[lucymulligan]

had a good day today ...aching all over but its mothers day tommorow so wont have to do anything
QUESTIONS for the old  school

1. one house today had water marks at the bottom that wouldnt shift ...is it limescale or salt water ? how do i get it off

2. did two houses today that i couldnt get to two upstairs windows ... so i did them from inside using overshoes .. do you think this will put people off as they will have to be home if they want all their house done

3.I had to use a replacement rubber today. it was covered in a kinda powder ..it made my job very difficult to begin with ... the usuall ones i buy dont have it on ...what is it ?

[dai]

Well Lucy, the white marks are usually mineral deposits, these are usually caused by overhead overflow pipes or lawn sprinklers. Tap water that is constantly pouring on the glass and left to dry will leave a limescale build up.
If you can't reach the windows with a ladder, they really have no option but to let you inside if they want them doing.
The white stuff on the rubber is only french chalk and will wash off in use.
Hope this helps. Dai

[Peter.]

Hi Lucy,

I have found I can scrape off the mineral deposits with my cheap razor blade scraper; it works very well and doesn’t scratch the glass. I use a pole for windows I cannot reach by ladder.

Peter.

[s.hughes]

Use vinegar for the lime scale. I have used all sorts and it works the best although it smells. I put it straight onto the applicator and then rub onto the glass. You can even leave it on the glass and come back to it as the last window to clean on the account.

Steve

[lucymulligan]

thanks everone .. cant reach the windows with a pole as there is a porch with a large overhang , would mean big angle and LONG ladder needed .. or spiderman skills ...anyay most of them seemed ok ...even got a tip

[chris@c.m.s]

I wouldn't offer to go inside to clean the windows, just let then know you wont be able to do them when you quote.

[Trevor Knight]

had a good day today ...aching all over but its mothers day tommorow so wont have to do anything
QUESTIONS for the old  school

1. one house today had water marks at the bottom that wouldnt shift ...is it limescale or salt water ? how do i get it off

Try using a professional scraper blade, that normally does the trick

2. did two houses today that i couldnt get to two upstairs windows ... so i did them from inside using overshoes .. do you think this will put people off as they will have to be home if they want all their house done

A big NO NO!!! 2 Reasons, one if you fall out the window you will a) get hurt, b) Won't be covered on your insurance!!!!!

3.I had to use a replacement rubber today. it was covered in a kinda powder ..it made my job very difficult to begin with ... the usuall ones i buy dont have it on ...what is it ?

This is normal, just rinse the blade in your bucket and it should be fine.

I see your based in Hampshire, where are you based, I may have some work for you?

[russ_clark]

Lucy
Buy some MDR (mineral deposit remover)
sold by most suppliers it is the dogs for shifting those staines.
Do not use a scraper for those staines!
Do not do the dangerous windows just let the customer know the problem.
If they want you to do it from the inside when they are in then thats fine -but charge an extra £1 or so.
Like others said powder on the blade -dip it in your bucket prior to fitting.
Job done!
I am wfp now but remember all these niggles.
Russ

[AuRavelling79]

Get some light telescopic poles that will extend from about four to twelve feet and put your trad gear on the end. (I do this for high inside windows in offices/walkways/stairways)

Soap the window but don't overdo it at the top of the pane.

Put your squeegee on the pole and run it from left to right at the top edge of the pane (if you're right-handed) with the tiniest of angles so that it is virtually horizontal but the leading edge is about 10mm above the trailing one as you go across the glass.

Pull the pole away (mind out behind you) and wipe the squeegee blade with your cill cloth. Put the squeegee back to the top left corner and steadily pull down to the bottom of the pane.

Wipe the blade again.

Put the blade back at the top so that it overlaps where you have cleaned by about an inch and sweep down the glass again. Repeat across the pane.

Put your applicator back on and run it along the bottom frame/cill.

Learn to speed up especially in hot weather so that the soap doesn't dry out to quickly.

May not be perfect but an acceptable job will be done.

Cost in the extra time to the job.

[Mike_G]

I go inside quite a few of mine, It is safer than overstretching from a ladder thats for sure, if they are not home they get missed and sometimes they are home and just say dont worry about coming in today. I Dont use overshoes I just take my shoes off.

[P®oPole™]

Hi Lucy,

Get yourself an Unger pole, I was never without mine when I was trad

ProPole