[dai]

Well got the first one over on domestics, I must have walked miles. I,m still waiting for an 8 mm tap, that should be a big help when it comes.
The actual cleaning was a breeze. I have followed all the good advice  on this forum. Got the ladder off when they dried and was impressed when I inspected my work.
The hard bit as far as I'm concerned is getting the brush to the glass I want to clean. The estate I was on today has windows at different heights. I was constantly having to change the pole lengh and that takes as much time as going up a ladder. The houses are built on the side of a hill so I had a few slopes to negotiate with the trolley.
I gave up trying to push/pull the trolley whilst holding the pole. Got round this by jamming it between the containers, but again to do this you have to slide all the sections in. The front of the houses are open plan so apart from the slopes no problem. Getting round the back is another matter, Gates to lean or climb over to open, wheelie bins in the way. I have 30 meters of 8 mm hose on the trolley hose reel, when I used this to get round the backs It tangled on everything. I had extra windows to do too over conservatory roofs and dormers over the garage roof. I couldn't charge any extra for these, not yet anyway. At the moment they are sweetners in case they do find a few spots.
I ended up working from 9 till 6 for £105. a

[24-7 S C Services]

HI Dai

Well done on your first day. It will get easier aswell. Have you looked at backpack yet? this will be of more use to you around the back of the houses.

http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=9607.0

Andrew

[thewindowcleaner1]

You find the obstactles
you find a solution
and all becomes easier
I open gates and move bins before I start ( its easier than trying to do when holding the pole)

[dai]

Sorry, don't know what happened there. As I said I lost a few quid on the day and ended up knackered. My misses was with me too.
I would love to do an office with 40 windows all the same height. You would fly through them but at the moment I'm thinking I may have to choose where I use WFP.
I will post pics of the new system as soon as I can borrow my lads camera. Mine has given up the ghost. Every one is well impressed with it, all auminium and a bit of stainless, it looks the part even if most of it is made from scrap and knocked up in my shed. Thanks Matt, Dai

[s.hughes]

I also find that it takes to long to lengthen the pole and then reinsert it back. I think its faster to use a ladder so I only use the wfp on them dangerous windows or hard to reach. As i use it more I hope it will become easier. Its a bit like the 1st time you use a ladder, its a pain to keep moving it about until you learn by experiance. Its a learning curve I suppose.

Steve

[Moderator David@stives]

what kind of pole have you got because that bit should be quick should it 

[s.hughes]

what kind of pole have you got because that bit should be quick should it

I have a cleantech own make. Its cheap and does the job. What you have to do is twist each section into place and then tigthen each one up so that it dont come slamming down on your fingers. If you have an area where you have to keep adjusting the pole then it takes a long time and a lot of messing around. I know you can get better poles but the price puts me off. I suppose the saying is true that you get what you pay for.

Steve

[matt]

find a pole length that is about right,

i have a 3 X 2M's pole

i extend the first (thicker pole) out fully and the top bit out about half way

when the heights change just either get closer to the house you might be allmost under the window, OR if its the other way, take a few steps back this way you dont need to alter the pole height it all comes with practise

[dai]

Yes I sussed that one Matt but these had a lower window on the side and I couldn't get back far enough, then I had to extend the pole to reach a dormer over the roof that I could't do before. I think I'm using the same Unger pole as you. It will go to 33ft but I'm only using the top 3 sections. I found one of those small bungy bands today, the ones girls have to tie their hair back. I wore it on my wrist untill I wanted to stop the flow then bent the hose over and put it on. That worked as a tap.
The tap I ordered had arrived when I got home. What a rip off £15 for the flimsiest piece of plastic you ever saw, I can't see it lasting a week. Has anyone bought a decent tap to fit on 8mm bore tubing?
I think that the increasing interest in WFP has brought out a pack of sharks. DAi

[rs_cleancare]

Hi, I will be getting taps this week for my hose's. A friend is an getting them through his work. They are brass so shouldn't rust and will last a long time. Soon as i've tried them out i will find out where you can purchase them.
Rob.

[matt]

i dont use a tap, mainly because of the risk of burning out the pumps switch

i just use 10 M's of hose and do as many windows in reach then turn off, move the cart and start again

[dai]

The variflow stops the pump as soon as you turn it off. That tap I bought is crap. My pump is only 60psi but it managed to blow the middle of the tap right out before the variflow stopped the pump. It's usefull in so far that I don't lose the water in the hose to the brush when I dissconect the pole though. Dai

[jsm]

any pic's of the tap Dai ??
us self builders will know what sort of tap to give a miss then .
 

[dai]

Should get a camara for tomorrow John. The taps are plastic with a little T shaped off/on lever. The problem with them is that the on/off bit is only a push fit into the tap body. My 60 psi pump will blow the on/off bit out before the variflow stops the pump. You can push it back in again. no permenant damage to the tap, just not suitable for use under pressure and for nearly £15 to the door is very poor value for money.
There is a link on here that was posted in reply to my querie regarding 8mm taps. I bought the tap from them, Dai