[windows_chepstow]

I've decided to pull my finger out and get myself a WFP system built (using Matt's DIY website http://d.co.uk/).

At present I work with Wor Lass, who does the 'bottoms' while I do the 'tops' using ladders.

However, if we were to clean the tops only using WFP, due to my limited water carrying capacity, leaving the bottoms to be cleaned 'traditionally'; how would that affect our normal routine?

I'm guessing that Wor Lass would have to hang around waiting for the drips to to stop dropping before she started?  Then I would crack on with all the 1st floor stuff and then when I've finished, go back and help her clean the ground floor windows with the good old squeegie.  Would you say I'm right?

Does anyone work in pairs, using a WFP purely for the 'tops'?  Are there any further considerations I should consider?

[wash & go window cleaners]

HI
We got a wfp in feb this year and work as a team of 2.
 I must admit there have been problems i:e drips etc..
I find that if i'm using wfp i get a couple of houses ahead so that by the time my mate is doing the bottoms the drips have stopped.

We have a 640ltr van mount so we have realized that a second pole is essential (already on order)

Personaly i don't find wfp much faster with one pole and 2 people we seem to get in each others way a bit. And think to myself i may as well do the bottoms myself with wfp.
I am sure that some more experienced members here will be able to help you more than i can

regards tom

[brett walker]

Hi Tosh

considering this myself, but what you could do is make a start on the wfp why wor lass goes for brekfast at the nearest cafe , egg bacon sausage the full works and then catch you up a hour later how does that sound   - no swearing  

regards

Brett.

[steve k]

Thats how I work...I get my mate to start on a conservatory or porch where he will not be affected by dripping from WFP...it only takes 5 minutes for drips to stop on first house and then you are away...whipping along while your mate is a few houses behind. When I finish a run, I go back and start helping out on bottoms using trad with my mate.

[baldeagle]

Why not get "Wor Lass" a nice ex-army cape and sou'wester?

I'm sure she would love it!!

[If he lets you read this, sorry duck, only joking!]

Baldeagle in Staffordshire

[matt]

i work on my own, and by the time i have done the front and then the back of the house (upstairs) i walk around the front and the dripping has stopped

you will find Wor lass will be behind you anyway, what with collecting if they are in and it will take her longer

its not a problem really

[dai]

I have been thinking about this too. My Mrs complains in a torrent of Indonesian when one drop falls on her head. Sounds like "vrokka, vrokka loo mass" which has something to do with scratching my eyes out. I'll let her kip in the car for the first hour which she often does anyway. I can then get cracking on the tops. DAI,
PS she's a sweetheart really, and being only 4ft 9" tall has all my customers feeling protective for her. Dai

[dave_carroll]

Tosh,
          We work as a team but its ''wor lass'' that wields the pole, she cant get the hang of the squeegee, any way i have a pole with a mop on and follow behind and mop the cills to stop the drips then do the downstairs, she is quick so after a while she will do a complete house to give me time to catch up, works for us,

                     Swamps

[gaza]

wFP WITH MOP: Can you p;ease decribe how its fitted,works etc,sounds a cracking good idea.
 GAZA

[windows_chepstow]

Thanks for the replies.  I think you've answered my question.  Wor Lass doesn't like change to her routine, so before we start with the WFP thing, I'd like to gently ease her into a new working practise by letting her know how we'll be working.

Brett Walker said:

considering this myself, but what you could do is make a start on the wfp why wor lass goes for brekfast at the nearest cafe , egg bacon sausage the full works and then catch you up a hour later how does that sound   - no swearing 

No way, mate.  We're not council workers.

Steve K said:

I get my mate to start on a conservatory or porch where he will not be affected by dripping from WFP...it only takes 5 minutes for drips to stop on first house and then you are away...whipping along while your mate is a few houses behind. When I finish a run, I go back and start helping out on bottoms using trad with my mate.

Cracking response.  Basically, you're saying organise ourselves, and give our starting point some thought first.  Rather than just start at the bottom of a street or area and work your way through to the top.

Obvious, but not to me; I'm a Geordie.

Dave_Carrol said:

i have a pole with a mop on and follow behind and mop the cills to stop the drips then do the downstairs

Sounds like a good idea.

[windows_chepstow]

Tosh,
          We work as a team but its ''wor lass'' that wields the pole, she cant get the hang of the squeegee, any way i have a pole with a mop on and follow behind and mop the cills to stop the drips then do the downstairs, she is quick so after a while she will do a complete house to give me time to catch up, works for us,

                     Swamps

Dave, do you use a trolley system?  My missis is fit, but not strong (weighs about 8 stone I'd guess); she'd struggle (I think) carting the trolley about, but it is an option if she can handle it.

What system does your missis use?

[AuRavelling79]

Hi Tosh - here's how you do it.

1) Do all windows upstairs that have a window underneath.
(Meanwhile Missus Tosh does any downstairs window/door/porch conservatory that has no window above.)

2) Do all windows upstairs that don't have any windows underneath to get dripped on.
(Meanwhile Mrs Tosh goes back and blades any downstairs glass that is under an upstairs window starting with the window underneath the one you did first.)


Then...

You will pull ahead so that you go to the second house before she finishes hers. When you've done that go back and help her until she's almost caught up with you then leave her a couple of windows and go to the next house.

Easy to work out for a guy who had three stripes on his arm I'm sure!

[thewindowcleaner1]

I,ve worked as two man team for the last 12 months doing it the way you plan it takes a little organisation and a change in working routines,
ie the downstairs persons first job is to make shure that the pole user has no obstructions in thier way bins pots gates shut ect, while they are doing this pole user starts on front windows and quickly moves around the premises if there are more than one house they then move onto the next leaving the downstairs person to get on with it when all the upstairs are done (this includes those windows down stairs that are just out of reach) the pole is then returned to vehicle and they go to help the downstairs person finnish off or collect the money, If leaded windows are down stairs I do these with the pole as it is 4 time faster than by hand, I,ve found by doing it this way we both have breaks while the other works without slowing down.

welcome to the revolution.....

[windows_chepstow]

Easy to work out for a guy who had three stripes on his arm I'm sure!

Three stripes and a crown (Staff-Sergeant, but holding a Warrant Officer's post and receiving the pay of higher rank); get it right!

Anyway, thanks Malc.  After two and a half years of window cleaning together, we're very much into our own routine to the point I know approximately which ground floor window Wor Lass will be at when I've finished the first floor.

To Graham, I've pretty much dropped all my drive-betweens apart from my few larger houses and I'm developing a fairly compact round in my estate areas which comprises of 80% of my work.

[AuRavelling79]

Atten-shun! Yes Sar'nt-Major, Sah!

[windows_chepstow]

Atten-shun! Yes Sar'nt-Major, Sah!

No, Mate, not a Sergeant Major.  I can't tell you what my post was.  Not that it's a state secret or anything.  Only Steve K (ex-para) will extract the urine - big style.

I wasn't in the 'Royal Voluntary Women's Balloon Corps', but not far off!

Don't tell Steve!

[Sir Squeaky]

I wasn't in the 'Royal Voluntary Women's Balloon Corps', but not far off!

Didn't quite make it then?