[Feen]

First started wfp around last August. I have most of my work as that. Now I find myself doing more trad for a couple of reasons. Firstly, when I went wfp I thought with a bit of  hard work and perseverence I could do all my work that way. Here's my exprience . Apart from a few, I still do all ups wfp. In the modern estates, I do all the downs wfp. A lot of the older houses, with paint and sash windows. I wfp up and trad down. Conservatories I either trad or clean wfp and then squeegee rather than rinse. I find this quicker and gives a better finish aesthetically, esp if the custie is in. It's a learning curve, and I feel I'm doing it. There is more than one way to clean windows. When I clean now I have to keep reminding myself that I'm here to clean the windows, not wfp them or trad them. Clean them. Clean them. However I do it.

[Dean Aspects]

I got caught in the trap of squirting everything with pure water and thinking that was the only way but i had to remind myself that i was being paid to clean the windows so now if it is needed i will trad or i will squeegee off window done wfp if needed as not all windows are the same

Dean

[macmac]

You're right mate, you're there to clean windows, that's what you get paid for. I'm the same, as you know 'cos we work similar properties. There are many houses in this area that just arn't suitable for wfp, as you've probably found out- Bad frames, very fragile glass, leaking astragals etc. I couldn't maintain a full round if i was 100% wfp & as i said before, i charge very well for my ladder work so i'm no worse off. Earn a good living using whichever method suites

You've got mail btw.

Tony

[mark dew]

fair play to you for using trad still.
I only did 2 years before i went wfp and have used the pole ever since. I do the occassional inside trad and that's all.
I've got loads to learn and techniques to master using that method and i wish i had the hunger to use it on some jobs. But i take the lazier way nowadays and pole everything while neglecting learning trad skills better.

[Londoner]

I like to trad the "eyeball" windows to make sure they are perfect. The trouble with WFP is you can't be sure you have got everything off.
I don't see any conflict in mixing trad and WFP. Like you say, you are there to clean the windows, how you do it doesn't make a jot of difference.

[The Seven Bays Window Cleaning Company]

I have to admit I enjoy using my squeegee, and like you Vince I tend to use it on ' eyeball' windows, that are bordeline in terms of whether WFP will come up good.

But also now that I  have used WFP for 6 months, I now know which windows don't like WFP  - and some of these are UPVC too

( There's two UPVC windows I know of, that always streak at the same spot - even after 6 months of WFP. I think there's a fault in the seal, and a big dirt pocket is in there)

So rather than double wash/rinse ect - I find it just as quick to run my Squeegee round ( even more fun with my Wagtail).

For me I think I have the balance just right, for my round

[tompoole]

hi

I tend to wfp all upstairs and trad the rest. I do use the pole down stairs on dirty units to get the frames clean, then trad them . most customers are happy with this approach.

[[GQC] Tim]

Isn't that a real pain though? Having to carry your bucket around, filling it, get those tools ready and on top of that your wfp?

[geefree]

As soon as i go my wfp gear,  i have never got those big ladders off the roof rack since

i do tops and bottoms as i dont see the point of swapping and changing after spending so much money,

Having said that i can undestand the guys who still love to trad,

its an art and enjoyable.

but  its not for me now, no complaints as yet either.

Gary.

[Mike 108]

Isn't that a real pain though? Having to carry your bucket around, filling it, get those tools ready and on top of that your wfp?

Not really - I always keep a filled bucket and tools in the van.

When you're trying to 'sell' WFP to domestic customers, it is much easier if you carry on 'trad'ing any difficult ground floor windows.

If the customer is in, I always 'blade' the water off the glass of the living room or the kitchen (sometimes both) - it only takes seconds, and with pure water it never leaves any lines/smears.

I always dry off the front door as well (and remove any water from the step)

They all 'love' me!

Mike

[Adam Boss]

Ive been doin this for ages now and it's good to see a realistic thread about cleaning windows, it's a breath of fresh air to this forum.
Well done.
Regards

Adam

[Sir Squeaky]

Isn't that a real pain though? Having to carry your bucket around, filling it, get those tools ready and on top of that your wfp?

Not really - I always keep a filled bucket and tools in the van.

When you're trying to 'sell' WFP to domestic customers, it is much easier if you carry on 'trad'ing any difficult ground floor windows.

If the customer is in, I always 'blade' the water off the glass of the living room or the kitchen (sometimes both) - it only takes seconds, and with pure water it never leaves any lines/smears.

I always dry off the front door as well (and remove any water from the step)

They all 'love' me!

Mike

Spot on, same here.

Leaving the whole house dripping wet is asking for trouble, as I've found out on many many occasions.

I trad all upstairs and some downstairs.
If the customer is sat in a particular room I'll usually squeegee of the pure water for the sake of tidyness.
Only takes seconds, and keeps them happy.

[johnny_h]

i am really the opposite as im using the pole for tops and bottoms more and more i only really use the tools now for the front and back doors

[pjulk]

I prefer Traditional.


But im WFP for 95% of my round.
We seem to be doing more downstairs Traditional each week and occasionally i even get a ladder off and do upstairs traditional.

To be honest i wish i never changed over but now i got the gear i use it.

Paul

[jonah]

I prefer Traditional.


But im WFP for 95% of my round.
We seem to be doing more downstairs Traditional each week and occasionally i even get a ladder off and do upstairs traditional.

To be honest i wish i never changed over but now i got the gear i use it.

Paul

   Why do you wish you hadnt changed ? 

[pjulk]

I just prefer Traditional window cleaning and a lot less hassle and down time.

Never used to have downtime traditional as my squeegies never used to break down.

My water was warm i didn't need a large van and i have worked it out that im no better off.

I may have earn't more money but i have spent heck off a lot more.

And i find traditional window cleaning more satisfiying.


Paul

[Feen]

Some interesting thoughts and preferences. I agree with those that say they find trad more pleasing. However, I had to use a big ladder last week. It was windy and it reminded me why I prefer wfp to ladders Both my tennis elbows remind why they like trad better I'll keep cleaning with both methods.

[chrismroberts]

I have a large-ish detached house that I do all with the pole... apart from a french door on a Juliette balcony which I go through the house and do trad.

Last month the customer let me in to do the window on the balcony and watched from inside as I did it....

When I came back in she said "wow, you make that look so effortless!"...... its nice to keep my hand in trad, and even nicer when a customer recognises the skill involved 

[mark dew]

I like to trad the "eyeball" windows to make sure they are perfect.

i would like to have used trad on some windows myself, but we are carrot crunchers around here and i received so much suspicion towards the pole that the only way i could go wfp was to present it as a take it or leave it situation.

[Feen]

Take them some carrots and trad whilst they're crunching or munching