Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: colin bird on February 25, 2014, 06:37:23 pm
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thanks for reading this,im 52 been wfd for six years,ive been a grafter all my life,but have to say im starting to find i get tired and ache after a day on the pole.
is this normal for my age ? or is it just me ?
i have a good diet,always get my eight hours sleep.
do you guys around my age feel the same ? all you younger guys may laugh but it will come to you in time.
all posotive feed back welcome especially from you oldies.
many thanks
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Don't worry mate, I'm 35 and feel cream crackered every night, this job is hard work and we have to graft for every penny.
All you can do is get the lightest equipment available and price well so you can earn a decent wage without having to knock your bolllox off all day.
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Sorry mate i cant help, as im still a youngster at nearly 47
But
Bobplum should be along soon to help you out, cause he's knocking on a bit ;D ;D
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Bobplum should be along soon to help you out, cause he's knocking on a bit ;D ;D
^^^^^^^^sorry knocking on a bit
he's gone well pass it ;D ;D ;D ;D
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I am 48 and pretty fit. Some days are harder than others. My advice is pace yourself, work briskly but not 100 mph, take thirty minutes for lunch.
If your diet is good and your getting plenty of sleep you are doing all the right things. Also, avoid burn out. By that I mean plan and take breaks from work.
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My upper shoulders do feel it at night and I am 65 in 9 months. Its my second childhood.
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Birdy I'm 45 today been wfp ing for 10 years and you know what I've never ached so much since doing this. I wake up in the mornings and I feel like I've been run over by a lorry in the night !!!!
Didn't have any pains when I was using ladders O and was slimmer pmsl!!!
Wouldn't change it now couldn't do ladders all day now !!! 👍🇬🇧👳
I've got frozen shoulders carpool tunnel my body is breaking down and hope to retire in 7 years when mortgage is paid
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I can't keep my pole up like I used to.
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I'm 52 this year.
Both knees and back done in from the army, every day is a chore... but now i know I'm not alone! ;)
Pace yourself do what you can (more importantly what you need to do!) and enjoy your life, your children, your grand children.
Meeting your wife for an impromptu cup of coffee during the day!
Simply pleasures!
My neighbour died 7 (seven) days after retirement... I'm not going to retire! ;D
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I'm 50 and feel the same, there are days when I come home feeling as if Iv
had a kicking.
WFP for about 7 years and feeling the strain I think the first 4 years using crap poles
did most of the damage.
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What pole are you using?
Get the lightest one available, I'm now 48 been wfp for 5 years
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I'm 52 this year.
Both knees and back done in from the army, every day is a chore... but now i know I'm not alone! ;)
Pace yourself do what you can (more importantly what you need to do!) and enjoy your life, your children, your grand children.
Meeting your wife for an impromptu cup of coffee during the day!
Simply pleasures!
My neighbour died 7 (seven) days after retirement... I'm not going to retire! ;D
If I want pleasure, the last thing I want to do is see the Mrs!
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I will be 52 in a few weeks time. I'm an old school traddie, and I had always prided myself on the fact that although I take regular exercise I have always been reasonably fit. These days though I wake up in the morning as stiff as a board!
Once I am out working though, the joints ease up and I can keep going all day without any problems.
John
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if any of you old duffers are gonna die anytime soon. Can i get first dibs on your work please?
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What pole are you using?
Get the lightest one available, I'm now 48 been wfp for 5 years
I now use a SLX18 for my everyday pole and have a 25 for a few hard to reach jobs.
But used to use xtels and hydra alloys with a brick brush on the end.
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What pole are you using?
Get the lightest one available, I'm now 48 been wfp for 5 years
48 yes right you are ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Trad is defo more healthy as its a completed motion in other words we extend our arms and move the length of the glass, not the length of our arms. Which is an incomplete movement. If I was working for my health I would do trad but its money so health goes out the window.
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dont work every day.price well and work shorter days.lightest poles and brushes(extremes).
nowt else you can do if your eating well,sleeping well unless you employ and put down the tools?
a bit of yoga would help as well my friend.
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if any of you old duffers are gonna die anytime soon. Can i get first dibs on your work please?
No problem, if you don't mind moving to Ireland!
John
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Don't worry mate, I'm 35 and feel cream crackered every night, this job is hard work and we have to graft for every penny.
All you can do is get the lightest equipment available and price well so you can earn a decent wage without having to knock your bolllox off all day.
thanks for that maybe I'm doing ok for an oldie
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I was having a right moan about this yesterday,pain everyday.
Shoulders,back,neck,knees,even feet,and I dont mean a bit sore its real pain,been like this couple years,
woke up about 5 this morning in agony muscle in groin, was fine yesterday,its ok now so see what happens tomorrow.
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I am 48 and pretty fit. Some days are harder than others. My advice is pace yourself, work briskly but not 100 mph, take thirty minutes for lunch.
If your diet is good and your getting plenty of sleep you are doing all the right things. Also, avoid burn out. By that I mean plan and take breaks from work.
hi yes having a break is something I've not done but yes I agree,I will be looking to do that and take some snacks for energy,thanks for the advice
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My upper shoulders do feel it at night and I am 65 in 9 months. Its my second childhood.
fair play to you mate
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Just turned 56 in January, and trad. Been going for about 23 years on and off. I work about 3 hours on the glass about 12 to 14 working days a month. Feel fine. I eat well, and exercise 5 days a week. May feel the odd twinge in the left knee for a few minutes some mornings on the first house.
Want to get off the glass and develop our carpet cleaning biz.
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I'm 52 this year.
Both knees and back done in from the army, every day is a chore... but now i know I'm not alone! ;)
Pace yourself do what you can (more importantly what you need to do!) and enjoy your life, your children, your grand children.
Meeting your wife for an impromptu cup of coffee during the day!
Simply pleasures!
My neighbour died 7 (seven) days after retirement... I'm not going to retire! ;D
I too now feel good I'm not alone,yes I agree with you about enjoying my wife and kids , I love them all dearly,just wish the wife was dirty lol,thanks for your reply mate
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I'm 50 and feel the same, there are days when I come home feeling as if Iv
had a kicking.
WFP for about 7 years and feeling the strain I think the first 4 years using crap poles
did most of the damage.
do you want to fall a sleep at 8.30 pm ? I do,I'm in bed before my kids aged 9 and 14
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What pole are you using?
Get the lightest one available, I'm now 48 been wfp for 5 years
im using a clx to be honest I don't find it that heavy,I think it's the hose reel in and out of the van,don't want to work with doors open as be robbed a while ago
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if any of you old duffers are gonna die anytime soon. Can i get first dibs on your work please?
No problem, if you don't mind moving to Ireland!
John
What bit?
I lived in Ireland when I was a kid (my dad is a spud kicker) in Wexford.
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I will be 52 in a few weeks time. I'm an old school traddie, and I had always prided myself on the fact that although I take regular exercise I have always been reasonably fit. These days though I wake up in the morning as stiff as a board!
Once I am out working though, the joints ease up and I can keep going all day without any problems.
John
yes mate I agree once I'm up and running I'm okay,but just hate feeling knackered at 3 oc as I feel I'm only working part time,but my body is telling me to stop,I find it so frustrating
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Try having a recovery drink once you have finished your round for goodness shakes are good especially the chocolate ones. It works for me
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Just turned 56 in January, and trad. Been going for about 23 years on and off. I work about 3 hours on the glass about 12 to 14 working days a month. Feel fine. I eat well, and exercise 5 days a week. May feel the odd twinge in the left knee for a few minutes some mornings on the first house.
Want to get off the glass and develop our carpet cleaning biz.
hi mate I'm on the glass 5 to 6 hours a day,prior to wfd I was carpet cleaning from 2003 to 2008 then the carpet cleaning dried up,I had some good contracts,but when they dried up,I found I was unable to replace them,that could be either I was crap at carpet cleaning or no good at marketing to gain new work,but good luck to you as carpet cleaning can be undertaken in all weathers,and day and night,
The plus side for window cleaning is it's easier and cheaper to find new customers,also if you loose one it's no big deal.
Regarding carpet cleaning if you loose a good contract it can be a bit hit,as I have found out.
Thanks for your reply,good luck on the carpet
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Try having a recovery drink once you have finished your round for goodness shakes are good especially the chocolate ones. It works for me
thanks for your reply,when you say recovery drink,is that an energy drink ?
I'm always watching what my intake is,as I carry a few extra pounds,I'm not a fat minter,but could be .
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As a relative youngster of 42, i don't feel too bad physically, but up till i stopped using a 30' elite hybrid as my only 'upstairs' pole, i was getting some pain in the shoulders. I mainly use a gardiners clx 18' now, and, touchwood, the pain has stopped!.
My main gripe is sleep, or lack of. I have suffered from insomnia for a long time now, the severity of which can vary, but there are very few days which i am not knackered and have enormous black bags under my eyes :-[
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As a relative youngster of 42, i don't feel too bad physically, but up till i stopped using a 30' elite hybrid as my only 'upstairs' pole, i was getting some pain in the shoulders. I mainly use a gardiners clx 18' now, and, touchwood, the pain has stopped!.
My main gripe is sleep, or lack of. I have suffered from insomnia for a long time now, the severity of which can vary, but there are very few days which i am not knackered and have enormous black bags under my eyes :-[
I feel for you I've had insomnia in the past,up at 2am till 6 am then back to bed and can't get up at 6.45 to go to work. I truly know how you feel you have to have had it to understand what it's like,luckily for me it has not troubled me in a while,but I never say never, good luck
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Colin, why not find a young lad and have him part time, get him doing the work and whilst he is doing the work you can simply sit in van or do what i do and canvass surrounding roads and houses to the area your working. Before long you could have your part timer full time, even if its with you in the van too whilst he does all the graft.. Joys of being the boss.. ;D
Defo use the lightest pole available too, i use the slx25 all day as my pole and do still feel knackared after a days work so am contemplating getting the slx 18 as its as light as a feather and will have me working faster and be getting home quicker than using my 25 footer!!.
Also as dazmond said, have a 4 day working week(more time to rest and do a few hobbies and get out doing different things).
Im sure you will be fine and still be going for another 10/15 years with the aches and pains lol...all the best me old fruit.
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Hi Guys,
Im 55 and just starting out as a window cleaner. Getting my system fitted in 10 days time. Im getting a slx 18 & 28 poles. I suffer with a bad back & a bad neck so just the job for me!! Looking forward to it though. Will keep you posted on the pains :)
Steve
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Jeez I'm 31 and I'm feeling it ache like hell and click like hell, what will I feel like when I'm 50
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Sorry mate i cant help, as im still a youngster at nearly 47
But
Bobplum should be along soon to help you out, cause he's knocking on a bit ;D ;D
ccoooeeee
totally agree, knackered at the end of a week.im 52, thou people do say i look a lot younger :-* :-* :-* god bless them
Because of this i am in the process of hiring a part timer
I FEEL YOUR PAIN ;D
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Jeez I'm 31 and I'm feeling it ache like hell and click like hell, what will I feel like when I'm 50
You'll be well dead by then.
Might as well give me your round now and go back to working in the office. It'll be boring but you'll live for ages and ages. ;D
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I am 32 and work really hard on the wfp 5 days a week, I am young but still have an aching shoulder most of the time . The tips I have found that help are .......
1) take time for hot drinks during the day
2) drink plenty of water
3) eat and sleep well.
4) use extreme or slx poles with extreme brushes
5) don't rush or overstrain
6) go for the occasional massage by a good therapist
7) use a gym to build good upper body strength
All these things I find worthwhile ....
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I will be 52 in a few weeks time. I'm an old school traddie, and I had always prided myself on the fact that although I take regular exercise I have always been reasonably fit. These days though I wake up in the morning as stiff as a board!
Once I am out working though, the joints ease up and I can keep going all day without any problems.
John
yes mate I agree once I'm up and running I'm okay,but just hate feeling knackered at 3 oc as I feel I'm only working part time,but my body is telling me to stop,I find it so frustrating
Just re-read my post. It should say that I DON'T take regular exercise! I do very full days and the tiredness only hits me when I get home and sit down. Sometimes I sit down and within minutes I am asleep!
John
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if any of you old duffers are gonna die anytime soon. Can i get first dibs on your work please?
No problem, if you don't mind moving to Ireland!
John
What bit?
I lived in Ireland when I was a kid (my dad is a spud kicker) in Wexford.
I am in Co. Kerry.
John
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if any of you old duffers are gonna die anytime soon. Can i get first dibs on your work please?
No problem, if you don't mind moving to Ireland!
John
What bit?
I lived in Ireland when I was a kid (my dad is a spud kicker) in Wexford.
I am in Co. Kerry.
John
Nice part of the world bud.
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if any of you old duffers are gonna die anytime soon. Can i get first dibs on your work please?
No problem, if you don't mind moving to Ireland!
John
What bit?
I lived in Ireland when I was a kid (my dad is a spud kicker) in Wexford.
I am in Co. Kerry.
John
Nice part of the world bud.
Yes it is very picturesque. It is also very wet (especially at the moment)!
John
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buy a juicing machine and use it, i always feel great after drinking juice from my juicer
employ staff-yes its a headache at times getting them on song ,but i make more money and more important i save my body
get your weight down as low as possible
relax at weekends
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im almost 62, I know what you mean,
by changing over to a lighter pole I found im not so knackered as I used to be
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im 46 and window cleaning is physically the easiest job ive
ever had,i dont get muscle or joint pain from work but
defo feel knackered at night these days..my sleeping problem
doesnt help and you cant escape the aging factor :)
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Get used to aches and pains!
You're going to be working for longer and when you're much older than any other previous generation.
Modern day slaves is what we are.
To be worked and exploited in the most efficient way for the state and the power holders.
Happy days!!!!!
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I'm 57, started back wc at 42 with an ally pole, then clx , then Slx, today I'm taking delivery of an extreme 18.
It's the best job I've had, outdoor, freedom etc.
Aches and pains, some sleepless nights but once I'm on the job I'm still like lightning.
Maybe I might start slowing down a wee bit so I can make retirement ;D
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I am 50, and don't have any problems, but I planned ahead.
I knew I was in this game for the long term and it would get tougher as I got older so I employed.
I now pick and choose my jobs. Today I will go out as the sun is shining and I will enjoy every moment. if its cold and damp I can usually find plenty of office work to keep my busy. ;)
My company grows every month, I earn a damn good wage, and I have no aches. (apart from earache but i just don't listen to her now) ;D
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I'm 55 been doing wc since 1987! 20 years trad wfp last 7! Got rid of most of wasters just about to buy another van and system to take me into my 60's and beyond! Currently using a slx 30 pole happy days!
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47 a couple of week ago, no aches or pains but do find takes longer to recover if i hurt myself only the other week challenged four young men to curl and press 20kg weights above their heads for as many reps as possible, i doubled the total score of all four together then lifted that amount of reps on my own so still feel i have plenty of work in me yet.
My father retired from windows last year at the age of 76 and is still as fit as a fiddle maybe i am just lucky and have good genes but i put it down to eating healthily, avoiding stress to best of my ability and a mindset that makes me train regular and always push my limits
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I think I've joined the wrong forum ::)roll
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45 and yes I do get tried after work but then again I then go out running or cycling, and swim 3 times a week before work
keep fit don't eat crap food and drink rubbish energy drinks and your be ok :P
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50 this year (the biggy). Done 1 year trad and 2 years wfp after a 30 years as a graphic designer. Yes I do my own leaflets etc.
I've got all the aches etc but I added 50 metres of pole hose on the end of my microbore.
I personally think it makes a real difference as it's so light to use. I weigh a bit over 10 stone...built for speed!
It's not perfect but I get good water pressure on the glass and no breaks of splits after 2 years of use.
I even bought 100m of gardiners microbore to try out and I only used it for 2 days as it was way too heavy, so put the pole hose back on.
It's cheap enough to buy so my tip would be to try 30m on the end of your existing hose and see how you get on.
The worst is you'll dump it and it would have cost you...not a lot.
You may even like it. ;)
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50 this year (the biggy). Done 1 year trad and 2 years wfp after a 30 years as a graphic designer. Yes I do my own leaflets etc.
I've got all the aches etc but I added 50 metres of pole hose on the end of my microbore.
I personally think it makes a real difference as it's so light to use. I weigh a bit over 10 stone...built for speed!
It's not perfect but I get good water pressure on the glass and no breaks of splits after 2 years of use.
I even bought 100m of gardiners microbore to try out and I only used it for 2 days as it was way too heavy, so put the pole hose back on.
It's cheap enough to buy so my tip would be to try 30m on the end of your existing hose and see how you get on.
The worst is you'll dump it and it would have cost you...not a lot.
You may even like it. ;)
Will be at 10stone fella. You need some food in ya! ;)
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I was always around 10 stone until well into my 40's. I've ballooned to around 13 now!
John
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Colin, why not find a young lad and have him part time, get him doing the work and whilst he is doing the work you can simply sit in van or do what i do and canvass surrounding roads and houses to the area your working. Before long you could have your part timer full time, even if its with you in the van too whilst he does all the graft.. Joys of being the boss.. ;D
Defo use the lightest pole available too, i use the slx25 all day as my pole and do still feel knackared after a days work so am contemplating getting the slx 18 as its as light as a feather and will have me working faster and be getting home quicker than using my 25 footer!!.
Also as dazmond said, have a 4 day working week(more time to rest and do a few hobbies and get out doing different things).
Im sure you will be fine and still be going for another 10/15 years with the aches and pains lol...all the best me old fruit.
hi mick thanks for that mate,hope the carpets go well,speak soon,ps I've been on the knocker tonight,no joy back out fri,