[Nathanael Jones]

I've got one of these in my van:
www.cgi.ebay.ie/Large-LCD-Aquarium-Thermometer-Vivarium-Incuba-151_W0QQitemZ150276713856QQihZ005QQcategoryZ93679QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

The probe goes down into the tank, so I can keep an eye on the temp in the winter. In summer its normally around 16 C without any heating of the tank at all.
When its 16C already, the heater on minimum will bring it up another 20C.

Elbow grease is fine if you like that kind of thing, but my personal opinion is that for how little it costs (Diy at least) I made my money back within a month just by working faster. Why scrub if you don't need to?!

[Dave Turley]

go on then have you cracked any windows?

[Wayne Thomas]

For those using DIY heaters...

Do they automatically cut out if water gets above a set temperature???

[ftp]

I'd be pretty gutted if i cracked a window at £70 a pop. That's ten houses worth on some of my round.

[windowwashers]

£70 is not just £70 or work, tax etc etc etc.

As said fair play for the guy for posting this, I personally would use this as a tool.selling angle against anyone with a hot system 

[Nathanael Jones]

I've not cracked a single window yet (5 months in),.. the winter will tell the full story though.

My heater is "on demand", so the heater is set to the required temp and it just ignites/cuts out as the water flow starts and stops.

[NWH]

I can`t see how anyone can be cracking windows at the moment,how can you crack glass in the height of summer.

[windowwashers]

in summer we all use heated water  winter is a difference kettle of fish, NWH is the man that knows the most IMO about this

[niceandclean]

I ve not cracked any glass in 2-3 years, either in summer or winter!

[Kevin R]

I have been using my new hot water system for a week. It does clean faster for maintenance cleans and much much faster for first cleans. I have used it this week on two commercial jobs, an 11 century listed building, single glazed sash, single glazed georgian and your standard double glazing too.

I have been running at 52 degrees C at the brush head. I have had no cracks, noises or anything else. I know its early days but so far I am happy to use it all day on everything.  

I turned it off this afternoon as I was low on diesel but within 5 mins I turned it back on again as cold water was horrible after a week of hot.

20 degrees this weather doesnt seem to do much but 50 degrees is fantastic - one thing for sure my heater is staying on  

[Dave Turley]

kevin you've summed it up beautifully. I can't see anyone who's tried hot going back to cold. I think you've been lucky up to yet at 52 degrees

i've now got a thermostatic mixer valve. the heater keeps kicking on and off and the heat at the brush head is constant

[ftp]

I'd be pretty gutted if i cracked a window at £70 a pop. That's ten houses worth on some of my round.

That's not critisizing your system, just to say i couldn't take it in my stride like you. I snapped a section of my carbon pole once which wiped out the mornings work in about two seconds.  :

[Dave Turley]

I did that too a while ago. it is well depressing.

luckily emporium replaced it foc as I had the first pole they sold and I hadn't beeen given the insstruction sheet which said not to lift it from the ground   

I think i've just been unlucky and had a couple of stressed windows 

[Kevin R]

By the sounds of things you can go along for months without a problem or in some cases years without a problem then all of a sudden crack!!

If you were doing a first clean I guess the glass has more time to expand, but surely its a fault within the glass / fitting itself?  The whole idea of modern double glazed units is they (if glazed correctly) can expand and contract and thus keep the integrity of the cavity intact. Ok I realise single glazing is a different matter altogether.

Would it be possible to write in to your terms and conditions (or have a waiver) that badly fitted glass / damaged etc will not be covered on the first clean? After all are you responsible for the customers defective glass? We have construction clean wavers for badly manufactured glass so why not for this?

Lets face it the guys with hot systems are pioneers,  and we should all be working together pooling our experience (as Dave has) as that is ultimately what will become custom and practice in the future.

[Wayne Thomas]

I can't see anyone who's tried hot going back to cold.

I've gone back to cold wfp. Only use hot for new cleans, heavily soiled windows, showery weather or if I'm in a rush to complete a job. Prefer to turn my water flow up to compensate for not using hot water and use it cold instead during the summer months. Will probably go back to using hot in the winter when it starts getting cold enough though

[Oakley Windows]

 but surely its a fault within the glass / fitting itself? 

Only if the glass was fitted with the intention of having hot water poured over it.

To be honest that sounds like a bad workman always blames his tools story, it is not the glasses fault.

[NWH]

By using very hot water on your work over time i would think that you will be gradually weakening the glass,in effect your flexing the glass to extremes say 6-8 times a year in all weathers.The results may be good but as for being good for the glass i can`t think that it is,to get through the winter months isopropanol does the same job IMO,i`ve used it for the last 2 winters and it`s got me through really really cold mornings and has allowed me to carry on working in freezing conditions.

[Kevin R]

By using very hot water on your work over time i would think that you will be gradually weakening the glass,in effect your flexing the glass to extremes say 6-8 times a year in all weathers.The results may be good but as for being good for the glass i can`t think that it is,to get through the winter months isopropanol does the same job IMO,i`ve used it for the last 2 winters and it`s got me through really really cold mornings and has allowed me to carry on working in freezing conditions.

So have you given up on hot?

[Dave Turley]

weakening the glass? you don't really believe that?

[darragh windows]

I cracked my 2nd window today on a first clean.

water was at 44 degrees and I was working on that pane for about 40 sseconds as it was proper filthy

it was double glazed upvc. I got an estimate from a local glazier of £70 for cash supplied and fitted and left the money with the custies lad and called her at work to explain.

she was very understanding and chilled about it.

it was only a tiny semi (£15 first clean, £10 thereafter). hope this doesn't become too regular, my last one was about 2 months ago with slightly cooler water!

ah well, making more than enough dosh at the min, so I don't suppose it matters too much
 :

im very friendly with my local glazer even though i have never broke a pane any one ever asks me do i know any good glazers broken seals or whatever and i send the work his way knowing one day he will return the favour if i do crack one