[billozz]

hi guys any idea if there is a method of doing this type of work this is a four storey house and we've been asked to clean them. they are very very dirty and obviously difficult to get to with the railingswe wondered if giving them a good spray with tfr and jet washing them with pure water might work, has anyone tried this before, i know we can get a brush beteween the rails but its not going to do a great job, top floor is even worse because there is a little balcony and not enough roomm to go back in order to get to the bottom, may have to have access to do those.
like i say above, any ideas please??
bill

[Chris Cottrell]

you may find it more difficult to find a pw lance that will get that high let alone weather it will do a decent job

Why architects build propertes with railings like this is beyond me

maybe the best way would be to get a c/picker

[Highrise]

I agree with you on that Chris, Why build like that...

To be honest with you if I get a job like this I get some else to do it or turn it down...

I just thought, Can you do them from the inside and do them trad?

[frames to panes]

Could you not gain access for the first clean then just wfp for the following cleans.

[Dave Turley]

I know it's not helpful but I think i'd walk away and get an easy job somewhere else

[WCE]

If you can't do it from the inside (the best option) my only suggestion is: Get a pole (not the wfp type) and put a mop on the end. Then use this to wash the window. When you get to the bars turn the mop vertical to gain access to window. Scrub the window. Next get your wfp. use this to rinse and rinse rinse rinse. Pencil jets would be best for this. the water flow should be high enough to rinse the soap away but not so high that the water is blasting out (If flow is to high it will be difficult to control where the water goes and you will end up with runs etc) So to recap, Use a mop on a pole to scrub and clean the window and your wfp to rinse. The only other option I can think of is to get a cherry picker in but I don't think this is really an option as the hire costs would push the costs to high for 1 house and therefore would not be viable.  Personally I wouldn't bother with a job like this as they are usually way to much hassle. If you have to do it from the outside then it will take at least twice as long as a usual clean so remember to charge accordingly. If they won't pay at least double then I would walk away as accepting less money will mean you are out of pocket. If anyone does have a better way of cleaning them (from the outside) then please tell! I have lots of blocks of flats where they have put bars over the patio door. I always find these to be a pain so would love to hear of any tips advice.
Pete

[WCE]

I forgot to say that to reach the bottom of the top window what you would need is a ledge extension. I have a pole that is fitted with a omni pole power pole head a and have used a 4ft ledge extension on it in a situation similar to yours

[Jeff Brimble]

Bill could you email me the pic ?
(ignore the follow on contact us message)
Is there any scroll work between the bars ?
Do you have a c/f modular ? Or a pole you can use an unger elbow on ?

[alanwilson]

36ft powerpole will do this job with the sill extension but they are really heavy and hard to control at those heights.  I think you'd be better off with a cherry picker and do all the plastics, gutters, everything in the one clean and charge them the full day + c/picker hire and any additional costs.  Obviously you would need to check with the home owners first but they would certainly get ore for their money while you get a full days work and still being easier on you/operator.

[WCE]

Hi Alan. You don't have to use a powerpole just the head and tool adaptor. The reason I suggested it is because those powerpoles are bloody heavy!   

[alanwilson]

I know but the powerpole has the trigger handle and I'm only giving ideas anyway.  Still think the cherry picker is the way to go.

[WCE]

I know but the powerpole has the trigger handle and I'm only giving ideas anyway.  Still think the cherry picker is the way to go.

I hadn't thought about the trigger. Do you not think that a cherry picker may push the costs up to much? Maybe OK for a one off but not for a regular clean. 

[billozz]

jeff, you have mail.
thanks for the replies guys a cherry picker is not possible due to the landscape surrounding this building
bill

[Jeff Brimble]

Cheers Bill,
Is there any scroll work between the bars ? (Pic is not defined enough to see)
What pole do you use ? Do you have a c/f modular ?

[[GQC] Tim]

If you can't do it from the inside (the best option) my only suggestion is: Get a pole (not the wfp type) and put a mop on the end. Then use this to wash the window. When you get to the bars turn the mop vertical to gain access to window. Scrub the window. Next get your wfp. use this to rinse and rinse rinse rinse. Pencil jets would be best for this. the water flow should be high enough to rinse the soap away but not so high that the water is blasting out (If flow is to high it will be difficult to control where the water goes and you will end up with runs etc) So to recap, Use a mop on a pole to scrub and clean the window and your wfp to rinse. The only other option I can think of is to get a cherry picker in but I don't think this is really an option as the hire costs would push the costs to high for 1 house and therefore would not be viable.  Personally I wouldn't bother with a job like this as they are usually way to much hassle. If you have to do it from the outside then it will take at least twice as long as a usual clean so remember to charge accordingly. If they won't pay at least double then I would walk away as accepting less money will mean you are out of pocket. If anyone does have a better way of cleaning them (from the outside) then please tell! I have lots of blocks of flats where they have put bars over the patio door. I always find these to be a pain so would love to hear of any tips advice.
Pete

Personally I don't think that would work (first mop, then wfp rinse).

Getting a traditional pole up there is gonna be absolutely wrecking for your arms, and how are you going to avoid rinsing the frames? Because dirt water will run and run over the windows, you need to scrub with a wfp brush.

[billozz]

jeff,
no scroll work between the bars we normally use extel poles but we have used fishing poles in the past for really high jobs
bill

[WCE]

If you can't do it from the inside (the best option) my only suggestion is: Get a pole (not the wfp type) and put a mop on the end. Then use this to wash the window. When you get to the bars turn the mop vertical to gain access to window. Scrub the window. Next get your wfp. use this to rinse and rinse rinse rinse. Pencil jets would be best for this. the water flow should be high enough to rinse the soap away but not so high that the water is blasting out (If flow is to high it will be difficult to control where the water goes and you will end up with runs etc) So to recap, Use a mop on a pole to scrub and clean the window and your wfp to rinse. The only other option I can think of is to get a cherry picker in but I don't think this is really an option as the hire costs would push the costs to high for 1 house and therefore would not be viable.  Personally I wouldn't bother with a job like this as they are usually way to much hassle. If you have to do it from the outside then it will take at least twice as long as a usual clean so remember to charge accordingly. If they won't pay at least double then I would walk away as accepting less money will mean you are out of pocket. If anyone does have a better way of cleaning them (from the outside) then please tell! I have lots of blocks of flats where they have put bars over the patio door. I always find these to be a pain so would love to hear of any tips advice.
Pete

Personally I don't think that would work (first mop, then wfp rinse).

Getting a traditional pole up there is gonna be absolutely wrecking for your arms, and how are you going to avoid rinsing the frames? Because dirt water will run and run over the windows, you need to scrub with a wfp brush.

My point was I thought it would be easier to get a mop on it rather than attempt to get the brush through the bars on a 4th floor window (come to think of it does anyone make a trad pole that goes that high?!). The mop would perform the same job as the brush though and agitate the dirt. I think it would work have done something similar in the past. The secret is in the rinsing. If the flow rate is high enough and you are prepared to stand there and rinse, rinse, rinse and then rinse some more! The bars wouldn't be an issue as you would rinse from the top of the window. The flow rate is the most important aspect on this one IMO.

[Jeff Brimble]

The brush head angle needs to be adjustable, One way is - B&Q do a 5" fence brush that should fit through the rails and the rake can be altered so that it can scrub the glass at whatever angle you need. ( pic ? )
The balconies need a long reach elbow I suggest a B&Q SLx arial tube cut down to the length you need and then fitted to a universal elbow by making two cuts and then using a jubilee clip.
Its a bit of work and does take skill when in use, I have used c/f but the alu may be easier for you to do.

One day someone is going to tackle these jobs because no one else is willing to. If you need more help, ask !

I do them on the basis of an initial clean at a good price then regular cleans of the glass that you can reach easily,  but doing the difficult bits only on a once in a blue moon or say 6 monthly clean basis.Or they can do them themselves in between ( which they never do)  The lower glass tends to stay ok when done like this as the water from the cleaned window tops rinses down.

Its just another problem to be solved. No one else is going to do them but you could also walk away as suggested. If you need more help, ask !

[dai]

I do a few like the ones on the third floor. The brush a Bentley will go though the bars, a swivel makes life easier as does a pole with plenty of flex. One job I have due on Friday has diagonal bars, but they can be done a bit at a time.
Some bars stick out a few inches from the wall, you can get a brush in at the bottom by standing directly underneath them and straightening the angle adapter, sorry can't suggest any thing to do the balcony ones. If they really want them cleaning, they will need to give you access. Dai

[AJ]

cut the centre out of a brush, making it about 4in wide. push a fan jet into a piece of hose and just gaffer tape it to the brush. the fan sprays over the top of the brush and the brush fits through the railings. With one jet you get good pressure.