[jo5hm4n]

This is my first winter using WFP so i could do with some advice!

So today it was cold as i'm sure loads of you already know   I managed to do 3/4 a days work but on 1 job i cleaned a conservatory and when i went back to check after i had cleaned it, the water had frozen on conny.  Not like all over, just in a few patches.

So question 1.  Is this anything to be concerned by?  Can i carry on cleaning without any problems even if water freezes on the glass.  Obviously if it was like -5C then i wouldnt be cleaning at all, but it was 0C and it only happened on conny windows for obvious reasons.

Question 2.  What do i do when/if water freezes on windows?  Do i get the ice off, or just leave it alone for it to later melt/dry.  Plus what do i tell customer if it happens, one lady actually brought this up today and i didn't really have an answer so i sort of just fobbed her off saying it wouldn't freeze today because the sun was due to come out.

I literally dont know what to do so need some advice off you lot pleaseeeeeee.

Also, Should i be putting anything in my tank to stop water freezing in hose or on glass, such as antifreeze or window screen fluid?  Swear i heard somebody said they used this for when its really cold.

Just want some general advice, not bothered about tank/reel freezing overnight already got a duvet and a radiator for that, thinking more when out and about cleaning to prevent problems.

Last problem.....  A customer told me not to clean his windows today even though i drove 10 mins to get there just for him and when i arrived it was 8C.  He said it will freeze overnight and he was worried about the water from wfp on the ground freezing and slippy floor the next morning, hes old and worried about falling.  I didn't really have an answer at the time, so i said look, il wfp upstairs windows, but trad downstairs and trad all the doors.  Usually i wouldnt do this, but it was the last job of the day anyway.  Wondering what i should do/say for next time if this happens again.  Don't want to be doing any trad if i can help it especially not in winter.

Thanks again, wish i was off work like the rest of you scallywags

[nathankaye]

Yep, glad i have this week off 

I saw a chap trad cleaning today up a ladder and thought im so glad thats not me anymore. Hated the freezing cold ladders and warming my hands in my armpits every 10 mins or so...

Dont worry about your water freezing a little on the windows, in the manner in which youve said. It will melt but either way it is still pure. Ive not had a problem or should i say, my clients have not complained or mentioned it before.

If you have the work, rearrange your layout perhaps. I for instance leave conservatories till later in the day, allowing them to warm up first. Or start a little later in day.

I wouldnt put anything into the water as thus may affect tds. Ive never done so, so someone more experienced in this may better advice.  Try putting some in a cup and add your water and try the tds perhaps? Or try on your own windows??

I have my water tank insulated in the van and use a radiator to prevent things freezing on these nights. My water temp in my 500ltr tank hasnt when ive checked, fell below 4/5 degrees.

Alternatively heat your water up, many use  either a gas heater (like a portable shower unit) or heating elements in tank.
Which would ultimately prevent this. However you need to be sensible so as not to crack your clients windows.

The old chap.....you shouldnt be using that much water per window to cause such problems for them to be concerned with. Which would fall directly below their windows, so unless your spraying it all over his path, than just ensure and reasure him you will not be causing any hazards for him.  Unless your happy to blade downstairs than its not a problem to keep him as a good customer.

[jk999]

When it freezes I tend not to do doors

[matthewprice]

I always carry and use white rock salt .And gritting any path and steps that I have wet .Seems to reassure my customers .Also holiday houses that tend not to be heated or conservatory's and some houses that are gripple glazed always leave till later in the day .Or if still cold rescheduled to another day .

[SeanK]

Up your prices and make hay while the sun shines, no need to be cleaning windows if the water is freezing on the
glass and ground.
If you're going to be putting salt  on your customers property ( which is a waste of time and may also leave you liable if somebody does slip ) just be sure your customers are ok with it.

[Spruce]

We have only had water freezing on the glass 3 or 4 times in 10 years where we live.

If you get enough water on the glass to wash and rinse, then we haven't had an issue when the ice melted. I went back and checked the council building I did where their heating was off over the holiday period and they were fine. It took longer to do the job as we needed to push a bit more water on the glass to get it above freezing so we could clean and rinse. Within a few minutes of rinsing the water froze on the glass.

We have a north conservatory that was a problem in the morning. We now leave that house and any others with North facing conservatories until the afternoon when the sun has warmed the conservatory enough above freezing not to experience an issue.

The last few winters have been very mild on the north coast so freezing windows haven't been an issue.

We carry salt on the van in winter and sprinkle that down where we think freezing water could cause a slip and injury. We usually do the path around the doors anyway. We occasionally ask but do it as a matter of course in the afternoon to be sure.

.

[dazmond]

1,dont work in between xmas and new year.enjoy the time off.

2.if water freezes on the glass so be it.the glass will still be clean after it thaws out(esp if your using hot water)

3. trad doorways on certain properties during very cold spells of weather

4.keep a sweeping brush in the van and ice melt grit for some customers paths/driveways(with permission)

5.start later in the day if really cold and finish earlier(even 3 hours is better than none)

6.keep a spare flask of hot water in the van in case your jets freeze up

7.keep your water flowing as much as possible to prevent hose freezing on the ground

8.build up an emergency/bad weather fund of at least a few grand then if its really bad you can enjoy the time off and give advice to other window cleaners who are still trying to work in freezing conditions.

[Stoots]

You shouldn't be working this week under any circumstances. That's the problem

[steve rix]

You shouldn't be working this week under any circumstances. That's the problem

Why?

[Don Kee]

Had a look in the back of the van today, not even bothered since I swept the back of the van out last Friday afternoon!!

Hose reels, pole hose, trad bucket etc...all frozen up...

Never mind, not got to worry about it until Tuesday so will chuck a radiator in over monday night!

Added - on second thoughts, might thaw it out before hand and make sure its all working first, just looked at the temps for the start of next week!!

[dazmond]

Had a look in the back of the van today, not even bothered since I swept the back of the van out last Friday afternoon!!

Hose reels, pole hose, trad bucket etc...all frozen up...

Never mind, not got to worry about it until Tuesday so will chuck a radiator in over monday night!

Added - on second thoughts, might thaw it out before hand and make sure its all working first, just looked at the temps for the start of next week!!

same!ive not even opened the back of mine up since last friday or drove it!

monday morning ill fill up,give it a wash and charge battery ready for tuesday.probably will have to put a heater in there too as forecast below freezing for monday night here.

[Shrek]

Had a look in the back of the van today, not even bothered since I swept the back of the van out last Friday afternoon!!

Hose reels, pole hose, trad bucket etc...all frozen up...

Never mind, not got to worry about it until Tuesday so will chuck a radiator in over monday night!

Added - on second thoughts, might thaw it out before hand and make sure its all working first, just looked at the temps for the start of next week!!

Me too ! Went to start my transit connect up today and the battery was flat , had to go and buy some jump leads

[SeanK]

Had a look in the back of the van today, not even bothered since I swept the back of the van out last Friday afternoon!!

Hose reels, pole hose, trad bucket etc...all frozen up...

Never mind, not got to worry about it until Tuesday so will chuck a radiator in over monday night!

Added - on second thoughts, might thaw it out before hand and make sure its all working first, just looked at the temps for the start of next week!!

If you have an inline strainer before the pump chances are it will be busted and wont start leaking until you thaw the van.
Got caught out with this a few weeks back and didn't have a spare.

[Don Kee]

Had a look in the back of the van today, not even bothered since I swept the back of the van out last Friday afternoon!!

Hose reels, pole hose, trad bucket etc...all frozen up...

Never mind, not got to worry about it until Tuesday so will chuck a radiator in over monday night!

Added - on second thoughts, might thaw it out before hand and make sure its all working first, just looked at the temps for the start of next week!!

If you have an inline strainer before the pump chances are it will be busted and wont start leaking until you thaw the van.
Got caught out with this a few weeks back and didn't have a spare.

I was bored and I'm about ready to go back to work now, so I thawed it out this morning to give myself something to do; radiator on for an hour ish. Tried both pumps everything's fine (including the strainer)

If I went on your every post sean I'd have topped myself by now 

Not going to worry about it now until I fill the tank and put the radiator in monday night, Happy New Year!!

[NWH]

As said don't don't do doors in freezing weathers and i also put salt down where people this time of year are likely to be walking,I love the gap between Xmas and new year it gives me chance to catch up on a few commercial jobs as all staff are off so I can get around without any hassle.