I started in April this year with an RO/DI setup from Pure Freedom. Here's my findings.
I have a 500l system and have never run out of water yet - max houses cleaned in a day, around 16. My In TDS is 85, post RO is 1 and DI takes it to zero. I had a 20ft glass fibre GXel to start with and it was fine... to start with. I now have a SLX 27 + Superlight on angle adapter (no gooseneck), the old GXel (with Vikan hilo stiff sill brush - used as a spare and to apply TFR prior to doing gutter exteriors) and a 4ft gf pole with a soft Vikan hilo sill brush. To date i've not needed any other pole. I also have a full set of traditional gear, rarely used, say 3 times a month, except the Unger poles which get used more.
I have a SWB Trafic and am glad I didn't get the smaller van I considered. Why? I have a trolley I put together myself + 2 x 20l barrels. This together with a set of 12ft-ish ladders, the poles, 200m reel, descent sized tool box and assorted other gear all fits in nicely. I also do a bit of pressure washing and the washer goes into the van in place of the trolley.
I didn't feel confident putting together a system for the first time, and looking at the excellent job Pure Freedom did i'm glad I didn't - it's very professionally done. Getting all those bits and pieces they use, well, i'm not sure i'd know where to start. Well I would, but you know what I mean.
I use far more consumables than I thought - gloves, wfp fittings, flow control valves, brushes, bolts, washers, PTFE tape, filters etc etc. Like trad gear WFP equipment has a shelf life and it does get bashed around. I have to say i'm more careful now than I was, but still.
I am OK with 500l - more litres = more fuel if you run full. Get a spare pole - if you snap one then you are gonna lose a couple of days work waiting for a new one to arrive. It's reassuring to have a spare. Carry a good comprehensive tool kit with you - mine is used almost daily. I even thought today I should get one of those plug in water heating elements that you can make tea with so I can boil water to make getting the clear hose of the "Y" piece at the brush head easier!!!
I'd definately do gutter cleaning and pressure washing. Nice break from windows, plus it's a good earner.
I have 230 custies as I sit here, but am ruthless with bad payers, people who don't clean their dog muck up etc. I see I have binned around 40 custies. I can barely manage the 230 I have (almost all are 4-weekly). I am sat here now with the rain falling, I have 12 clean 2morrow of which 1 wants the insides doing (£35). This will earn me £225, but I know that with the shorter days we have now I won't get round them all. I leave home to arrive at the first one at 08:30 and finish at around 4:30 if it's a "normal" day. I'll be working the next 3 Saturdays to cope with cleans I won't be able to do over the next few days cos of the weather.
Definately don't fill up at custies houses - it's unprofessional and you could be cleaning. Cleaning = earning.
Def get RO. See
http://www.cleantech.co.uk/tdscalc.htm You'll already have the plastic bottle to pee into in the back of the van. A bigger van makes this joyous experience a little less difficult....
