[TomCrowther]

I'm 54 years old and in the last 12 months or so seem to have aged about ten years. Getting ladders off the van roof is an effort. Did two awkward gutter jobs today. Reaching over extensions/conservatories etc, pretty hard work. All this stuff used to be a doddle.
To the guys on here who are even older than me {yet still alive}. Did you notice a slow down at any time and have got any advice on how to combat it?
Cheers, just going for a lie down.

[Slash]

Buy  a WFP System.

[koopmaster]

He's right.. I'm 45 and went ladderless a year ago.  No point doing it the hard way anymore go get wpf.

[TomCrowther]

I use WFP but not for guttering jobs?

[Mr B shine]

I use WFP but not for guttering jobs?

Look into a vac system. It's well worth it.
 

[Don Kee]

Or just don’t bother with gutter jobs and stick to the easy stuff (windows).

[Slash]

I'm 48 and do the odd gutter job for a few customers I've had years.
I dont mind it but if you are doing alot of gutter cleaning I would buy a gutter vac.
I wont buy one as I don't do alot of them.

[Smudger]

I hit 51 and then the health issues kicked in - at 53 I am no longer able to do any physical cleaning - thankfully ive got employees

Darran

[TomCrowther]

I invested in all the right gear on day one ten years ago. WFP, gutter vac with carbon poles etc. I overdid things last year and became literally exhausted. Doing a house up, window cleaning etc and also covering for missing staff on another business which meant very little sleep for around five months. Up at 04:00 and bed at 11:00 type rubbish.
Before then I felt great but haven't "bounced back" as I thought I would.

[Stoots]

Regular exercise and a good diet would probably help a bit

[Splash & dash]

Ime 57 and yes I agree with what you are saying I can still do what I did 20  years ago but it’s hard work and when I get home Ime knackered 😂😂😬, you just have to accept you cannot work at the same speed that you did adjust your working day accordingly or get employee and drive them around and get them to do the harder stuff

[dazmond]

im only 48 and i  sacked off gutter clearing jobs years ago,up and over garage roof jobs and most awkward jobs that require ladders......i only work around 25 hours (actually cleaning) per week and another 5 hours or so purifying water,admin,equipment maintenance,printing slips/invoices,chasing debts,etc....thats more than enough for me these days....

every year i refine my work that little bit more to make it as easy as possible...of course xtreme poles and light brushes,hot water and electric reels all help too

away from work i like going the gym and playing drums,very much like i did in my teens........my lifestyle is a lot better though now(no alcohol,cigarettes or street drugs)

i know 2 old timer window cleaners in their 70s!both ARE STILL ON LADDERS and look years younger than their age so it suits some chaps.....

[dazmond]

I invested in all the right gear on day one ten years ago. WFP, gutter vac with carbon poles etc. I overdid things last year and became literally exhausted. Doing a house up, window cleaning etc and also covering for missing staff on another business which meant very little sleep for around five months. Up at 04:00 and bed at 11:00 type rubbish.
Before then I felt great but haven't "bounced back" as I thought I would.

you sound like a workaholic......you ll crash and burn one day if you dont slow down.......its inevitable.......surely theres no need to work so hard at your age?it takes its toll on your health.....

[Dry Clean]

As has been said get rid of the awkward work, even for younger guys gutter washing from the ground can be hard going,.

[robbo333]

I'm 55 and had a dodgy elbow, what works for me is:
1. Lightest equipment:
Xtreme 22, with xtreme brushes, I've added 50m of gardiners reinforced pole hose on my main reel (easy to use and reel in), working out the side of my van (so it's usually a straight run).
2. Easy, small houses.
I try and avoid big connies that you have to reach over, or large extensions that need step ladders. Nice, simple in and out work for me. I am even thinking of offering front only on terraced, or specifically targeting bungalows.
3. Stress, keep it to a minimum.
I can't be bothered with: first floor flats (unless I can get the block!), custies with dogs, people who no speaky English, going through terraced houses, or drive round the back, rude people, idiots, bad payers, people who take 10 mins to answer the door, or pick up the phone, etc etc etc!
In fact when someone calls me with a 3 bed semi, no connie, and they're normal...it's like a breath of fresh air.
I shall try pilates soon as well.

[Slacky]

Im 57 and still manage to knock one out now and then,

Does that count?

[combat1]

Out of interest whose the oldest on the forum?

[Richard iSparkle]

I invested in all the right gear on day one ten years ago. WFP, gutter vac with carbon poles etc. I overdid things last year and became literally exhausted. Doing a house up, window cleaning etc and also covering for missing staff on another business which meant very little sleep for around five months. Up at 04:00 and bed at 11:00 type rubbish.
Before then I felt great but haven't "bounced back" as I thought I would.

normally you should notice a difference in your physical abilities from a decade ago, that's normal ageing. noticing a difference from the last year is not typical ageing.

i think you've got your answer though. you massively overdid it last year and you've burned yourself out. and i believe the older we are the longer it takes to recover from over exertion.

i'm 44 but i overdid it last year myself in terms of very long days and nights, and loads of stress sorting things out and putting plans in place. i managed it for about 8 months, but the last 6 weeks i hit a wall and am having to take it really easy and just stay steady.

you live you learn...

[NBwcs]

Definitely change over to wfp but even then i have to say ive noticed im much slower with the pole than i used to be, and im 54, got another 13 yrs at least before retirement. 

[dazmond]

Definitely change over to wfp but even then i have to say ive noticed im much slower with the pole than i used to be, and im 54, got another 13 yrs at least before retirement. 

im hoping ill still be able to get out and clean some windows well into my 70s just like the 2 old timers i know......we ll see.....