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UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: ronnie paton on January 07, 2010, 01:08:24 pm

Title: at what temperature should we be out at work
Post by: ronnie paton on January 07, 2010, 01:08:24 pm
what is the lowest temp we able to work in??
Title: Re: at what temperature should we be out at work
Post by: landy2 on January 07, 2010, 01:22:18 pm
well minus 1 water freezes so thats it you can only work till water freezes i know you can add things to the water but the residue will always be in your tank if you trad you could ad atifreeze but then you are restricted to bottoms when floor is icy
Title: Re: at what temperature should we be out at work
Post by: rg1 on January 07, 2010, 01:50:47 pm
It would also depend on any chill factor as well.
Title: Re: at what temperature should we be out at work
Post by: ronnie paton on January 07, 2010, 05:27:08 pm
not many replys is that cause no one knows???
Title: Re: at what temperature should we be out at work
Post by: Sir Squeaky on January 07, 2010, 05:45:26 pm
It's because it varies depending on a lot of things.

I've worked fine in -4, but I've had freeze ups and problems at 0.
I can be above freezing, but like today if there's snow on the ground your metal connections will freeze up within minutes.

I've worked trad in -10 before though.
Title: Re: at what temperature should we be out at work
Post by: sf on January 07, 2010, 05:54:57 pm
worked -10 plus wind chill trad in past
Title: Re: at what temperature should we be out at work
Post by: dave0123 on January 07, 2010, 06:20:48 pm
its not the temp thats the problem really i woudl say its the freezing snow that just wont melt  :-[
Title: Re: at what temperature should we be out at work
Post by: ronnie paton on January 07, 2010, 06:25:15 pm
-10 wow was it not a slip hazord? did the water not freeze?
Title: Re: at what temperature should we be out at work
Post by: john tomkins on January 07, 2010, 08:33:18 pm
It's because it varies depending on a lot of things.

I've worked fine in -4, but I've had freeze ups and problems at 0.
I can be above freezing, but like today if there's snow on the ground your metal connections will freeze up within minutes.

I've worked trad in -10 before though.

I just think your temperature gauge is up the swannee ;D
Title: Re: at what temperature should we be out at work
Post by: wizard on January 07, 2010, 08:41:01 pm
Last week I worked at - 2 and water froze in the brush and pipes in the trad bucket and also the mop.The water on the glass also iced up.
Title: Re: at what temperature should we be out at work
Post by: cozy on January 07, 2010, 08:46:23 pm
Down to -3 , but it's strange, I've had problems at -1. All our custies have double glazing. Alot of factors to reckon with, like sheltered windows, shade and sun etc. Average temp for the last 2 weeks here has been -7 :(
Title: Re: at what temperature should we be out at work
Post by: Tosh on January 07, 2010, 10:02:21 pm
I've had stuff freeze on me when it said 2.5C+ on my temp gauge; I think as has been mentioned it depends on a few factors.  One side of a building where the sun is on is fine, but round the back where its in the shade and everything starts turning to ice.

Title: Re: at what temperature should we be out at work
Post by: ronnie paton on January 07, 2010, 10:09:12 pm
thanks for all comments i wanted to see if i should be out trying to work or not to waste mine and my employees time.

some times you think i could be out and then you go out do about a hour and things start to freeze, if i go out i want to do a full day and so o the lads.
Title: Re: at what temperature should we be out at work
Post by: cozy on January 07, 2010, 10:11:18 pm
Ronnie, some of our areas we work in are nearly 50 odd miles away, believe me mate, been there done that lol ::)
Title: Re: at what temperature should we be out at work
Post by: ronnie paton on January 07, 2010, 10:13:30 pm
same here we have sites in southport  and liverpool from hyde(greater manchester)

the lads make up days lost but if i go out do and hour and have to finish then they get paid i hate it.
Title: Re: at what temperature should we be out at work
Post by: Sean Dyer on January 07, 2010, 11:10:10 pm
i reckon -3 is about the limit anything below that is bad

but then it depends on ground conditions wind chill etc
Title: Re: at what temperature should we be out at work
Post by: Jon G on January 08, 2010, 06:31:34 am
I remember working on NYE 1996 with a minus 10 wind chill and i think it was minus 2 anyway. (why did i work that?  Was freezing my goolies off!! :o)

What i found that was as long as the heating was on in the house that was keeping the glass warm from the inside so could just about still work as water didnt freeze on window, but any windows that were open like those little top windows (no idea what they're called) the water froze almost instantly as the cold had got to both sides of the glass.

Yesterday I used my water pole and on one place they clearly didn't have the heating on in one room as after rinsing down it very quickly turned to a sheet of ice.

I finished work on xmas eve and haven't really re-started yet.  I havent done any domestic customers since.  Got a few shops i do once a week which i'm still doing every week and yesterday did a couple pubs which i have do to every other week.
Title: Re: at what temperature should we be out at work
Post by: kevin James on January 08, 2010, 06:53:41 am
-8 yesterday. Warmed up to -4.
Worked from 9.30 to 4.30.
Had ice form on a couple of windows, but only after good wash & rinse. This shouldn't be a problem as that ice was pure water.
The good bit was I could refill the quad tank with the White Stuff!

Kevin.
Title: Re: at what temperature should we be out at work
Post by: paulben on January 08, 2010, 09:29:55 am
Biggest question you should ask yourself is is it safe to go out
Title: Re: at what temperature should we be out at work
Post by: SimonMoore on January 08, 2010, 10:30:19 am
ionics say their thermo customers in germany work up to -10 !

was strange did a row of houses all the same -2, did the gutters and facias on one fine, but froze on a cons roof only?

one house we did -3 it was an initial clean and it just froze and sealed the dirt into the window / frame.

but then i went to do some offices the other day -4 wfp came up lovely did sometrad with screenwash , not sure if i got dilution ratios wrong but it leaves streaks everywere not worth it in my view

would be interesting to hear what the biggest firms do with loads of vans- wonder if they use hot systems or iso or what..

remember guys dont eat the yellow snow  8)
Title: Re: at what temperature should we be out at work
Post by: Mike #1 on January 08, 2010, 10:40:56 am
i have worked in -4 before but i think the temp needs to at the same temp for 2-3 hrs before working to ensure its workable in the shade as well as the sun it can differ so much from house to house i have cleaned a few houses before then dropped on to the next house in the same street in the sun and its froze on the glass you can only go out and give it a go but when you have got everything ready to start work then go to your first house and it freezes on you feel a bit daft
Title: Re: at what temperature should we be out at work
Post by: lst class cleaning on January 08, 2010, 10:45:36 am
Hi guys, i use a cold water system and like you lot im frozen out if i had a hot water system would things be any easyier ?

Jim 1st Class Cleaning
Liverpool