[Griffus]

Considering purchasing a basic WFP set up.

We currently undertake a small amount of window cleaning as part of our cleaning contracts. Some of this is getting on for 30'. We currently do this by traditional methods either via ladders or telescopic pole etc.

The work doesn't justify a new van and full set up but a trailer set up is a possibility but even more appealing is a trolley or backpack.

I am therefore looking for advice / recommendations from those experienced in such matters.

Thanks in advance.

[cat9921]

Well your not giving us a lot to go on ?

You say that you do not want to get a new van, So do you have a van

If you do then have a look at this

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-300GPD-WATERFED-POLE-250L-WINDOW-CLEANING-SYSTEM-/350414334727?pt=UK_HomeGarden_CLV_Cleaning_CA&hash=item5196526b07#ht_2733wt_905

this is a good startup and if you decide you want to get a trolly

then there's this

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PURE-WATER-FED-POLE-TROLLEY-WINDOW-CLEANING-SYSTEM-/250504138760?pt=UK_HomeGarden_CLV_Cleaning_CA&hash=item3a5335d008#ht_4281wt_1139

you see if you get the trolly then you are going to need to carry about 200lt of water for the job , That of course depends on how much work you have and so on

If you can give us a bit more info  ( how many windows you clean do you live in a soft or hard water area )

then the lovely people on here can advise you better 

Adders

[Griffus]

Hi, cat

Thanks for your reply.

The second link is along the lines of what I had been considering.

Up until recently the vast majority of windows we clean have been part of builder's cleans and WFP wouldn't cope with these, certainly in the earlier stages. More recently we are getting more and more ongoing maintenance cleans (apartment block communals mainly) and the windows, especially the higher ones (3 story +) are time consuming.

At present we have on average 1 days worth of windows per week.

Hard water area. Already have vans but couldn't use as a permanent WFP set up as used for all sorts besides. Can however dedicate one to a once a week set up if this is possible and not too time consuming.

Subbing out not really an option at this time.

Thanks again

[Griffus]

Just getting this back to the top. Window Cleaning Forum sure is busier than the rest 

[cat9921]

Just getting this back to the top. Window Cleaning Forum sure is busier than the rest 

You would think us window cleaners had nothing to talk about 

OK sounds like you are asking for a little more info  :

This is just my opinion but given the fact that you clean buildings I would still go for the van system  :

Trolleys are great for certain domestic jobs or windows that dragging a hose is not good but other than that the van system is better

You will find that as you are cleaning you will need to keep going back to the van as 25lt is not  a lot for cleaning buildings as well I found that I keep getting airlocks more than a van system

If you decide not to go down the van system do not be tempted by a backpack as they have a smaller pump and battery then a trolley and if you decide that later on you want to upgrade than with a trolley you can do that


One last thing I would ask the members on here what pole they would reccomend as this will help you..

I dont have a lot of three story and would only use a heavy pole for the odd one or two ?

Hope that helps

Adders

[Griffus]

Cheers again Adders

I am now leaning towards a Trailer system as this probably best suits our needs.

As far as manufacturers go, when we researched this a few years ago I seem to recall favouring Ionics. Brodex also appealed but were too expensive, and at the time there was some debate about using pure water hot. Pure Freedom were another one we looked at but at the time I wasn't as convinced of the quality as I was with Ionics.

The other option is of course build a trailer system. Most of the above sell individual parts and at a glance it looks like a reasonably straight forward job to undertake.

What is the general feeling out there.

Thanks in advance

[John drake]

Build your own system

Google DIYWFP

[Griffus]

Build your own system

Google DIYWFP

Excellent, many thanks

[mikecam]

Here's what i would do......
 I would buy a second hand IBC   http://www.deltacontainers.com/index.asp?pagename=Reconditioned_IBCs&Sessionx=IaqiNwB6IHqiNw86IWY6IA
  and store it at home in a yard or what ever. Then i would buy a 720 GPD Merlin RO system to fill it up  http://www.cleaningspot.co.uk/acatalog/RO_Systems.html                                         .
 That will cost just under £300. Before the water goes into the tank i would run it through a 4.6 litre resin vessel like this http://www.cleaningspot.co.uk/acatalog/De-Ionising_resin_and_water_softener_resin.html#aPVSF

Then i would buy one of these trolleys.........
http://www.omnipole.com/omnitrolley.htm

and a load of spare water containers for it.
Thats roughly  60 for IBC, 300 for RO, 90 for DI, and 200 for trolley = 650. YOu may need to add a tenner for a transfer pump (depending on your setup) and just over a ton for a pole.
 Put as many containers of water as you need or you van will carry and jobs a goodun !!! You'll be WFP olin!!

[Griffus]

Here's what i would do......
 I would buy a second hand IBC   http://www.deltacontainers.com/index.asp?pagename=Reconditioned_IBCs&Sessionx=IaqiNwB6IHqiNw86IWY6IA
  and store it at home in a yard or what ever. Then i would buy a 720 GPD Merlin RO system to fill it up  http://www.cleaningspot.co.uk/acatalog/RO_Systems.html                                         .
 That will cost just under £300. Before the water goes into the tank i would run it through a 4.6 litre resin vessel like this http://www.cleaningspot.co.uk/acatalog/De-Ionising_resin_and_water_softener_resin.html#aPVSF

Then i would buy one of these trolleys.........
http://www.omnipole.com/omnitrolley.htm

and a load of spare water containers for it.
Thats roughly  60 for IBC, 300 for RO, 90 for DI, and 200 for trolley = 650. YOu may need to add a tenner for a transfer pump (depending on your setup) and just over a ton for a pole.
 Put as many containers of water as you need or you van will carry and jobs a goodun !!! You'll be WFP olin!!

Thanks Mike, certainly something to consider.

I'm off for a kip now but will have a good look tomorrow.

Thanks again

[windiewasher]

vyair.co.uk 400 gpd ro system with 2 built in pumps £200 plus vat done over 250 litres in less than 3 hours today,great bit of kit my xline one 300 gpd 75 litres if lucky!

Here's what i would do......
 I would buy a second hand IBC   http://www.deltacontainers.com/index.asp?pagename=Reconditioned_IBCs&Sessionx=IaqiNwB6IHqiNw86IWY6IA
  and store it at home in a yard or what ever. Then i would buy a 720 GPD Merlin RO system to fill it up  http://www.cleaningspot.co.uk/acatalog/RO_Systems.html                                         .
 That will cost just under £300. Before the water goes into the tank i would run it through a 4.6 litre resin vessel like this http://www.cleaningspot.co.uk/acatalog/De-Ionising_resin_and_water_softener_resin.html#aPVSF

Then i would buy one of these trolleys.........
http://www.omnipole.com/omnitrolley.htm

and a load of spare water containers for it.
Thats roughly  60 for IBC, 300 for RO, 90 for DI, and 200 for trolley = 650. YOu may need to add a tenner for a transfer pump (depending on your setup) and just over a ton for a pole.
 Put as many containers of water as you need or you van will carry and jobs a goodun !!! You'll be WFP olin!!

Thanks Mike, certainly something to consider.

I'm off for a kip now but will have a good look tomorrow.

Thanks again

[CLEANCARE WC]

I would go for pure freedom professional build way cheaper than brodex or ionics.

[John drake]

Build your own system

Google DIYWFP

Excellent, many thanks

If you Send me a Email

drake_john@rocketmail.com

I will Help You out

[Griffus]

A big thanks for those that have replied.

Doctor - Do you have a direct link. I've had a quick look and can see a 200GPD system but nothing else. That said I have stored the site in my fav's to go back to when I get chance to push on with this.

Grahams trad - Thanks for the word on Pure Freedom. I spoke to these guys about three years ago when we last considered WFP. They were very helpful and seemed honest enough. We may well have gone with them if we had actually gone WFP back then. I vaguely remember favouring Ionics but that was due to them, at that time, selling a trailer set up that looked ideal.

John - Many thanks for your very kind offer. Let me have a think about which path I'm going to go down and I'll drop you a mail if I decide to DIY (I suppose that should be DIM in my case, which is somewhat less than flattering  )