[hank jr]

Hi all , im new to the window cleaning world and i have got a few customers houses im a bit wary of. All i want to know is if i should stand on these 2 small roofs to clean the windows. (see photos attateched )


and

[Tom White]

Only stand on those pitched roofs if you want to be seriously injured or dead.

For windows like that, try positioning your ladders above the window to get a better angle; or a double A Frame ladder into the top corners of the window opening.  If your ladders aren't long enough to get above the window, then I'd put them up against the pitched roof and try to clean the windows with an extension pole; but even that would be slated (I bet) by guys who're 'elf 'n' safety aware.

But do not - repeat do not - stand on those pitched roofs; that is just asking for trouble.

A better, quicker, SAFER, and a cost effective approach (I think) would be get a backpack and do all of the first floor windows with it.

[taylored]

NO get a trad pole 

[hank jr]

In the first pic the small roof comes out quite a bit so even if i got my double ladders out above the top window the ladders would still not lean against the brickwork , they would be leaning against the small roof...

i havnt got a trad pole yet either.... but i have evrything else....

so you defintly say no to standing...

[simon w]

Hi Hank

Do you work alone? if you have the right selection of ladders for traditional window cleaning then from looking at those pictures I can't see any reason for needing to stand on the roofs. If your cleaning windows from ladders then you really do need a decent selection of ladders which are well made and not the cheap variety we get ours from Lansfords they make and sell ladders and access equipment and supply ladders which are designed for window cleaning, also a Rojack is a good idea this will prevent your ladder slipping away at the bottom styles whilst your working, a stand off is a good idea if you work at cleaning gutters and fascias etc and some ladder mitts to prevent damage to the buildings your leaning your ladder against.

When I cleaned windows from ladders I always worked with an employee so windows like the one in your photo would usually be left until last then one of us would foot the ladder whilst the other cleaned the window.

Simon

[Paul Coleman]

Well there was a time I might have stood on the first one - but not the second.
I would recommend against it though.
Safety laws have tightened up since those days - and I use more sense (and WFP) now.  Even without WFP, I would have started using a trad pole on such windows.

[mci services]

I am guilty of standing on both without a second thought, but no I don't recommend it ladder to gutter and a short pole would be safer.

[bumper]

1st one yes 2nd one no

[hank jr]

 i have 3 sets of ladders. i have single , double and treble..... how would i clean the window in the 2nd pic without standing on the roof then? P.S im really greatful for all this advice. Thanks very much!

[Paul Coleman]

Doesn't look like there's much room above the window for top of ladder (though your picture cuts it off, on the other top window there's only one course of brickwork).
I say trad pole.  Don't ladder it.  The ground looks too shingly to be safe.  It might be OK to ladder it if there's a second person to foot the ladder but a pole would be better IMO.  With a second person, you may even want to increase the angle and rest it on the sill.  Still prefer a pole though.

[Richy L]

i have 3 sets of ladders. i have single , double and treble..... how would i clean the window in the 2nd pic without standing on the roof then? P.S im really greatful for all this advice. Thanks very much!

extend your ladders so that they sit on the brickwork just above the window frame. You will be able to reach the window ok as longas you put the ladder at the right angle.

[mci services]

You really don't want to know how I would have done that second window but honestly a ladder to the gutter and a short pole is the safest way apart from WFP.

[Blackbushe Windows]

Hank, think what those tiles will be like wet or frosty in the winter. Like most have said you need an alternative. I would go for a 3 section  traditional pole and do it from the ground.

Peter

[hank jr]

Thanks for your comments guys , i will see how i get on in the morning......

[dazmond]

honestly stu i think that is bad advice mate!no way should you be half way up the ladder trying to trad pole the window!are you a cowboy or what?or are you joking?

i would of climbed on neither roof when i was traditional only!!the second one i would of put the ladder above the window if it wasnt a gravel driveway.seen as it is a would use a trad pole from the ground for both first and second photos.them type of windows are easy to get a good finish with the pole(no little openers!).

so glad im wfp now as i have lots of imprinted concrete/gravel driveways as well as decking around the back of properties.