Cleaning Frames Using A Pole

[geckofly]

I plan to start cleaning windows in the next few weeks , so very new at this !

I would like to use a pole a 5M harris pole for cleaning first floor windows rather than ladders, and am going to try with a wagtail.

it seemes to me that making sure the frames are clean would be a big part of keeping customers happy!

so my question is , what would people recomend as a sequence for cleanning frames and glass

would you use a brush first to clean the frames

would you mop the frames first ,or just use a damp microcloth

what would best way of fixing a cloth to the pole be for cleaning the frames

Ive seen videos of people wrapping cloths around 6" squeegee or using cloth on pole top

for detailing , but what would be best for frames?

would be great to hear some advice

and this is a fab Forum !!

I

 

[Dodger]

Whilst I don't disagree with doing it that way, it works for many windies in fact but I can't see anyone doing first cleans this way. Some I've done would have taken a month of sundays to get all the dirt off the frames this way, you really need to get up there and get that dirt off the frames if you're planning on doing them and after that do it with the harris.

Just my opinion and I'm sure there'll be different one's.

 

[jimbob]

youll probally have to get up there on a ladder for most first cleans It can be done with just using a pole but youll find it difficult on some properties and have to turn jobs down. is there a particular reason you don't want to use ladders ?

 

[daves window cleaning]

You need to use ladders on first cleans its a must .

Unless your going wfp .

 

[Smurf]

If you are not so keen on using ladders then maybe consider wfp for tops to start of with instead as you may find trad pole work can be very difficult to master.

 

[stevelewis]

same as others i use ladders for 1st cleans and access if needed but after that pole and wagtail with a cloth attached to one side for detailing and one the othe side to give frames a quick wipe over, works well and i find quicker than ladders and less risky, hope this helps mate

ive got the 5m harris decorators pole aswell bargain for £15 bet more windys use that pole than actual decorators lol

 

[Squeak and Bubbles]

same as others i use ladders for 1st cleans and access if needed but after that pole and wagtail with a cloth attached to one side for detailing and one the othe side to give frames a quick wipe over, works well and i find quicker than ladders and less risky, hope this helps mate
ive got the 5m harris decorators pole aswell bargain for £15 bet more windys use that pole than actual decorators lol

I have seen loads using them. If they work, and cheap, why not use them. Great idea, personally I don't use one.

 

[Gmeister]

Thought about replying here before everyone else but then thought see what other poeple say.

Basiclly everyone here is right, if your gonna clean windows, first cleans would be better to clean on a ladder and you can clean frames too, frames dont need cleaning that often.

After that you can use a pole.

 

[Gmeister]

I not sure how you would clean leaded windows(upstairs) with a pole though....

 

[jimbob]

I not sure how you would clean leaded windows(upstairs) with a pole though....

I was just thiking that might have to use one of them internal cleaning kits the ones with the pad and microfiber cloths

 

[stevelewis]

I not sure how you would clean leaded windows(upstairs) with a pole though....

i just mop up the window as usuall then blade off then wrap a glass cloth round my squeegee and buff up, allthough first couple of times i tried this i did get up the laders to have a quick check and they were fine never had any complaints anyway, only takes a few seconds longer than normall tbh

 

[Window Cleaning Rayleigh]

good luck with your new business mate, hope it brings u a lot of success. i personally find getting up close and personal is best, but everyone has their own style, go with whatever works best

 

[geckofly]

Thanks everyone for the replies and the good wishes . I can see that makes sense doing first cleans with a ladder, will give that a go , what about brushing though, do people do this or just wipe away , I guess in damp weather brushing could easily just spread the dirt around, or is it a good way of getting the worst off ?

 

[stevelewis]

once youve done the first clean with a ladder you can make sure all the dirt, cobwebs ect are fully wiped away after the first clean you'll find there not as near as bad so a quick wipe with a cloth attached to pole will surfice

 

[CNS-southwest]

I did a few first cleans while practicing and had no problem with a pole.

My "routine" (I tried several) is firstly a damp micro fibre on a plastic right angled tubular pipe ( elastic band holds it) that goes over the cone nice and snug (there is teddy filling type stuff between the pole and cloth), I clean/wipe frames in all upper windows like this.

Bring The pole down and swap to wagtail, do the glass on all top windows.

Pole down, put a micro fibre on another one of those right hand angled tubes, back up to detail.

Then do lower windows as usual.

If I'm doing a Upvc clean rather than the standard wipe down, then I get the ladders out.

To note, the right angle things...I'm working on refining them, but they will be glued to a cone so they can be interchanged in the same way you fit a wagtail....if that makes sense....

 

[Doo]

All the best on your new business bud.

i bought a harris pole the other day & have had a couple of goes on it on my own house, I dont have a wagtail yet, so just using my 12 inch blade, I'm dragging water down the window sometimes , what am I doing wrong ?

 

[CNS-southwest]

It's likely to be the angle of the blade, wagtails are usually At a different angle

 

[Doo]

It's likely to be the angle of the blade' date=' wagtails are usually At a different angle[/quote']
thanks for that now can any point me in the direction of the best wagtail to use with a harris pole

 

[CNS-southwest]

Bingo uses this one and recommended it, ill be ordering mine next week:

http://www.windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk/shop/index.php?option=com_aceshop&route=product/product&path=75_44_172&product_id=1149

 

[Dodger]

Watch waggas vids on how to modify it, his way looks way better than standard. Don't know why they ain't changed it to be honest waggas looks that much better.

 

[Bingo]

Wagtail are now bringing out a NEW channel for the NEW Pivot Control Handle ...

Think their just drilling the hole (which secures the the channel) in a slightly different place so that it changes the angle of the channel when it sits in the handle. But their channels cost a fortune compared to Unger 'S' channels.

You can buy 3 Unger 'S' channels for the price of 1 Wagtail channel /emoticons/wink.png.

Soooo, you know how carefull I am with my money /emoticons/biggrin.png .......

I drilled a hole in my 18" and 22" 'S' channels (making sure the angle of the channel when in the handle, was the same as the Wagtail), pushed some short lengths of cable-tie where the channel fits in the handle for a snug fit (Unger channels are thinner), and tightened up the screw....and BINGO /emoticons/smile.png ...they work perfect (so far)....even the 22" when fanning....sooo quick it's bliss.

One of these makes a big difference as well.....

http://www.windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk/shop/index.php?option=com_aceshop&route=product/product&path=75_44_323&product_id=836

Don't use the pad on the Whirlwind so much now, great for the insides in the Summer though.

I might have a try at Waggas version, as the pad on the Whirlwind does bunch-up sometimes when closing out.