungs if ur crunching through the snow.i know from experience!! ::) ;D
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A balmy -1.4 here.
(http://www.scottjamesholidays.com/images/beach_scene.jpg)
;D thats just cheered me up thanks :D
Will be out in about an hour sun is starting to shine.
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Iced and snowed out.
Now raining/sleating and freezing on the ground.....
Mmmm going out but very sceptical about how much I will be able to do.
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Iced and snowed out.
Now raining/sleating and freezing on the ground.....
Mmmm going out but very sceptical about how much I will be able to do.
wish it would rain for hours today
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A balmy -1.4 here.
(http://www.scottjamesholidays.com/images/beach_scene.jpg)
Is that Barry Island then? :o
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A balmy -1.4 here.
(http://www.scottjamesholidays.com/images/beach_scene.jpg)
Is that Barry Island then? :o
It is, but the 'chick' obviously isn't Welsh. She's not fat enough! ;D
(PS. Wor Lass is Welsh, (I know I know) before anyone starts accusing me of being racist).
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Oh dear just been outside.
-2
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-2.5 outside; it looks like a day off. Wayhay!!! ;D
Correct! Let`s get some perspective. It`s only the weather.
As long as it doesn`t damage you or your equipment.
Yeah that's all very well if you've got enough money piled up to pay for the week off.
I usually do, but I haven't this year.
Don't know what I'm going to do. Got presents to buy and bills to pay.
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The guys who havent got their tax bill for the end of Jan are up sticky-street ;D
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Yeah and that. But at least that's another 4 weeks.
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We've been solid with snow and ice since last thursday. :( met office are saying it's gonna be the same right through till crimbo day, -8 forecast here in Lancashire :o.
Looks like a 3 week crimbo holiday for me ;)
What's the lowest prediction round your way lads?
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i'm thinking our xmas break is gonna be starting early ;) if no improvement in the morning I'm offically gonna call the holiday season open! ;D
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-2.5 outside; it looks like a day off. Wayhay!!! ;D
Correct! Let`s get some perspective. It`s only the weather.
As long as it doesn`t damage you or your equipment.
Yeah that's all very well if you've got enough money piled up to pay for the week off.
I usually do, but I haven't this year.
Don't know what I'm going to do. Got presents to buy and bills to pay.
I empathise with you. I know I`m lucky that we don`t need to rely on my pittance. But the job is influenced by the weather. Be it rain, snow or whatever. That was my point.
Your problem is a cash flow one,so it`s irrelevant how you`re laid off.
BUT, it won`t last indefinitely and good luck in the short term in sorting some funds out.
All the best ;).
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i'm thinking our xmas break is gonna be starting early ;) if no improvement in the morning I'm offically gonna call the holiday season open! ;D
I am thinking the same thing now, but if I say don't come in the sun will shine for the next three days
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The guys who havent got their tax bill for the end of Jan are up sticky-street ;D
just had my xmas present off the taxman :'(
natzi scum
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I've been 'caught' short before; my first three years of window cleaning were a nightmare when my tax bill was due paying, so I started paying by standing order and it hasn't been a problem since.
I've got a good idea what my tax bill will be ( ;D ;)), I divide that figure by 12, add a bit onto it, and then pay that figure everymonth.
I'm in credit with the tax man!
I also know from experience that Christmas is a worry when you're skint, so we start preparing for Christmas in the Summer. The only presents left to buy is from me to Wor Lass, but the 24 hr garage is open on Christmas eve, so she'll get her usual 5 litres of engine oil and a 2010 AA Road Map. Sorted!
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Mines 200 a month
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Snow here today - wahay! Day off - but van all toasty with an oil filled rad. in the back and my R/O has a "bottle" heater snuggled up with it in it's insulated box.
Just come back from sledging (less than half a mile walk away) on Shirehampton Golf course with youngest daughter and two of her friends - as usual I'm the oldest kid on the slopes embarrassing her like crazy!
I could do with working two full days between now and Xmas but it's not the end of the world if I don't.
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like a blizzard over here,no way can u work in this crap,they bin plowers out all this mornin where i am,to dangerous to go on the roads,nevermind the ladders! :(
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no way im using the ladders done some bungs but the problem is some of the gates,bolts are frozen so to put water on to defrost some bad to open with built up snow behind, can only do work on main roads as side roads not passable
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I got my kit thawed out and worked today, but now out of water and my supply is frozen up.
Unless that thaws I'm off indefinitely. :(
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Yep done nothing for about 4 days. -5 and all is frozen up. :( Wont bother to the new year now.
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Done a full day today and also done a 1/4 of tomorrows too so short day tomorrow, been fine here till 13.00 when we had a bit of rain ;D
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Weve had another 3 - 4 inches this afternoon.
Road totally covered ins now, not slush, compacted snow.
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It will thaw, that`s certain. When? I don`t know but don`t let it ruin your Christmas...if you have one. Nowt you can do about it.
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It will thaw, that`s certain. When? I don`t know but don`t let it ruin your Christmas...if you have one. Nowt you can do about it.
Yeah cheers. :) Just don't want direct debits bouncing because I can't pay enough in.
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It will thaw, that`s certain. When? I don`t know but don`t let it ruin your Christmas...if you have one. Nowt you can do about it.
Yeah cheers. :) Just don't want direct debits bouncing because I can't pay enough in.
Copy that on the DDs.
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I managed a good day today doing some bungalows and a couple of surgeries trad. Tank and pipes froze solid so I've just bought everything except tank and poles inside the house. Really need another good two days of work. -4 here tonight but warming up to 2 degrees tomorrow so fingers crossed.
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It will thaw, that`s certain. When? I don`t know but don`t let it ruin your Christmas...if you have one. Nowt you can do about it.
Yeah cheers. :) Just don't want direct debits bouncing because I can't pay enough in.
Can`t you get a short term loan, preferably interest free :-\.
Jan and Feb might be good months weather wise.
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It will thaw, that`s certain. When? I don`t know but don`t let it ruin your Christmas...if you have one. Nowt you can do about it.
Yeah cheers. :) Just don't want direct debits bouncing because I can't pay enough in.
Can`t you get a short term loan, preferably interest free :-\.
Jan and Feb might be good months weather wise.
No, that would just be another thing to pay for...
Living on my own has stuffed my finances right up. I'll sort it out long term, but it's just an expensive time of year and I'm struggling to work.
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It will thaw, that`s certain. When? I don`t know but don`t let it ruin your Christmas...if you have one. Nowt you can do about it.
Yeah cheers. :) Just don't want direct debits bouncing because I can't pay enough in.
Can`t you get a short term loan, preferably interest free :-\.
Jan and Feb might be good months weather wise.
No, that would just be another thing to pay for...
Living on my own has stuffed my finances right up. I'll sort it out long term, but it's just an expensive time of year and I'm struggling to work.
use a pole and trad work Squeaky if you earn £50 a day is better than nothing
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Squeaky,
I know I`d struggle on my own. Hope it works out and maybe plan for it a bit better next year.... if that`s possible :-\
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youll get through it squeaky!i live on my own in a flat as well but i love it!ive been in some messes in the past with finances but i vowed 3 yrs ago to sort my life out!and this year all bills are paid,money in the bank and the thousands that i owed is all paid back!i learned the hard way though! ::)only way for me to learn!!ive got a girlfriend but id hate to live with one again.they do my head in!much better to NOT live in each others pockets IMO!! ;D ;D.WHY MORE OF U DONT USE TRAD POLES ON FIRST FLOOR WINDOWS AND TRAD SOME WORK WHILE SYSTEM FROZEN IS BEYOND ME!use ALL the tools of the job.if say u do 4 hours with trad pole and trad bottoms and earn £80-£100 say 3 weeks a year when snow and ice freezes system itll keep the money coming in! ;D 8)
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its a hard time of year we'll get through it
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its a hard time of year we'll get through it
Oh I don`t know.
"I`m just going outside; I may be away some time".
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You can't do it properly with a squeegee on a pole at that length, that's the problem.
In these damp conditions even downstairs windows are a nightmare to wipe the edges.
Totally impossible on a 12ft pole!
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You can't do it properly with a squeegee on a pole at that length, that's the problem.
In these damp conditions even downstairs windows are a nightmare to wipe the edges.
Totally impossible on a 12ft pole!
Not being rude, but practice m8 are you not very good at trad cleaning ?, this weather would make no difference wiping the edges or are you looking for an excuse ? it is not ideal but you need money, that is an option to earn some
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You can't do it properly with a squeegee on a pole at that length, that's the problem.
In these damp conditions even downstairs windows are a nightmare to wipe the edges.
Totally impossible on a 12ft pole!
I agree. Trad poles are fine for shops but there's no way you'll get a good finish on first floor windows. Dazmond is always banging on about his trad poles!
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I'm with Dazmond on this - if you need money desperately then trad pole will keep you going - and £50 is better than sitting at home using the heat and light.
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First bit of snow for us "Bristol" was Sunday night started about 10pm ish, woke up 6am Monday morning went out removed snow from windscreen and windows on van, mostly powder but some ice as well, probably used half can deicer with plenty of scraping as well, doors didn't take too much effort to open.
My 650LTR tank was completely full of pure water ready for work, the tank I have is thermally insulated no working parts are exposed out side the tank, twin pumps, DI bottles are both inside the insulated cabinet tank, the half inch outlet hoses about 1 metre in length are lagged with pipe lagging I don't bother to remove this and keep it on throughout the year, I do remove the two half inch hoses from the external outlet port wrap them and keep them inside the van.
All W F Poles and hose reels stay in garage over night no heater, it always remains above freezing I think because it's well insulated and attached to the house.
Started work an hour later than normal "9am", had a few problems for the first hour with tee pieces freezing on brush heads, but managed to cure that with some hot water and keeping the water flow higher than normal,
managed to clean three care homes and a small office all external we keep 25kg sacks of sodium grit for paths and entrances, but to be honest the three care homes had already had their paths and entrances gritted before we'd arrived so this didn't become much of an issue for us.
Finished work now for Xmas will be back again on 30 December for one day and then back to work on 4 Jan 2010.
Merry Xmas to all and I hope you all have a prosperous new year.
Simon. :)
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I'm with Dazmond on this - if you need money desperately then trad pole will keep you going - and £50 is better than sitting at home using the heat and light.
You`ve made me feel guilty now, I`m not working.
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There come a point where I have to say is it worth it? If you do turn up at the customers they think you are mad. They you risk falling over and when you do finally get started you end up with two ice lollys running down the glass and your jets freeze.
A man's got to know his limitations. My van was reading an air temperature of -5.4 C yesterday at 8.30am. Nobody can clean windows in that. Surely most of us have a little put by for such eventualities.
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Trad poling is a lot easier with a wagtail,.. but it is slower than trad by hand and you might have trouble with water freezing on the glass?
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ive been using trad poles for years!!NEVER HAD ONE COMPLAINT!!HONESTLY!i always make sure i use a good rubber on my squeegy and use a bone dry microfibre in a clamp for detailing!fine for regular cleaned 1st floor windows.most people dont even look at their upstairs windows anyway!i make sure the downstairs ones are spot on though!defo worth it when ur system is froze and its too dangerous to use WFP!with the extra money due to xmas tips etc it all adds up and keeps me ticking over!im well practised in the use of trad poles and im pretty quick now but when i started using them it took a few months to do a competent job at a reasonable pace!
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in this weather 11am-4pm is better than not working.what if this weather comes back for a few weeks in jan/feb/march?£80-£100 a day is better than zilch!i also feel better getting out in the fresh cold air than sitting in with the heating on all day not earning!saying that its blizzard like conditions here in the north west now!might have to leave it til tommorrow!! ::)
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I cant see how you can do a satisfactory job with a squeegee on the end of a 12' pole either.
If that was the case why didnt we all used to clean like that instead of using ladders before WFP? I know why and Im no genius.
Try brushing your hair with a comb on the end of a 12' pole, sowing on a button, mixing up some concrete and lay some bricks, change the oil in your car, go on smart-arses ;D and then take a picture, see what it looks like.
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Heres a wall I built earlier using a twelve foot pole
(http://www.dors.org.uk/DBIMGS/image/falling-wall.jpg)
Not quite how I want it to look, sure they said it was a special comb for 12' poles ;)
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=86718.0;id=15946;image)
I tried shaving with my razor on the end of a twelve foot pole, anyone got a plaster?
(http://www.glassonionstudio.com/images/Cut%20throat1.jpg)
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You can't do it properly with a squeegee on a pole at that length, that's the problem.
In these damp conditions even downstairs windows are a nightmare to wipe the edges.
Totally impossible on a 12ft pole!
Not being rude, but practice m8 are you not very good at trad cleaning ?, this weather would make no difference wiping the edges or are you looking for an excuse ? it is not ideal but you need money, that is an option to earn some
Not at all, I'm very good at trad cleaning. I did it for 10 years, come on!
But pole work is good enough for shop fronts only. Doing customers windows on the upstairs is asking for trouble.
Besides, my last squeegee rubber is about 3 months old!
Definitely wouldn't manage it with that! ;D
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its worked for me matt for years thats why i was undecided about wfp.but i think wfp will be a lot quicker.trad pole work takes marginally longer than a ladders but obviously wfp cleans frames and sills thoroughly.also its harder work with a trad pole.bringing it down to change tools etc.their no good for leaded or georgian though it has been known for me to use a damp scrim/microfibre in a clamp on a pole to give them a quick tickle if their not too dirty!but like i say i make sure the bottoms esp living room/kitchen windows are spot on!ladders are used normally .trad pole for awkward/dangerous windows under normal working conditions.
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it is not hard to squeegy a window off with a pole on 1st floor windows once u get the hang of it!angle adaptor/good rubber/dry microfibre in a clamp for detailing.whats the problem?maybe the odd line down the window occasionally just like the spotting u wfp guys leave behind!! ;) ;).ive had a lot of practice!!im going nowhere today as its heavy snow here.doesnt look like showing any signs of abating ::).
like the humour matt!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Not the best time to start learning/practicing with a trad pole though is it?
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I crashed the van Sunday night on the mountains in Cumbria, while I am waiting for the insurance company to get into gear with a replacement van, I have to hire a trannie for £30 a day to clear off the back log I have.
Roll on the 5 January.
3 weeks in The Gambia, with plenty of Sun, Sea, Lager and no bloody frozen windows 8) 8) 8)
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i think id get wfp before i started fannying about with a pole on upstairs
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it gets my arms up to strength for when i do go wfp though stan!! ;D ;Dill still use a trad pole occasionally when system is frozen or too dangerous! ;D ;D
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I'll take your word for it Dazmond. Perhaps when you get time you could post us a video of you cleaning a first floor window with a trad pole.
I'd be interested in seeing your technique.
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I crashed the van Sunday night on the mountains in Cumbria, while I am waiting for the insurance company to get into gear with a replacement van, I have to hire a trannie for £30 a day to clear off the back log I have.
Roll on the 5 January.
3 weeks in The Gambia, with plenty of Sun, Sea, Lager and no bloody frozen windows 8) 8) 8)
I hired a trannie to help with my backlog :o......but he couldn`t climb the ladder in those bloody heels.
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easy SOAP UP WINDOW/SQUEEGY OFF/DETAIL WITH DRY MICROFIBRE!
soap up just to edge of windows esp top edge
downward pulls,feather top edge,slight diagonal pulls,USE ANGLE ADAPTOR!
dry microfibre in clamp for detailing mainly top edge/odd line down glass.JOB DONE!!
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Think I'll wait 'till the weather picks up and get back to my wfp thanks.
Happy Hols everyone.
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easy SOAP UP WINDOW/SQUEEGY OFF/DETAIL WITH DRY MICROFIBRE!
soap up just to edge of windows esp top edge
downward pulls,feather top edge,slight diagonal pulls,USE ANGLE ADAPTOR!
dry microfibre in clamp for detailing mainly top edge/odd line down glass.JOB DONE!!
Miss the top edge by about half a cm and you will cut down your pulldown lines dazmond and top detailing