Cleaning gutter and leaded windows over a porch with slanted roof

[Vinnie]

Hi,

I'm a newbie on here, so would like to say hi to everyone..I will probably be asking numerous questions over the coming months whilst getting started.

I'm just starting out with my Brother doing trad window cleaning, also cleaning soffits, facias and gutters.

We looked at a job today for a friend, they want gutters wiping down and the windows cleaned,the only problem is we cant get to wipe down the guttering over one of the bedroom windows as there is a porch directly below with a sloping roof.

Also the window there is leaded on the outside which I think would be hard to clean properly.

I think maybe we could wash it with with an applicator on a pole but it I would imagine be very difficult to dry it off without actually getting up there and drying it by hand.

Any tips or advice on getting over these obstacles would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers.

Vinnie.

 

[chris clean]

Welcome mate and good luck with the new venture.. I'm sure some of the guys will have ideas but In all honesty I would suggest if your going to take on gutter facia jobs etc and want to reach all Windows including over porches extensions and the like your going to need some water fed pole gear. If you want to trad Windows most the time just go for a back pack and half decent pole. This then opens up jobs like conservatory roofs too which are nice earners. I'm water fed pole myself but I think if your just trad you have to be realistic that there will be Windows which simply can't be accessed (safely atleast) and gutters that can't be reached off ladders. Hope it goes well

 

[Clisty1989]

Hi,I'm a newbie on here, so would like to say hi to everyone..I will probably be asking numerous questions over the coming months whilst getting started.

I'm just starting out with my Brother doing trad window cleaning, also cleaning soffits, facias and gutters.

We looked at a job today for a friend, they want gutters wiping down and the windows cleaned,the only problem is we cant get to wipe down the guttering over one of the bedroom windows as there is a porch directly below with a sloping roof.

Also the window there is leaded on the outside which I think would be hard to clean properly.

I think maybe we could wash it with with an applicator on a pole but it I would imagine be very difficult to dry it off without actually getting up there and drying it by hand.

Any tips or advice on getting over these obstacles would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers.

Vinnie.

Ifyou can get pics it'll help loads, depending on the porch size and ground, there is potential to have the ladder at a shallower angle to reach it, however someone MUST foot the ladder AT ALL TIMES. I've done it a few times in the past, but I would recommend buying a backpack and pole, cost you around 150 for a cheap starter set, a worthwhile investment

 

[Green Pro Clean Ltd]

For the leaded window use an applicator on Harris pole to wash then swap the applicator with a Fixi clamp holding a decent sized sponge wrapped in a laege microfiber to buff it up.

I see your profile says Luton, you have my sympathies.

On a serious note @Damo was talking about some possible leads in Luton, perhaps he can help you out.

Good luck.

 

[Vinnie]

Welcome mate and good luck with the new venture.. I'm sure some of the guys will have ideas but In all honesty I would suggest if your going to take on gutter facia jobs etc and want to reach all Windows including over porches extensions and the like your going to need some water fed pole gear. If you want to trad Windows most the time just go for a back pack and half decent pole. This then opens up jobs like conservatory roofs too which are nice earners. I'm water fed pole myself but I think if your just trad you have to be realistic that there will be Windows which simply can't be accessed (safely atleast) and gutters that can't be reached off ladders. Hope it goes well

Thanks Chris,

I do hope it takes off for us although like any business,it can seem a bit daunting at first,,this forum seems like a great place for advice though.

Think the pole and backpack would be good to at least try out on this job and if the facia's and awkward places become more frequent then I think it would probably make sense to use a water fed pole,,as like you say not only for hard to reach places but for conservatories too which would be a bonus..certainly don't want to get in any risky situations.

Thanks again mate,

Vinnie.

 

[Vinnie]

Ifyou can get pics it'll help loads, depending on the porch size and ground, there is potential to have the ladder at a shallower angle to reach it, however someone MUST foot the ladder AT ALL TIMES. I've done it a few times in the past, but I would recommend buying a backpack and pole, cost you around 150 for a cheap starter set, a worthwhile investment

Thanks mate,

Yes I think the pole and backpack are the way to go on this one in particular,its a sloped driveway and the angle still wouldn't allow for the ladders to sit safely.

Thanks,

Vinnie.

 

[Vinnie]

For the leaded window use an applicator on Harris pole to wash then swap the applicator with a Fixi clamp holding a decent sized sponge wrapped in a laege microfiber to buff it up.
I see your profile says Luton, you have my sympathies.

On a serious note @Damo was talking about some possible leads in Luton, perhaps he can help you out.

Good luck.

Cheers for the advice,i've just been looking at those clamps,seems a good idea with sponge etc.

Also thanks for the sympathy,,your not far wrong..lol..

Cheers for the mention of Damo,I shall get in touch..

Nice one,

Vinnie

 

[chris clean]

Thanks Chris,
I do hope it takes off for us although like any business,it can seem a bit daunting at first,,this forum seems like a great place for advice though.

Think the pole and backpack would be good to at least try out on this job and if the facia's and awkward places become more frequent then I think it would probably make sense to use a water fed pole,,as like you say not only for hard to reach places but for conservatories too which would be a bonus..certainly don't want to get in any risky situations.

Thanks again mate,

Vinnie.

I know what you mean about the daunting bit mate I started only earlier this year but it grows so quick if you put the hard work in. In the early days I just knocked doors and dropped leaflets and as soon as I got a customer did the job and then kept knocking etc. you will be surprised how quick you can pick people up and the more you get it starts doing it itself like the neighbours will come out or one of a customers friends will phone you cos they heard about you and then your off. The way I always tried to look at it and still do is to work out what each customer is worth a year. So if you knock doors for hours and only get one customer say £12 per month look at it as an extra £144 per year /emoticons/smile.png which sounds much better! Try and upsell too so make sure they know what else you can do gutters / conservatories etc.