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Window Cleaning Forum / Re: Which system have you got?

« Last post by Klean07 on Yesterday at 08:21:57 am »

When I first started in business over 20 years ago getting van insurance was quite easy and very cheap. However after around 5 years most of the usual ones that I used to use like Direct Line wouldn't insure me anymore because of the "tank" even though it had been bolted to the chassis by a garage. This then became an excuse that other insurers would use which was frustrating. Ever since then I've used A-Plan now called Howdens as they're part of only a few insurers that offer me the coverage that I need.

Window Cleaning Forum / Re: Which system have you got?

« Last post by dazmond on Yesterday at 08:14:58 am »

Quote from: colin bird on January 06, 2026, 07:55:02 pm

I’ve had four pure freedom 40 inch ro van mounted systems over 17 years never had any problems ,but I think there more expensive now than they used to be due to the business take over a couple of years ago

Ive found its better for me to just get one system fitted into a new van and keep it well maintained for 10-15 years before getting a new van and system.

I only use my van for work though. If it was my only vehicle I'd be changing it more frequently most probably.

Window Cleaning Forum / Re: Nightmare customers

« Last post by AuRavelling79 on January 06, 2026, 11:07:00 pm »

Quote from: Spruce on January 06, 2026, 07:45:54 am

Quote from: Klean07 on January 05, 2026, 04:32:50 pm
I deal with the * we're ok this month brigade* by dumping them . Then the ones that drag their feet with payment I'll text them to say that I'm calling round later to get payment. They usually pay straight away. Then there is the ones that try it on like a regular one I did before Xmas. She was out but her hubby opened the back gate for me then along with his teenage sons watched me clean the back windows. Payment was still outstanding over Xmas so I sent her a message for which she replied did I clean her back windows because hubby said I was only there for 10 minutes. She paid but now she's dumped!

The trouble is she will bad mouth you as unreliable to neighbours and friends. "You just can't get anyone reliable and honest these days. They are all the same. He obviously didn't clean the back windows as he was only here for 5 minutes." They never see themselves as the problem.

I wouldn't care in the slightest if one of my 'dumpees' badmouths me to any of my other customers because they know I am reliable and don't miss out windows.

Window Cleaning Forum / Re: Which system have you got?

« Last post by AuRavelling79 on January 06, 2026, 10:06:17 pm »

Quote from: Splash and dash on January 06, 2026, 04:14:25 pm

Quote from: AuRavelling79 on January 06, 2026, 03:43:54 pm
Quote from: Klean07 on January 06, 2026, 03:37:17 pm
D.I.Y sounds great in fact on my first system that's exactly what I did it was delivered on a pallet. I remember getting my local garage to bolt the tank frame to the floor which they did with spreader plates on my old Ford Connect. TCW fits for free if you have a system off them but as I'm looking for a flat lay tank this time around I'm going to have to look elsewhere because they only sell upright versions.
I was led to believe that if your tank wasn't professionally fitted then your insurance would be void. I've just renewed my insurance with Howden who I've been with for a while at a cost of only £360. Very cheap I thought.

I always declare my tank is DiY bolted through the floor. Never had a problem with insurance.

No issues paying out after my significant prang of 2023.

No problem getting insurance afterwards.

Some insurance companies ask who fitted the system , some want a written certificate stating it’s professionally fitted , others don’t ask for anything

I tell them I fitted it. Had a frame made by a welder.

If a company doesn't want to quote I find one that will.

Simples.

Window Cleaning Forum / Re: Which system have you got?

« Last post by Stoots on January 06, 2026, 09:44:54 pm »

Quote from: windowswashed on January 06, 2026, 08:18:30 pm

I notice the adverts for new tank systems and the prices they are demanding and laugh at what is often a common thin baffled plastic tank fitted with a few pre cut and folded sheets of thin mild steel with a logo or two on and think to myself I'm in the wrong business.

What's with powder coated steel frames, they rust from the inside out and weaken the frame that holds the tank or ground mounted system that is bolted through the floor once the powder coating is damaged and the mild steel is exposed to air. I have experience in powder coating steel from previous employment in the fishing industry. Talk about safety, what a joke using powder coated frames because of economics.

I have an Ionics crash tested tank inside a stainless steel frame which I bough secondhand and fitted myself being an ex coded welder and fabricator so I know it is truly safe one hundred percent and will last my working lifetime.

Good to see a local wfp supplier is introducing Kevlar based base pole sections instead of fibreglass base sections regarding electrical conductivity.

Better off priming and painting a mild steel frame. Its easy enough to rub down and repaint. Plastic coated frames once they fail look a mess and you have to strip it all off to re coat it. To be fair it will take a hell of a long time to rot out 3 or 4mm steel but its just looks crap

Window Cleaning Forum / Re: Which system have you got?

« Last post by Splash and dash on January 06, 2026, 09:41:50 pm »

Quote from: ֍Winp®oClean֍ on January 06, 2026, 09:35:03 pm

Quote from: Klean07 on January 06, 2026, 03:37:17 pm
D.I.Y sounds great in fact on my first system that's exactly what I did it was delivered on a pallet. I remember getting my local garage to bolt the tank frame to the floor which they did with spreader plates on my old Ford Connect. TCW fits for free if you have a system off them but as I'm looking for a flat lay tank this time around I'm going to have to look elsewhere because they only sell upright versions.
I was led to believe that if your tank wasn't professionally fitted then your insurance would be void. I've just renewed my insurance with Howden who I've been with for a while at a cost of only £360. Very cheap I thought.

I renewed mine last month- £91.30 for 12 months fully comp! 😀

What van have you got ? Can’t understand why it’s so cheap , what’s the excess ?

Window Cleaning Forum / Re: Which system have you got?

« Last post by Stoots on January 06, 2026, 09:41:00 pm »

Quote from: cgh window cleaning on January 06, 2026, 06:08:55 pm

Quote from: Stoots on January 06, 2026, 02:33:51 pm
Always makes me laugh when people say system, its a battery a pump, and a controller slapped on a tank.

That`ll be 3 grand please sir....

If you want to pay an extra 2 grand they will happily slap an ro/di/b2b on there for you

get your pants down ready ;

Every one’s different sometimes people aren’t confident to fit a tank ,wire in a split relay etc remove a fuel tank if needed and then it can come down to time drop a van of and pick it up 6 hours later all done.

And what are they called if there’re not called a water fed pole system

A day off work to fit it plus cost of fitting it plus cost of "system".

Vs

Buying a tank new or second hand, buying or making a frame, getting a battery, split relay, Pump etc and spending a Sunday putting it in. You'll save time and at least a couple of grand and you will get to use tools and do man things. Whats not to like.

Window Cleaning Forum / Re: Which system have you got?

« Last post by ֍Winp®oClean֍ on January 06, 2026, 09:35:03 pm »

Quote from: Klean07 on January 06, 2026, 03:37:17 pm

D.I.Y sounds great in fact on my first system that's exactly what I did it was delivered on a pallet. I remember getting my local garage to bolt the tank frame to the floor which they did with spreader plates on my old Ford Connect. TCW fits for free if you have a system off them but as I'm looking for a flat lay tank this time around I'm going to have to look elsewhere because they only sell upright versions.
I was led to believe that if your tank wasn't professionally fitted then your insurance would be void. I've just renewed my insurance with Howden who I've been with for a while at a cost of only £360. Very cheap I thought.

I renewed mine last month- £91.30 for 12 months fully comp! 😀

Window Cleaning Forum / Re: Which system have you got?

« Last post by windowswashed on January 06, 2026, 08:18:30 pm »

I notice the adverts for new tank systems and the prices they are demanding and laugh at what is often a common thin baffled plastic tank fitted with a few pre cut and folded sheets of thin mild steel with a logo or two on and think to myself I'm in the wrong business.

What's with powder coated steel frames, they rust from the inside out and weaken the frame that holds the tank or ground mounted system that is bolted through the floor once the powder coating is damaged and the mild steel is exposed to air. I have experience in powder coating steel from previous employment in the fishing industry. Talk about safety, what a joke using powder coated frames because of economics.

I have an Ionics crash tested tank inside a stainless steel frame which I bough secondhand and fitted myself being an ex coded welder and fabricator so I know it is truly safe one hundred percent and will last my working lifetime.

Good to see a local wfp supplier is introducing Kevlar based base pole sections instead of fibreglass base sections regarding electrical conductivity.

Window Cleaning Forum / Re: Which system have you got?

« Last post by colin bird on January 06, 2026, 07:55:02 pm »

I’ve had four pure freedom 40 inch ro van mounted systems over 17 years never had any problems ,but I think there more expensive now than they used to be due to the business take over a couple of years ago

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