Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Richy L on March 12, 2010, 04:45:54 pm

Title: 7 stories high
Post by: Richy L on March 12, 2010, 04:45:54 pm
I've been asked to quote to clean windows 7 stories high, but its near a main road. Do you think it could be done with a long pole?
Title: Re: 7 stories high
Post by: paul rulton on March 12, 2010, 04:50:37 pm
ave u got ur piolets licence???? lol ;D
Title: Re: 7 stories high
Post by: Richy L on March 12, 2010, 04:52:15 pm
heheh, i know!
I can get there with a cherry picker no prob, but Im not sure about access all the way around.
how much would a brush be that size anyway?!
Title: Re: 7 stories high
Post by: daz1977 on March 12, 2010, 04:53:37 pm
there is a 62 foot pole for sale in buy and sell section, 

do you only have to do the 7 floor or the whole building
Title: Re: 7 stories high
Post by: Richy L on March 12, 2010, 04:57:50 pm
the whole building. Still, do you think a 62 footer would be tall enough?
Another thing ... if im cleaning that high how much space do you think i will need between me and the wall ... i mean, i will have to keep the pole a decent angle so as to keep control of it
Title: Re: 7 stories high
Post by: stfc on March 12, 2010, 05:13:05 pm
cherry picker,if its near a main road then imo you wont get to the top bar standing on the road
Title: Re: 7 stories high
Post by: dickie on March 12, 2010, 05:17:49 pm
abseilers,depending where you are we may be able to help you.
Title: Re: 7 stories high
Post by: Richy L on March 12, 2010, 05:20:01 pm
thats what i was thinking. At that height you would need to walk the pole up slowly fully outstretched i imagine. Its next to a very busy road so a mistake would be disasterous!
I hope i will have enough room and ground condition for a cherry picker that goes that high though.
How much a day is an absailer roughly? email if you prefer  ...  richard@leeksons.com
Title: Re: 7 stories high
Post by: Gav Camm lammy 283 on March 12, 2010, 05:47:55 pm
modular fishing pole av a word with
jeff brimble
Title: Re: 7 stories high
Post by: Richy L on March 12, 2010, 05:49:50 pm
looks a bit dangerous to me to be honest. What if there is a gust of wind?
Title: Re: 7 stories high
Post by: Gav Camm lammy 283 on March 12, 2010, 05:52:20 pm
jeff as done a job in sheffield at 83ft with one of his fishing poles
im sure he could advise you to which is best n safest way
Title: Re: 7 stories high
Post by: AJ on March 12, 2010, 06:01:02 pm
Can't be done from inside?
If not its an abseil job.
Title: Re: 7 stories high
Post by: pure tech on March 12, 2010, 06:10:24 pm
At 7 stories would wfp actually be capable of efficiently cleaning, especially a first clean. Or would you just be wetting the glass and giving it a "tickle"

Title: Re: 7 stories high
Post by: Jeff Brimble on March 12, 2010, 06:39:10 pm
Err...It was 88ft 2 inches at Sheffield.
"Tickling the glass" is as good  it gets at that height so you may need to  allow for a double scrub with "Iso" added.
Richy you will need good experience at 50 foot plus before you go to 7 storeys, 7x10ft= 70ft but if its a big job you may get that as you go upwards. The pole wont fall away from the building but you may need two anchor men to hold a couple of safety lines to stop sideways slip. You may need to look at closing the road.
The advantage of being able to do it is you get the rest of the building.
A 70ft pole will cost you Approx £500 min.
Title: Re: 7 stories high
Post by: Gav Camm lammy 283 on March 12, 2010, 06:43:22 pm
nice reply jeff 88ft 2" phew knew it was in the 80s lol
Title: Re: 7 stories high
Post by: Jeff Brimble on March 12, 2010, 06:47:39 pm
Its aways that last foot or 2" that is really hard  ;D

But thats another story  8)
Title: Re: 7 stories high
Post by: StanA on March 12, 2010, 06:51:47 pm
Its aways that last foot or 2" that is really hard  ;D

Did you have someone climb up a ladder with a tape to measure it?  :)
Title: Re: 7 stories high
Post by: Jeff Brimble on March 12, 2010, 06:53:42 pm
Dont be silly I got a tiny street urchin to climb up with it.  ;D
Title: Re: 7 stories high
Post by: Richy L on March 12, 2010, 06:58:36 pm
closing the road will be impossible.

My choices are:
1st - from inside
2nd - cherry picker
3rd - absailing
4th - long pole

Im going to see it tomorrow so I'll update you on what it is like. Its hard to make out from google maps!
Title: Re: 7 stories high
Post by: Jeff Brimble on March 12, 2010, 06:59:36 pm
Take a pic or 2
Title: Re: 7 stories high
Post by: Richy L on March 12, 2010, 07:00:51 pm
i would post some on here, but I know some of my friendly rivals are on CIU too! ;)
Title: Re: 7 stories high
Post by: Roy Harding on March 12, 2010, 08:20:10 pm
i would post some on here, but I know some of my friendly rivals are on CIU too! ;)

Yeh post a pic on here also directions with post code would help  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: 7 stories high
Post by: tom2009 on March 12, 2010, 09:11:08 pm
Err...It was 88ft 2 inches at Sheffield.
"Tickling the glass" is as good  it gets at that height so you may need to  allow for a double scrub with "Iso" added.
Richy you will need good experience at 50 foot plus before you go to 7 storeys, 7x10ft= 70ft but if its a big job you may get that as you go upwards. The pole wont fall away from the building but you may need two anchor men to hold a couple of safety lines to stop sideways slip. You may need to look at closing the road.
The advantage of being able to do it is you get the rest of the building.
A 70ft pole will cost you Approx £500 min.
whats "Iso" jeff?
Title: Re: 7 stories high
Post by: Jeff Brimble on March 12, 2010, 09:20:04 pm
Isopropyl alchohol is another solvent cleaner you can add to wfp water that doesnt leave a residue cause it evaporates - jus like that  :)
Title: Re: 7 stories high
Post by: tom2009 on March 12, 2010, 10:27:37 pm
thanks Jeff.  ;D how can you be sure even with iso that a first clean by wfp even on a second storey has been effective? is it just a question of practice makes perfect?
Title: Re: 7 stories high
Post by: williamx on March 12, 2010, 10:53:31 pm
You say its a main road, how busy is it on a sunday or after 6pm or before 7am?

Also look at the width of the pavement, some can be 15' to 20' wide.

If you are going to use a cherry picker, you will still need to create a safe working area around it.

Check with the local highways department,about closing just one lane instead of the whole road.

You will need to practice at working at 50' plus before you attempt 70'.

You also have to clean like an escaulator, do not try to move the pole sideways at that height.

Also do not work to close to the building, step back and use gravity on the brush head to created srubbing friction on the glass.