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mike roberts

Re: Conservatory Only Business
« Reply #20 on: September 06, 2011, 08:30:01 pm »
i dont like chips ;D ;D prefer fish  ;D ;D

Londoner

Re: Conservatory Only Business
« Reply #21 on: September 06, 2011, 08:34:33 pm »
But why use a trolly to clean a conservatory roof? The idea is sound except for that one detail. A WFP pump won't pump out enough water fast enough to get a good flow of water running down the roof to wash all the bits off. Hook the pole up to a tap and you have a belting flow of water that will cascade down the glass and push everything in front of it. The flow coming out of the jets is like a pressure washer and breaks up dried on bird  poo and even lichens that you won't reach any other way. Much easier and quicker and also cheaper! You won't be watching your water supply all the time either because you won't care how much water you are using.

The flow from the jets is strong enough to get into all those nooks and crannys on the ornamental bits which you should be careful about scrubbing for fear you knock them off which I have done in the past. Some are only glued on.

I've done a lot of conservatory roofs over the years and have got it down to a fine art, Give the roof a good spray first and let it soak into everything then off you go but let the water flow do as much of the work as you can . You still have to scrub everything but let the water flow wash all the bits down. Otherwise you end up trying to sweep them down with the brush and that takes ages.

You should clean all the guttering and white work down as well, and the glass, sills etc. No use doing the roof and leaving the rest looking manky. Finish off with pure at the end.

gr cleaning solutions

  • Posts: 810
Re: Conservatory Only Business
« Reply #22 on: September 06, 2011, 10:48:07 pm »
this is the conny cleaning side to my business www.procleanconservatories.co.uk
(sorry not sure how to do links) and between march/april to august/sept this can bring 4 or 5 quotes a week aswell as leafleting  and getting around 90% off them so yes i think just conny cleaning on its only can work but it takes a lot of marketing and leafleting

Blue Frog Systems

  • Posts: 3813
Re: Conservatory Only Business
« Reply #23 on: September 07, 2011, 12:18:32 am »
Something i posted on matts forum this evening .... pictures and how i clean a conny .... hope it helps  ;D






Was an hour to an hour and half for the roof - pointy bits, pannels & roof bars (i did have to go round the neighbours to do one of the 3 sides)

The gutters took about 35 mins with a hosepipe and a brush from a dustpan and brush set (thats still in the van - dont tell my wife).

Trick is to be generous with the virosol ... the conservatory in the pictures was a 3 pannel x 3 pannel and i used 5L of virosol mixed to 1:24. That might seem alot, but 1 x 5L concentrate bottle makes 125L.

Spray from the top (pointy bits), spray down and leave for 2-5 mins depending on sunshine / heat (2 mins if hot / 5 mins if cloudy).

I use a vikan flocked sill brush (very soft brush) to clean the roof. Spray a little water on the roof (quick zig zag motion) and then start cleaning from the bottom upwards (start closest to the gutter).The sill brush helps as it has a larger surface area compared to say a superlight. The chemical will foam up a little, this is what you want to happen.

Once you get to the pointy bits at the top, the sill brush has another use. Sill brushes have two sides to the bristles. This means you can sit one lot of bristles on the ridge and the larger set of bristles to clean the pointy bits. By doing it this way, you dont have to hold the pole up - you just rest it on the ridge and mover it side to side.

Once you have done this, then rinse the roof off with custys hosepipe. Quciker than using wfp (you can do a final rinse later if you want to with wfp)

Once i have done the roof then i move on to the lips where the water runs into the gutter. Easiest way i have found to do this is buy using a cloth. Sometimes you can take the plastic strip off, sometimes you cant. If i can i do as i find its easier to clean then

Then i rinse the roof again with the hosepipe and clean the external gutters and windows.

If they want the internal gutters cleaned out, then its extra - this one i think i charged an extra £25 just for the internal gutters. If im doing the internal gutters then i do this before the final rinse on the roof and before the windows on the conny.

First thing to do is to get any crap out of there. I have tried various scoops, but its easier & quicker to take a bucket up and scoop it out with your hand - gross yes, but time is money and all that.

Once you have scooped out the crap, then i use the customers hosepipe with a hoselock sprayer (plugs into a female hoselock and you twist it to move from a mist to a jet). First thing is to spray out any crap left in there. Next spray the gutter and use the brush from a dustpan and brush set to clean to white.

Hope this helps mate ... has taken me a while to figure out how to get the perfect conny roof clean .... this is my method and it does the job !
Only those who risk going too far will truly know how far they can actually go

mike roberts

Re: Conservatory Only Business
« Reply #24 on: September 07, 2011, 07:02:48 am »
nice one  ;D ;D

Matt - aquatec

  • Posts: 216
Re: Conservatory Only Business
« Reply #25 on: September 07, 2011, 07:27:41 am »
Thank you all for your replys and comments, I do work full time but can be a little creative as it's my own business.

Anymore advise would be all very welcome, any suggestions for the trolley kit??? and stand alone tap filter / di unit etc...

Cheers

Matt
Loving the freedom and enjoying the hard work......
www.aquatecwindows.co.uk

Matt - aquatec

  • Posts: 216
Re: Conservatory Only Business
« Reply #26 on: September 07, 2011, 09:29:53 am »
Matthay - i think its a good idea why not god dam it. come and work for me ;D

The big problem is you work full time.... nights drawing in only leaves wkends will work with some custys but not all.... as a newbie (bloody hate that term) do u want someone there watching u ??? ???

If you can only work wkends dont c how window cleaning will work as round will grow little scope to do the work  ??? ???



Hi Mike

ta for the offer of work, if you were closer I may well do....  ;D

With regard to growing, it's all about swapping one for the other, as my conny cleaning side builds then I will reduce the other side.... happy days...

Thanks again though... maybe worth a chat sometime??/
Loving the freedom and enjoying the hard work......
www.aquatecwindows.co.uk

Matt - aquatec

  • Posts: 216
Re: Conservatory Only Business
« Reply #27 on: September 07, 2011, 09:38:05 am »
Something i posted on matts forum this evening .... pictures and how i clean a conny .... hope it helps  ;D






Was an hour to an hour and half for the roof - pointy bits, pannels & roof bars (i did have to go round the neighbours to do one of the 3 sides)

The gutters took about 35 mins with a hosepipe and a brush from a dustpan and brush set (thats still in the van - dont tell my wife).

Trick is to be generous with the virosol ... the conservatory in the pictures was a 3 pannel x 3 pannel and i used 5L of virosol mixed to 1:24. That might seem alot, but 1 x 5L concentrate bottle makes 125L.

Spray from the top (pointy bits), spray down and leave for 2-5 mins depending on sunshine / heat (2 mins if hot / 5 mins if cloudy).

I use a vikan flocked sill brush (very soft brush) to clean the roof. Spray a little water on the roof (quick zig zag motion) and then start cleaning from the bottom upwards (start closest to the gutter).The sill brush helps as it has a larger surface area compared to say a superlight. The chemical will foam up a little, this is what you want to happen.

Once you get to the pointy bits at the top, the sill brush has another use. Sill brushes have two sides to the bristles. This means you can sit one lot of bristles on the ridge and the larger set of bristles to clean the pointy bits. By doing it this way, you dont have to hold the pole up - you just rest it on the ridge and mover it side to side.

Once you have done this, then rinse the roof off with custys hosepipe. Quciker than using wfp (you can do a final rinse later if you want to with wfp)

Once i have done the roof then i move on to the lips where the water runs into the gutter. Easiest way i have found to do this is buy using a cloth. Sometimes you can take the plastic strip off, sometimes you cant. If i can i do as i find its easier to clean then

Then i rinse the roof again with the hosepipe and clean the external gutters and windows.

If they want the internal gutters cleaned out, then its extra - this one i think i charged an extra £25 just for the internal gutters. If im doing the internal gutters then i do this before the final rinse on the roof and before the windows on the conny.

First thing to do is to get any crap out of there. I have tried various scoops, but its easier & quicker to take a bucket up and scoop it out with your hand - gross yes, but time is money and all that.

Once you have scooped out the crap, then i use the customers hosepipe with a hoselock sprayer (plugs into a female hoselock and you twist it to move from a mist to a jet). First thing is to spray out any crap left in there. Next spray the gutter and use the brush from a dustpan and brush set to clean to white.

Hope this helps mate ... has taken me a while to figure out how to get the perfect conny roof clean .... this is my method and it does the job !

Great advice.... thank you....
Loving the freedom and enjoying the hard work......
www.aquatecwindows.co.uk

lee_dewing

  • Posts: 3124
Re: Conservatory Only Business
« Reply #28 on: September 07, 2011, 07:31:41 pm »
Blue frog, great post! ;)

Re: gutter scoop have you tried this one, i have used mine a few times i like because of holes in scoop let water through but keeps hold of the rubbish ;)
http://www.windowcleancentre.co.uk/productdetails.aspx?ProductID=111

Just add if no-one has mentioned a ladder stand off is geat for conny roofs; fit on your ladder and position under gutter but above windows; gives you a nice stable base.
http://www.windowcleancentre.co.uk/productdetails.aspx?ProductID=301&SectionID=28

I did conny roof yesterday and ended up hooking my pole to outside tap; so much easier as been said.

I am now thinking of pushing for this work and doing it on the rainy days (i work in drizzle and showers for the windows)

Really fed up of losing time and money.

Burnt my fingers on roof yesterday price wise  :'(

all a learning curve i suppose :-[

But gonna price as you guys have said £5 a roof panel; then £3 metre cleaning conny gutters out.

Is that about right?

lee
Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.     - Aristotle

rg1

  • Posts: 1356
Re: Conservatory Only Business
« Reply #29 on: September 07, 2011, 08:41:27 pm »
I'm gonna open a fish n chip shop but just sell chips

I'm opening up next door to sell the fish! ;)
The pen is mightier than the sword (and a lot easier to write with!)

Scoop

  • Posts: 262
Re: Conservatory Only Business
« Reply #30 on: September 07, 2011, 10:13:44 pm »
Blue frog, great post! ;)

I'll second that.

I have to say that this whole thread has been very interesting. Great ideas being pushed around.

I've only done 3 conny roof cleans and they were only because I was asked. The main reason I bought a pole in the first place was because so many were asking for outside gutter cleans on white PVC after the inside gutter clean. But thinking about it I do wonder if there isn't quite a bit of business to be had.

Good luck to OP with this and I might start asking some regulars if they want it doing.
Don't wish it were easier. Wish that you were better - Jim Rohn

mike roberts

Re: Conservatory Only Business
« Reply #31 on: September 08, 2011, 07:06:19 am »
Really worth it  ;D ;D

Times we go to quotes and get told their window cleaner wont touch it ...
I assume the problem is some can take 1/2 - full day ... one has taken 2 days 2 people (exception!) if the wc is busy prob trying to fit into current 'round'

Which is good for me  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D BUT make sure you charge enough  :P

Seymour Sunshine

  • Posts: 207
Re: Conservatory Only Business
« Reply #32 on: September 08, 2011, 02:12:28 pm »
And here are two more points that no one has mentioned yet:

1 - You don't even need pure water to do this business - as long as you only do connys with polycarbonate roofs (and they are the majority in my experience).

Poly roofs are translucent and don't show the spots, so you can get away with just using tap water. Then on the glass side panes, you can use a squeegee. If the upper small windows are modelled glass, you can use a microfibre or scrim on them.

So all you really need for this business is a 17 foot water fed pole and a hose pipe plus a mop, bottle-on-a-belt and a sqeegee and a supply of microfibres or scrims.

(Yes, I know there's loads of glass roof jobs you CAN'T do, but focus on the polycarbonate roof ones you CAN do (i) with minimum fuss and (ii) with minimum capital outlay expense.)

2 - There is frequently loads of small twigs and other stuff just under the ridge capping plate. You can get it out most easily by taking your brush off and wrapping a microfibre cloth round the gooseneck. Then you can poke about and get under the capping and coax it out.
Banjo players are sent from heaven ... to make drummers look good.

Mike_G

  • Posts: 1500
Re: Conservatory Only Business
« Reply #33 on: September 08, 2011, 02:55:07 pm »
Really worth it  ;D ;D

Times we go to quotes and get told their window cleaner wont touch it ...
I assume the problem is some can take 1/2 - full day ... one has taken 2 days 2 people (exception!) if the wc is busy prob trying to fit into current 'round'

Which is good for me  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D BUT make sure you charge enough  :P

I find it amazing window cleaners wont do the roofs, busy or not, work is work. Good call on the charge as well Mike, i do know the ones I do I dont charge anywhere near enough!

Blue Frog Systems

  • Posts: 3813
Re: Conservatory Only Business
« Reply #34 on: September 08, 2011, 04:14:36 pm »
Its all about knowing how long it will take & how best to clean it to price them up right.

My first ever conny i charged £20 for and i spent 4hrs on it.

You learn from mistakes and i dont make mistakes any more when it comes to connys & fascias .... bloody windows still get me from time to time though ;D
Only those who risk going too far will truly know how far they can actually go

Scoop

  • Posts: 262
Re: Conservatory Only Business
« Reply #35 on: September 08, 2011, 07:19:40 pm »
1 - You don't even need pure water to do this business - as long as you only do connys with polycarbonate roofs (and they are the majority in my experience).

Poly roofs are translucent and don't show the spots, so you can get away with just using tap water. Then on the glass side panes, you can use a squeegee. If the upper small windows are modelled glass, you can use a microfibre or scrim on them.

So all you really need for this business is a 17 foot water fed pole and a hose pipe plus a mop, bottle-on-a-belt and a sqeegee and a supply of microfibres or scrims.

Thank goodness someone has said this. I'm a bin and gutter cleaner - I've got no access to pure water at all. Didn't dare say anything in case I got pelted with rotten eggs but I've been doing it exactly as Seymour describes above - thanks mate  :D
Don't wish it were easier. Wish that you were better - Jim Rohn

mike roberts

Re: Conservatory Only Business
« Reply #36 on: September 08, 2011, 08:45:09 pm »
pelt him with rotten eggs anyway ;D ;D ;D

up until last year we have been cleaning cons with no reach and wash (over 5 yrs)
Reach and wash just gives you that bit extra.... good selling point with it is you can reach the windows above the con ;D traditional wc cant ;D ;D

Use a platform for access good ones cost just over a ton far easier than ladders and safer... someone mentioned ladder stay i would avoid these tend to mark upvc unless u cover them then they slip..  we all know with a ladder should have 3 points of contact impossible when cleaning cons