[cameron]

Hi all,
I am starting window cleaning after an abscence of a few years and intend to use a wfp system.
I would really appreciate any advice on which type of poles to get.
The tucker pole looks good and is dual hose and can dispense detergents if necessary (initial cleans?). It is however expensive. Is the detergent aspect worth having and does it justify the extra cost? or would i be better off going with a different type of pole?
I realise that hese things are all down to personal choice in the end, however all comments will give me food for thought.
regards
cameron

[choice.clean]

it seems that every pole has its advantages and disadvantages. I am not sure about omnipole but here is my view on tucker and ionics :

The tucker pole sections are secured with a jubilee clip so ability to adjust the height is dependent on using a spanner supplied with the pole. This means that adjustment is far from easy. The brush head is very good and they are relatively light but do flex a lot so much of your energy is lost at the top of the pole. The internal hose is of poor quality and snags inside the sections so you can end up with no water if it kinks once you put the thing up, so end up taking it all down again. The pole is very durable though, I have had one for 2 years without problems of sections wearing out. If you are using purified water i do not see the sense in a detergent fed one, (although i have not used).

The ionics poles do resolve most of the problems above but do wear out fast on domestic houses. A 2- foot wears out in around 3 months i find and the brush heads are not the best, they splay at the end and do fall apart.  The residential poles will wear out in a couple of weeks and work out much more expensive to use.

My regular pole for normal domestic homes is now an ionics fibreglass top 20 with a brodex brush head. I can cut and re drill the pole sections as most wear tends to be at the clamping point although eventually the length becomes too short.

simon choice.clean

[cameron]

Thanks for the advice Simon, I really appreciate it.
Regards
Cameron

[WavieDavie]

Hi Cameron, and welcome to the board! Remember to read the Welcome Message post and tell us a bit more about yourself, won't you?

I use the Unger TelePole Plus which is aluminium, they came with my trolley system from http://www.window-tools.com and I'm quite happy with them. My maximum height is about 30 feet and I have no problems handling this size and weight of pole.

I think the only points they might wear out at would be the twist grip locks, which can be easily replaced, and frankly I'm stunned to read that some poles wear out after a matter of months. Have the firms who sell these - and also the folk who buy them - not heard of the Sale of Goods Act, where goods must be fit for the purpose that they are intended for? I think that's taking the term "built-in obsolescence" a bit too far!

Or maybe I'm quite careful with my equipment - and no offence meant to anyone, before I get flamed!

[choice.clean]

pole wear and tear is a major issue for me do others have the same problem i spent an average of £80 per week on equipment over the last 2 years mostly replacement of kit that wore out do any of you suffer the same costs or have you any tips to safe on wear and tear?

[Polepro]

I found that I can reduce pole wear by cleaning the sections regularly to remove dirt and grit. I wipe them down with a damp cloth and then spray them with furniture polish or silicone spray (for car dashboards). This helps the sections to slide more easily so making them easier to extend as well as saving waer. Another good tip is to apply some vasoline (no jokes please) to the clamp levers. These simple maintenance jobs don't take long and have worked for me. Its no different to looking after your ladders or hand tools, they say "God helps those who help themselves".

Tom

[dave_carroll]

'but god help anyone i find helping themselves'  
 swamps

[Polepro]

I bet poor Brian Hayward feels that way too.

Tom

[dave_carroll]

thinking that as i typed
  swamps