Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Sapphire Window Cleaning on January 10, 2010, 11:15:33 am

Title: The start of the thaw
Post by: Sapphire Window Cleaning on January 10, 2010, 11:15:33 am
Here in Essex the snow is slowly melting, come on melt some more lol





Matt
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: daniel worgan on January 10, 2010, 11:19:46 am
Lovely....here in clacton it is rapidly thawing....even raining as well... :)
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: Sapphire Window Cleaning on January 10, 2010, 11:22:33 am
So much for the meteoroligists saying we have this for another week or so lol
lets hope we dont get another spell like this before the end of winter, I am not ruling it out though!





Matt
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: Sapphire Window Cleaning on January 10, 2010, 11:28:23 am
A respectable climatologist is saying we have got another big cols spell in February  :(




Matt
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: daniel worgan on January 10, 2010, 11:32:11 am
I am taking each day as it comes now....we only want to go to work...not a lot to ask is it really ???
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: John Walker on January 10, 2010, 11:42:36 am
Keeping in mind all the financial problems incurred by many forum members recently, I think the minute we can get out and work we should go hell for leather to catch up and also put a bit by. 

I'm sure we're not out of the woods yet!!!
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: gewindows on January 10, 2010, 11:44:48 am
Just had a lookie outside, its +3 out there and the ice that is normally thick on the ground lately is on its way to defrosting.

Its heading in the right direction at least, albeit slowly.
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: Steve CM on January 10, 2010, 11:46:01 am
+1 degree here now. very slightly thawing but still no way safe enough for houses. Gonna get the vans heaters on and see if we can get some commercial done tomorrow
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: G Griffin on January 10, 2010, 11:46:46 am
A respectable climatologist is saying we have got another big cols spell in February  :(




Matt

  What`s respectable about him?  ;D
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: lee_dewing on January 10, 2010, 11:47:19 am
cold spells i can handle.

Later start, earlier finish.

It's wether it snows again :(

Totally skint and applied for credit card, hope don't get knock back ::)

borrowed £1000 off mother inlaw :(

start 2010, very bad.

I think i'l miss out on family hols this year like last year.

09-10 worst time for me as w/c been going 6 years.
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: ccmids on January 10, 2010, 11:58:03 am
get ready lads work soon ;D
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: gewindows on January 10, 2010, 12:25:51 pm
Oh God!

Bloody work  ;D

Dont want to go back.
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: Dean Taberner on January 10, 2010, 12:28:30 pm
+2c in stoke on trent,

Summer is on its way 8) 8)
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: matt on January 10, 2010, 12:32:34 pm
the snow is disappearing fast
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: martinsadie on January 10, 2010, 12:34:09 pm
all what is melting will just freeze tonight, its a full day of rain thats needed
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: SherwoodCleaningSe on January 10, 2010, 12:51:26 pm
all what is melting will just freeze tonight, its a full day of rain thats needed

How perverse a window cleaner saying we need rain.

Simon.
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: martinsadie on January 10, 2010, 12:57:33 pm
well its 6 inch of packed ice and not thawing here ,only rain will shift it fast,to be honest i prefer the damp winters,you always get enough time in to get a basic wage 
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: Craig 72 on January 10, 2010, 01:11:03 pm
Thawing nicely hear in SE London.Not seen the forecast for the next 24 hours but I'll be cracking on as normal tomorrow if it stays this way.
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: Sapphire Window Cleaning on January 10, 2010, 01:16:12 pm
Ill be out tomorrow if it carries on thawing at this rate, I will be working for first light til dark as soon as I can get out to work, need to get in as much as possible before we get any more!
I am almost 3 weeks behind, so weekends will be cancelled til I am back up to date.





Matt
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: Ken on January 10, 2010, 01:45:16 pm
Looks like it's thawing here in Cheltenham, a little anyway. Normally I love the snow, but last Sunday I got asked to go skiing in Italy next Saturday, and my workmate is off with a bust arm. It would have been fine had I had two straight weeks of work, but the ice has really put the pressure on. If it keeps thawing I should get a reasonable week in this week! Could be skiing this time next week, oh please!

Have a good one if you do get out there!
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: Rcs on January 10, 2010, 02:18:57 pm
I'm in west Sussex the temp has risen here but that usually means more snow
it forecast for today
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: JSMC on January 10, 2010, 02:26:34 pm
well up here it's been here since 17th december and still here. Starting to thaw  alittle but another cold snap  and it will freeze over again
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: cockney rebel on January 10, 2010, 04:16:19 pm
Im in scarborough & has been melting today. Still reckon we need a couple more days like this for it to go. ;D
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: dave f on January 10, 2010, 04:22:24 pm
not to jump the gun but ithink its slowly melting in bradford ive had a drive round some off my round some sems ok but some looks still a bit dodgey thike ill pick and choose tomorrow whishfull thinking  ;Dmaybe
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: ccmids on January 10, 2010, 04:23:48 pm
ye were gonna make some money tomorrow  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: martinsadie on January 10, 2010, 04:26:48 pm
didnt thaw here and now its snowing  :o
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: R W C™ on January 10, 2010, 05:44:48 pm
I'm in west Sussex the temp has risen here but that usually means more snow
it forecast for today

Had to go your way today as went to Arundal, those side roads look real bad there.
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: Rob_Mac on January 10, 2010, 05:48:00 pm
I'm only 10 miles from Dean Taberner and it has been snowing for the last three hours!!!

Rob ;D
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: lcwalker on January 10, 2010, 05:53:57 pm
I had it planned after the new year to get out and about canvassing then all this ice and snow came so im just waiting for the bl**dy stuff to go i not risking slipping on someones path.I have though got one new customer from a local parish magazine a barn conversion easy windows £27 so it's not all bad but i need more.
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: tacky on January 10, 2010, 06:15:28 pm
main roads ok up in valleys.but side roads still thick with snow n ice .too dodgey for ladders .n too bad to take van out to use wfp
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: gary999 on January 10, 2010, 06:47:47 pm
definately warmed up can get water out of my
water butts withou encouragement now  :)
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: stfc on January 10, 2010, 07:10:03 pm
had a major heat wave at 2c in shrewsbury  8) hopefully will be doing my domestics 2morow about 10am till 3
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: michael papworth on January 10, 2010, 11:56:46 pm
Well right now at 5 minutes before midnight on Sunday evening (10 01 10) in beautiful Worcestershire, the snow is falling hard and sticking.

No venturing out into the wide world tomorrow for this guy.
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: Wrekin C S on January 11, 2010, 12:31:33 am
Just looked at the bbc weather site looks like it warming up as the week goes on light snow showers for tomorrow and heavy rain on friday.
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: Londoner on January 11, 2010, 07:31:49 am
Monday morning 7.30am. we had a light dusting of snow last night but its melting again now. I've just been out to the van and its +0.2C already. Thats good because its not even light yet. Most mornings last week it was -4 or -5 at this time. It feels warmer too. 
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: gary999 on January 11, 2010, 07:33:20 am
been snowing overnight another couple of inches down and its
gone cold again everything that melted has froze up my local
roads are wosre than before :-\
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: waynebarry on January 11, 2010, 07:42:39 am
Just cheacked the forcast it getting a lot warmer by the end of the week still snow every where here so I think it will be best to start tomorrow.
Has anyone still got snow where they are are they still going out?
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: tompoole on January 11, 2010, 07:48:25 am
I still have one child off school! so will rebook work that I dont think i can do or that was missed last week and today ,then start again tomorrow. so long as it stays above freezing this month we still have 3 weeks this month. happy dayz
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: daniel worgan on January 11, 2010, 07:54:55 am
We had a big thaw here in essex yesterday,but there is still a massive amount on the side roads.I have just spent the last twenty minutes trying to push two mercs up the road ....neighbours are idiots..lol.
I think i will be waiting untill tomorrow to get back properly,not risking getting the van sliding on the slushy ice is my priority.
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: Sean Dyer on January 11, 2010, 08:02:16 am
Going out today , roads are ok but still a good 6 inch of snowy slush at pavements and gardens , doing some shops this morning then out on domestics after dinner and tommorow, hopefully back to normal before the end of the week
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: Window Washers on January 11, 2010, 08:02:31 am
just let other rad users heat the roads up first, still snow here am will be out at 10 today hopefully, system is frozen again ::)
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: Londoner on January 11, 2010, 08:09:25 am
I've just looked out onto the back garden and I can see grass! Also the snowman stuck two fingers up at me which I take to be a sign its thawing.

So its work today for me. Can't say I feel much like it, Ive come over all weak and feeble all of a sudden.
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: tompoole on January 11, 2010, 08:11:11 am
cold spells i can handle.

Later start, earlier finish.

It's wether it snows again :(

Totally skint and applied for credit card, hope don't get knock back ::)

borrowed £1000 off mother inlaw :(

start 2010, very bad.

I think i'l miss out on family hols this year like last year.

09-10 worst time for me as w/c been going 6 years.

Dont get a credit card, mugs game, you should go down the job centre and ask for some advice,  or CAB if you start on the credit card route you'll be back in the rat race of working to pay of debt and imho thats modern slavery dont do it
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: Window Washers on January 11, 2010, 08:14:14 am
cold spells i can handle.

Later start, earlier finish.

It's wether it snows again :(

Totally skint and applied for credit card, hope don't get knock back ::)

borrowed £1000 off mother inlaw :(

start 2010, very bad.

I think i'l miss out on family hols this year like last year.

09-10 worst time for me as w/c been going 6 years.

Dont get a credit card, mugs game, you should go down the job centre and ask for some advice,  or CAB if you start on the credit card route you'll be back in the rat race of working to pay of debt and imho thats modern slavery dont do it
Thats easy for you to say if you have money.
I think a credit card for a back up is a good idea but used as this, it is obvious to have a fund sat there for this reason but that is easier to say after you need it.

Lee you can catch back up your losses over the year and have a family holiday, just work an hor more a day for a month
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: SherwoodCleaningSe on January 11, 2010, 08:20:33 am
I'm working today, but it has taken me about an hour to get my hose reels running again.  Even though they where covered by sleeping bags and hot water bottles they were frozen at the core, you could hear the ice cracking.

If any one is not out today then have a good look at your gear and get it ready working for tomorrow.

Simon.
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: tompoole on January 11, 2010, 08:27:17 am
why should he have to get into debt , if he has no money and wants to work there must be some help somewhere orther than high interest credit cards thats wrong, speak to your CAB and job centre be persistant talk to your bank my advice is dont go down the credit card route,
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: martinsadie on January 11, 2010, 08:30:08 am
another 2 inch snow last night but only -1 at 0800 side streets still bad as is walking
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: wezzy32 on January 11, 2010, 08:33:04 am
i woke to another 1inch off snow so no work again 2day was looking forward to getting out aswell
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: daniel worgan on January 11, 2010, 08:34:48 am
Am i thick or something...but a lot keep saying you can catch up over time.
My round is 4 weeks,so i have to fit them in within the four weeks,if like i have missed nearly three weeks i cant catch up can i, i just need to start again.
Once you have missed a customer on your normal 4 week cycle then you have lost that income...
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: Pole 2 Pole on January 11, 2010, 08:38:57 am
Well said Wes. I sometimes wonder myself how some people work that one out.  ::)
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: daniel worgan on January 11, 2010, 08:42:34 am
Well said Wes. I sometimes wonder myself how some people work that one out.  ::)

My name is dan.... ;D
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: wezzy32 on January 11, 2010, 08:43:31 am
lets hope once this clears that plenty want there guttering,fac and con roofs doing aswell as a few drives. ;D
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: martinsadie on January 11, 2010, 08:55:02 am
Well said Wes. I sometimes wonder myself how some people work that one out.  ::)

My name is dan.... ;D
;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: dave f on January 11, 2010, 08:58:53 am
well thats me shaffted again woke up to it snowing again up here in bradfod lookes like it will be a trip down to the soup kitchen  ;D
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: martinsadie on January 11, 2010, 09:02:42 am
Well said Wes. I sometimes wonder myself how some people work that one out.  ::)
think its people with not enough work,i struggle to fit my round into 4 dry weeks
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: d s windowcleaning on January 11, 2010, 09:03:13 am
weve had snow again in barnsley -3 at moment .
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: wezzy32 on January 11, 2010, 09:10:23 am
temp ok but more snow fell over night
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: tompoole on January 11, 2010, 09:15:45 am
if I have to cancell one day i try to fit them in on the next couple of days if more than 1 day then I have to just rebook it for the following month, so yes you lose the income. This is why i cant understand why loads of people wont clean in the rain, i have onlyabout 300 custards and would never fit the work in if i kept stopping everytime it rained. but I only clean during 915am and 3pm
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: d.ward on January 11, 2010, 09:27:35 am
so are you wfp wcs using wfp today????

Im wfp but using trad on bottoms only for safety and less risk of causing more ice. Not sure what the outside temperature is but im using screenwash to be on the safe side.

Good luck to everyone today
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: martinsadie on January 11, 2010, 09:44:29 am
if I have to cancell one day i try to fit them in on the next couple of days if more than 1 day then I have to just rebook it for the following month, so yes you lose the income. This is why i cant understand why loads of people wont clean in the rain, i have onlyabout 300 custards and would never fit the work in if i kept stopping everytime it rained. but I only clean during 915am and 3pm
i dont understand why if you cant fit them in you leave them to next month,my work is on one big roll,the job i stopped at is the job i do next,no matter what the gap is,so if you go a week behind all work is a week behind for 4 week and then you are straight  ;D
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: gewindows on January 11, 2010, 09:46:17 am
What Stan said
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: tompoole on January 11, 2010, 10:02:05 am
most of my customers whant set dates, I have thought about doing it that way but just find it easier this way, same end result you still lose a days dosh
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: martinsadie on January 11, 2010, 10:12:19 am
most of my customers whant set dates, I have thought about doing it that way but just find it easier this way, same end result you still lose a days dosh

over a year you will lose more money your way
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: daniel worgan on January 11, 2010, 10:16:26 am
Stan it makes no differance....if you dont work a week or a day you still loose that as income whether you roll your jobs over or use a 4 week cycle...lost time is lost income.
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: d.ward on January 11, 2010, 10:56:18 am
whos working today?
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: pingu on January 11, 2010, 11:11:40 am
I work a 8 weekly scheduled round and have for the past 4 weeks had to cancel them...let face it..I could hardly fit them all into spare spaces in the following week so it's not money lost...I am unable to work owing to weather I just cannot do it...I never had the money so it is not lost.

This money issue has been spoken about before and lets face it in a normal year we all for the most part whether you're 8 weekly scheduled like me or every x to xx weeks like most...you'll get by normally.

But in extreme times such as these you really need in my view at least 5k in your bank just waiting to use as your slush fund and if you have high outgoings...perhaps you'll need more.

Now I await to be flamed here but if you have been going a few years you should have a decent slush fund set aside, if you do not in my very humble opinion you need to review your working practices ...running you own business has many facets and as we work out in the open...bad weather days must surely be a factor in the running of your business.

Sorry if you do not like it but if you agree only slightly...I hope it makes you revise your running.

I am not trying to say I am super businessman or anything like that but am just glad I got this right on this occassion...the rest of the time I seem to make a complete berk of myself :) I am not being mightier than thou...more relief than anything.

Respectfully
Dave.
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: lee_dewing on January 11, 2010, 11:21:28 am
tompoole

i am a mug :D

thanks for the advice i think, i will be out tomorrow(tues)

haven't got credit cards yet had to apply old ones just run out had not used them in 3 yrs :D

Ian-w/washers.

i will be slaveing away from tomorrow onwards, lot more saturdays on the cards,
hope to get c/cards approved and hope to have soonish.

don't want to use them obviously.
but if they get a bashing first priorty pay'em off and m/inlaw.
emergency fund next, keep credit cards active when paid off put the odd fill up at petrol station on card.

family hols, will make sure mrs and 4 yr old daughter get away might be with m/inlaw, instead of me ::)

oh well serves me right :(

do think it's a real case of bad timing snow week before xmas, then xmas hols, then more snow :(
I've always got by before, had snow last couple of years.

I did work the inbetween days though, through xmas hols ;)

goodluck out there everyone, that's gone out today (monday) :)

A prosperous year to you all ;)
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: lee_dewing on January 11, 2010, 11:30:06 am
Pingu, you are right
for me i do need to revise my thinking.

I usally have a bit of cash spare maybe 2 weeks wages max, but had alot of van probs this year.

Not that this is an excuse, i agree £5000 is a decent emergency fund, or 3 months wages whatever is greater.

It will take me a few years to get near that, but got to start somewhere.

even £20 a week just for loss of earnings, tucked away is a start.
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: pingu on January 11, 2010, 11:34:43 am
Lee...you're right..it is hard and if it was'nt because the Taxman in The Netherlands really help starters in their 1st 3 years I would not have that slush fund...each year they gave me very decent tax refunds and these I stashed away and this has been my saviour...like I said ...I did'nt wish to come over all 'I'm the biggy' but it is just listening to people on hear I just felt for them thats all.

Cheers
Dave.
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: GBWWFC on January 11, 2010, 11:39:45 am
it must be getting warmer, my postman has just been in his shorts !!
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: G Griffin on January 11, 2010, 11:46:34 am
I work a 8 weekly scheduled round and have for the past 4 weeks had to cancel them...let face it..I could hardly fit them all into spare spaces in the following week so it's not money lost...I am unable to work owing to weather I just cannot do it...I never had the money so it is not lost.

This money issue has been spoken about before and lets face it in a normal year we all for the most part whether you're 8 weekly scheduled like me or every x to xx weeks like most...you'll get by normally.

But in extreme times such as these you really need in my view at least 5k in your bank just waiting to use as your slush fund and if you have high outgoings...perhaps you'll need more.

Now I await to be flamed here but if you have been going a few years you should have a decent slush fund set aside, if you do not in my very humble opinion you need to review your working practices ...running you own business has many facets and as we work out in the open...bad weather days must surely be a factor in the running of your business.

Sorry if you do not like it but if you agree only slightly...I hope it makes you revise your running.

I am not trying to say I am super businessman or anything like that but am just glad I got this right on this occassion...the rest of the time I seem to make a complete berk of myself :) I am not being mightier than thou...more relief than anything.

Respectfully
Dave.
You are right.
  I am a lousy businessman and it`s only my favourable circumstances that allow me to do this job.
   If my situation changed then I would need to either review my business or do something else.
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: tompoole on January 11, 2010, 02:37:10 pm
just pes me of that if you work hard and want to work you aren't entitled to a thing. you should be able to get a couple of grand from the bank you use just to tide you over, after all thats what they have just had, and thier problem wasn't due to weather conditions
 good luck with a bit of luck thats it for long spells of freezing weather.
tom
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: JRDEasiReach on January 11, 2010, 03:44:55 pm
Luckily i was able to get out today and had planned to get to 4 jobs and only got 2 of them done as the other 2 said they were skint after xmas, i was happy enough as i was freezing :) we are in and around the 1c mark have been since yesterday but its a cold wind though, so far this month i have made £70!! Crap!!  5 due tomorrow, then a few more each day until end of week then its out knocking doors for me every sat for the next 10 weeks or more if i need to!!!
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: martinsadie on January 11, 2010, 03:56:44 pm
it must be getting warmer, my postman has just been in his shorts !!
our postmans riding a polar bear  ;D
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: Pole 2 Pole on January 11, 2010, 04:07:49 pm
Well said Wes. I sometimes wonder myself how some people work that one out.  ::)

My name is dan.... ;D
Sorry Daniel. My head must have been in another place. Probably excited about going to work  ;D Sorry again x
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: gewindows on January 11, 2010, 04:08:23 pm
Sorry again x



(http://www.sydneybydivatours.com/ABOUT/dame_Edna_Average.jpg)
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: Pole 2 Pole on January 11, 2010, 04:10:41 pm
Go back to the last page matt(page 3) I called Dan "wes"............ It happens  ;D well to me anyways  :-[
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: lee_dewing on January 11, 2010, 05:35:29 pm
I'm out tomorrow. cleaning for my custies or arguing with em ;D

thanks Pingu hope your back to it soon

and same for others take it steady "half a loaf, is better than none" ;)
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: leapstallbuildings on January 11, 2010, 06:14:19 pm
Well I got out there today.  Started early at a cafe.  Had breakfast in there until it hit zero.  Then I got started on the domestics about 9.30.  Temperature hovered between zero and 1 all day.  Never got any higher.  It wasn't the greatest day's income.  I had to take a bit more care than usual due to ice so that slowed me down.  On one job they have a sloping driveway.  I could have easily got stuck in the dip.  It's on a main road so no chance of running the hose from the front.  I ended up parking round the corner 50 yards or so away and doing it with a backpack.  I needed a refill as the job used about 25 litres.  Took a bit of extra time because of this but well worth it because I may not have got out.  I even got onto a flat roof with a ladder.  No ice or snow under ladder so that was OK but there was loads of snow on the flat roof.  It wasn't compact so felt safe.  Even so, I carried a bit of rubber matting up the ladder and placed it at the step off point on the roof - just in case.  Not a great income but got well into three figures.  Just nice to get out again.  Was starting to go nuts with it all.
Hopefully I can do some more days like that.
Title: Re: The start of the thaw
Post by: lee_dewing on January 11, 2010, 08:57:59 pm
leaps, i like to be a pound behind you ;)

Anything into 3 figures is good for me ;

Take it steady leaps

i'm out tomorrow. wo hoo