Sub zero cleaning

[theo]

Hi Guys
Just wondering how everyone cleans when the temperature drops below zero.
I’ve always worried that the excess water will freeze and someone will slip and have an injury.
I suppose a one time skip of windows above doors and a hand clean of the doors would be suitable?
Also do you put ice grit or anything down.
Thanks all.

 

[ched999uk]

It's tricky as putting salt down isn't good for pets feet plus it can make a mess if walked into a house.

I'm having a few more days off as I can catch up over the next couple of weeks. I don't want to risk a customer falling on ice I have contributed to and too risky in the van. Just takes a patch of black ice and the van sliding into a kerb or another car!
Risk not worth the reward but everyone has different financial situations.

 

[Part Timer]

Carry on regardless, but if really cold then skip doors

 

[THL4KEL]

Just cloth the front door and dont let water go on paths, use a univalve to stop flow or bend the hose so you're not putting excess water around property. I was sub zero all day today, there was a lot of ice everywhere, all jobs got done as normal.

 

[DansClearView]

It's been no higher than 1 degree here today and not getting above 0 until midday tomorrow so like Ched I'll be taking the day off unless a drastic change. I don't have a spare van on the drive so am not risking black ice nor causing a slip hazard for customers plus it's bloody cold (might think differently if the cold was in for a few weeks but we're approaching double figures again next week).
I'm already 2 weeks behind because of Christmas so a couple of more days won't make much difference, it's just going to be a reset job Monday.

 

[theo]

Very sensible thoughts and thanks for the advice.

 

[Chris34]

Just be careful around doors and corners of houses where the paths run around the house. The corners are where they change direction when walking so if iced are more likely to slip. Down the sides of houses they don't seem to be iced over as they are more sheltered so a little bit warmer.

I was first day back today as the van broke down on Monday as I was leaving the garage for work, suspension spring broke, luckily managed to get it fixed yesterday, my garage I use did me a massive favour. There's loads of snow on the ground around here and it's compacted and iced over, so it's dangerous everywhere anyway. Some of the side roads are now ice rinks and we've got major roads that have been shut due to flooding and will remain shut all week.

Close to the house walls the icy snow isn't present and is pretty much dry, but about 10 inches away from the house walls is where there's loads of snow / ice. So water close to the houses shouldn't be a problem, just try and keep it off the paths and also avoid the doors if not sheltered.

 

[dazmond]

I normally work as usual and take a sweeping brush with me and ice melt grit but NOT when there's lying snow on the ground that's frozen overnight and its not gonna thaw out during the day....

I don't know what your vans like but mine slides all over the place in compacted snow/ice with half a ton of water in the back so I don't work because it's just not worth getting stuck down a side road or crashing the van or even slipping and breaking an arm or a leg.....

My cupra formentor which is a small SUV is great in the snow and ice but obviously I don't use it for work.

Sometimes you gotta admit defeat,reschedule work and just enjoy the time off.

I've wrote the week off. Starting back Monday 13th now. Only worked Monday this week then sacked it off when I struggled to get out of my close on Tuesday morning. It's a nightmare down the side roads round here and where my work is(leafy suburbs and semi rural)

 

[Iron Giant]

I just crack on as normal. I am walking around people's properties where snow has melted and turned to slippy ice. I'm risking falling all day without caution. It's about using your common sense.

I can understand some lads not venturing out because snowfall and freezing temperatures are worse in different areas than where I am. I have had to sit at home myself in the past, but if the roads are safe and estate roads are mostly clear, I'm out working.

 

[THL4KEL]

Always handy to have a trolley system on the van so if a street is full ice you dont have to drive down there..

 

[Iron Giant]

Always handy to have a trolley system on the van so if a street is full ice you dont have to drive down there..

After the morning me and you have had we should have stayed home till after 10am

 

[Part Timer]

After the morning me and you have had we should have stayed home till after 10am

It has been a tad cold here as well, so my son tells me

 

[THL4KEL]

Hopefully tomorrow is the last day of it....

 

[Cleanco]

Ye back into double figures next week. We usually work down to -3, any lower than that and it’s virtually impossible even with warm water. Only missed a couple of gutter clears and a conny roof up to now this week but the windows have been fine starting a bit later around half nine/ten o’clock.

 

[Iron Giant]

It has been a tad cold here as well, so my son tells me

He might have drawn the short straw have you been wrapped up inside with the old boy?

My day wasn't that eventful compared to @THL4KEL his could be turned into a short comedy sketch

 

[Iron Giant]

Ye back into double figures next week. We usually work down to -3, any lower than that and it’s virtually impossible even with warm water. Only missed a couple of gutter clears and a conny roof up to now this week but the windows have been fine starting a bit later around half nine/ten o’clock.

I managed Tuesday and Wednesday starting before 9am no real issues and got good full days in but last night the temps dropped fast and it was -5c first thing this morning probably colder earlier, I managed two jobs with some freezing when it was -2c but got caught on my 3rd job with water freezing in the hose and had to pack up for a while,

Tomorrow looks to be warmer so I'm hoping for a 9am start or earlier and a full days graft completed.

 

[Part Timer]

He might have drawn the short straw have you been wrapped up inside with the old boy?

My day wasn't that eventful compared to @THL4KEL his could be turned into a short comedy sketch

A bit fresh on our morning walk but no real wind so no great wind chill. Been preparing my schedule for next weeks gutter clearing around Cambridge.

 

[Bart90]

I've started later this week around 11am and that's worked well to avoid freezing issues. Tomorrow is barely above freezing so enjoying a long weekend and a walk in the countryside. Catch up on some paperwork in the afternoon.

For doors, a flick of the wet bristles on the glass and a few microfibres to dry. For any risky slip areas after I've cleaned, I put some grit down.