[jdp]

I am a domestic window cleaner types of property vary between detached, semi’s terrace, bungalows, flats etc.

I have been looking at wfp for reasons of safety - as a one-man band going up twenty-feet on a ladder is not the best way of reducing stress.

I use a Land Rover (Discovery) but can change that to a van if necessary and would imagine that I would need a tank in the back of the vehicle carrying ro water that has also passed through a DI unit to the various jobs.

So the question is – is wfp the way to go, can I build it myself, from where is best and why?

I look forward to your comments.

John

[windows_chepstow]

Hi John, welcome to the forum.

There are many different types of set up; but the main ones I can think of are:

Van mounted

Trolley System

Backpack System (often mounted on a trolley)

and yes, you can build a DIY version of all three.

Matt, a site member has created his own DIY WFP site here:

http://d.co.uk/

The above link is an excellent place to start as it gives you a 'walk through, talk through' lesson in what comprises a WFP set up; WITH PICTURES; which greatly helped my own personal understanding.

It also has a forum, so you can ask questions and Matt's a helpful guy too.

But to answer you questions:

...and would imagine that I would need a tank in the back of the vehicle carrying ro water that has also passed through a DI unit to the various jobs.

Yes you can install a tank in your vehicle, but it's not always necessary, depending on what system you use.

is wfp the way to go, can I build it myself, from where is best and why?

Judging by the WFP members, yes it's the way to go and yes you can build it yourself.  See Matt's site.  If you use the forum there, don't forget to log in and introduce yourself.

It's only polite.

 

[jdp]

Hi Tosh,

Many thanks for the tip to look at Matt's site - have done so already and it makes sense!

I will log in once I have sent this to you and will be asking aboiut the DI unit on Matt's site it appears to be static i.e. at base - I thought it might be better to take it to the job as the customer will be able to "see" a little more and the R O product will be a " little cleaner?"

Your comments would be appreciated and I will keep this forum posted on progress.

John.
   

[matt]

I will log in once I have sent this to you and will be asking aboiut the DI unit on Matt's site it appears to be static i.e. at base - I thought it might be better to take it to the job as the customer will be able to "see" a little more and the R O product will be a " little cleaner?"

personally, i find the "at base" production the better option, for a number of reasons, you would have to spend a few 000 quid to get a RO unit that would produce enough water for your needs on site
you can leave the system at home and it can run 24 / 7 for you, thus you will allways have water

I typed a short intro letter to my customers, included a pic of a Massive RO / water production from a lab, it looks the bee's knee's and people automatically think its great cause it looks so posh little do they know 

[jdp]

Hi everybody,

I think I have now got my head round the various bits of kit starting with ro unit and ending with the brushes at the end of two poles (1 X 24' and 1 X 3' to 6') allowing that the ro water also passes through a DI Unit - total expected cost - including a trolley, battery and pump - £1 800.00 incl VAT.

Am I way out of line and throwing money away or can it be done - completely - at lower cost?

Help and advice appreciated.

John D

[rosskesava]

Hi jdp

We've only recently gone over to wfp and we build our own in bits and pieces thanks to Matts forum which is 5 star plus.

In total we spent £812 for a fully working system.

We based ours around a trolley system which can be used both from the van or wheeled out for 'those hard to reach places'.

One thing we did find that quite often there is a cheaper way than the obvious. For instance we needed a pump to pump the water from the water butts to the van ( a distance of about 50yds and 20ft uphill) so we bought a shower pump from ebay for £28 which pumps at 110 p.s.i.

What I'm saying is use Matts forum and this one for good ideas. There's some real good ones around.

Since using wfp I reckon that in 5 weeks it's already paid for itself anyway as for some jobs it is much much faster and easier (and safer) but buy some water proofs though - you'll need them to start with.

Cheers

[Andrew McCann]

Hi JDP

Have a look at our website  www.freedomwfp.co.uk

I am a window cleaner and use that system every day. I had it designed and built for me then decided to market it. I can offer you a lot of change out of that £1800.

I can't post prices on the forum but if you think our system ( which can be tailored to your needs ) fits the bill just e mail at purefreedom@btinternet.com and I will get you a price.

Andrew

[matt]

John D

Ive E.mailed you, sorry about the delay

the basics of it as far as i am concearned are

RO unit with Di polisher to make the water (i think its better to do it at home, it means you can produce 24 / 7 and you can have a smaller / cheaper RO unit

Trolley / sack truck

Water Pump and Pre filter

Barrels (or a tank in your motor) personally i like the barrels in the scak truck and its 100 % portable, BUT can be made into a van mount with tank at a latter date

Pole

brush with jets

some pipe

thats about it really

you dont need to DI resin the water again after it leaves the barrels, its not needed

anyways, E.mailed you

[jdp]

Hi Matt,

I received your email posted Tuesday and had hope to see a furtehr note  Wednsesday.  As at 7:30 no sight of.

John D 

[matt]

Hi

been busy at work, its not rained here much

will get on and do it in about 30 mins or so 

[windows_chepstow]

I can't post prices on the forum but if you think our system ( which can be tailored to your needs ) fits the bill just e mail at purefreedom@btinternet.com and I will get you a price.

Andrew,

Why can't you post prices on this forum?  Do you know something I don't?

Go on; I've just bought my system; but still would be interested in seeing how much yours costs.

[Roy Harding]

Tosh

£575.00 incl vat thats the trolly and varisteram and 85amp battery.

Roy 

[jdp]

Thanks Roy for your reply but what about the RO and DI etc.  pole/s brushes and so on.  What I am talking about is the total kit from the tap to brush head (including the brush) revised price?

John.

[windows_chepstow]

Tosh

£575.00 incl vat thats the trolly and varisteram and 85amp battery.

Roy 

Thanks Roy,

But I've got a good entry-level system now; not a patch on yours though, mate.  A shurflo back pack and a trolley system.  Basic shurflo pump; not variflow.  100 Gallons a day RO/DI.

Really enjoying it too.  It beats the pants out of running up and down ladders all day.

Talking of patches, I just picked up a three-story farm-house in Coed Cwnwr (Llangwm) (don't ask me to pronounce it); towards Usk on the B4235.  Prior to WFP I would've refused it.

I charged them probably a fraction what you'd charge (£48.00 including Georgian window conservatory and roof - a fairly simple one to do).

Do you do any round there?  I fancy some more big farm houses and feel a canvassing session comming on; but don't want to waste time knocking on doors that you do.

[Roy Harding]

Hi Tosh

I'm glad its going well for you, it will get quicker as you get used to it. And the next time you go back you will notice how clean they are.

I do a few in Raglan and out through Llansoy to Wolves-newtton, but nothing in Llangwm.

So if you see some go for em.

A friend of mine instructs on health and saftey ect. And said he would do a generick wfp risk assement for me, so when he's done it, I will email you it.

How many ltrs of water are you able to carry?

Roy

[windows_chepstow]

A friend of mine instructs on health and saftey ect. And said he would do a generick wfp risk assement for me, so when he's done it, I will email you it.

How many ltrs of water are you able to carry?

Roy

Roy,

I take 5 X 25 litres in the boot and a full backpack; so just under 150 litres in the car.  The weight of two 11 stone men.  Plus ladders and Wor Lass.  Plus a bit more.  So I don't think I've overloading my motor.

This lasts me till around 2.30 pm comfortably; doing tops only (Wor Lass on bottoms), then I drop her off to walk the dog and collect the Little Un from school and put another 150 litres in the car; which more than does me (tops and bottoms) till I finish.

About 60% of my round is within three miles of where I live, but once I square the bills away; then prepare for Christmas; I plan to get a trailer to increase our water carrying capability; then do 100% ground and first floor plus (building allowing).  Wor Lass will do the front; I'll do the backs.  Ian Giles suggested this after explaining how you sometimes work.

Anyway, thanks for asking, and yes, I'd like a copy of the risk assessment.  I may, with your permission down-load it into the files to upload area here.

Regards,

Tosh