[Windy Miller]

Hi, I'm just wondering if anyone can give me some advice on stream lining my equipment and van set up to get my work done as quickly as possible without giving up on quality.
I've been on the go for a while, recently taking the wife on board to help with the downstairs while I work the uppers. I'm happy with the amount of customers I've got but I seem to be constantly arriving back slightly behind no matter how hard we try to keep on top of the cycle.

I've a good enough set up, 650 litre tank, shurflo pump, ro unit, membrane and di vessel but the rest is basic, it's got me by so far but I need an update to help me catch up and add more work.
 I'm only running one pump with a "y" fitting to split the flow for the two of us. It just doesn't cut it as far as having a decent flow rate for the longer pole.
So if I'm to install another pump, do I need another leisure battery to power this or will one battery and split charge also power the extra pump?

Also I'm only using plastic hozelock type fitting for flow control etc. Is there anything more effective for saving time and effort?

And should I invest in a few extra poles for different scenarios? She has an old 14 ft clx and I have a 25 slx which I use for everything. Would it be worth investing in say an 18ft pole for normal two story work?

Also any other gadgets worth buying?

A lot of questions so thanks in advance for any replies.

[Shrek]

Iv recently been looking into the tubeless set up , that looks like it would save time . At the minute, I wind my hose back in and then I hang my pole up and coil up the pole hose. The tubeless set up will take away that end coiling up bit which will save a lot of time over the course of a day

[Windy Miller]

Iv recently been looking into the tubeless set up , that looks like it would save time . At the minute, I wind my hose back in and then I hang my pole up and coil up the pole hose. The tubeless set up will take away that end coiling up bit which will save a lot of time over the course of a day

Thanks Shrek, I'll have a look into that. I assume that does away with a pole hose running up the centre of the pole? The amount of dirt and grit on some the yards of houses I clean makes extending the pole cringeworthy.

[Tosh]

It's a bottomless pit of improvement opportunities IMO.

Make all the obvious changes, those that you think will make a big difference to your performance but also make lots of small and minute changes to help improve your working environment. Over time the smallest of changes make big differences.

From skimming over your post I'd get rid of the CLX and start with SLX as the bare minimum in pole standard. I'd also upgrade to a 22' pole as a regular everyday pole or the 27'. Longer sections means less time spent raising and lowering your pole.  This is your craft, it pays for the roof over your head, you deserve the best kit on the market. For the wife if it's just downstairs make her pole the lightest she can get away with.

Lost the Hozelock fittings, get standard schrader fittings for all connections.

Get two pumps, the biggest on the market, run them at full bore all day. The quicker you rinse the quicker you move on to the next window.

What reels have you got? Get professional reels if you haven't already, makes reeling in quicker, less laborious and saves time.

[Shrek]

Iv recently been looking into the tubeless set up , that looks like it would save time . At the minute, I wind my hose back in and then I hang my pole up and coil up the pole hose. The tubeless set up will take away that end coiling up bit which will save a lot of time over the course of a day

Thanks Shrek, I'll have a look into that. I assume that does away with a pole hose running up the centre of the pole? The amount of dirt and grit on some the yards of houses I clean makes extending the pole cringeworthy.

You've still got the pole hose running inside the pole but instead of have a good few feet of hose coming out of your pole , you've got a connection at the bottom of your pole where your hose reel connects ...
alex has put up a good description on his site -

http://gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/blog/hoseless/

[Windy Miller]

It's a bottomless pit of improvement opportunities IMO.

Make all the obvious changes, those that you think will make a big difference to your performance but also make lots of small and minute changes to help improve your working environment. Over time the smallest of changes make big differences.

From skimming over your post I'd get rid of the CLX and start with SLX as the bare minimum in pole standard. I'd also upgrade to a 22' pole as a regular everyday pole or the 27'. Longer sections means less time spent raising and lowering your pole.  This is your craft, it pays for the roof over your head, you deserve the best kit on the market. For the wife if it's just downstairs make her pole the lightest she can get away with.

Lost the Hozelock fittings, get standard schrader fittings for all connections.

Get two pumps, the biggest on the market, run them at full bore all day. The quicker you rinse the quicker you move on to the next window.

What reels have you got? Get professional reels if you haven't already, makes reeling in quicker, less laborious and saves time.

Thanks a lot SB, some things to think about and check out.

Do I need an extra battery for a second pump or does one battery have enough power for two?

The reels are manual wind with 100 metre hosing, I was thinking of buying new ones soon as the ones I have are getting a bit out of shape from getting knocked around travelling on bumpy country roads. Any advice on what's best to buy would be appreciated.

[Windy Miller]

Iv recently been looking into the tubeless set up , that looks like it would save time . At the minute, I wind my hose back in and then I hang my pole up and coil up the pole hose. The tubeless set up will take away that end coiling up bit which will save a lot of time over the course of a day

Thanks Shrek, I'll have a look into that. I assume that does away with a pole hose running up the centre of the pole? The amount of dirt and grit on some the yards of houses I clean makes extending the pole cringeworthy.

You've still got the pole hose running inside the pole but instead of have a good few feet of hose coming out of your pole , you've got a connection at the bottom of your pole where your hose reel connects ...
alex has put up a good description on his site -

http://gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/blog/hoseless/

Thanks for the link Shrek, I'll have a look now 

[Spruce]

Hi, I'm just wondering if anyone can give me some advice on stream lining my equipment and van set up to get my work done as quickly as possible without giving up on quality.
I've been on the go for a while, recently taking the wife on board to help with the downstairs while I work the uppers. I'm happy with the amount of customers I've got but I seem to be constantly arriving back slightly behind no matter how hard we try to keep on top of the cycle.

I've a good enough set up, 650 litre tank, shurflo pump, ro unit, membrane and di vessel but the rest is basic, it's got me by so far but I need an update to help me catch up and add more work.
 I'm only running one pump with a "y" fitting to split the flow for the two of us. It just doesn't cut it as far as having a decent flow rate for the longer pole.
So if I'm to install another pump, do I need another leisure battery to power this or will one battery and split charge also power the extra pump?

Also I'm only using plastic hozelock type fitting for flow control etc. Is there anything more effective for saving time and effort?

And should I invest in a few extra poles for different scenarios? She has an old 14 ft clx and I have a 25 slx which I use for everything. Would it be worth investing in say an 18ft pole for normal two story work?

Also any other gadgets worth buying?

A lot of questions so thanks in advance for any replies.

1 x 110 amph leisure battery, 1 x split charge relay, 2 x Spring controllers and 2 x Shurflo pumps.

2 of you working isn't going to double the number of houses you can do a day. I had my wife along a number of years ago - she did bottoms and I did tops.
I found it actually took me longer to do a house with her than with me on my own. She was a liability tbh working like that. She didn't have the strength to clean the top windows with a 22 ' pole.

I ended up reeling both hose reels in and when I thought she was round the back wiping sills etc, she was sitting in the van having something to eat, couldn't stand being out in the cold, etc. leaving me to pack away, wipe sills and front door and then write out the ticket or collect payment.

We have never worked together cleaning windows since then.

.

[Dave Willis]

Buy a flask. 

[Windy Miller]

Hi, I'm just wondering if anyone can give me some advice on stream lining my equipment and van set up to get my work done as quickly as possible without giving up on quality.
I've been on the go for a while, recently taking the wife on board to help with the downstairs while I work the uppers. I'm happy with the amount of customers I've got but I seem to be constantly arriving back slightly behind no matter how hard we try to keep on top of the cycle.

I've a good enough set up, 650 litre tank, shurflo pump, ro unit, membrane and di vessel but the rest is basic, it's got me by so far but I need an update to help me catch up and add more work.
 I'm only running one pump with a "y" fitting to split the flow for the two of us. It just doesn't cut it as far as having a decent flow rate for the longer pole.
So if I'm to install another pump, do I need another leisure battery to power this or will one battery and split charge also power the extra pump?

Also I'm only using plastic hozelock type fitting for flow control etc. Is there anything more effective for saving time and effort?

And should I invest in a few extra poles for different scenarios? She has an old 14 ft clx and I have a 25 slx which I use for everything. Would it be worth investing in say an 18ft pole for normal two story work?

Also any other gadgets worth buying?

A lot of questions so thanks in advance for any replies.

1 x 110 amph leisure battery, 1 x split charge relay, 2 x Spring controllers and 2 x Shurflo pumps.

2 of you working isn't going to double the number of houses you can do a day. I had my wife along a number of years ago - she did bottoms and I did tops.
I found it actually took me longer to do a house with her than with me on my own. She was a liability tbh working like that. She didn't have the strength to clean the top windows with a 22 ' pole.

I ended up reeling both hose reels in and when I thought she was round the back wiping sills etc, she was sitting in the van having something to eat, couldn't stand being out in the cold, etc. leaving me to pack away, wipe sills and front door and then write out the ticket or collect payment.

We have never worked together cleaning windows since then.

.

Thanks for the info on the pump/battery set up spruce.
I must admit it's been an interesting trial, but I think she's playing her part very well, these frosty mornings might thin the herd though 

[Windy Miller]

Buy a flask. 

Could do with a winter warmer these mornings 

[Dave Willis]

Personally, I don't drink anything this time of year during my working day but I carry a drink in the van just in case.
I find I waste time looking for somewhere to pee.

[andyM]

Personally, I don't drink anything this time of year during my working day but I carry a drink in the van just in case.
I find I waste time looking for somewhere to pee.

Incontinence pants.... save you time and keep you warm.

[AuRavelling79]

If your van is big enough put your main pole in a 3" drain pipe attached to the inside of the roof. Keep it connected to the reel. Put the pole away and then wind everything in including the pole hose.

My main pole is an "SLX20" - Gardiner's don't sell one but you already have one. Just take the biggest section off the SLX25! I find this gives an extra two feet over an 18 and is one section less than a 22 thus making virtually no heavier than the 18. (Mind you I also have an Extreme47 (usually set up as a 35 for occasional use)

But an extreme 25 gives the best of both worlds! Light and long.

I use cheap and cheerful Claber reels from Gardiners on a use and throwaway basis. When they get "out of shape" and start scuffing I buy a new one. Actually I get a couple of years out of them unless I pull it out of the van and the plastic components break! Others will go for "quality reels" but unless you go electric I see little point. Those reels with open "cages" on the side I find that the hose catches when pulled at an angle.

Wife working with you:- Depends on the wife I suppose! If she isn't working elsewhere and is willing.

But if she is an organiser then get her doing the "tickets" and handling the change and yakking to the customer. Also if you have a pile of old towels and a scrim and squeegee she can wipe any grit from lower cills, non upvc front doors and any odd window that will save you a few seconds and water.

On some properties with big single storey extensions or conservatories it might be worth getting her cleaning them (wiping the top frame and cill before you start is a useful time saver) as long as the time saved is better than the reeling out of a second pole.

[Susan Dean (1stclean)]

 , we have found the less gear you carry on your van and the more simple it is to use the faster you work , why carry loads of stuff when its not needed , if your going out as a team then set the rules form the off and stick to them this way no falling out ,

the quickest way would be for her to do  all fronts , this way  she wont be doing the out of the way windows , then once shes done she can do the cards and reel her stuff in ect ect  , buy her a extreme 22 and she will be fine

if theres a out of the way window she cant do on a job on the front (you will learn these as you go round ) you grab her gear and do just this one , while shes dragging your gear and hose round the back ready for you to start this way its just you two doing a bit of extra walking not trying to drag two hoses around the house saving time

it means that you will mostly be doing the rear of houses (more of the work ) but she will be doing the paper work ect and dealing with the custmers also if you have a one that wants to talk all the time like they do this frees you up to say I quick hi and carry on while she deals with them meaning you can go down the street and start anthor house while shes trying to get away

you doing the top and her doing the bottom wont see you doing a lot more work , you would be better off her just doing paper work , wipeing sills and doors and making sure the hose doesn't get caught while you smash the window out

[AuRavelling79]

Oh another one.

I only run 80 metres of hose on my reels made up of 50 metres of microbore and 30 metres of pole hose. This means that many of my jobs I'm only using lightweight stuff to drag along. (I have an old hose extension using previously used hose of 25 metres or so hung up in the van for very rare occasions when I need more)

But ... the pole hose is a bit more fragile and to do a running repair til I get home I use superglue wound with gaffer tape.

I also carry a camping stove and kettle and a couple of litres of tap water to make myself a cup of tea or a cup of soup and the bonus is that if I ever need to do a running repair that entails swapping connectors then I can soften the hoses with the boiling water.

Also, also - always take a packed lunch. Saves time and money.

[AuRavelling79]

Susan Dean has said it like it is!  Spot on.

[Stoots]

Packed Lunch as Granville says - this has been my achillies  heel as i dont like making sarnies on a night at dislike it even more on a morning!

But not only does it save you time having to find a shop when your starving it also saves you money so you can buy more upgrades!

[sunshine windows]

I think the ideal set up, with all the gizmos that are on the market now, would be an HD Powerup reel, tubeless poles, roller guides through the doors or bumper,  Microbore + pole hose on the reel and to have your pole stored on a vertical standing rack on the rear door of the van. This way you don't even have to disconnect the pole between job. Simply reel in, clip the pole into storage and away to the next job.

I shall be looking into this kind of set up, when I eventually get rid of my old workhorse. For now though I have a free standing hosereel which I lift in and out on every move. Mini bore only and standard pole hose with rectus 26 and taps. Worked well enough for the last 9 years or so.

If I opted to upgrade the current set up the costs would be in excess of £600 and I simply can't be arsed, as I'm never behind on work anyway.

[SeanK]

In the same boat Sunshine, lift reel in and out, to be honest Iv tried the fixed reel inside the van and it didn't work for
me, I'm going to try some of Golds tips more pole hose as so on to make the reel lighter.
Being able to remove the pole hose at the end of the pole makes no sense to me, plus as I store my poles in a rack above any
water left in the remaining hose would then drip into the cab.
Best advice I would give is to keep things a simple as possible.