Whats a good starter Pole ?

[Swasher]

Been having a look around but im sure you guys have better recommendations.
Not after the ferrari version just a tried and tested good starter one
Many thanks in advance

 

[spruce]

A Gardiner CLX22 but if funds allow an SLX22.

A couple of years ago I upgraded my SLX22 I've worked with for many years to an SLX27. Now I can reach 99% of my work. I do have an old SLX40 for those odd 3 or 4 times a month when I need a longer pole.

 

[Part Timer]

Height and budget, cheap and cheerful 22' CLX will do. Any higher an SLX is the pole you'd need

 

[Mattlekim]

Clx 22 is what I use. Cheep a good. Handy to have a bigger pole as has been suggested. I used to have a clx 27 and had no problems with it compared to the slx 27. Yes the slx is better but the clx is perfectly fine.

 

[Swasher]

Have you any links please ?
??

 

[Part Timer]

Have you any links please ?
??

https://gardinerpolesystems.co.uk/all-products/water-fed-poles/telescopic-poles.html

 

[JohnDoeWindows]

As everyone has said, SLX is probably the best value for money out there.

 

[Chris34]

Been having a look around but im sure you guys have better recommendations.
Not after the ferrari version just a tried and tested good starter one
Many thanks in advance

I've had an SLX-22 for just over 3 years since I started, I don't regret getting it. The 22 is a must for my work, there's hardly a day that goes by without me having to use it fully extended, but it's long enough to do all my work but one job, I bought an extension 6 for it in my first year and still to this day only use it for the one job I bought it for. I've just snapped my first section, but it's a robust pole considering all the use it's had.

However it's the only pole I've ever used so I don't know what the others would be like.

Personally though, if you've got the money, or are basically not flat broke then I would start off with the Ferrari's of poles. The reason being is that it's your health you have to think about. Before I started window cleaning I had no health issues, however not long after starting I developed a pain to the right of my belly button. I've had everything checked at the doctors and hospital, MRI scans, cameras inside me, Ultrasound, tests and they can't find anything and it's still ongoing and the pain is gradually solidifying and getting worse. Now whether it's just a coincidence that I had just started window cleaning I don't know but my gut feeling is it's got something to do with it.

Basically you only get one set of arms, one body etc so you have to look after it and with window cleaning using the poles it puts lots of stress on unusual areas of your muscles, one of these areas is around your middle section. When you're at full length sometimes it's not always possible to have the best stance with the pole and inevitably it puts a lot of leverage on your muscles including your middle section and back.

The Ferrari of poles are lighter so that stress on your muscles should be less. So for me if I was to start again I'd probably go for the lightest pole I can get, but I'd also avoid doing awkward windows and just turn the work down. Once you damage the muscles it's hard to recover in this job, there isn't enough time to allow the muscle to repair itself. So if you look at other window cleaners, when they say they've struggled on for years with aches and pains and then they get an Xtreme pole (from Gardiners) then it's worth taking note. It doesn't mean it will definitely stop any aches and pains but it gives you the best chance.

So yes the cheaper poles will probably do the job, whether it's worth it from an efficiency point of view is debateable as a lighter stiffer pole you would be faster with it, but from a health point of view it's your body, it's your choice but listen to the ones who have health issues and you decide what safety measures you want to take to protect your future health.

 

[Swasher]

I've had an SLX-22 for just over 3 years since I started, I don't regret getting it. The 22 is a must for my work, there's hardly a day that goes by without me having to use it fully extended, but it's long enough to do all my work but one job, I bought an extension 6 for it in my first year and still to this day only use it for the one job I bought it for. I've just snapped my first section, but it's a robust pole considering all the use it's had.

However it's the only pole I've ever used so I don't know what the others would be like.

Personally though, if you've got the money, or are basically not flat broke then I would start off with the Ferrari's of poles. The reason being is that it's your health you have to think about. Before I started window cleaning I had no health issues, however not long after starting I developed a pain to the right of my belly button. I've had everything checked at the doctors and hospital, MRI scans, cameras inside me, Ultrasound, tests and they can't find anything and it's still ongoing and the pain is gradually solidifying and getting worse. Now whether it's just a coincidence that I had just started window cleaning I don't know but my gut feeling is it's got something to do with it.

Basically you only get one set of arms, one body etc so you have to look after it and with window cleaning using the poles it puts lots of stress on unusual areas of your muscles, one of these areas is around your middle section. When you're at full length sometimes it's not always possible to have the best stance with the pole and inevitably it puts a lot of leverage on your muscles including your middle section and back.

The Ferrari of poles are lighter so that stress on your muscles should be less. So for me if I was to start again I'd probably go for the lightest pole I can get, but I'd also avoid doing awkward windows and just turn the work down. Once you damage the muscles it's hard to recover in this job, there isn't enough time to allow the muscle to repair itself. So if you look at other window cleaners, when they say they've struggled on for years with aches and pains and then they get an Xtreme pole (from Gardiners) then it's worth taking note. It doesn't mean it will definitely stop any aches and pains but it gives you the best chance.

So yes the cheaper poles will probably do the job, whether it's worth it from an efficiency point of view is debateable as a lighter stiffer pole you would be faster with it, but from a health point of view it's your body, it's your choice but listen to the ones who have health issues and you decide what safety measures you want to take to protect your future health.

What a great piece of advice , thank you for taking time I appreciate it ??

 

[Chris34]

What a great piece of advice , thank you for taking time I appreciate it ??

No problem at all mate, it's nice to be able to pass on what I've learned and experienced

 

[scottish cleaning service]

You are ultimately wanting a Xtreme 18 for most of your work when you can afford one. They are strong and light and tick all the boxes bar the cost that's why I have two of them. You can fly through the work when you pair it with a 35cm brush with 4 jets, wouldn't change it for the world. ?

 

[tench0771]

Depends on how much you have to spend clx if finances are low but slx is we’re you want to be the extreme is the best but it’s expensive and won’t last as long also bit fragile having said that my old extreme got bashed about with out to much drama got the line now nano but top heavy but strong as a ox clamps but naff

 

[DeLaCruz]

@scottish cleaning service
Yeah I have extreme 18 now for last 4 years and it’s still going strong - gonna give it a quick epoxy and new clips refresh soon but overall these are still ridiculous good value for money considering how much work it’s done. Wouldn’t not have one now

 

[Part Timer]

Every bangs on about light poles then stick bricks on the end. Anyone that can't use a SLX25 all day probably needs to find a less strenuous job

 

[Fraggle]

I got the SLX22 initially and was happy with it but just needed a bit extra reach for some second floor flats so bought extension #6. Does this make it slightly longer than a slx27?

I'd love the option of doing third floor flats but figure I'd need another two extensions if I'm pretty much at my limit for second floor, does this sound about right?

 

[Pjj]

I got the SLX22 initially and was happy with it but just needed a bit extra reach for some second floor flats so bought extension #6. Does this make it slightly longer than a slx27?

I'd love the option of doing third floor flats but figure I'd need another two extensions if I'm pretty much at my limit for second floor, does this sound about right?

Depending on the style of the building a 27 foot pole should do 3 floors easily , we do a lot of 3 storey stuff with 22 but can be a stretch on sum and usually find a 25 will do 99% of them .

 

[spruce]

I got the SLX22 initially and was happy with it but just needed a bit extra reach for some second floor flats so bought extension #6. Does this make it slightly longer than a slx27?

I'd love the option of doing third floor flats but figure I'd need another two extensions if I'm pretty much at my limit for second floor, does this sound about right?

One of the problems with second and third floor flats is they have neighbours below them. Water splashing down on their windows just creates drama, especially if they have a trad cleaner who does the windows at ground level.
We only have a few upstairs flats windows left, and I end up putting the brush quickly over those lower windows to keep the peace. I will eventually get rid of them all as they are more trouble than they are worth.

There is another local windie who has a much longer Gardiner pole, so he can reach 4 and possibly some 5 floor flats. We just refer anyone to him. He doesn't lose sleep over anyone he upsets.

There are still plenty of potential customers who own ordinary houses to canvass. We have a couple of estates that have sprung up with the master bedroom with ensuite bathroom in the attic space. My SLX27 reaches those top windows OK, and I'm not tall. It was a real tip toe effort with my SLX22 and if the windows needed a scrub, then I would have to get my SLX40 out.

 

[scottish cleaning service]

I have the xtreme 35' for some old Victorian Flats and only do the second floor. My pole doesn't reach the third floor which I'm happy about. As Spruce says they are more hassle than they are worth but I only have 2 flats to clean.

 

[Fraggle]

Depending on the style of the building a 27 foot pole should do 3 floors easily , we do a lot of 3 storey stuff with 22 but can be a stretch on sum and usually find a 25 will do 99% of them .

Three floors as in ground first and second? My 22 reached most second floor flats until I discovered a different style of flats and the 22 wasn't reaching unless, I was stretching at my limit, extension solved that.

Yeah I know what you mean about water dripping down to flats below, I do rinse off if it needs it and it's still better money for me than a semi or a detached, though I do a few of them also but 75% of my work is flats.