[scarboroughwindows]

First day actually cleaning windows today after a few days of canvassing.
My legs feels like i've run a marathon 

Couple of questions - The first floor windows for a couple of the houses are just under the guttering. I managed to lean my ladder against the top of the window frame and in a couple of cases against the glass itself. It seemed to work but i was a bit worried that I would break the window frame. I've seen ladder mitts which look good but most window cleaners dont seem to have them so there must be other techniques. Just wondering if anybody had any tips ?

The other question is to do with scrim cloths. What do people use them for ?? I was using an applicator to wet the windows and them squeeging them. So i just used the scrim cloths to wipe the frames really. If i tried to use a scrim cloth to wipe up any droplets of water on the glass it seemed to smear and I had to do it again.

So happy with my first day but still loads to learn 

Jon

[petski2]

Hi Jon are you actually from Scarborough.
Are you using a pointer ladder if not get one.Resting a ladder on window not a good idea.

You need some old rags to wipe off excess water from frames then just wipe round the nearly dry edges with scrim.

[littlejack]

Petski was being kind.  If you lean your ladder against a window sooner or later you will get a serious injury. Please don't do it.

You need to find a local w/c and spend a day with them.  Maybe someone on here is near,  before you do anything else silly.

There are lots of different places for ladders but the glass is not one of them. Some times you need to do 1/2 the window and then move ladder to do other 1/2. This can be a pain,  but not as much as going through the glass.

[pjulk]

Hello Jon

Your legs will get better.

The first floor windows for a couple of the houses are just under the guttering. I managed to lean my ladder against the top of the window frame and in a couple of cases against the glass itself. It seemed to work but i was a bit worried that I would break the window frame

One tip never lean you ladder against the glass that's asking for trouble.
What type of ladder do you have i take it you have an open top ladder. If thats the case you can do most windows by putting the ladder just under the window cill.
If you can reach it all put the ladder to the side of the window and clean what you can then move ladder to the other side. But don't overstretch.
If its a pointed ladder you are using you can put them either side of the window in the recess between frame and wall or even on the frame.

The other question is to do with scrim cloths. What do people use them for ??

Most people use them for detailing (wiping excess water from edge of glass)

The way i clean windows is applicator and wet the windows,
Wipe around frame with a damp piece of scrim to remove dust and excess water, Some people use a seperate cloth for this, Squeegie glass and wipe of water on cill with squeegie and wipe over with damp scrim, Then put a small piece of my scrim in one of the top corners and wipe the top edge of the glass and then the two side's.


You will soon get the hang of it

Paul

[AuRavelling79]

I have used ladder mitts for over three years - they are brilliant. Don't however put them against the glass. I also have articulated ladder feet. I put the mitts on transom bars, if they are solidly made (the wood, upvc or aluminium divider between top and bottom panes) when I am on level ground which is firm. Don't do it if the ground is not level as although the tendency to slip is markedly reduced it is an unwise practice IMHO!

If working on a tall window you can put your ladder above and work down.

Now I use a pole for 80% of my work.

As for the legs - I did £38 on my first day back in 1996, in eight hours, and you could have wheeled me home in a wheelbarrow!

[rosskesava]

I think it's all been said about leaning the ladder against glass. When I read that a shiver went up my spine. Just please don't do that (having done that myself).

As for your legs.... I remember that when I started window cleaning.

Stick at it, it does get easier and you will pick up more and more work bit by bit and this forum will help you loads.

[marc al]

  I usually push the top of my ladder up under the sill ,this stops it being able to go sideways, you will develope a way around every account soon enough, I am now using WFP aswell as traditional, it is a new learning curve getting around a house with that, i mix and match between the 2 whichever is the easiest for that house.
  When I started last year I did a Saturday morning first, with 23 pounds of business (3 houses), took me bloody ages and nearly killed me!

[scarboroughwindows]

Thanks for the replies. Yes I'm from Scarborough.
I agree with the advice not to put ladders against the glass 
The ladder I'm using is open topped. A frame ladders were a bit too expensive   
The window was right upto the very top of the building so it was either put the ladder against the top of the frame or put it underneath the window. I'm sure you're all right about safefy being the the most important thing though.

Cheers
Jon

[baldeagle]

I found that by leaning the top of the ladder just below the sill, I ended up trying to crawl up the glass, pressing against it like some middle aged "Spiderman"! [Own up, the person that shouted "old git"!!]

I recently had a problem with bay windows that have pitched roofs; the ladder rests on the gutter before it reaches the wall on the first floor. I went out and bought a "Ladder Max" to help me . This is a device that stands the top of the ladder away from where it would normally rest.

It works so well with bays that I left it on the top of the ladder, [about the third rung down, actually], and used it to space me away from first floor windows. Very good for those occasional tall windows with nasty convex gloss painted sills, I'm 5 foot 7".

The "Ladder Max" is plastic and a bit heavy, but I liked it in principle. I still use it for bays, but at almost all other times, my ladder wears a "Wickes" aluminium stand-off. It's a bit lighter for general use, and you're not so far away from the wall, as you are with the other device.

Both devices stabilise the ladder by a hell of a lot, and as far as I am concerned, these are now a [permanent] part of my risk assessments.

Cost? "Ladder Max" £28 and the "Wickes" device, which is a "Youngmans" product, £22.99.

I wonder if this helps?

Baldeagle. [Stone/Stafford]

[petski2]

Ahh Scarborough.
Whats it like now Jon I aint been for about 6 years now.
I spent most of my time there between 1985 and 1999.
Do you know the Albert pub near Trafalger square.
Mother in law used to live on eastfields on outskirts.
Brother in law used to live on Lower Clarke street I think the nearby pubs were,Criterion and Cricketers.
We used to go to a nightclub called Scene One And Two which changed to Victorias,god knows what it is now but it was near the Sun pub on St Thomas street.
Ahh the good times.

[The Bear]

My advice would be to get micro fibre for detailing.

If a window is difficult-unsafe, leave it.

Your no use dead!!

[karlosdaze]

Oh the old days............when we used to push the ladder off from the window with the squeegee whilst squeegeeing under where the ladder top was..................sigh.
Jumpers for goal posts...........
Coat.......

[Davindo Cleana]

Am fairly recent myself and got pointer ladder - they are priceless and especially for a newbie - mine are Ramsay's and I noticed Cleantech had them up very cheap last week compared to Titan anyway. The rubber bung on the point is a great aid to safety as well as the ability to get a good position - please don't skimp on ladders -  there's nothing wrong, and a lot of fun, employing trial and error with your other kit but not the ladders. Good luck and be safe

[windows_chepstow]

First day actually cleaning windows today after a few days of canvassing.
My legs feels like i've run a marathon 

I've only been at it for two and a bit years.  So starting up is still fresh in my mind. 

Stick at it mate.  Some that start jack it in within three months, and there's been plenty of times I've thought, 'how the hell does anyone make a living out of this'? and nearly been tempted to go and get a 'proper job'.

In fact, truthfully, it's only recently I'm thinking I've got a great job, (although I knew the potential was there from the begining) where you can earn a good living by working hard, but with decent hours.  No impossible dead-lines set to you by a tosser of a boss, no phones ringing, no stress, and if you get it wrong; no-one dies (apart from yourself - if you put your ladders on glass or something of that ilk).

Getting established, being confident in what you're doing and acquiring with the 'skill' is the hard part.  Unfortunately, we have the least experience, when we need it the most; at the beggining.  And don't worry, your body will adjust to the work put on it - but it does take time.

As for running a marathon, Wor Lass did that last year (London; although she didn't get in this year; it's really difficult to get a place), and I had her back at work the following day!

I'd suggest that you find a local window cleaner (check out your phone book), who'd take you out for a day and show you the ropes.  Tell him you'll work hard and be his 'monkey' for the day.

It's how I started.