[David lyddon]

 :'(Been trad for about 25 years'went wfp 3 months ago.
The change over nas to be honest hard work.
Ive  stuck to my guns'what with moaning custies who dont like change,and ive  lost afew.
The reason i have gone wfp is knackered hips,and i am convinced that wfp is the way to go.
Now laid up with bad neck,think this is down to using the pole,hope my lotto numbers come up,think my wc days are coming to an end.got an ntec pole,not the lightest i know.
regards dave

[bobplum]

Dave,get the lightest pole, slx from Gardiner,stand as far as possible away from the window,reduces the strain on the neck and were possible rock back and forwards rather than use your arms

otherwise its all over and i will offer three times the value

[kevinc]

hi dave,re neck thing stand further back mate-its a bit like when you first got on a ladder ie  finding the right angle /and where you felt safest.it is all a bit of a learning curve,i guess we are kinda the same age-as in getting on a bit,speak to alex at gardiner pole stystems ,me and around 99% of this forum will swear by the lightness of the poles-less neck ache-not cheap but a good investment.only my opinion dave  gardiners pole/stand further back/enjoy
p.s. i am not biased as such as i use modified fishing poles for high/longer mundane work

[Nathanael Jones]

I remember my first few months of WFP,.. sore neck & wet feet constantly -- I knew i was standing too close, but after tradding for years its just natural to want to stand closer to the glass.

The good news is that the neck ache does go away after a while,.. I'm not sure if it was my body getting used to using new muscles or simply learning to stand further back, but it did get much easier after a couple of months.

A lighter pole & brush would also make a huge difference,.. an SLX with the carbon goosneck & a white extreme brush would be my recommendation. Between that & being conscious of your body position, it should come right soon enough,..

[david moss]

SLX all the way

[Window Washers]

if your neck is hurting maybe stand a little further back from the windows your cleaning this may help with that mate.

first few months of wfp are a killer as are new cleans

[Dave Willis]

It wears off after the first couple of years. Get the lightest kit you can afford and lightweight brushes. Don't scrimp on the most important tool. You can use fishing poles to keep the cost down but they are rather fragile.

[Tom White]

I agree with the above; prior to my SLX I had a lot of shoulder problems; quite severe at one stage.

I've not had any problems since the SLX.

Lightweight poles are a 'must' IMO; they'll help reduce the wear 'n' tear on our bodies and also help you to earn more.  You'll be faster and you'll be able to work for longer periods more comfortably.

[David lyddon]

thanks all, new pole it is then,happy and skint days ahead.

[Londoner]

If your neck/upper arms shoulders are aching excessively  you are holding it too high. Natural reaction because its up high you feel its only right to put your arms up. Hold it further down. 

From behind it should look like you are having a w*nk.

[David lyddon]

whatever do u mean vince,like im having a wink

[Nameless Drudge]

Ditch the trolley immediately for a van mount.

Heavy poles and a trolley!,its amazing you`ve persevered,your in dinosaur territory.

[Nameless Drudge]

Actually apart from David i`d like anyone else to ignore that post,it might be better that my competitors stay in dinosaur territory.

[matthewprice]

 i had lots of problems neck /shoulders ,got a van mount did help not lifting trolly 25 l tanks  hurt my self a lot .i then got a neck support to stop me looking up gave me a pad to rest my head on.wore this for9 months ,next i try to stand as square to the windows.so i dont twist my neck.and the final thing get a slx and dont use a pole that is short and you have to stretch hope this helps

[rosskesava]

As you get older (like me  ), stretching exercises are a must and I don't mean going to the gym. I mean proper stretching exercises like yoga type stuff. It unstresses the muscles and relaxes them as well as strengthening them.

The neck problem sounds like damage to the soft tissue. Probably best to see an osteopath but that can cost a bit but it'll keep you working.

[Richard Shepherd]

Go get yourself a massage, it's all claimable.

[dazmond]

keep trolley in van hooked up to a tank.

25FT slx pole with supalite brush

100m of microbore hose on a reel

this will make your working day easier.also over the next few months you ll get better with the pole,your muscles will get used to the work and after a year youll be flying!!

the first few months are the worst but persevere mate its just a learning curve until your used to the work.its far better and safer than ladders and you ll get through more work in a day than ladders only.

best wishes


dazmond

[Nameless Drudge]

And chop 30m off the microbore,put a male and female on either end of what you`ve chopped off and you can always add it back if needed for the odd job.

[Cliff perkins]

And chop 30m off the microbore,put a male and female on either end of what you`ve chopped off and you can always add it back if needed for the odd job.

Thats a good tip i hadnt thought of that i very rarely use my full length of hose