[TonyD]

I'm just starting out and would rather use wfp, but obviously need to build a round and be confident that I enjoy the work and will be sticking with it first, so, I've been looking at the trad extension poles that are available as I just don't like the daily risk with the ladder for every job.

Is it possible to do the first floor windows (ladderless) trad with an extension pole, and using a cloth clamp to detail etc. ?
AND, most importantly, is it possible to do it and do a good job of the clean ?

Has anyone tried it and failed or mastered the method ?

[Platinum NW]

Hey fella your not crystal clear are you ?
Hows the canvassing going. As for the question iv always done traditional -never used extension pole so cant help you there

[TonyD]

The canvassing's going ok....so far.  Done my first 10 customers today.

[stephen s]

have a look on u tube mate at wagtail  although those guys make it look easy I'm sure with practice you will get there


good luck

[Platinum NW]

good luck mate - If your looking for good work id suggest eccleston. I sold a few rounds up there last month but i know from the area the window cleaners arnt reliable

[TonyD]

Just curious as I've not seen trad with pole mentioned, even after searching, but seen the poles available, and as a newbie it's something that had crossed my mind but thought maybe it was wishful thinking that trad could be done without a ladder for every window.

[TonyD]

good luck mate - If your looking for good work id suggest eccleston. I sold a few rounds up there last month but i know from the area the window cleaners arnt reliable

lol, funny you should say that as that's where I've got my first customers...

[stephen s]

as I said mate look on u tube at the wagtail method

[TonyD]

Just been looking at some wagtail vids, this was pretty impressive -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7vAnNErmp0&feature=related

[Platinum NW]

Tony is that you then - Crystal Clear ?

There was leaflets in a cafe i dropped into today thought your number looked familiar

Where in eccelston did you canvass?
Was it anywhere near kitchener st or rivington road?

[Platinum NW]

Does anyone use these wagtails? We clean frames as well suppose ud still need a ladder for this ...........

[Mike #1]

can't see trad pole working watched guy yesterday who has been at it years was''nt cleaning windows properly at all and he has a good round hotels shops etc , also without been funny sparrowteeth you need to try and get over your fear with ladders they 're only dangerous when not used properly try and get a few days with window cleaner in your area , most lads are ok and don't mind heelping out

[jonnyald]

i use a wagtail (flipper) on a pole most days .  its taken alot of practice but is worth it . i was using a 6metre ali pole  but recently  i bought a roach fishing pole off ebay that iv shortened down to 9 metres ,this is lighter and doesnt bend like the alli pole does / this takes an 18 inch wagtail , i use the wagtail "angle arm "as in that youtube video,in fact i bought 2 of the angle arms as they are really handy to reach into a sill high up. 

i modded the flipper to take a  pulex microtiger sleeve as the original yellow pad is pants (trimmed down the fibres to a 1/4 inch so it still flips good)

 to detail the edges i just fold a scrim on the end of the pole .the detailing is the easy part of poling iv found

[Sir Squeaky]

Hard enough to get pole work perfect up close, like on tall shops windows.

On first floor opening light windows?
No chance. Absolutely no chance!

[TonyD]

Tony is that you then - Crystal Clear ?

There was leaflets in a cafe i dropped into today thought your number looked familiar

Where in eccelston did you canvass?
Was it anywhere near kitchener st or rivington road?

No I'm not Crystal Clear, I'm currently cleaning under my handyman business name, linked to my website in my signature.
Website - DILLON Projects
I'll be setting up a separate business and name if the window cleaning expands into a full business.

[martinsadie]

customer with 3rd floor bedroom window has been after it cleaned for ages,so ladder full out today just below the gutter on 2nd floor bay ,and poled the window from there,bit of messing about changing applicator and blade,then stuck scrim on pole for edges not a brillent job but should keep him happy,only be doing it a few times a year,those being when i have someone to foot the ladder and not to windy

[Gaby P.]

Hard enough to get pole work perfect up close, like on tall shops windows.

On first floor opening light windows?
No chance. Absolutely no chance!

Squeaky is right there, no chance. What about the sills & bottom frames, are you going to leave all the muck you pulled off on there?

[jonnyald]

Squeaky is right there, no chance. What about the sills & bottom frames, are you going to leave all the muck you pulled off on there?
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well,, using the pad on the wagtail flipper i wipe the frame and the sill  and never have any bother .i wipe the frame side and top first then do window and wipe sill as the last thing , pretty much the same as a normal clean but praps a few seconds more as   i have to bring the pole down to put a scrim on it to do the detailing.   mind u ,i read on a forum somewhere that guy WAGGA  has a mod with a detailing cloth on the back of his wagtail  and i might try that sometime  it looked like a bent spoon with cloth wrapped on it

[gerard mcmanus]

I started out with poles as I couldn't get a ladder on my vehicle. I would say yes they are a much need tool. They can take a little longer to work with than a set of ladders and that is why I only use them when I have to. When it is windy I use them instead of a ladder to keep the work going. I would say you get a better job when you are at the window as you can spot any mistakes that may need detailed.

The thing that holds me up the most with poles is when the window has 2 pains 1 above the other, as you have to dry of the cross bar to stop any drips, which in turn leaves you cloths soaking and you go through them quicker.

The only problem is getting over sills on higher windows, and I haven't found a good angle adapter yet, the under one just comes loose on you, so it is really only be good for first floor work.

[Gaby P.]

Squeaky is right there, no chance. What about the sills & bottom frames, are you going to leave all the muck you pulled off on there?
[/qu
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well,, using the pad on the wagtail flipper i wipe the frame and the sill  and never have any bother .i wipe the frame side and top first then do window and wipe sill as the last thing , pretty much the same as a normal clean but praps a few seconds more as   i have to bring the pole down to put a scrim on it to do the detailing.   mind u ,i read on a forum somewhere that guy WAGGA  has a mod with a detailing cloth on the back of his wagtail

How can you see the sills on the first floor? Just wipe them and hope for the best?